Raphe-Type Bicuspid Aortic Valve as a Risk Factor for Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement Failure: Improving Outcomes Using the LIRA Method and the Medtronic FX Prosthesis.

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) in patients with severe aortic stenosis and raphe-type bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is still associated with poor outcomes in terms of increased risk of paravalvular regurgitation, stroke, and permanent pacemaker implantation. There is no definitive consensus on the optimal sizing method for prosthesis selection in this setting. The LIRA method is a supra-annular tailored sizing method specifically designed for bicuspid anatomy that might increase accuracy of prosthesis choice in BAV patients and improve TAVR outcomes.

Effects of a Body-Based Mindfulness Program on Alexithymia, Dispositional Mindfulness, and Distress Symptoms: A Pilot Clinical Trial.

Mind-body practices have shown to be effective in reducing psychological distress and improving well-being and quality of life in clinical samples and healthy populations. We tested the effects of a body-based mindfulness intervention based on alexithymia, distress symptoms, and dispositional mindfulness among healthy adults. A total of seventy-three participants (mean age 40.

Wastewater Monitoring During the COVID-19 Pandemic in the Veneto Region, Italy: Longitudinal Observational Study.

Background: As the COVID-19 pandemic has affected populations around the world, there has been substantial interest in wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) as a tool to monitor the spread of SARS-CoV-2. This study investigates the use of WBE to anticipate COVID-19 trends by analyzing the correlation between viral RNA concentrations in wastewater and reported COVID-19 cases in the Veneto region of Italy.

Objective: We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the cumulative sum (CUSUM) control chart method in detecting changes in SARS-CoV-2 concentrations in wastewater and its potential as an early warning system for COVID-19 outbreaks.

CiThroModel Improves Prediction of Symptomatic Venous Thromboembolism in Hospitalized Patients With Cirrhosis Without Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Background & Aims: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a recognized complication of acutely ill patients, but its incidence and risk factors in those with cirrhosis are uncertain.

Methods: We retrospectively studied a consecutive cohort of cirrhosis patients non-electively admitted to our medical unit to determine the rates of symptomatic VTE during hospitalization. Firstly, we explored associations with baseline, clinical and laboratory characteristics using logistic regression.