Background: Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2-i) have been shown to reduce risks of clinical events in patients with heart failure (HF). However, data on the use of SGLT2-i in patients with left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) are scarce. We thought to assess the efficacy and safety of SGLT2-i in patients with LVADs. Methods: A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane from inception to November 2024. We used all relevant words for “SGLT2-i” and “LVAD” to search in databases, and we included studies and published abstracts in peer-reviewed journals of studies that assessed SGLT2-i in patients with LVAD. Results: Four studies and seven abstracts totaling 228 patients using SGLT2-i were included. Empagliflozin, Dapagliflozin, and Canagliflozin were the used SGLT2-i across the included studies. Pooled analysis showed that SGLT2-i significantly improved ejection fraction (EF) (Mean= 4.2, 95% CI [1.22, 7.19]) and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) (Mean = −0.44, 95% CI [−0.79, −0.09]) from baseline. However, no significant changes in B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), or glomerular filtration rate (GFR) were noticed. Other outcomes of interest not included in the meta-analysis did not show significant changes, such as cardiac index (CI), left ventricular end-systolic diameter (LVESD), left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD), mean arterial pressure (MAP), or mean pulmonary artery pressure (MPAP). The pooled percentage of people with driveline infection was 9%, 95% CI (3, 19). Conclusions: SGLT2-i effectively improves EF and HbA1c in patients using LVAD. Further adequately powered randomized studies are warranted to ascertain its clinical efficacy and safety in that unique population.

Introduction: Sacubitril/valsartan is an angiotensin receptor–neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI) drug used to treat patients with heart failure and has shown improvement in outcomes. Different studies reported the use of an ARNI in patients using left ventricular assist devices (LVADs). However, there are limited data on the use of ARNIs in this population. We aimed to assess the efficacy of ARNIs in LVAD patients. Methods: A systematic search was performed in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane from inception to November 2024. We used all relevant words for “ARNI” and “LVAD” to search, and we included studies that assessed ARNIs in patients with LVAD. Efficacy and safety outcomes were extracted from the included studies. R software version 4.4.2 was used for a meta-analysis. Results: Seven studies totaling 249 patients were included. The ARNI was found to be effective in improvements from baseline in the New York Heart Association (NYHA), B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) (mean = −630.07 pg/mL, 95% CI [−1113.13, −147.01]), diuretic dose (furosemide equivalents) (mean= −76.05 mg/day, 95% CI [−145.11, −6.99]), left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEED) (mean = −7.3 mm, 95% CI [−11.4, −3.1]), and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (mean =5, 95% CI [3.52, 6.48]). No improvement was found in the creatinine (Cr) level. However, a slight increase in the potassium level was noticed (mean= 0.17 mEq/L, 95% CI [0.02, 0.34]). The overall mortality in patients using the ARNI was 5%, 95% CI [0.00, 20], and discontinuation was found in 25%, 95% CI [0, 100]. Conclusions: The ARNI improved several cardiac structural and hemodynamic parameters in patients on LVAD support.

Background: Primary splenic abscess is rare and typically presents in patients who are immunocompromised. We present a case of a 47-year-old apparently immunocompetent female patient who was diagnosed with primary splenic abscess from a Salmonella Typhimurium infection following emergency laparotomy. Case presentation: A 47-year-old female patient presented with subjective fever and severe epigastric and left flank pain. She was treated empirically with intravenous piperacillin/tazobactam and gentamicin and was resuscitated with intravenous crystalloid infusion. A radiological diagnosis of splenic infarct secondary to splenic artery aneurysm superimposed with splenic abscess was presumed, however at emergency laparotomy, primary splenic abscess was identified. This abscess had eroded the left hemidiaphragm and had ruptured the splenic capsule leading to intra-abdominal pus in the pelvis which on culture grew Salmonella Typhimurium. A splenectomy and primary repair of the left hemidiaphragm were performed, with postoperative pancreatitis diagnosed following the procedure. After intensive care treatment, this patient made a full recovery. Conclusion: This case of primary splenic abscess was treated successfully with a combination of surgery (i.e.: splenectomy and surgical drainage), prolonged antimicrobial therapy, and intensive care in the perioperative period.

Background: There is a paucity of data supporting the role of neutrophil–lymphocyte ratios (NLR) to determine clinicopathological parameters in patients being treated for primary breast cancer. Aims: To evaluate the association between pre-operative NLR and clinicopathological parameters in patients diagnosed with breast cancer. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed. This included consecutive patients indicated to undergo surgery for primary breast cancer at University Hospital Limerick between January 2010 and June 2017. NLR was expressed as a continuous variable. Univariable and multivariable linear regression analyses were used to determine the correlation between NLR and clinicopathological data. Data analytics was performed using SPSS v29.0. Results: 673 patients met the inclusion criteria. Overall, the median preoperative NLR is 2.63 (standard deviation: 1.42). At univariable analysis, patient age (beta coefficient: 0.009, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.001–0.017, P = 0.027), tumour size (beta coefficient: 0.013, 95% CI 0.005–0.021, P = 0.001), and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 status (beta coefficient: − 0.370, 95% CI − 0.676–0.065, P = 0.017) were all predicted using NLR. However, at multivariable analysis, tumour size was the sole parameter predictable by NLR (beta coefficient: 0.011, 95% CI 0.002–0.019, P = 0.013). Conclusions: This study demonstrates that pre-operative NLR may serve as an independent predictor of tumour size in patients being treated with primary breast cancer. Ratification of these preliminary findings is warranted before robustly adopted into clinical practice.