A new risk assessment model for the stratification of the thromboembolism risk in medical patients: the TEVere Score.

Background: In hospitalized medical patients, the venous thromboembolism (VTE) risk is notable. Nevertheless, the available assessment model (TPF) is generally underused. In this work, we propose an ex novo risk assessment model based on the elaboration of the clinical data exhibited by the VET patients.

[Cardiac abnormalities in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: the role of antiphospholipid antibodies].

Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic inflammatory disease that has protean manifestations and follows a relapsing and remitting course. More than 90% of cases of SLE occur in women, frequently starting at childbearing age. It is characterized by the presence of autoantibodies potentially directed toward every organ or apparatus.

[Venous thromboembolism in critically ill patients: analysis of the main age-related risk factors and definition of specific scores.].

Introduction: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is the third most common cardiovascular illness after acute coronary syndrome and stroke and and the most common preventable cause of hospital-related death. Several studies have demonstrated a significant reduction of fatal pulmonary embolism attributed to the introduction of thromboprophylactic measures and changes in hospital practices. However, the influence of some demographical variables, especially age, has largely been under appreciated.

Perception of Thromboembolism Risk: Differences between the Departments of Internal Medicine and Emergency Medicine.

The latest developments in emergency medicine (EM) have introduced new typologies of patients that have not been taken into account in previous studies of venous thromboembolism (VTE) risk. The aim of the current study was to evaluate by comparing the main international risk scores whether different perceptions of VTE risk exist in internal medicine (IM) departments and in EM departments. This cross-sectional observational study involved 23 IM and 10 EM departments of 21 different hospitals.

[The overuse of thromboprophylaxis in medical patients: main clinical aspects].

Background: Overuse of thromboprophylaxis is not an infrequent behavior in internal medicine. However, differently from underuse, overuse of thromboprophylaxis is rarely taken into account, and only few studies have addressed this issue. The purpose of our study was to try to understand the reasons behind this phenomenon.

Correlation between epicardial fat and cigarette smoking: CT imaging in patients with metabolic syndrome.

Background: The aim of our study was to assess the relationship between cigarette smoking and epicardial fat in a cohort of patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS) at risk for coronary artery disease.

Methods: We studied, in primary prevention, 54 subjects diagnosed with MetS. According to their smoking habits, the subjects were divided into two groups: smokers and non-smokers.

[Management strategies and choice of antithrombotic treatment in patients admitted with acute coronary syndrome--executive summary for clinical practice. Consensus Document of the Regional Chapters of the Italian National Association of Hospital Cardiologists (ANMCO) and of the Italian Society of Emergency Medicine (SIMEU)].

This document has been developed by the Lazio regional chapters of two scientific associations, the Italian National Association of Hospital Cardiologists (ANMCO) and the Italian Society of Emergency Medicine (SIMEU), whose members are actively involved in the everyday management of Acute Coronary Syndromes (ACS). The document is aimed at providing a specific, practical, evidence-based guideline for the effective management of antithrombotic treatment (antiplatelet and anticoagulant) in the complex and ever changing scenario of ACS. The document employs a synthetic approach which considers two main issues: the actual operative context of treatment delivery and the general management strategy.

Dopamine receptor subtypes in the human coronary vessels of healthy subjects.

Objective: Dopamine D(1)-D(5) receptors subtypes were studied in human coronary vessels of healthy subjects to assess their localization and their expression.

Methods: Samples of intraparenchymal and extraparenchymal branches of human coronary arteries and veins were harvested from four normal native hearts explanted from four young brain dead heart donors in case of orthoptic transplant, not carried out for technical reasons. In all the samples morphological, biochemical, immunochemical, and morphometrical studies were performed including quantitative analysis of images and evaluation of data.

Cognitive impairment in elderly ED patients: need for multidimensional assessment for better management after discharge.

We describe the prevalence of cognitive impairment in a population aged 65 and older requiring urgent medical services and to propose global evaluation, involving cognitive, functional and social aspects, during the emergency department (ED) visit to define an individualized care protocol. A total of 150 patients aged 65 and older attended at the ED were screened for cognitive impairment using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Patients with an MMSE score lower or equal to 23 were included in the second step of the study, namely evaluation involving neuropsychological instruments to assess cognitive and functional status and a questionnaire exploring socioeconomic conditions and type of support need.