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Background: Iron deficiency (ID) often coexists with heart failure (HF), and its prevalence increases with the severity of HF. Intravenous ferric carboxymaltose (FCM) has been associated with improvements in clinical outcomes, functional capacity, and quality of life (QoL) in patients with HF and ID. However, while earlier studies showed favorable results, more recent studies have failed to demonstrate significant improvements in outcomes for patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and ID. This meta-analysis seeks to provide updated insights into the effectiveness and safety of FCM compared to placebo/standard of care (SoC) among patients with HFrEF and ID/iron deficiency anemia (IDA). Methods: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature from inception to December 2023, utilizing databases such as MEDLINE (via PubMed), Google Scholar, the Cochrane Library, ClinicalTrials.gov, and the ScienceDirect portal. A statistical analysis was carried out using RevMan 5.4 with a random-effects model. Dichotomous outcomes were reported as odds ratios (OR), while continuous outcomes were presented as the weighted mean difference (WMD) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI), and heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 test. Results: The final analysis included data from six randomized controlled trials (RCTs), comprising 5132 patients. Our findings indicate a significant reduction in total HF hospitalizations among patients with HFrEF and ID/IDA treated with FCM compared to those receiving the placebo or SoC, with an OR of 0.59 (95% CI: 0.40 to 0.88, p < 0.010). However, no statistically significant difference was observed in the total number of deaths between the FCM and placebo/SoC groups (OR: 0.85; 95% CI: 0.70 to 1.03, p = 0.09), non-HF hospitalizations (OR: 0.71; 95% CI: 0.41 to 1.25, p = 0.24), or the composite outcome of cardiovascular hospitalizations and cardiovascular deaths (OR: 0.65; 95% CI: 0.40 to 1.04, p = 0.07). Regarding functional capacity, as assessed by the change in 6-min walk test (6MWT) distance, no significant improvement was found, with a weighted mean difference (WMD) of 14.03 (95% CI: −10.94 to 38.99, p = 0.27). QoL, measured by the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ) score, also did not show significant enhancement, with a WMD of 3.85 (95% CI: −0.55 to 8.24, p = 0.09). Furthermore, the safety analysis revealed no significant difference in the incidence of serious adverse events between the FCM and placebo/SoC groups, with an OR of 0.73 (95% CI: 0.49 to 1.10, p = 0.13). Conclusions: In patients with HFrEF and IDA, treatment with intravenous FCM significantly lowers the risk of total HF hospitalizations but does not appear to affect functional capacity, QoL, or mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the challenges posed by complex coronary lesions in interventional cardiology and the potential of drug-coated balloons (DCBs) as an alternative to drug-eluting stents (DES) for treatment. Studies have shown the safety and efficacy of DCBs in various coronary artery conditions, including in-stent restenosis, bifurcation lesions, and small-sized vessels. The integration of nanoscale excipients and computational models has optimized the precision and efficacy of DCBs for complex coronary lesions, offering a transformative intervention strategy. Further research is needed to validate the utility of DCBs across different lesion types and patient demographics, while computational cardiology shows promise in driving precision medicine and improving patient outcomes. [Extracted from the article]

Background: Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) significantly impacts patients' lives, contributing to morbidity, reduced quality of life (QoL), and psychological distress. Conventional treatment approaches primarily focus on rhythm control through pharmacologic therapy, often overlooking the patient's holistic well‐being. Hypothesis: Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), a well‐established intervention for modifying dysfunctional thoughts and behaviors, may provide a beneficial nonpharmacological approach to improving QoL in symptomatic PAF patients. Methods: A systematic review was conducted in accordance with Cochrane methodology and PRISMA guidelines. A comprehensive search was performed using PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar to identify relevant studies on the effects of CBT on QoL in PAF patients. Various CBT interventions, including exposure‐based, internet‐delivered, and mindfulness‐based approaches, were analyzed. Study quality was assessed using JBI and Cochrane tools to evaluate the risk of bias. Results: The review found that CBT interventions led to statistically significant improvements in several QoL domains, including physical and emotional well‐being. Psychological well‐being and self‐management skills were notably enhanced, as CBT helped address maladaptive cognitive patterns and improved coping strategies. The studies reviewed consistently demonstrated a low risk of bias, indicating reliability in the findings. Conclusions: CBT shows promise as a holistic, nonpharmacological intervention for managing PAF, improving both psychological and physical QoL. However, future research is needed to establish standardized protocols, increase sample sizes, and conduct long‐term follow‐ups to further validate its effectiveness in this population. Incorporating CBT into PAF management could substantially enhance patient outcomes and well‐being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]