Introduction: SARS-CoV-2 in patients who need Intensive Care (ICU) is associated with a mortality rate ranging from 10 to 40%-45%, with an increase in morbidity and mortality in presence of sepsis.
Methods: We assumed that immunoglobulin (Ig) M and IgA enriched IgG (IGAM) therapy may support SARS COV-2 sepsis-related phase improving patient outcome. We conducted a retrospective case-control study on all the patients admitted to our ICU during the three pandemic waves between February 2020 and April 2021.
Continuous renal replacement therapies (CRRTs) and sequential extracorporeal blood purification (EBP) therapies can be used in patients with severe COVID-19 disease to support kidney failure and restore immune homeostasis. EBP prescription should be based on the patient's clinical needs and frequently re-evaluated during the intensive care unit (ICU) stay. Personalization of treatment at the bedside plays a fundamental role for patient recovery.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIn the ESC 2023 guidelines, cardiomyopathies are conservatively defined as 'myocardial disorders in which the heart muscle is structurally and functionally abnormal, in the absence of coronary artery disease, hypertension, valvular disease, and congenital heart disease sufficient to cause the observed myocardial abnormality'. They are morpho-functionally classified as hypertrophic, dilated, restrictive, and arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy with the addition of the left ventricular non-dilated cardiomyopathy that describes intermediate phenotypes not fulfilling standard disease definitions despite the presence of myocardial disease on cardiac imaging or tissue analysis. The new ESC guidelines provide 'a guide to the diagnostic approach to cardiomyopathies, highlight general evaluation and management issues, and signpost the reader to the relevant evidence base for the recommendations'.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEarly noninvasive respiratory support (NIRS) is correlated with a success rate of 60-75% in patients experiencing SARS-CoV-2 ARDS. We conducted a prospective case-control study to assess differences in outcomes between Helmet c-PAP (H-c-PAP) and noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV). All patients with SARS-CoV-2 ARDS, treated with H-c-PAP or NIPPV between October 2021 and April 2022 were sampled.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPurpose: To investigate the adhesion of Acanthamoeba to scleral contact lens (ScCL) surface according to lens shape.
Methods: Two strains of A. polyphaga (CDC:V062 and ATCC 30461) and one clinical Acanthamoeba isolate, were inoculated onto five contact lens (CL): one first-generation silicone hydrogel (SHCL; lotrafilcon B; adhesion control) containing plasma surface treatment; two ScCL (fluorosilicone acrylate) one containing surface treatment composed of plasma and the other containing plasma with Hydra-PEG, and two CL designed with a flat shape having the same material and surface treatments of the ScCL.