Background: The no-reflow phenomenon affects about one out of five patients undergoing Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PPCI). As the prolonged no-reflow phenomenon is linked with unfavorable outcomes, making early recognition is crucial for effective management and improved clinical outcomes in these patients. Our review study aimed to determine whether electrocardiogram (ECG) findings before PCI could serve as predictors for the occurrence of the no-reflow phenomenon.Methods and materials: We systematically searched MEDLINE, Scopus, and Embase to identify relevant studies. The random-effect model using inverse variance and Mantel-Haenszel methods were used to pool the standardized mean differences (SMD) and odds ratios (OR), respectively.Result: Sixteen eligible articles (1,473 cases and 4,264 controls) were included in this study. Based on our meta-analysis of baseline ECG findings, the no-reflow group compared to the control group significantly had a higher frequency of fragmented QRS complexes (fQRS) (OR (95% CI): 1.35 (0.32–2.38), P-value = 0.01), and Q-waves (OR (95% CI): 1.97 (1.01–2.94), P-value <0.001). Also, a longer QRS duration (QRSD) (SMD (95% CI): 0.72 (0.21, 1.23), p-value <0.001) and R wave peak time (RWPT) (SMD (95% CI): 1.36 (0.8, 1.93), P < 0.001) were seen in the no-reflow group. The two groups had no significant difference regarding P wave peak time (PWPT), and P wave maximum duration (Pmax) on baseline ECG.Conclusion: Our findings suggest that prolonged QRSD, delayed RWPT, higher fQRS prevalence, and the presence of a Q wave on baseline ECG may predict the occurrence of the no-reflow phenomenon in patients undergoing PPCI.

Backgrounds: Myasthenia Gravis (MG), a chronic neuromuscular junction disorder, emerged as one of the serious side effects of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination. We aimed to summarize the findings of studies on the clinical features and outcomes of COVID-19 vaccination-associated MG. Methods: We performed a systematic search on 3 databases, Medline, Embase, and Scopus, using the query “COVID-19 vaccine” and “Myasthenia Gravis.” Patients’ data, including clinical data, MG subtype, vaccine type, and vaccine dose number, were extracted from the eligible studies. Results: A total of 20 COVID-19 vaccination-related MGs have been reported worldwide. The median (interquartile range) age was 64 (51, 75) years; 85% (17/20) of them were male, and 70% (14/20) of patients had received messenger RNA-based vaccines. The most common symptoms, in order of frequency, were binocular diplopia (8/11) and ptosis (4/11); the median (interquartile range) time from vaccine to MG symptoms was 6 (2, 7.5) days. Repetitive nerve stimulation showed abnormal decrement in 85% (11/13) of patients, and all 4 patients getting single-fiber electromyography showed an abnormal finding. Nine out of twelve patients with data on clinical outcomes experienced partial/complete improvement of symptoms within 1 month. Conclusion: MG cases after the COVID-19 vaccine are more likely to occur among males and adults older than 50 years. Our pooled cohort data suggest MG symptoms appear within 2 weeks after receiving the vaccine. The presenting symptoms in MG cases associated with COVID-19 vaccine are possibly similar to non-vaccination related MGs. Most patients are expected to experience partial/complete improvement within 1 month.

Post-operative venous thromboembolism (VTE) remains a concern following cancer-related surgeries. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) compared to low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) for thromboprophylaxis after cancer-related surgeries. We systematically searched databases for studies comparing DOACs to LMWH for post-operative thromboprophylaxis in patients undergoing cancer-related surgeries. Primary outcomes were VTE incidence and bleeding events. Secondary outcomes included all-cause mortality and hospitalization rates. Subgroup analyses examined DOAC type, cancer type, and follow-up duration. A random-effects model calculated pooled risk ratios (RRs) with 95 % confidence intervals (CIs). Analysis included 16 studies with 6400 participants in the DOAC group (mean age 62.05 years, 28.15 % male) and 5801 participants in the LMWH group (mean age 60.78 years, 34.65 % male). DOACs were non-inferior to LMWH for VTE prevention (RR = 0.81, 95 % CI 0.56 to 1.16) with no significant difference in bleeding rates (RR = 0.70, 95 % CI 0.70 to 1.18). Mortality and hospitalization rates were similar between groups. Subgroup analyses suggested possible VTE reduction with DOACs in urological cancer surgeries (RR = 0.52, 95 % CI 0.44 to 0.61) and lower bleeding trends with Apixaban (RR = 0.64, 95 % CI 0.44 to 0.94). DOACs appear non-inferior to LMWH for post-operative thromboprophylaxis in patients undergoing cancer-related surgeries, with comparable safety. The superior VTE prevention in urological cancer surgeries and Apixaban's favorable safety profile warrant further investigation. Moreover, additional research is necessary to clarify the roles of specific DOACs and optimal prophylaxis strategies across various cancer types and surgical procedures.