Publications by authors named "Bilato C"

Semaglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist, has emerged as a pivotal therapeutic agent in the management of the cardio-renal-metabolic continuum. Initially developed for glycemic control in type 2 diabetes mellitus, its benefits extend far beyond glucose regulation. Clinical trials have demonstrated semaglutide's potential to reduce major adverse cardiovascular events, particularly in overweight/obese patients with high cardiovascular risk, as well as improving functional capacity in patients suffering from heart failure with preserved left ventricular function.

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  • The study investigates the effectiveness and tolerability of oral procainamide versus mexiletine for treating recurrent ventricular arrhythmias in patients who didn't respond to standard therapies like amiodarone and beta-blockers.
  • Out of 68 patients treated, approximately 56% experienced a significant reduction in arrhythmia burden, with procainamide showing nearly three times higher efficacy compared to mexiletine.
  • Side effects were noted in both treatments, but procainamide had a lower discontinuation rate due to severe side effects, suggesting it may be a preferable option for this patient group.
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  • * They are less likely to receive crucial procedures and effective medications, so assessing factors like frailty and other health conditions is vital for tailoring their care.
  • * There is a lack of research on elderly individuals with ACS, making it critical for clinicians to develop targeted strategies to improve these patients' treatment and quality of life as the population ages.
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  • The study investigates the significance of cardiac troponin (cTn) levels in predicting mortality in patients with Takotsubo syndrome (TTS), analyzing data from the International Takotsubo Registry.
  • It identifies that a cTn increase greater than 28.8 times the upper reference limit signals clinically relevant myocardial injury, correlating with a higher risk of mortality over 5 years (adjusted HR 1.58).
  • The findings enhance understanding of patient risk profiles in TTS, emphasizing the need for increased monitoring and follow-up for those with significant troponin elevations.
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  • Research over the past ten years has improved our understanding of coronary bifurcations, which are junctions in blood vessels that can be critical in heart conditions.
  • The carina, or the central part of these bifurcations, influences important blood flow patterns and shear stress, which can affect the development of atherosclerosis.
  • This review aims to summarize the current knowledge about the role of the carina in coronary bifurcations to help interventional cardiologists develop better treatment approaches.
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  • The study investigated changes in demographics, risk factors, clinical presentations, and outcomes of takotsubo syndrome (TTS) patients from 2004 to 2021, using data from the InterTAK registry.
  • Over the years, the proportion of male patients increased, and there was a rise in cases of midventricular TTS as well as significant growth in the incidence of physical triggers.
  • There was also a notable increase in 60-day mortality rates, although no significant change in 1-year mortality when excluding early deaths was observed, indicating a complex evolution of TTS and its management in recent years.
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  • This study investigates the impact of patent foramen ovale (PFO) on mortality and clinical deterioration risk in patients with intermediate-high-risk pulmonary embolism (PE), using data from the Italian Pulmonary Embolism Registry (IPER).
  • Out of 450 PE patients analyzed, 15.1% were found to have PFO, which was linked to significantly higher death rates (29.4% vs. 3.1%) and clinical deterioration within 48 hours (38.2% vs. 3.6%).
  • The presence of PFO was identified as a strong predictor for both 30-day mortality and increased risk of deterioration, with statistics showing a hazard ratio of
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Background: Heart failure (HF) significantly affects the morbidity, mortality, and quality of life of patients. New therapeutic strategies aim to improve the functional capacity and quality of life of patients while controlling HF-related risks. Real-world data on both the functional and cardiopulmonary exercise capacities of patients with HF with reduced ejection fraction upon sacubitril/valsartan use are lacking.

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  • This study examines the impact of starting PCSK9 inhibitors (PCSK9i) at the time of hospitalization for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) on lipid levels and cardiovascular (CV) events in a real-world setting.
  • It analyzed data from 771 ACS patients, revealing that a significant 68.3% achieved the target LDL-C of < 55 mg/dL within a median of 37 days after hospitalization.
  • Results showed that lower LDL-C levels were associated with reduced risks of major cardiovascular events, suggesting that early and aggressive lipid management with PCSK9i is both safe and beneficial for ACS patients.
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In recent decades, an incredible evolution in antithrombotic therapies used for treating patients with atherosclerosis, atrial fibrillation, and venous thromboembolism has been observed, leading to the availability of increasingly safe drugs. Nonetheless, bleeding complications remain a significant concern, with considerable health, social, and economic implications. To improve the acute management of patients experiencing or at risk for major bleeding events, specific reversal agents for antithrombotic drugs have been recently developed.

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Obesity is a chronic and relapsing disease characterized by the interaction between individual predispositions and an obesogenic environment. Recent advances in understanding the mechanisms of energetic homoeostasis paved the way to more effective therapeutic approaches compared with traditional treatments. Since obesity is a complex disease, it necessitates a multi-disciplinary approach whose implementation remains challenging.

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The issue of suboptimal drug regimen adherence in secondary cardiovascular prevention presents a significant barrier to improving patient outcomes. To address this, the utilization of drug combinations, specifically single pill combinations (SPCs) and polypills, was proposed as a strategy to simplify treatment regimens. This approach aims to enhance treatment accessibility, affordability, and adherence, thereby reducing healthcare costs and improving patient health.

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The issue of suboptimal drug regimen adherence in secondary cardiovascular prevention presents a significant barrier to improving patient outcomes. To address this, the utilization of drug combinations, specifically single pill combinations (SPCs) and polypills, was proposed as a strategy to simplify treatment regimens. This approach aims to enhance treatment accessibility, affordability, and adherence, thereby reducing healthcare costs and improving patient health.

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  • Obesity is a chronic disease influenced by individual traits and environmental factors, requiring a detailed, multidisciplinary treatment approach for better management.
  • New insights into energy regulation have led to promising therapeutic options, though long-term success remains challenging due to weight regain.
  • The paper highlights the importance of a strong patient-clinician relationship, outlines obesity diagnosis methods, and discusses the roles of specialists like cardiologists and obesitologists in effective treatment strategies.
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  • Scientific societies are essential for training professionals in cardiology, especially given the rapid growth of knowledge and new evidence in the field.
  • The 2023 ANMCO General States examined the evolving educational needs of cardiology professionals and discussed initiatives to address these needs post-medical training.
  • ANMCO promotes various innovative training activities, such as distance training, simulation training, master's degree courses, and clinical research opportunities, highlighting the significant contributions of teaching hospitals.
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A 66-year-old patient with recent instrumental findings (echocardiogram, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging) of right ventricular failure was hospitalized due to worsening signs and symptoms of right heart failure, while waiting for diagnostic definition. Pulmonary computed tomography angiography revealed findings compatible with bilateral pulmonary thromboembolism involving the main pulmonary artery. Anticoagulant therapy was initiated with initial benefit, partial relief of symptoms, and moderate improvement in right ventricular function.

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  • - This study analyzed trends in venous thromboembolism (VTE) mortality across the 27 EU Member States from 2012 to 2020, focusing on differences based on sex and age.
  • - A total of 96,037 deaths were identified, revealing a consistent decline in the age-adjusted mortality rate from 2.86 to 2.53 per 100,000 individuals during the study period, with no significant differences found between males and females.
  • - While the overall mortality is decreasing, higher rates were noted in eastern European countries like Bulgaria and Lithuania, compared to lower rates in Mediterranean nations such as Italy and Spain, indicating ongoing disparities in VTE mortality across Europe.
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For over 40 years, clinical research has been one of the most important aims of the Italian Association of Hospital Cardiologists (ANMCO), being an essential tool in pursuing promotion and fulfillment of good clinical practices in prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of cardiovascular diseases. Since 1992, with the creation of the Research Center (now part of the Heart Care Foundation), ANMCO is capable of independently and professionally managing all the aspects related to planning, management, and publication of the results of clinical studies. The other strength of ANMCO is the network built in Cardiology Departments on the whole territory of Italy, a human capital that allows ANMCO to deal with the new scientific challenges, in a context of profound changes in the social, economic, technological, and methodological setting.

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