Organization and Activity of Italian Echocardiographic Laboratories: A Survey of the Italian Society of Echocardiography and Cardiovascular Imaging.

Background: The Italian Society of Echocardiography and Cardiovascular Imaging (SIECVI) conducted a national survey to understand better how different echocardiographic modalities are used and accessed in Italy.

Methods: We analyzed echocardiography laboratory activities over a month (November 2022). Data were retrieved via an electronic survey based on a structured questionnaire, uploaded on the SIECVI website.

Clinical characteristics and course of patients with diabetes entering cardiac rehabilitation.

Background: Using data from the Italian SurveY on carDiac rEhabilitation (ISYDE-2008), this study provides insight into the level of implementation of Cardiac Rehabilitation (CR) in patients with diabetes.

Methods: Data from 165 CR units were collected online from January 28th to February 10th, 2008.

Results: The study cohort consisted of 2281 patients (66.

Does metabolic syndrome worsen systolic dysfunction in diabetes? The shortwave study.

Patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS) have high cardiovascular event rates. The additional effect of MetS on left ventricular (LV) systolic function in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is unknown. We studied the relation between MetS and LV systolic function in T2DM patients without coronary artery disease (CAD).

Analysis of left atrial performance in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus without overt cardiac disease and inducible ischemia: high prevalence of increased systolic force related to enhanced left ventricular systolic longitudinal function.

Objectives: In patients with chronic pressure overload, higher left atrial systolic force (LASF) is associated with high-risk cardiovascular (CV) phenotype, with increased left ventricular (LV) mass, concentric hypertrophy, and diastolic dysfunction. In hypertension and aortic stenosis, LASF predicts increased rate of CV events independent of traditional risk factors. Moreover, LASF is an independent predictor of heart failure in diabetic and nondiabetic patients.

Combined circumferential and longitudinal left ventricular systolic dysfunction in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus without myocardial ischemia.

Background/objective: Left ventricular (LV) circumferential or longitudinal shortening may be impaired in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). In the present study, patients with type 2 DM without myocardial ischemia and combined impairment of circumferential and longitudinal (C+L) shortening were studied to assess the prevalence and factors associated with this condition.

Methods: Data from 386 patients with type 2 DM enrolled in the SHORTening of midWall and longitudinAl left Ventricular fibers in diabEtes study were analyzed.

Prevalence and 1-year prognosis of transient heart failure following coronary revascularization.

The occurrence of heart failure during the whole pre-discharge course of coronary revascularization, as far as its influence on subsequent prognosis, is poorly understood. The present study examined the effect of transient heart failure (THF) developing in the acute and rehabilitative phase on survival after coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Patients in the Italian survey on cardiac rehabilitation and secondary prevention after cardiac revascularization (ICAROS) were analyzed for THF, the latter being defined either as signs and symptoms consistent with decompensation or cardiogenic shock.

The increasing detection of asymptomatic left ventricular dysfunction in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus without overt cardiac disease: data from the SHORTWAVE study.

Aims: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) is associated with higher risk of heart failure. Over the last three decades several studies demonstrated the presence of asymptomatic systolic and/or diastolic left ventricular (LV) dysfunction (asymLVD) in patients with normal LV ejection fraction (LVEF). Purpose of our study was to assess the prevalence and factors associated with asymLVD in DM patients by echocardiographic indexes more sensitive than LVEF and transmitral flow detected by pulsed Doppler.

[Acquired and congenital heart diseases during pregancy].

Heart diseases are the leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality. The number of patients with congenital heart diseases reaching childbearing age, as well as the proportion of women with acquired conditions, such as ischemic heart disease, becoming pregnant is constantly increasing. All women with known heart disease should have pre-pregnancy counseling, to assess maternal and fetal risk.

[ICAROS (Italian survey on CardiAc RehabilitatiOn and Secondary prevention after cardiac revascularization): temporary report of the first prospective, longitudinal registry of the cardiac rehabilitation network GICR/IACPR].

The Italian survey on CardiAc RehabilitatiOn and Secondary prevention after cardiac revascularization (ICAROS) was a multicenter, prospective, longitudinal survey carried out by the Italian Association on Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation (GICR/IACPR) in patients on completion of a CR program after coronary artery by pass grafting (CABG) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The aim was to evaluate in the short and medium-term: i) the cardioprotective drug prescription, modification and adherence; ii) the achievement and maintenance of recommended lifestyle targets and risk factor control and their association with cardiovascular events; iii) the predictors of non-adherence to therapy and lifestyle recommendations. The ICAROS results offers a portrait of the "real world" of clinical practice concerning patients after CABG and PCI, and stresses the need to improve secondary prevention care after the index event: many patients after revascularization leave the acute wards without an optimal prescription of preventive medication but the prescription of cardiopreventive drugs and risk factors control is excellent after completion of a CR program.

[The Italian Network for Heart Failure five years after the publication of the Italian "Consensus conference on the management of heart failure"].

In the year 2006 the Italian Association of Hospital Cardiologists (ANMCO) promoted a Consensus Conference among professional Scientific Societies in order to redefine the role and core responsibilities of each health professionals involved in heart failure management in a novel integrated network. Five years later, a questionnaire has been proposed to each Italian Regional President of the Association, in order to assess the implementation of the proposed management strategies in the different clinical scenarios of the Italian Regions. Although the Document utilization is not homogeneous through Italy, it is still considered a valuable tool of work.

Effective secondary prevention through cardiac rehabilitation after coronary revascularization and predictors of poor adherence to lifestyle modification and medication. Results of the ICAROS Survey.

Background And Aim: Secondary prevention is a priority after coronary revascularization. We investigate the impact of a cardiac rehabilitation (CR) program on lifestyle, risk factors and medication modifications and analyze predictors of poor behavioral changes and events in patients after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods: Multicenter (n=62), prospective, longitudinal survey in post-CABG or -PCI consecutive patients after a comprehensive CR program.

[After ACC/AHA and ESC Guidelines: Pre-operative cardiological evaluation in non-cardiac surgery: certainties, controversial areas and opportunities for a team approach].

A standardized and evidence-based approach to the cardiological management of patients undergoing noncardiac surgery has been recently defined by Task Forces of the American Heart Association (AHA), American College of Cardiology (ACC) and the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) that published their guidelines in 2007 and 2009, respectively. Both the recommendations moved from risk indices to a practical, stepwise approach of the patient, which integrates clinical risk factors and test results with the estimated stress of the planned surgical procedure. In the present paper the main topics of the guidelines are discussed, and moreover, emphasis is placed on four controversial issues such as the use of prophylactic coronary revascularization in patients with myocardial ischemia, the perioperative management of patients with congestive heart failure, the routine use of betablockers and statins, and, finally, the management of antiplatelet therapies in patients with coronary stents.

Preoperative cardiac evaluation and perioperative cardiac therapy in patients undergoing open surgery for abdominal aortic aneurysms: effects on cardiovascular outcome.

Background: Cardiovascular complications, such as death, myocardial infarction, or heart failure, are the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in adult patients undergoing major noncardiac surgery.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of an accurate preoperative cardiac evaluation, together with optimized perioperative drug therapy, in reducing cardiovascular events in patients undergoing open aortic surgery for abdominal aneurysm.

Methods: Between January 2000 and December 2008, we considered all consecutive patients undergoing elective abdominal aortic open surgery at the Vascular Surgery Unit of the University of Study-Spedali Civili (Italy).

Gender differences in cardiac rehabilitation programs from the Italian survey on cardiac rehabilitation (ISYDE-2008).

Purpose: In recent years epidemiological and clinical evidence has shown gender disparities in several aspects of cardiovascular disease. Aim of this study was to identify gender differences in the clinical profile and management of patients admitted to cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programs.

Population: Patients enrolled in the ISYDE-2008 survey were considered.

Late postoperative atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery: a national survey within the cardiac rehabilitation setting.

Aims: The aims of this study were to determine the incidence and clinical predictors of new-onset and recurrent late postoperative atrial fibrillation (POPAF) in a large cohort of patients who underwent cardiac rehabilitation programs (CRPs) after discharge from surgery units, and the association between late POPAF and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in the medium term.

Methods: The ISYDE and ICAROS registries were two multicenter, prospective studies carried out by the Italian Association for Cardiovascular Prevention, Rehabilitation and Epidemiology (IACPR-GICR), providing clinical information on consecutive patients completing CRP in 165 facilities. Patients following cardiac surgery were considered, with the exclusion of those with persistent POPAF at discharge from the surgery units.

Cardiac rehabilitation in very old patients: data from the Italian Survey on Cardiac Rehabilitation-2008 (ISYDE-2008)--official report of the Italian Association for Cardiovascular Prevention, Rehabilitation, and Epidemiology.

Background: Using data from the Italian SurveY on carDiac rEhabilitation-2008 (ISYDE-2008), this study provides insight into the level of implementation of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) in very old cardiac patients.

Methods: Data from 165 CR units were collected online from January 28 to February 10, 2008.

Results: The study cohort consisted of 2,281 patients (66.

Six-minute walking test after cardiac surgery: instructions for an appropriate use.

The 6-min walking test is a practical, simple, inexpensive test, which does not require any exercise equipment or advanced training. The test has been proposed both as a functional status indicator and as an outcome measure in various categories of patients (postmyocardial infarction, heart failure, postcardiac surgery) admitted to rehabilitation programs. The purpose of this study is to review the literature regarding the usefulness of 6-min walking test for the evaluation of patients entering a cardiac rehabilitation program early after cardiac/thoracic surgery.

The Italian Survey on Cardiac Rehabilitation-2008 (ISYDE-2008). Part 3. National availability and organization of cardiac rehabilitation facilities. Official report of the Italian Association for Cardiovascular Prevention, Rehabilitation and Epidemiology (IACPR-GICR).

From January 28th to February 10th 2008, the Italian Association for Cardiovascular Prevention, Rehabilitation and Epidemiology (IACPR-GICR) conducted the ISYDE-2008 study, the primary aim of which was to take a detailed snapshot of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) provision in Italy--in terms of number and distribution of facilities, staffing levels, organization and setting--and compare the actual CR provision with the recommendations of national guidelines for CR and secondary prevention. The secondary aim was to describe the patient population currently being referred to CR and the components of the programs offered. Out of 190 cardiac rehabilitation centers existing in Italy in 2008, 165 (87%) took part in the study.

Physical and emotional symptom burden of patients with end-stage heart failure: what to measure, how and why.

Objective: Much of our understanding about symptom burden near the end of life is based on studies of cancer patients. The aim of this study was to explore physical and emotional symptom experience among end-stage chronic heart failure patients, looking for those symptoms mostly related to their global health status.

Methods: Forty-six patients with end-stage heart failure compiled the following: Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS) and Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ).

[The Italian SurveY on carDiac rEhabilitation 2008 (ISYDE 2008): study presentation].

In this paper, the Italian Society of Cardiac Rehabilitation and Prevention (GICR) presents the third survey on the status of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) in Italy. The Italian SurveY on carDiac rEhabilitation 2008 (ISYDE 2008) is a multicenter, observational study aimed at identifying the number and characteristics of Italian CR facilities, both in terms of health operators and interventions. Clinical records of all patients consecutively discharged within the whole network--composed of up to 200 CR units--from January 28 to February 10, 2008 will also be reviewed for diagnosis of admission, comorbidities, rehabilitation programs, and drug therapy, in order to obtain a snapshot of current implementation strategies in daily clinical practice.

ISYDE-2008. Study presentation. The Italian survey on cardiac rehabilitation: a snapshot of current cardiac rehabilitation programmes and providers in Italy.

The Italian Society of Cardiac Rehabilitation and Prevention (GICR) has developed the ISYDE-2008 survey with the purpose to take a detailed snapshot in terms of number, distribution, facilities, staffing levels, organization, and programme details of CR units in Italy and to compare actual provision with the recommendation of National GL for CR and secondary prevention. The study will be carried out with a web-based questionnaire running on the GICR website in 2 weeks from Jan. 28 to Feb.