Assessing diagnostic accuracy of intravascular imaging for functionally significant coronary stenosis: updated findings from a meta-analysis.

Background: Accurate discrimination of functionally significant coronary stenosis using intravascular imaging remains uncertain, particularly with regard to vessel size. This meta-analysis evaluates the diagnostic performance of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) for identifying functionally significant coronary stenosis as confirmed by fractional flow reserve (FFR).

Methods: A systematic search of PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar identified studies that assessed the diagnostic accuracy of IVUS and OCT by minimal luminal area (MLA) with FFR as the reference standard.

Bioimpedance Analysis in CKD and HF Patients: A Critical Review of Benefits, Limitations, and Future Directions.

Bioimpedance analysis (BIA) is a validated non-invasive technique already proven to be useful for the diagnosis, prognosis, and management of body fluids in subjects with heart failure (HF) and chronic kidney disease (CKD). Although BIA has been widely employed for research purposes, its clinical application is still not fully widespread. The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive overview of the state of the art of BIA utilization by analyzing the clinical benefits, limitations, and potential future developments in this clinically unexplored field.

Efficacy and safety of colchicine for the treatment of myopericarditis.

Objective: Clinical trials have evaluated the efficacy and safety of colchicine only in simple pericarditis, excluding cases of concomitant myocarditis. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of colchicine for the treatment of the first attack of acute pericarditis with concomitant myocardial involvement.

Methods: Double-centre retrospective cohort study analysing consecutive patients admitted for first attack of pericarditis with myocarditis and treated with or without colchicine.

The role of kidney dysfunction in COVID-19 and the influence of age.

COVID-19 is strongly influenced by age and comorbidities. Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a frequent finding in COVID-19 patients and seems to be associated to mortality and severity. On the other hand, the role of kidney dysfunction in COVID-19 is still debated.

Diagnostic and prognostic role of the electrocardiogram in patients with pericarditis.

Objective: The ECG has been traditionally used to support the diagnosis of pericarditis. However, the pericardium is electrically silent and ECG changes may imply concurrent myocardial involvement rather than simple pericarditis. The aim of the present paper is to analyse the frequency, type and clinical implication of ECG changes in patients with pericarditis compared with those with myocarditis.

Renal dysfunction in cardiovascular diseases and its consequences.

It is well known that the heart and kidney and their synergy is essential for hemodynamic homeostasis. Since the early XIX century it has been recognized that cardiovascular and renal diseases frequently coexist. In the nephrological field, while it is well accepted that renal diseases favor the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases, it is not always realized that cardiovascular diseases induce or aggravate renal dysfunctions, in this way further deteriorating cardiac function and creating a vicious circle.

Intestinal parasites in canine feces contaminating urban and recreational areas in Ushuaia (Argentina).

Wild and domestic dogs are important reservoir hosts of numerous intestinal parasites that represent potential infection sources for both humans and wild or other domestic animals. The aim of this study was to determine the presence, diversity, and contamination potential of intestinal parasites in dog feces contaminating urban and recreational areas in Ushuaia (Tierra del Fuego province, Argentina). A total of 80 canine fecal samples were collected from urban (playgrounds, streets, sidewalks, squares and coastal walks) and recreational areas (winter centers for raising and training sled dogs) in 2018.

Volatile Anesthetics versus Propofol for Cardiac Surgery with Cardiopulmonary Bypass: Meta-analysis of Randomized Trials.

Background: The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess the effect of anesthesia maintenance with volatile agents compared with propofol on both short- and long-term mortality (primary outcomes) and major clinical events in adults undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass.

Methods: Randomized clinical trials on the effects of current volatile anesthetics versus propofol in adults undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass were searched (1965 to September 30, 2019) in PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and article reference lists. A random effect model on standardized mean difference for continuous outcomes and odds ratio for dichotomous outcomes were used to meta-analyze data.

Spatial abundance models and seasonal distribution for guanaco (Lama guanicoe) in central Tierra del Fuego, Argentina.

Spatially explicit modelling allows to estimate population abundance and predict species' distribution in relation to environmental factors. Abiotic factors are the main determinants of a herbivore´s response to environmental heterogeneity on large spatiotemporal scales. We assessed the influence of elevation, geographic location and distance to the coast on the seasonal abundance and distribution of guanaco (Lama guanicoe) in central Tierra del Fuego, by means of spatially explicit modelling.

Remote ischaemic preconditioning for renal and cardiac protection in adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: The main aim of this systematic review was to assess whether remote ischaemic preconditioning (RIPC) protects kidneys and the heart in cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and to investigate a possible role of anaesthetic agents.

Methods: Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) on the effects of RIPC through limb ischaemia in adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery with CPB were searched (1965-October 2016) in PubMed, Cochrane Library and article reference lists. A random effects model on standardized mean difference (SMD) for continuous outcomes and the Peto odds ratio (OR) for dichotomous outcomes were used to meta-analyse data.

High performance of a risk calculator that includes renal function in predicting mortality of hypertensive patients in clinical application.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the accuracy of a risk calculator that includes renal function as compared with that of the traditional Framingham Risk Score (FRS) in predicting the risk of mortality of hypertensive individuals managed in primary care.

Methods: From the databases of British and Italian General Practitioners, we retrieved demographic and clinical data for 35 101 UK and 27 818 Italian individuals aged 35-74 years with a diagnosis of hypertension. Then, the 5-year incidence of cardiovascular events as well as all-cause and cardiovascular mortality were recorded for both samples.

Serum uric acid and its relationship with metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular risk profile in patients with hypertension: insights from the I-DEMAND study.

Background And Aims: The independent role of serum uric acid (SUA) as a marker of cardio-renal risk is debated. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between SUA, metabolic syndrome (MS), and other cardiovascular (CV) risk factors in an Italian population of hypertensive patients with a high prevalence of diabetes.

Methods And Results: A total of 2429 patients (mean age 62 ± 11 years) among those enrolled in the I-DEMAND study were stratified on the basis of SUA gender specific quartiles.

Blood pressure variability and multiple organ damage in primary hypertension.

Organ damage (OD) is an indicator of increased cardiovascular risk. Blood pressure variability (BPV) is related to greater incidence of events, regardless of the severity of hypertension. We investigated the relationship between ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM)-derived indices of BPV and the presence of multiple OD in primary hypertension (PH).

Left-ventricular hypertrophy and renal outcome in hypertensive patients in primary-care.

Background: Subclinical cardiac damage has recently emerged as a potential predictor of adverse renal outcome. We therefore retrospectively evaluated the effect of left-ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), diagnosed electrocardiographically, on the renal outcome of hypertensive patients managed in primary care.

Methods: From a historical cohort of 39,525 hypertensive individuals evaluated in 2005, we retrieved 5-year data of the 18,510 surviving subjects for whom renal follow-up was available.

Sex differences in hypertension-related renal and cardiovascular diseases in Italy: the I-DEMAND study.

Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate the differences in the prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and of cardiovascular risk factors and diseases between men and women participating in the Italy Developing Education and awareness on MicroAlbuminuria in patients with hyperteNsive Disease (I-DEMAND) study.

Methods: This is an observational, cross-sectional, multicenter study aimed at assessing prevalence and correlates of CKD among Italian hypertensive patients attending out-patient referral clinics. CKD was defined as glomerular filtration rate (GFR) less than 60 ml/min per 1.

Subclinical functional and structural renal abnormalities predict new onset type 2 diabetes in patients with primary hypertension.

Recent studies suggest a close relationship between renal dysfunction and new onset diabetes (NOD). The aim of the study was to investigate the association between subclinical functional and structural renal abnormalities and NOD in primary hypertension (PH). This observational prospective study (9.

Availability of vitamin D photoconversion weighted UV radiation in southern South America.

Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) plays a key role in several biological functions, including human health. Skin exposure to UVR is the main factor in vitamin D photoconversion. There is also evidence relating low levels of vitamin D with certain internal cancers, mainly colon, breast and prostate, as well as other diseases.

Combined use of urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (uNGAL) and albumin as markers of early cardiac damage in primary hypertension.

Background: Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin (NGAL) is an early and specific marker of acute kidney dysfunction. Recent evidences suggest that NGAL may also be involved in chronic vascular remodeling during the development of atherosclerosis. Albuminuria, a powerful predictor of cardiovascular events, is thought to reflect widespread subclinical vascular abnormalities.

Chronic kidney disease in the hypertensive patient: an overview of the I-DEMAND study.

The kidney has been recognized as a sensor of cardiovascular risk. However, evaluation of urinary albumin excretion and estimated glomerular filtration rate is still too often overlooked in clinical practice. The I-DEMAND (Italy-Developing Education and awareness on MicroAlbuminuria in patients with hyperteNsive Disease) study was designed to assess the prevalence of microalbuminuria and its clinical correlates among Italian hypertensive patients.

Metabolic syndrome and chronic kidney disease in high-risk Italian hypertensive patients: the I-DEMAND study.

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MS) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) are well-known, independent predictors of increased cardiovascular risk. Both conditions are fairly prevalent in the general population. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between MS or its individual components and CKD in an Italian population of hypertensive patients with normal or mildly to moderately impaired renal function under specialist care.

Metabolic syndrome and microalbuminuria predict renal outcome in non-diabetic patients with primary hypertension: the MAGIC study.

Metabolic syndrome (MS) has recently been shown to be a forerunner of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Microalbuminuria (MA) is associated with both MS and CKD. This study aimed to prospectively investigate the relationship among MA, MS and renal outcome in non-diabetic patients with primary hypertension.

CKD awareness and blood pressure control in the primary care hypertensive population.

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with poor renal and cardiovascular outcomes, and early identification largely depends on general practitioners' (GPs') awareness of it. To date, no study has evaluated CKD prevalence in patients with hypertension in primary care.

Study Design: Cross-sectional evaluation of the Italian GPs' database.