Publications by authors named "Piazza N"

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is a safe and effective procedure for the treatment of aortic stenosis. With the recently broadened indications, there is a larger cohort of patients likely to outlive their first transcatheter heart valve (THV). This review discusses relevant lifetime planning considerations, focusing on the utility of preprocedural computed tomography imaging to help implanters future-proof their patients who are likely to outlive their first valve.

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Despite the challenges associated with periprocedural imaging, transcatheter tricuspid valve interventions have shown important impact on outcomes. A comprehensive understanding of the anatomy of the right heart and surrounding structures is crucial. One way to optimize these interventions is by identifying the optimal fluoroscopic viewing angles along the S-curve of the tricuspid valve.

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Care-coordination platforms may optimize ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) treatment delays. This study aimed to assess the impact of Stenoa use on treatment delays in STEMI patients. We conducted a retrospective cohort study on local STEMI cases for the period between September 2020 and March 2023, comparing the times from first medical contact to device, before vs after the implementation of the Stenoa platform by the catheterization laboratory (cath-lab) and emergency department.

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This document updates the "Clinical practice guidelines for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of obesity" issued by the Nutrition Committee of the Argentine Pediatric Society, published in Archivos Argentinos de Pediatría in 2011. Obesity has a multifactorial etiology. It is recommended to diagnose it taking into account anthropometry, personal and family history, and clinical data that indicate complications (sleep apnea, elevated alanine transaminase and/or glycemia, and other components of the metabolic syndrome).

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Background: Refugees and migrants may represent the most vulnerable communities in many societies. Health systems should be sensitive to needs of refugees and migrants. The document "The Refugee and Migrant Health: Global Competency Standards for Health Workers (the )" identifies the competencies and areas of practice of health workers working with refugees and migrants.

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Introduction: As the number of medical students who identify as underrepresented in medicine (URiM) increases, the disparities related to gender and URiM status persist. This study examines the current initiatives within family medicine clerkships to reduce bias in evaluations.

Methods: Our 10-item survey was included as a module in the 2022 Council of Academic Family Medicine Educational Research Alliance national survey of family medicine clerkship directors.

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Background: We aimed to perform a meta-analysis of randomized trials comparing long-term outcomes of patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) vs surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) for severe aortic stenosis. The short-term efficacy and safety of TAVR are proven, but long-term outcomes are unclear.

Methods: We included randomized controlled trials comparing TAVR vs SAVR at the longest available follow-up.

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Background: The permanent pacemaker (PPM) implantation and pacemaker dependency rates after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) are highly variable as some of the conduction disturbances are reversible. It remains poorly investigated how to optimise temporary pacing in these patients. This study aimed to explore the potential reduction in the PPM implantation rate using temporary-permanent pacemaker (TPPM) as a 1-month bridge.

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  • Osteosarcopenia is a new syndrome in older adults that combines muscle and bone deterioration, which has not been thoroughly studied in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).
  • The study aimed to explore the link between osteosarcopenia and adverse outcomes post-TAVR, analyzing data from a multicenter cohort of patients aged 70 and older.
  • Results showed that 15% of patients had osteosarcopenia and exhibited higher rates of frailty and negative health outcomes, highlighting the syndrome’s importance in this clinical context.
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  • The identification and management of patients at high bleeding risk (HBR) during transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is critical, but inconsistent definitions complicate trials and clinical choices.
  • The Valve Academic Research Consortium for High Bleeding Risk (VARC-HBR) involves global experts aiming to create a standard definition for HBR patients based on extensive research.
  • This initiative, led by the Cardiovascular European Research Center (CERC), seeks to enhance the safety and effectiveness of TAVI interventions and improve future clinical guidelines.
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Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most prevalent sexually transmitted virus globally and a primary cause of cervical cancer, which ranks fourth among tumors in both incidence and mortality. Despite the availability of effective vaccines worldwide, HPV vaccination rates vary, especially among migrant and refugee populations. Indeed, migrant status may act as a determinant against accessing vaccinations, among many other factors.

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Background: Colchicine has shown potential cardioprotective effects owing to its broad anti-inflammatory properties. We performed a meta-analysis to assess its safety and efficacy in secondary prevention in patients with established coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methods: We searched Ovid Healthstar, MEDLINE, and Embase (inception to May 2022) for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the cardiovascular effects of colchicine compared with placebo or usual care in patients with CAD.

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Background: Transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement (TTVR) abolishes tricuspid regurgitation (TR) and has emerged as a definitive treatment for TR.

Objectives: The purpose of this multicenter, observational study was to determine the clinical characteristics and short-term outcomes of patients with TR screened for TTVR.

Methods: Patients underwent TTVR screening at 7 centers on a compassionate-use basis.

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Introduction: Existing literature about student-run clinics (SRCs) often focuses on student rather than patient experiences. To begin to gather data on norms and practices at SRCs nationally, this pilot study surveyed faculty leaders from SRCs around the country about metrics such as clinic organization, patient demographics, and care services.

Methods: A 38-question survey was distributed via email to members of the Student Run Free Clinic Faculty Association (SRFCFA) in October 2021.

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Background: Rates of major bleeding and intraprocedural thrombotic events (IPTE) in the setting of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) using weight-adjusted unfractionated heparin (UFH) without activated clotting time (ACT) monitoring are not known.

Methods: We reviewed 2,748 consecutive patients who underwent coronary angiography at our tertiary care university hospital between January 2017 and December 2020. All patients who underwent PCI with weight-adjusted UFH without ACT guidance were considered for further analysis.

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Article Synopsis
  • The COVID-19 pandemic led to significant treatment delays for patients needing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), with a marked decrease in procedure volumes during the first two waves of the pandemic.
  • The study analyzed TAVR case data from 130 centers in 61 countries, finding a 15% drop in cases during the first wave and 7% in the second, particularly affecting regions like Africa, Central-South America, and Asia.
  • Factors such as hospital type (private vs public), urban vs rural location, low procedure volumes, a country's socioeconomic status, and stringent public health measures contributed to these reductions, highlighting the need for improved public health policies for future health crises.
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  • A 64-year-old man with a history of heart issues caused by chemotherapy needed a heart transplant in 2022.
  • He successfully underwent an endomyocardial biopsy, a procedure to examine the heart tissue.
  • This biopsy was performed using advanced imaging techniques specific to the patient's anatomy for better accuracy.
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  • The PERFORM-TAVR trial aims to explore the combined effects of exercise and protein supplementation on older adults with frailty undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), which currently shows high procedural success but still leaves many patients with poor health outcomes.
  • This multicentre trial will enroll 200 frail adults aged 70 and older, randomly assigning them to either standard lifestyle education (control) or a regimen involving protein-rich supplements and supervised exercises post-TAVR.
  • The main goal is to measure physical performance improvements at 3 months, along with secondary outcomes like health-related quality of life and safety assessments over a year, potentially reshaping approaches to treating frailty alongside heart valve diseases.
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Background: A significant number of patients with severe mitral regurgitation (MR) are not suitable for either surgical or transcatheter edge-to-edge repair because of high surgical risk or inappropriate mitral valve anatomy.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the HighLife Trans-Septal Mitral Valve Replacement (TSMVR) system in patients with symptomatic MR and high surgical risk.

Methods: This prospective, multicenter, nonrandomized feasibility study evaluated the safety and performance of the HighLife TSMVR system in patients with moderate to severe or severe symptomatic MR during 1-year follow-up.

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  • The Life-ON study aimed to assess sleep quality and disorders among pregnant women and postpartum over time, involving 439 participants from local gynecological departments.
  • Results showed that sleep quality worsened throughout pregnancy, with 34% experiencing poor sleep in the first trimester, rising to 71% in the first month postpartum; insomnia and excessive daytime sleepiness trends were also noted.
  • The study highlights the high prevalence of sleep disorders during pregnancy and postpartum, stressing the need for routine assessments to enhance early detection and management.
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Murray law-based quantitative flow ratio (µQFR) assesses fractional flow reserve (FFR) in bifurcation lesions using a single angiographic view, enhancing the feasibility of analysis; however, accuracy may be compromised in suboptimal angiographic projections. FFR is a well-validated non-invasive method measuring FFR from coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA). We evaluated the feasibility of µQFR in left main (LM) bifurcations, the impact of the optimal/suboptimal fluoroscopic view with respect to CCTA, and its diagnostic concordance with FFR.

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Background: Data concerning the outcomes of transcatheter aortic valve replacement in type 0 bicuspid aortic stenosis (AS) are scarce. The study aims to compare the outcomes of transcatheter aortic valve replacement for AS in patients with type 0 bicuspid, type 1 bicuspid, and tricuspid aortic valve anatomy.

Methods: We enrolled consecutive patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement for severe AS between 2012 and 2022 in this single-center retrospective cohort study.

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