Effectiveness of ixekizumab over 24 months in different clinical scenarios in psoriatic arthritis: results from the Gruppo Italiano Studio Early Arthritis multicentric prospective registry.

Objectives: We aimed to evaluate ixekizumab (IXE) effectiveness, drug survival and clinical response predictors in moderate-severe psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients in different clinical scenarios.

Methods: This was a multicentre real-life observational study based on Gruppo Italiano Studio Early Arthritis (GISEA) registry of IXE treatment in PsA patients (January 2019-June 2023). Data were collected at baseline and every six months.

Retention rate of biologic and targeted synthetic anti-rheumatic drugs in elderly rheumatoid arthritis patients: data from GISEA registry.

Objectives: An increased number of elderly individuals affected by rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has been reported, including both patients with RA onset in advanced age and patients aged with the disease. In this registry-based study, we aimed to analyze the retention rate and cause of discontinuation of biologic (b) and targeted synthetic (ts)-disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) in RA patients over 65 year old.

Methods: RA patients enrolled in the Italian GISEA registry and starting a b- or a ts-DMARD over 65 years of age were included.

Incidence and predictors of 30-day and 6-month stroke after TAVR: Insights from the multicenter OBSERVANT II study.

Background: The incidence and predictors of 30-day stroke after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) were derived from early studies investigating first-generation devices. The incidence of 6-month stroke and its related predictors are unknown.

Aims: To investigate the incidence and to identify procedural and patient-related predictors of 30-day and 6-month stroke after TAVR.

Comorbidities in the Spondyloarthritis GISEA Cohort: an average treatment effect analysis on patients treated with bDMARDs.

Objectives: We aimed to investigate the effectiveness of tumour necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi), anti-interleukin-17 or interleukin-12/23 monoclonal antibodies (anti-IL) on comorbidities in a cohort of patients with spondyloarthritis (SpA), using an average treatment effect (ATE) analysis.

Methods: SpA patients from the multicentre Italian GISEA Registry were divided into groups according to pharmacological exposure: no treatment (G0), TNFi (G1) and non-responders to TNFi switched to anti-IL (G2). In each group, we recorded the prevalence and incidence of infectious, cardiopulmonary, endocrinological, gastrointestinal, oncologic, renal and neurologic comorbidities.

A CT-based deep learning system for automatic assessment of aortic root morphology for TAVI planning.

Accurate planning of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is important to minimize complications, and it requires anatomic evaluation of the aortic root (AR), commonly performed through 3D computed tomography (CT) image analysis. Currently, there is no standard automated solution for this process. Two convolutional neural networks with 3D U-Net architectures (model 1 and model 2) were trained on 310 CT scans for AR analysis.

Determining the PASS cut-off points for the FIQR, FASmod and PSD in patients with fibromyalgia: a registry-based study.

Objectives: To determine the cut-off values of Patient Acceptable Symptom State (PASS) for the revised Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQR), the modified Fibromyalgia Assessment Scale (FASmod), and the Polysymptomatic Distress scale (PSD) and to determine the predictors of PASS in patients with fibromyalgia (FM).

Methods: FM patients belonging to the Italian Fibromyalgia Registry (IFR) completed the FIQR, the FASmod and the PSD. The PASS was assessed using a dichotomous answer.

Stroke volume index and transvalvular flow rate trajectories in severe aortic stenosis treated with TAVR.

Aims: The prognostic impact of flow trajectories according to stroke volume index (SVi) and transvalvular flow rate (FR) in patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) remains poorly assessed. We evaluated and compared SVi and FR prior and after TAVR for severe AS.

Methods And Results: Patients were categorized according to SVi (<35 mL/m2) and FR (<200 mL/s).

Impact of Nodular Calcifications in the Aortic Annulus and Left Ventricular Outflow Tract on TAVI Outcome with New-Generation Devices.

Background: The impact of nodular calcifications in left ventricular outlow tract (LVOT) and aortic annulus on the procedural outcome of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) with new-generation devices is yet to be elucidated. Similarly, computational simulations may provide a novel insight into the biomechanical features of TAVI devices and their interaction with nodular calcifications.

Methods: This retrospective single-center study included 232 patients submitted to TAVI with Evolut-R (53.

Acute Kidney Injury After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement Mediates the Effect of Chronic Kidney Disease.

Background Acute kidney injury (AKI) after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is associated with increased mortality. However, it is controversial whether AKI affects prognosis per se, being linked to baseline chronic kidney disease (CKD) and bleeding complications. The aim of this study was to disentangle, applying mediation analysis, the association between AKI and clinical outcome, considering CKD and bleedings.

The measurement of fibromyalgia severity: converting scores between the FIQR, the PSD and the FASmod.

Objectives: The revised Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQR) is a widely used fibromyalgia severity assessment tool that was introduced in 2009 prior to the publication of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) preliminary fibromyalgia criteria in 2010 and its revision in 2016. In 2020, the modified Fibromyalgia Assessment Scale (FASmod) was published. The Polysymptomatic Distress scale (PSD) of the fibromyalgia criteria and FASmod include assessments of pain location severity and can be used for diagnosis as well as in non-fibromyalgia patients.

Stopping bDMARDs at the beginning of pregnancy is associated with disease flares and preterm delivery in women with rheumatoid arthritis.

Women with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) can experience flares during pregnancy that might influence pregnancy outcomes. We aimed at assessing the disease course during pregnancy and identifying risk factors for flares. Data about prospectively-followed pregnancies in RA were retrospectively collected before conception, during each trimester and in the post-partum period.

Predictors of early discharge after transcatheter aortic valve implantation: insight from the CoreValve ClinicalService.

Aims: The aim of this study was to minimize the procedure, and reduce the length of hospital stay (LoS) is the future objective for transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVI).Aims of the study are to identify procedural and electrocardiographical predictors of fast-track discharge in patients who underwent TAVI.

Methods: Patients treated with TAVI included in the One Hospital ClinicalService project were categorized according to the LoS.

Precision medicine versus standard of care for patients with myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA): rationale and design of the multicentre, randomised PROMISE trial.

Myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA) represents about 6-8% of patients presenting with myocardial infarction (MI), and it is associated with a significant risk of mortality, rehospitalisation, and angina burden, with high associated socioeconomic costs. It is important to note that multiple mechanisms may be responsible for MINOCA. However, to date, there are few prospective clinical trials on MINOCA and the treatment of these patients is still not defined, most likely because of the multiple underlying pathogenic mechanisms.

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement With Self-Expanding ACURATE neo2: Postprocedural Hemodynamic and Short-Term Clinical Outcomes.

Background: The first-generation ACURATE neo transcatheter heart valve (THV) (Boston Scientific) was associated with a non-negligible occurrence of moderate or greater paravalvular aortic regurgitation (AR) following transcatheter aortic valve replacement. To overcome this issue, the ACURATE neo2 iteration, which incorporates a taller outer skirt aimed at reducing the occurrence of paravalvular AR, has recently been developed.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of the ACURATE neo2 (Boston Scientific) THV in patients with severe aortic valve stenosis.

Numerical simulation of the transport of nanoparticles as drug carriers in hydromagnetic blood flow through a diseased artery with vessel wall permeability and rheological effects.

The present study considers the mathematical modelling of unsteady non-Newtonian hydro-magnetic nano-hemodynamics through a rigid cylindrical artery featuring two different stenoses (composite and irregular). The Ostwald-De Waele power-law fluid model is adopted to simulate the non-Newtonian characteristics of blood. Inspired by drug delivery applications for cardiovascular treatments, blood is considered doped with a homogenous suspension of biocompatible nanoparticles.

A New Era of Diagnosis and Therapy in Acute Aortic Syndromes: The Mainz-Essen Experience (Part II)-Management and Outcomes.

Over the years, the cardiovascular department of Johannes Gutenberg University in Mainz-West-German Heart Centre in Essen (Germany) designed and implemented the hybrid operating room (2003) along with advanced endovascular and surgical procedures, including the frozen elephant trunk technique. For the study purpose, the Mainz-Essen experience on acute aortic syndromes was summarized by considering original articles from single-center or multicenter studies performed at West German Heart Centre, Essen, Germany, or at the cardiovascular department of Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany. We present the 35-year-long Mainz-Essen research, education, and patient management journey in creating an integrated multidisciplinary "Aortic Center" in the heart of Europe.

Prognostic significance of right ventricle to pulmonary artery coupling in patients with mitral regurgitation treated with the MitraClip system.

Objectives: To evaluate the prognostic impact of baseline tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion/pulmonary artery systolic pressure (TAPSE/PASP) ratio, as an expression of the right ventricle-pulmonary artery (RV-PA) coupling, in patients with mitral regurgitation (MR) treated with the MitraClip.

Background: Impaired RV to PA coupling is considered a marker of RV dysfunction.

Methods: From February 2016 to February 2020, a total of 165 patients were evaluated and stratified in two groups according to a prespecified value of TAPSE/PASP ratio ≤ 0.