[Subepicardial hematoma: a rare complication after percutaneous coronary intervention].

We report the case of a 78-year-old patient with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of the right coronary artery, subsequently found to have a large subepicardial mass. The patient underwent a non-invasive multimodal diagnostic work-up including cardiac computed tomography and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, which led to the diagnosis of subepicardial hematoma following coronary perforation during primary PCI. Due to clinical stability and absence of active bleeding sources, the patient was managed conservatively with gradual absorption of the mass and favorable prognostic outcome.

Pathological findings at invasive assessment in MINOCA: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Pathological mechanisms of myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA) are heterogeneous, with an unknown impact on prognosis, and often remain unrecognised in clinical practice. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and prognostic impact of pathological findings by invasive coronary angiography (ICA), optical coherence tomography (OCT), and coronary function testing in MINOCA.

Methods: Studies published until August 2023 were searched on PubMed and SCOPUS and included if reporting the prevalence of patients with non-obstructive coronary arteries (NObs-CA; 1-49% coronary stenosis) versus normal coronary arteries (NCA; 0% coronary stenosis) by ICA, pathological findings by OCT, and/or coronary vasomotor tests in MINOCA.

SGLT2-inhibitors in diabetic patients with severe aortic stenosis and cardiac damage undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI).

Background: A substantial number of patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) experience adverse events after TAVI, with health care expenditure. We aimed to investigate cardiac remodeling and long-term outcomes in diabetic patients with severe AS, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) < 50%, and extra-valvular cardiac damage (EVCD) undergoing TAVI treated with sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) versus other glucose-lowering strategies (no-SGLT2i users).

Methods: Multicenter international registry of consecutive diabetic patients with severe AS, LVEF < 50%, and EVCD undergoing TAVI.

Evaluation of X-ray fluorescence for analysing critical elements in three electronic waste matrices: A comprehensive comparison of analytical techniques.

As the drive towards recycling electronic waste increases, demand for rapid and reliable analytical methodology to analyse the metal content of the waste is increasing, e.g. to assess the value of the waste and to decide the correct recycling routes.

Noninvasive Assessment in Takotsubo Syndrome: A Diagnostic Challenge.

Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) is a clinical syndrome characterized by a transient left ventricular dysfunction whose diagnosis can be challenging due to its resemblance to acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Despite the growing recognition of TTS, acute complications and long-term mortality rates are comparable to those observed in AMI patients. In this context, a systematic diagnostic approach is imperative for an accurate patient assessment, with due consideration of the distinctive characteristics and optimal timing of each imaging modality.

Impact of Newly Diagnosed Cancer on Bleeding Events in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation Treated with Direct Oral Anticoagulants.

Background: In patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), the association between cancer and cardioembolic or bleeding risk during oral anticoagulant therapy still remains unclear.

Purpose: We aimed to assess the impact of cancer present at baseline (CB) or diagnosed during follow-up (CFU) on bleeding events in patients treated with direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) for non-valvular AF (NVAF) compared with patients without CB or CFU, respectively.

Methods: All consecutive patients with NVAF treated with DOACs for stroke prevention were enrolled between January 2017 and March 2019.

The emerging role of Artificial Intelligence in proton therapy: A review.

Artificial intelligence (AI) has made a tremendous impact in the space of healthcare, and proton therapy is not an exception. Proton therapy has witnessed growing popularity in oncology over recent decades, and researchers are increasingly looking to develop AI and machine learning tools to aid in various steps of the treatment planning and delivery processes. This review delves into the emergent role of AI in proton therapy, evaluating its development, advantages, intended clinical contexts, and areas of application.

Foreign patients and multicultural challenges in pediatric oncology: The experience of the Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori in Milan.

This paper describes the complexity of the clinical management of foreign minors suffering from cancer, through the clinical experience of an Italian referral center. The study includes 50 patients less than 18 years (22% of the patients admitted to the unit in 2023), 32 foreigners who were Italian resident and 18 who had come to Italy specifically to receive cancer treatment. Patients who migrate for healthcare reasons often arrive at the referral center with advanced disease or relapse.

Impact of Coronary Microvascular Dysfunction in Takotsubo Syndrome: Cause, Consequence or Both?

Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) is an acute cause of heart failure characterized by a reversible left ventricular (LV) impairment usually induced by a physical or emotional trigger. TTS is not always a benign disease since it is associated with a relatively higher risk of life-threatening complications, such as cardiogenic shock, ventricular arrhythmias, respiratory failure, cardiopulmonary resuscitation and death. Despite notable advancements in the management of patients with TTS, physiopathological mechanisms underlying transient LV dysfunction remain largely unknown.

sMR and PTX3 levels associate with COVID-19 outcome and survival but not with Long COVID.

Biomarkers for monitoring COVID-19 disease course are lacking. Study aim was to identify biomarkers associated with disease severity, survival, long-term outcome, and Long COVID. As excessive macrophages activation is a hallmark of COVID-19 and complement activation is key in this, we selected the following proteins involved in these processes: PTX3, C1q, C1-INH, C1s/C1-INH, and sMR.

Clinical impact of multimodality assessment of myocardial viability.

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a prevalent cause of left ventricular dysfunction. Nevertheless, effective elective revascularization, particularly surgical revascularization, can enhance long-term outcomes and, in selected cases, global left ventricular contractility. The assessment of myocardial viability and scars is still relevant in guiding treatment decisions and selecting patients who are likely to benefit most from blood flow restoration.

Spectrum of electrocardiographic abnormalities in a large cohort of cardiac masses.

Background: Cardiac masses represent a heterogeneous clinical scenario. Potential electrocardiographic (ECG) red flags of malignancy remain to be investigated.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to describe the spectrum of ECG abnormalities in a large cohort of cardiac masses and to evaluate potential red flags suggestive of malignancy.

Molecular profiling of pediatric and young adult colorectal cancer reveals a distinct genomic landscapes and potential therapeutic avenues.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a global health concern, and the incidence of early onset (EO) CRC, has an upward trend. This study delves into the genomic landscape of EO-CRC, specifically focusing on pediatric (PED) and young adult (YA) patients, comparing them with adult (AD) CRC. In this retrospective monocentric investigation, we performed targeted next-generation sequencing to compare the mutational profile of 38 EO-CRCs patients (eight PED and 30 YA) to those of a 'control group' consisting of 56 AD-CRCs.

Caring for children with cancer evacuated from Ukraine: The patients' perception.

Background And Aims: Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine on February 24, 2022, many pediatric oncology centers welcomed evacuated patients. To better understanding the needs of patients and families arriving at two Lombardy hospitals in the period March to November 2022, an anonymous questionnaire investigated the families' backgrounds, feelings, and impressions about hospitality and care.

Methods: Twenty questions investigated how patients had reached Italy, from whom they had received help (logistically/financially); the emotions regarding their status as war refugees; the knowledge, expectations, and opinions about Italy and Italians; the quality of medical care received and the relationships with the healthcare staff; lastly, suggestions to improve assistance.

Targeting subclinical ventricular dysfunction in atrial fibrillation: What can myocardial work add?

Atrial fibrillation (AF) could impact on left ventricular function leading to a sublinical myocardial dysfunction, as identified by myocardial work parameters in a population-based cohort of AF patients compared with healthy individuals; factors associated with these parameters are also shown. SBP: systolic blood pressure; LAVI: left atrial volume index.