A one-to-one telestroke network: the first Italian study of a web-based telemedicine system for thrombolysis delivery and patient monitoring.

Over 10 years after European approval, thrombolysis is still limited by a restricted time window and non-optimal territorial coverage. Implementation of telestroke can give a growing number of patients access to treatment. We hereby present the first Italian telemedicine study applied to both the acute and the monitoring phase of stroke care.

The neurosurgical telecounseling network in the Veneto Region: 4 years of experience of HEALTH OPTIMUM.

Background: Neurosurgery is a highly specialized service that, because of high costs, is often centralized. Since 2005, a neurosurgical telecounseling service was defined and then deployed in the Veneto Region. It was aimed at creating the same range of services for head trauma by using standardized protocols at regional levels and at rationalizing the use of human and technological resources by providing a network of services that manages patients at the local level.

Incidence and predictors of venous thromboembolism in post-acute care patients. A prospective cohort study.

Few studies have addressed the topic of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients hospitalised in rehabilitation facilities. This patient population is rapidly growing, and data aimed to better define VTE risk in this setting are needed. Primary aim of this prospective observational study was to evaluate the frequency of symptomatic, objectively confirmed VTE in a cohort of unselected consecutive patients admitted to rehabilitation facilities, after medical diseases or surgery.

Extended prophylaxis of venous thromboembolism with fondaparinux in patients undergoing major orthopaedic surgery in Italy: a cost-effectiveness analysis.

Enoxaparin is the most frequently used low-molecular weight heparin in the world, given in order to prevent venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients undergoing major orthopaedic surgery (MOS). Fondaparinux is an effective and safe alternative. The aim of our study was to compare the cost-effectiveness of enoxaparin and fondaparinux in the extended thromboprophylaxis of patients undergoing MOS in Italy.

Parnaparin versus aspirin in the treatment of retinal vein occlusion. A randomized, double blind, controlled study.

Introduction: Retinal vein occlusion (RVO) is a common cause of unilateral visual loss. Evidence based treatment recommendations for patients with RVO cannot be made because of the lack of adequate clinical trials. To compare the efficacy and safety of aspirin and of a low molecular weight heparin, parnaparin, in the treatment of RVO.

Residual thrombosis on ultrasonography to guide the duration of anticoagulation in patients with deep venous thrombosis: a randomized trial.

Background: The optimal duration of oral anticoagulant therapy in patients with deep venous thrombosis (DVT) of the lower extremities remains uncertain.

Objective: To assess whether tailoring the duration of anticoagulation on the basis of the persistence of residual thrombi on ultrasonography reduces the rate of recurrent venous thromboembolism (VTE) compared with the administration of conventional fixed-duration treatment in adults with proximal DVT.

Design: Parallel, randomized trial from 1999 to 2006.

In-hospital symptomatic venous thromboembolism and antithrombotic prophylaxis in Internal Medicine. Findings from a multicenter, prospective study.

Hospitalised medical patients are at increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE), but the incidence of hospitalisation-related VTE in unselected medical inpatients has not been extensively studied, and uncertainties remain about the optimal use of thromboprophylaxis in this setting. Aims of our prospective, observational study were to assess the prevalence of VTE and the incidence of symptomatic, hospitalisation-related events in a cohort of consecutive patients admitted to 27 Internal Medicine Departments, and to evaluate clinical factors associated with the use of thromboprophylaxis. Between March and September 2006, a total of 4,846 patients were included in the study.