Lombardy diagnostic and therapeutic network of thrombotic microangiopathy.

Background: Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a rare, life-threatening thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) requiring urgent treatment. Standardization of its diagnosis and optimal management is challenging. This study aimed to evaluate the role of centralized, rapid testing of ADAMTS13 in patients experiencing acute TMAs requiring plasma-exchange (PEX) and to estimate the incidence of TTP in a large Italian Region.

Risk factors associated with severe hospital burden of COVID-19 disease in Regione Lombardia: a cohort study.

Background: Understanding the risk factors associated with hospital burden of COVID-19 is crucial for healthcare planning for any future waves of infection.

Methods: An observational cohort study is performed, using data on all PCR-confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Regione Lombardia, Italy, during the first wave of infection from February-June 2020. A multi-state modelling approach is used to simultaneously estimate risks of progression through hospital to final outcomes of either death or discharge, by pathway (via critical care or not) and the times to final events (lengths of stay).

Electrical features of eighteen automated external defibrillators: a systematic evaluation.

Aim: Assessment and comparison of the electrical parameters (energy, current, first and second phase waveform duration) among eighteen AEDs.

Method: Engineering bench tests for a descriptive systematic evaluation in commercially available AEDs. AEDs were tested through an ECG simulator, an impedance simulator, an oscilloscope and a measuring device detecting energy delivered, peak and average current, and duration of first and second phase of the biphasic waveforms.

The fibrinolytic system in the newborn: role of histidine-rich glycoprotein.

The fibrinolytic system controls fibrin deposition and its clearance. The efficacy of this system can be evaluated by plasminogen concentration determinations and by the behavior of factors such as histidine-rich glycoprotein (HRG) which controls plasminogen activation and alpha 2-antiplasmin which controls plasmin activity. Circulating plasminogen levels are decreased in the neonatal period.