The clinical impact of pectoral nerve block in an 'enhanced recovery after surgery' program in breast surgery.

Pectoral nerve block (PECS) is increasingly performed in breast surgery. The study evaluated the clinical impact of these blocks in the postoperative course. In this case-control study, patients undergoing breast surgery with 'enhanced recovery after surgery' pathways were divided into group 1 (57 patients) in whom PECS was performed before general anesthesia, and group 2 (57 patients) in whom only general anesthesia was effected.

Questions about COVID-19 associated coagulopathy: possible answers from the viscoelastic tests.

Abnormal coagulation parameters are often observed in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and the severity of derangement has been associated with a poor prognosis. The COVID-19 associated coagulopathy (CAC) displays unique features that include a high risk of developing thromboembolic complications. Viscoelastic tests (VETs), such as thromboelastometry (ROTEM), thromboelastography (TEG) and Quantra Hemostasis Analyzer (Quantra), provide "dynamic" data on clot formation and dissolution; they are used in different critical care settings, both in hemorrhagic and in thrombotic conditions.

Derangement of the coagulation process using subclinical markers and viscoelastic measurements in critically ill patients with coronavirus disease 2019 pneumonia and non-coronavirus disease 2019 pneumonia.

Systemic coagulation abnormalities including clotting activation and inhibition of anticoagulant factors have been observed in patients with pneumonia. In severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) the alteration of coagulation parameters was associated with poor prognosis. We evaluated the difference in coagulopathy between critically ill patients with COVID-19 pneumonia (COVID group) and non-COVID-19 pneumonia (non-COVID group), using traditional coagulation markers and rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM).

Venous thromboembolism and bleeding in critically ill COVID-19 patients treated with higher than standard low molecular weight heparin doses and aspirin: A call to action.

Background: Critically ill COVID-19 patients have a clear pattern of inflammation and hypercoagulable state. The main aim of the study was to evaluate the outcome of severe COVID-19 patients basing on prothrombotic risk factors (i.e.

Risk factors for non-invasive/invasive ventilatory support in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia: A retrospective study within a multidisciplinary approach.

Objectives: To investigate risk factors for non-invasive/invasive ventilatory support (NI/I-VS) in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Methods: All consecutive patients admitted to the Infectious Diseases Unit and Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Santa Maria Annunziata Hospital (Florence, Italy), from February 25 to April 25, 2020, with a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis were enrolled in this retrospective cohort study. NI/I-VS was defined as the need for continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) or bilevel positive airway pressure (BPAP) (non-invasive ventilation) or mechanical ventilation, not including low-flow systems of oxygen therapy such as the Venturi mask or nasal cannula.

Evaluation of coagulation function by rotation thromboelastometry in critically ill patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia.

Critically ill patients with COVID-19 pneumonia suffered both high thrombotic and bleeding risk. The effect of SARS-CoV-2 on coagulation and fibrinolysis is not well known. We conducted a retrospective study of critically ill patients admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU) a cause of severe COVID-19 pneumonia and we evaluated coagulation function using rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM) on day of admission (T0) and 5 (T5) and 10 (T10) days after admission to ICU.

Gender and anti-thrombotic therapy: from biology to clinical implications.

Cardiovascular diseases actually remain the leading cause of death and morbidity in Western countries, and it is the most common cause of death in American women accounting for about one third of all deaths. Women remain underrepresented in published trial literature relative to their disease prevalence. Strong evidence do exists demonstrating gender differences in efficacy (ischemic risk) and safety (bleeding risk) associated with antithrombotic treatment, mostly related to different values of body mass, and renal function in women than men.

Delirium in elderly patients hospitalized in internal medicine wards.

A prospective observational study was conducted to evaluate the impact of delirium on geriatric inpatients in internal medical wards and to identify predisposing factors for the development of delirium. The study included all patients aged 65 years and older, who were consecutively admitted to the internal medicine wards of two public hospitals in Florence, Italy. On admission, 29 baseline risk factors were examined, cognitive impairment was evaluated by Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire, and prevalent delirium cases were diagnosed by Confusion Assessment Method (CAM).