Hyperacute Hemodynamic Effects of BiPAP Noninvasive Ventilation in Patients With Acute Heart Failure and Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction in Emergency Department.

Background: Acute heart failure (AHF) is one of the leading causes of admission to emergency department (ED); severe hypoxemic AHF may be treated with noninvasive ventilation (NIV). Despite the demonstrated clinical efficacy of NIV in relieving symptoms of AHF, less is known about the hyperacute effects of bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP) ventilation on hemodynamics of patients admitted to ED for AHF. We therefore aimed to assess the effect of BiPAP ventilation on principal hemodynamic, respiratory, pulse oximetry, and microcirculation indexes in patients admitted to ED for AHF, needing NIV.

Recurrent pericarditis: autoimmune or autoinflammatory?

Idiopathic recurrent acute pericarditis (IRAP) represents the most troublesome complication of acute pericarditis and occurs in up to 20-50% of patients. It is generally idiopathic or postcardiac injury. IRAP is a disease of suspected immune-mediated pathogenesis.