Effectiveness of bortezomib in cardiac Al amyloidosis: a report of two cases.

Cardiac involvement is a major prognostic determinant in patients with primary AL amyloidosis. The clinical results of standard therapeutic approaches are suboptimal. It has been recently shown that bortezomib, an inhibitor of the proteasome, can induce rapid favourable responses in AL amyloidosis improving cardiac function and survival.

Survey on the prevention and incidence of haemolytic disease of the newborn in Italy.

Background: In 2010, the Italian Society of Immunohaematology and Transfusion Medicine (SIMTI) carried out a survey of the incidence of haemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN) and the prevention of HDN caused by anti-Rh(D) in Italian Transfusion Structures (TS).

Materials And Methods: A questionnaire divided into the following five sections was administered: (i) types of services provided and maintenance of legally required registers, (ii) immunoprophylaxis (IP), (iii) red cell typing and searches for irregular antibodies, (iv) evaluation of foetal-maternal haemorrhage (FMH), and (v) incidence of HDN in 2010. Of the 280 TS sent the questionnaire, 176 (63%) replied.

The role of the direct antiglobulin test in pre-transfusion investigations and the approach to selecting blood for transfusion in autoimmune haemolytic anaemia: results of a regional survey.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to conduct a Regional survey to determine the policies and ways of performing the direct antiglobulin test in pre-transfusion screening, the approach used in cases giving positive results with this test and the technical and operative modalities for choosing blood for transfusion in cases of autoimmune haemolytic anaemia.

Materials And Methods: A questionnaire, containing ten multiple-choice questions, was sent to all the transfusion centres in the Region of Tuscany.

Results: The data from all 40 regional centres were analysed.