A new score to predict Clostridioides difficile infection in medical patients: a sub-analysis of the FADOI-PRACTICE study.

Medical divisions are at high risk of Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) due to patients' frailty and complexity. This sub-analysis of the FADOI-PRACTICE study included patients presenting with diarrhea either at admission or during hospitalization. CDI diagnosis was confirmed when both enzyme immunoassay and A and B toxin detection were found positive.

Correlation of SpO/FiO and PaO/FiO in patients with symptomatic COVID-19: An observational, retrospective study.

Some patients affected by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) experience acute hypoxemic respiratory failure progressing toward atypical acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The aim of the study is to evaluate whether a correlation between ratio of peripheral saturation of oxygen (SpO) and fraction of inspired oxygen (S/F) and ratio of arterial partial pressure of oxygen and fraction of inspired oxygen (P/F) exists in COVID-19-related ARDS as already known in classical ARDS. In this multicenter, retrospective, observational study, consecutive, adult (≥ 18 years) patients with symptomatic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) admitted to different COVID-19 divisions in Italy between March and December 2020 were included.

Upper extremity deep vein thrombosis in COVID-19: Incidence and correlated risk factors in a cohort of non-ICU patients.

Background: Venous thromboembolism is a frequent complication of COVID-19 infection. Less than 50% of pulmonary embolism (PE) is associated with the evidence of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) of the lower extremities. DVT may also occur in the venous system of the upper limbs especially if provoking conditions are present such as continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP).

Superior vena cava syndrome after pacemaker implantation treated with direct oral anticoagulation.

Background: Superior Vena Cava (SVC) syndrome, is a quite rare but serious complication after pacemaker lead implantation; most patients are asymptomatic due to the development of adequate venous collateral circulation.

Case Presentation: We report a case of a 75-year-old woman who developed SVC syndrome after transvenous pacemaker implantation with complete resolution of the thrombosis after 3 months of oral anticoagulation.

Conclusions: Generally other causes as malignancy are considered to be the most common etiology of SVC syndrome, but benign iatrogenic causes, mainly intravascular devices (central vein catheters, cardiac defibrillators and pacemaker wires), are becoming increasingly common.

Lung Function and Symptoms in Post-COVID-19 Patients: A Single-Center Experience.

Objective: To address the lack of information about clinical sequelae of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Patients And Methods: Previously hospitalized COVID-19 patients who were attending the outpatient clinic for post-COVID-19 patients (ASST Ovest Milanese, Magenta, Italy) were included in this retrospective study. They underwent blood draw for complete blood count, C-reactive protein, ferritin, D-dimer, and arterial blood gas analysis and chest high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) scan.

Assessment of SARS-CoV-2 Reinfection 1 Year After Primary Infection in a Population in Lombardy, Italy.

This cohort study examines the rate of SARS-CoV-2 reinfection among people in Lombardy, Italy, who previously recovered from COVID-19.

Suspected myocarditis in patients with COVID-19: A multicenter case series.

Although myocarditis can be a severe cardiac complication of COVID-19 patients, few data are available in the literature about the incidence and clinical significance in patients affected by SARS-CoV-2. This study aims to describe the prevalence and the clinical features of suspected myocarditis in 3 cohorts of patients hospitalized for COVID-19. We retrospectively evaluated all the consecutive patients admitted for COVID-19 without exclusion criteria.

Palliative care in a COVID-19 Internal Medicine ward: A preliminary report.

Background: in the current pandemic emergency, increased attention has given to treating symptoms that cause suffering in patients with COVID-19. This study aims to describe the role of palliative care in the management of these patients.

Methods: palliative consultation was requested by the staff as per protocol.

Bedside Abdominal Ultrasound in Evaluating Nasogastric Tube Placement: A Multicenter, Prospective, Cohort Study.

Background: Chest radiography is universally accepted as the method of choice to confirm correct positioning of a nasogastric tube (NGT). Considering also that radiation exposure could increase with multiple insertions in a single patient, bedside abdominal ultrasound (BAU) may be a potentially useful alternative to chest radiography in the management of NGTs.

Research Question: What is the accuracy of BAU in confirming the correct positioning of an NGT?

Study Design And Methods: After a specific course consisting of 10 h of training, the authors studied, in a prospective multicenter cohort, the validity of BAU to confirm correct NGT placement.

AmpC β-lactamase-producing Enterobacterales: what a clinician should know.

Background: Enterobacterales are among the most common causes of bacterial infections in the community and among hospitalized patients, and multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains have emerged as a major threat to human health. Resistance to third-generation cephalosporins is typical of MDRs, being mainly due to the production of extended spectrum β-lactamases or AmpC-type β-lactamases.

Objective: The objective of this paper is to review the epidemiological impact, diagnostic issues and treatment options with AmpC producers.

General Practitioner-Performed Compression Ultrasonography for Diagnosis of Deep Vein Thrombosis of the Leg: A Multicenter, Prospective Cohort Study.

Background: Patients with suspected deep vein thrombosis (DVT) of the lower limb represent a diagnostic dilemma for general practitioners. Compression ultrasonography (US) is universally recognized as the best test of choice. We assessed the diagnostic accuracy of compression US performed by general practitioners given short training in the management of symptomatic proximal DVT.

Dabigatran in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation: from clinical trials to real-life experience.

: Atrial fibrillation is the most common arrhythmia in over-midlife patients. In addition to systolic heart failure, cerebral thromboembolism represents the most dramatic complication of this rhythm disorder, contributing to morbidity and mortality. Traditionally, anticoagulation has been considered the main strategy in preventing stroke and systemic embolism in atrial fibrillation patients and vitamin K-dependent antagonists have been widely used in clinical practice.

Prevention and treatment of venous thromboembolism in patients with solid brain neoplasms: results of a survey among Italian physicians.

The decision concerning the introduction of primary and secondary prophylaxis of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients with solid brain neoplasms and brain metastases is often challenging due to the concomitant increased risk of intracranial hemorrhage and to limited evidence from available literature. A standardized questionnaire composed of nine multiple-choice questions regarding primary VTE prevention in non-surgical patients during high-risk conditions and VTE secondary prevention in patients with a solid brain neoplasm or cerebral metastases was sent via electronic mail to all the members (n = 2420) of the Italian Federation of the Internal Medicine Hospital Executives' Associations (FADOI) in June 2015. Three hundred and fifty two physicians (14.

Accuracy of Nurse-Performed Lung Ultrasound in Patients With Acute Dyspnea: A Prospective Observational Study.

In clinical practice lung ultrasound (LUS) is becoming an easy and reliable noninvasive tool for the evaluation of dyspnea. The aim of this study was to assess the accuracy of nurse-performed LUS, in particular, in the diagnosis of acute cardiogenic pulmonary congestion. We prospectively evaluated all the consecutive patients admitted for dyspnea in our Medicine Department between April and July 2014.