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Purpose: Non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) represents the persistent absence of sperm in ejaculate without obstruction, stemming from diverse disease processes. This survey explores global practices in NOA diagnosis, comparing them with guidelines and offering expert recommendations. Materials and Methods:Materials and Methods: A 56-item questionnaire survey on NOA diagnosis and management was conducted globally from July to September 2022. This paper focuses on part 1, evaluating NOA diagnosis. Data from 367 participants across 49 coun-tries were analyzed descriptively, with a Delphi process used for expert recommendations. Results:Results: Of 336 eligible responses, most participants were experienced attending physicians (70.93%). To diagnose azoosper-mia definitively, 81.7% requested two semen samples. Commonly ordered hormone tests included serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) (97.0%), total testosterone (92.9%), and luteinizing hormone (86.9%). Genetic testing was requested by 66.6%, with karyotype analysis (86.2%) and Y chromosome microdeletions (88.3%) prevalent. Diagnostic testicular biopsy, distinguishing obstructive azoospermia (OA) from NOA, was not performed by 45.1%, while 34.6% did it selectively. Differ-entiation relied on physical examination (76.1%), serum hormone profiles (69.6%), and semen tests (68.1%). Expectations of finding sperm surgically were higher in men with normal FSH, larger testes, and a history of sperm in ejaculate. Conclusions:Conclusions: This expert survey, encompassing 367 participants from 49 countries, unveils congruence with recommended guidelines in NOA diagnosis. However, noteworthy disparities in practices suggest a need for evidence-based, international consensus guidelines to standardize NOA evaluation, addressing existing gaps in professional recommendations.

Background No data currently exist comparing the contemporary iterations of balloon‐expandable (BE) Edwards SAPIEN 3/Ultra and the self‐expanding (SE) Medtronic Evolut PRO/R34 valves. The aim of the study was the comparison of these transcatheter heart valves with emphasis on patients with small aortic annulus. Methods and Results In this retrospective registry, periprocedural outcomes and midterm all‐cause mortality were analyzed. A total of 1673 patients (917 SE versus 756 BE) were followed up for a median of 15 months. A total of 194 patients died (11.6%) during follow‐up. SE and BE groups showed similar survival at 1 (92.6% versus 90.6%) and 3 (80.3% versus 85.2%) years (Plog‐rank=0.136). Compared with the BE group, patients treated with the SE device had lower peak (16.3±8 mm Hg SE versus 21.9±8 mm Hg BE) and mean (8.8±5 mm Hg SE versus 11.5±5 mm Hg BE) gradients at discharge. Conversely, the BE group demonstrated lower rates of at least moderate paravalvular regurgitation postoperatively (5.6% versus 0.7% for SE and BE valves, respectively; P

Background and Aims: A mathematical procedure and a decision support tool, Opt-IVF, were developed to overcome the shortcomings of the current IVF practice of dosage profile determination by trial and error, which can provide a personalized model and optimized drug treatment. This paper describes the decision support tool for improving outcomes of IVF treatment for both antagonist and agonist protocols used in real practice. We present the results of two clinical trials. Method: Our earlier work developed models for agonist and antagonist protocols based on an analogy between superovulation and batch crystallization. This model was customized for each patient using two days of follicular data, and the optimal control method was applied to optimize the dosage profile. Validation of the model was conducted with retrospective data from 150 patients from India and 50 from the United States. Opt-IVF reduced total hormone dosage by 20 to 60%, reduced US testing by 50 to 75%, and provided a higher number of oocytes and high-quality embryos. Results: The primary outcome measures studied for two clinical trials with Opt-IVF include total hormonal dosage, % follicles retrieved, MII oocytes, Embryos, and Grade A Embryos. Results showed that Opt-IVF reduces drug dosage and testing and increases the number of embryos, Grade A embryos, and high-quality blastocysts significantly. Subgroup analysis showed improvements in outcomes were more significant for both Poor-responder and PCOS patients than for normal responders. Pregnancy rates were significantly higher with Opt-IVF patients than with standard protocol control patients. Conclusions: A mathematics-based approach to dosage profile determination results in optimal mature follicles, better embryos, and higher pregnancy with reduced dosage and the need for testing.

Abstract Background Female reproductive tract dysbiosis impacts implantation. However, whether gut dysbiosis influences implantation failure and whether it accompanies reproductive tract dysbiosis remains scantly explored. Herein, we examined the gut-vaginal microbiota axis in infertile women. Methods We recruited 11 fertile women as the controls, and a cohort of 20 infertile women, 10 of whom had recurrent implantation failure (RIF), and another 10 had unexplained infertility (UE). Using amplicon sequencing, which employs PCR to create sequences of DNA called amplicon, we compared the diversity, structure, and composition of faecal and vaginal bacteria of the controls with that of the infertile cohort. Of note, we could only sequence 8 vaginal samples in each group (n = 24/31). Result Compared with the controls, α-diversity and β-diversity of the gut bacteria among the infertile groups differed significantly (p

Abstract Background Coronary artery perforation during coronary intervention has high morbidity and mortality. This case describes the collaboration between interventional cardiologists and Interventional radiologists to successfully deploy a peripheral arterial stent graft in a coronary artery that demonstrated persistent extravasation after coronary specific stent graft placement. Case presentation An 84 year old female patient presented with acute coronary syndrome and coronary angiography identified a right coronary artery lesion. This was dilated and stented but resulted in a grade 3 coronary perforation. Conservative treatment with balloon tamponade failed, as did placement of a covered coronary-specific stent graft. A Viabahn peripheral arterial stent graft was placed within the indwelling stents and successfully sealed the endoleak. At 6 months the patient is clinically well and follow-up imaging has demonstrated stent patency. Conclusions In the emergency setting when coronary artery perforation fails to respond to standard initial and bail out techniques, peripheral arterial techniques and devices can be extremely useful. A good relationship between interventional cardiology and radiology is paramount.

BackgroundEarly risk stratification after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) for ST‐segment–elevation myocardial infarction is currently challenging. Identification of a low‐risk group may improve triage of patients to alternative clinical pathways and support early hospital discharge. Our aim was to assess whether the index of microcirculatory resistance (IMR) at the time of PPCI can identify patients at low risk of early major cardiac complications and to compare its performance against guideline‐recommended risk scores. Methods and ResultsIMR was measured using a pressure–temperature sensor wire. Cardiac complications were defined as the composite of cardiac death, cardiogenic shock, pulmonary edema, malignant arrhythmias, cardiac rupture, and presence of left ventricular thrombus either before hospital discharge or within 30‐day follow‐up. In total, 261 patients undergoing PPCI who were eligible for coronary physiology assessment were prospectively enrolled. Twenty‐two major cardiac complications were reported. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis confirmed the utility of IMR in predicting complications and showed significantly better performance than coronary flow reserve, the Primary Angioplasty in Myocardial Infarction II (PAMI‐II), and Zwolle score (P≤0.006). Low microvascular resistance (IMR ≤40) was measured in 159 patients (61%) of the study population and identified all patients who were free of major cardiac complications (sensitivity: 100%; 95% CI, 80.5–100%). ConclusionsIMR immediately at the end of PPCI for ST‐segment–elevation myocardial infarction reliably predicts early major cardiac complications and performed significantly better than recommended risk scores. These novel data have implications for early risk stratification after PPCI.

The detachment of atherothrombotic material from the atherosclerotic coronary plaque and downstream embolisation is an underrecognized phenomenon and it causes different degrees of impairment of the coronary microcirculation. During treatment of obstructive atherosclerotic plaque by percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) distal embolisation (DE) is considered to be inevitable and it is associated with potential clinical and prognostic implications. This review aims to assess the main aspects of both spontaneous and procedural DE, analyze their different pathophysiology, provide specific insights on the main diagnostic tools for their identification, and finally focus on the main strategies for their treatment and prevention.

Primary Ovarian Insufficiency (POI) or Diminished Ovarian Reserve (DOR) are the two conditions that affects women leading to infertility due to the lack of follicular growth and ovulation. Egg / Oocyte donation remains an option for these patients. However, with the development in Reproductive medicine various novel technologies like Ovarian Cryopreservation, Fragmentation, in vitro activation with drug treatment or even drug free autotransplantation enables the possibility of activating the pool of primordial follicles that can lead to successful pregnancy outcomes. Here, we report a case of women with POI, in which drug free in vitro activation of follicles was performed, followed by autotransplantation, which resulted in successful pregnancy. This is first case report from India that shows the procedure works and can be tried for women with POI.

Surrogacy is an important method of assisted reproductive technology wherein a woman carries pregnancy for another couple. Number of couples around the world require surrogacy services for various reasons. Although this arrangement seems to be beneficial for all parties concerned, there are complex social, ethical, moral, and legal issues associated with it. It is these complexities that have made this practice unpopular in many parts of the world. Surrogacy in India has had its own journey from India becoming popular as a surrogacy center since 2002 to the Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill, 2016, which would restrict the option of surrogacy for many. Surrogacy is an important medical service for all those couples who would otherwise not have been able to produce a child. Surrogacy would be practiced harmoniously if delicate issues associated with surrogacy will be addressed properly through appropriately framed laws which would protect the rights of surrogate mothers, intended parents, and child born through surrogacy.