Comparison of out of hospital cardiac arrest due to acute brain injury vs other causes.

Background: Acute brain injury (ABI) can cause out of hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). The aim of this study was to compare clinical features, mortality and potential for organ donation in patients with OHCA due to ABI vs other causes.

Methods: From January 2017 to December 2018, all adult patients presenting to ED for OHCA were considered for the study.

Comparison of clinical scores for identification of patients with pulmonary embolism at intermediate-high risk of adverse clinical outcome: the prognostic role of plasma lactate.

To compare the prognostic accuracy of the 2014 risk model of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and of Bova and TELOS scores for identification of normotensive patients with pulmonary embolism (PE) at high risk for short-term adverse events (i.e., intermediate-high risk patients), we retrospectively applied these tests to a prospective cohort of 994 normotensive patients with objectively confirmed PE.

Clinical picture of meningitis in the adult patient and its relationship with age.

To analyze the clinical characteristics of acute meningitis and their relationship with age in adult patients presenting to the emergency department. We retrospectively investigated consecutive adult patients admitted with a diagnosis of bacterial or viral meningitis from 2002 to 2006. Data about patient's history, symptoms and signs at presentation, etiology and clinical course were collected.

Aggressive approach and outcome in patients presenting atrial fibrillation and hypertension.

Aim: Aggressive approach in patients presenting atrial fibrillation (AF) and hypertension could result in improving rhythm control and reducing admission.

Methods: Out of 3475 patients presenting AF, those with hypertension (n=1739, 52%) underwent standard (n=591, group 1, years 2004-2005) or aggressive pharmacological and electrical approach (n=1148, group 2, years 2006-2009). Overall, in 1071 patients AF duration was less than 48 h.

A new simple risk score in patients with acute chest pain without existing known coronary disease.

Objective: To derive and validate a prediction rule in patients with acute chest pain (CP) without existing known coronary disease.

Methods: Cohort study including 2233 patients with CP. Based on clinical judgment, 1435 were discharged as very low risk and the remaining 798 underwent exercise tolerance test (ETT).

Duplex ultrasound in the emergency department for the diagnostic management of clinically suspected deep vein thrombosis.

Objectives: To evaluate the accuracy and safety of an emergency duplex ultrasound (EDUS) evaluation performed by emergency physicians in the emergency department.

Methods: Consecutive adult patients suspected of having their first episode of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) presenting to the emergency department were included in the study. All examinations were performed by emergency physicians trained with a 30-hour ultrasound course.

Effectiveness of a multidisciplinary chest pain unit for the assessment of coronary syndromes and risk stratification in the Florence area.

Background: In patients seen at the emergency department (ED) with chest pain (CP), noninvasive diagnostic strategies may differentiate patients at high or intermediate risk from those at low-risk for cardiovascular events and optimize the use of high-cost resources. However, in welfare healthcare systems, the feasibility, accuracy, and potential benefits of such management strategy need further investigation.

Methods: A total of 13,762 consecutive patients with CP were screened, and their conditions were defined as high, intermediate, and low risk for short-term cardiovascular events.