Objective: The undisputed gold standard of treatment for type A aortic dissections (TAAD) is open surgery. Anecdotal reports have assessed thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) as a last resort for highly selected candidates. The present study aims to evaluate endovascular outcomes in TAAD patients who are unsuitable for open surgery whilst having TEVAR-compatible aortic anatomy. Methods: A PRISMA-compliant systematic search of the PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane databases was performed up to 19 May 2022. Time-to-event data were reconstructed using Kaplan–Meier curves from the source literature. Results: In 20 eligible studies, 311 patients underwent TEVAR for acute, subacute, or chronic TAAD. Mean age at the time of the operation was 60.70 ± 8.00 years and 75.48% (95% Confidence Interval [CI], 60.33–88.46%) of the included patients were males. Mean operative time was 169.40 ± 30.70 min. Overall, 0.44% (95% CI, 0.00–4.83%) of the cases were converted to salvage open surgery. Technical failure, stroke, and endoleaks occurred in 0.22%, 0.1%, and 8.52% of the cohort, respectively. Thirty-day postoperative complication rate was 7.08% (95% CI, 1.52–14.97%), whereas late complications developed in 16.89% (95% CI, 7.75–27.88%) of the patients. One-, three-, and five-year survival rates were estimated at 87.15%, 82.52% and 82.31%, respectively. Reintervention was required in 8.38% of the cohort over a mean follow-up of 32.40 ± 24.40 months. Conclusions: TEVAR seems to be feasible in highly selected patients with TAAD who cannot tolerate open surgery. Overcoming technical limitations and acquiring long-term data are warranted to safely define the place of endovascular treatment in the armamentarium of TAAD repair.

Objective: The standard approach for coronary artery bypass grafting is open surgery. Totally endoscopic coronary artery bypass has emerged as an alternative for selected patients. This meta-analysis sought to evaluate clinical outcomes with this emerging technique. Methods: A PRISMA-compliant search was performed up to December 14, 2022, in PubMed (MEDLINE), Scopus, and Cochrane. Time-to-event data were reconstructed using Kaplan–Meier curves from source literature. Results: A total of 2,774 patients with symptomatic coronary artery disease underwent totally endoscopic coronary artery bypass in 18 eligible studies. The mean patient age was 63.2 ± 12.3 years, and 77.5% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 72.2% to 82.4%) of the included patients were males. The mean operative time was 304.2 ± 155 min, whereas the mean internal mammary artery takedown time was 38.3 ± 18.4 min. Of the patients, 4.7% (95% CI: 1.6% to 9.1%) required conversions to open surgery. The 30-day complication rate was 5.9% (95% CI: 1.2% to 13.1%), whereas late complications developed in 4.8% (95% CI: 1.9% to 8.5%) of the patients. Freedom from major adverse cardiac events was 93.4% (95% CI: 85.3% to 94.8%) and 1-year, 5-year, and 10-year survival rates were 95.2%, 83.2%, and 81.7%, respectively. Reintervention was required in 3.3% (95% CI: 2.3% to 4.4%) of the cohort within a mean follow-up of 42.5 ± 27.8 months. Conclusions: Totally endoscopic coronary artery bypass may be a safe and viable alternative for selected patients with coronary artery disease. Long-term follow-up will help define the place of robotic endoscopic treatment in the armamentarium of myocardial revascularization.

Background: Vitamin D testing (VDT) and supplement use (VDS) are on the rise, but most patients remain deficient (3000 IU/day)), intake duration (short-term (<12 months) and long-term use (≥12 months)), and timing of use (current use, former use, no use). Results: We enrolled n = 6912 subjects with vitamin D measurements: n = 5195 females (75.2%), age 44.0 ± 16.8 years, BMI 27.9 ± 6.5 kg/m²; never users: n = 5553 (80.3%), former users: n = 533 (7.7%), current users: n = 826 (12.0%). Current use of VDS was higher in females. VDT rose from 42.1% in 2014 to 92.7% in 2022, and VDA rose from 14.8% to 25.5% for the same time. VDA was found overall in n = 1511 (21.9%); Never users: n = 864 (15.6%), Former users: n = 123 (23.2%); and Current users: n = 370 (44.8%). The maximal VDA (67.9%) was found in subjects using high-dose VDS in the long term. Conclusions: Despite the significant rise in VDT and VDS use, VDA was found in a minority of patients. Prolonged use of high-dose supplements produces modest improvements in VDA.

Summary: Large-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) is a rare neuroendocrine prostatic malignancy. It usually arises after androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), while de novo cases are even more infrequent, with only six cases described. The patient was a 78-year-old man with no history of ADT who presented with cervical lymphadenopathy. Diagnostic approaches included PET/CT, MRI, CT scans, ultrasonography, biopsies, and cytological and immunohistochemical evaluations. Results showed a poorly differentiated carcinoma in the thyroid gland accompanied by cervical lymph node enlargement. Thyroid surgery revealed LCNEC metastasis to the thyroid gland. Additional metastases were identified in both the adrenal glands. Despite appropriate treatment, the patient died of the disease. De novo LCNEC of the prostate is a rare, highly aggressive tumor with a poor prognosis. It is resistant to most therapeutic agents, has a high metastatic potential, and is usually diagnosed at an advanced stage. Further studies are required to characterize this tumor. Learning points: De novo LCNECs of the prostate gland can metastasize almost anywhere in the body, including the thyroid and adrenal glands. LCNECs of the prostate are usually associated with androgen-depriving therapy, but de novo cases are also notable and should be accounted for. Further studies are required to fully understand and treat LCNECs more effectively.

Objective: There is little evidence regarding the most beneficial choice between a mechanical and a bioprosthetic valve in the aortic position in dialysis patients. This meta-analysis compares the survival and freedom from reintervention rates between mechanical and bioprosthetic valves in patients on dialysis undergoing aortic valve replacement surgery.Methods: Two databases were searched, and the systematic review was performed in accordance with the recommendations of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses statement. We conducted one-stage and two-stage meta-analysis with Kaplan–Meier-derived individual patient data and meta-analysis with random-effects model.Results: Eight studies were included, providing data about 1215 dialysis patients receiving mechanical valves and 1851 patients receiving bioprosthetic valves. During a mean follow-up of 43.1 months, overall survival rates were significantly improved in the mechanical valve group in comparison to the bioprosthetic one (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.76, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.69–0.84, p < 0.001). This was confirmed by the two-stage meta-analysis (HR: 0.72, 95% CI: 0.62–0.83, p = 0.00, I²= 17.79%). Regarding freedom from reintervention, no arm offered a statistically significant advantage, according to the two-stage generated analysis (HR: 1.025, 95% CI: 0.65–1.61, p = 0.914). Similarly, there was no evident superiority of a valve type for perioperative outcomes.Conclusions: Mechanical valves are likely to be associated with a better survival outcome compared to bioprosthetic valves for patients on dialysis undergoing aortic valve replacement. However, freedom from reoperation rates and perioperative outcomes were comparable between the two valve types, with no arm exhibiting a statistically significant advantage.