Publications by authors named "Gemma Filice"
Article Synopsis
- The Italian Society of Echography and Cardiovascular Imaging (SIECVI) conducted a national survey to investigate stress echocardiography (SE) practices across Italy, collecting data from 228 laboratories in November 2022.
- The survey revealed that out of 179 centers performing SE, most were located in northern Italy, and the study categorized them into low, moderate, and high volume of activity based on the number of SE examinations.
- Key findings indicated differences in the use of stressors, with a tendency for high-volume centers to employ multiple stress techniques and incorporate advanced evaluations like coronary flow velocity reserve (CFVR) more frequently than low and moderate volume centers.
Background: The Italian Society of Echocardiography and Cardiovascular Imaging (SIECVI) conducted a national survey to understand better how different echocardiographic modalities are used and accessed in Italy.
Methods: We analyzed echocardiography laboratory activities over a month (November 2022). Data were retrieved via an electronic survey based on a structured questionnaire, uploaded on the SIECVI website.
Article Synopsis
- This study investigates how echocardiographic laboratories in Italy were organized and operated during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, comparing it to the same period in 2019.
- Findings show significant reductions in both hospital and outpatient echocardiographic activities, with many labs partially or fully interrupted during the pandemic.
- Safety measures improved for operators, with a widespread use of personal protective equipment, and the study noted an increase in outpatient waiting times for echocardiograms and a rise in the use of point-of-care cardiac ultrasound during the pandemic.
Aims: Calcific aortic stenosis is a progressive disease characterized by massive fibrosis andmineralization of the valve leaflets. The aim of this study was to determine whether the onset of native calcific aortic stenosis is associated primarily with matrix remodelling events, and particularly with elastin degradation.
Methods And Results: The immunohistochemical expression profile of matrix degradating enzymes and tenascin-C was investigated in both healthy and native calcified aortic valves.