Left ventricular longitudinal strain in soccer referees.

Along the years, the analysis of soccer referees perfomance has interested the experts and we can find several types of studies in literature using in particular cardiac imaging. The aim of this retrospective study was to observe relationship between VO2max uptake and some conventional and not-conventional echocardiographic parameters. In order to perform this evaluation, we have enrolled 20 referees, belonging to Italian Soccer Referees' Association and we have investigated cardiovascular profile of them.

Evaluating health-related quality of life, work ability, and disability in pulmonary arterial hypertension: an unmet need.

To our knowledge, there are no specific and validated measures of quality of life (QoL) or degree of disability for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). A review of the literature shows that, with the exception of one recently designed specifically for pulmonary hypertension, QoL questionnaires used in PAH studies are generic measures. These are selected because of shared symptoms that do not necessarily correlate well with functional or physiologic measures and have not been validated for applicability in PAH.

Psychosocial aspects of pulmonary hypertension: a review.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is characterized by progressive and sustained elevation of pulmonary-artery pressure, which ultimately leads to right-ventricular failure and death. The diagnosis carries with it an uncertain and historically very bleak prognosis. Although new oral and chronic parenteral (intravenous and subcutaneous) treatments have had a significant positive medical impact on the physical functioning of individuals with PAH, patients often struggle with new short- and long-term psychosocial challenges.