New Setting of Neurally Adjusted Ventilatory Assist during Noninvasive Ventilation through a Helmet.

Background: Compared to pneumatically controlled pressure support (PSP), neurally adjusted ventilatory assist (NAVA) was proved to improve patient-ventilator interactions, while not affecting comfort, diaphragm electrical activity (EAdi), and arterial blood gases (ABGs). This study compares neurally controlled pressure support (PSN) with PSP and NAVA, delivered through two different helmets, in hypoxemic patients receiving noninvasive ventilation for prevention of extubation failure.

Methods: Fifteen patients underwent three (PSP, NAVA, and PSN) 30-min trials in random order with both helmets.

Vitamin D levels and high-residual platelet reactivity in patients receiving dual antiplatelet therapy with clopidogrel or ticagrelor.

Suboptimal platelet inhibition still represents an important challenge, especially for patients undergoing percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs). However, very few are known so far on the predictors of high-residual platelet reactivity (HRPR) despite antiplatelet strategies. Increasing attention has been paid in the last years to the role of vitamin D in atherothrombosis.

Randomized evaluation of short-term dual antiplatelet therapy in patients with acute coronary syndrome treated with the COMBO dual therapy stent: rationale and design of the REDUCE trial.

Background: The optimal duration of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients treated with drug eluting stents (DES) is still under debate. Recent meta-analyses on ≤6months versus 12months DAPT suggest that bleeding rates can be reduced, without a higher rate of thrombotic complications. In particular, the COMBO dual therapy stent, being associated with early re-endothelialization, may allow for a reduction of the duration of DAPT without increasing the thrombotic risk, while reducing the risk of bleeding complications.

An unusual case of ectomesenchymal chondromyxoid tumour of the left tonsillar bed: imaging and histopathologic features.

We describe a case of a rare soft-palatal and parapharyngeal mass in an adult woman. A 71-year-old female presented with a huge mass protruding from the soft palate, complaining about difficulty in swallowing for the past 4 months. After inspection and ear nose and throat fibroscopy, in which the mass appeared regular-shaped and with a regular mucosa, the patient underwent a CT scan and MRI examination.

Bivalirudin in Patients Undergoing PCI: State of Art and Future Perspectives.

Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) represents the most common cause of death worldwide. Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is the management of choice in patients with ACS and occurrence of intra-procedural thrombotic complications are an independent predictor of mortality and other major adverse cardiovascular events in patients undergoing PCI. According to current guideline, anticoagulation therapy is indicated during PCI in order to reduce the risk of thrombotic complications such as stent thrombosis.

Combination of C-reactive protein, procalcitonin and sepsis-related organ failure score for the diagnosis of sepsis in critical patients.

Objective: To measure the ability of a new bioscore to diagnose sepsis in a general critical care population.

Methods: The study was done at an intensive care unit (ICU) from April to December 2012. Demographic and clinical patient information were recorded on admission to the ICU with blood samples taken for C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), interleukin-6, white blood cell count, as well as body temperature, age and the sepsis-related organ failure (SOFA) score.

Impact of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio on periprocedural myocardial infarction in patients undergoing non-urgent percutaneous coronary revascularisation.

Background: Pro-thrombotic conditions importantly influence myocardial perfusion and procedural results after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has emerged as a predictor of cardiovascular events and of long-term prognosis, especially in ST-elevation myocardial infarction patients undergoing primary PCI. The aim of our study was to evaluate the role of NLR on periprocedural myocardial infarction (MI) in patients undergoing non-urgent PCI.

Vitamin D status, diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease in patients undergoing coronary angiography.

Background And Aims: Growing attention has been addressed to the cardiovascular effects of vitamin D, in order to prevent the vascular wall degeneration and the progression of atherosclerosis. Diabetes mellitus is an established risk factor for coronary artery disease, where the enhanced pro-inflammatory and pro-thrombotic status could render even more important the athero-protective effects of vitamin D. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the impact of diabetes on vitamin D levels and its relationship with the extent of CAD.

Bivalirudin Versus Unfractionated Heparin in Acute Coronary Syndromes: An Updated Meta-analysis of Randomized Trials.

Introduction And Objectives: Contrasting data have been reported on bivalirudin as an anticoagulation strategy during percutaneous coronary interventions, offering theoretical benefits on bleeding complications but raising concerns on a potential increase in the risk of stent thrombosis. We performed an updated meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy and safety of bivalirudin compared with unfractionated heparin in patients undergoing percutaneous interventions for acute coronary syndromes.

Methods: Literature archives and main scientific sessions were scanned.

Italian translation, cultural adaptation and validation of the "American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society's (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot scale".

Background and Aim of the workAnkle and hindfoot injuries are common and may lead to functional impairment, disability, exclusion from occupational and daily activities. It's necessary a standardized method for assessing treatment outcomes in people with same condition and disease.American-Orthopaedics-Foot-and-Ankle-Society's-Ankle-Hindfoot-Evaluation-Scale (AOFAS-AHES) is specific to estimate clinical problems of the ankle-hindfoot.

Serum uric acid levels during dual antiplatelet therapy with ticagrelor or clopidogrel: Results from a single-centre study.

Background And Aims: New antithrombotic therapies have significantly improved the outcomes of patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), where the introduction of ticagrelor has provided the greatest mortality benefits. However, ticagrelor treatment has been associated with a potential increase in the serum uric acid (SUA) levels, which may influence endothelial dysfunction and prothrombotic status, thereby affecting the risk of acute cardiovascular events in patients requiring dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT). The present study aimed to compare the impact of antiplatelet agents such as ticagrelor or clopidogrel on SUA levels and their effect on platelet reactivity.

Parathyroid Hormone Levels and High-Residual Platelet Reactivity in Patients Receiving Dual Antiplatelet Therapy With Acetylsalicylic Acid and Clopidogrel or Ticagrelor.

Background: High-residual-on-treatment platelet reactivity still represents a challenging issue, potentially vanishing the benefits of dual antiplatelet treatment in patients with coronary artery disease. However, very few is known on the determinants of suboptimal response to antiplatelet agents. Recent interests have emerged on the potential prothrombotic effect of parathyroid hormone (PTH).

Impact of renal function on mean platelet volume and its relationship with coronary artery disease: A single-centre cohort study.

Background: Mean platelet volume (MPV) has been proposed as a marker of platelet reactivity and cardiovascular disease. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) significantly favors the occurrence of cardiovascular events, by increasing the circulating levels of a wide spectrum of pro-oxidant and pro-thrombotic mediators. However, opposite alterations of platelet function, both enhanced aggregability and increased bleeding diathesis have been reported in these patients, with contrasting results on the effects of renal function on MPV and coronary artery disease, that were assessed in present study.

Extemporaneous transposition flap for closing two contiguous surgical excision.

The authors present a surgical procedure to remove two contiguous cutaneous lesions using a single transposition flap and suture line without an evident scar. This method is useful when rhomboid surgical exeresis could not represent the best choice to obtain an optimum aesthetic result.

Impact of diabetes on immature platelets fraction and its relationship with platelet reactivity in patients receiving dual antiplatelet therapy.

Contrasting data have been reported so far on the role of reticulated platelets in suboptimal response to antiplatelet therapies. In particular, still unexplored is whether they may contribute to explain the higher risk of thrombotic complications observed in diabetic patients. Aim of the present study was to evaluate the impact of diabetes on the levels of reticulated platelets and its relationship with high residual on-treatment platelet reactivity (HRPR) in patients receiving dual antiplatelet therapy.

Impact of Diabetes on Homocysteine Levels and Its Relationship with Coronary Artery Disease: A Single-Centre Cohort Study.

Background/aims: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a major cause of mortality worldwide. Hyperhomocysteinemia has been identified as a risk factor for CAD due to increased thrombogenicity, oxidative stress status and endothelial dysfunction. Few data have been provided on the impact of diabetes on homocysteine and its relationship with the prevalence and extent of CAD in this high-risk subset of patients and therefore, this is the aim of this study.

Gender Differences in Platelet Reactivity in Patients Receiving Dual Antiplatelet Therapy.

Background: Cardiovascular risk is still underestimated in women, experiencing higher mortality and worse prognosis after acute cardiovascular events. Gender differences have been reported in thrombotic and hemorrhagic risk during dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT), thus suggesting a potential variability in platelet reactivity according to sex. The aim of the present study was to assess the role of gender on platelet function and the prevalence of high-on treatment residual platelet reactivity (HRPR) during DAPT in patients with recent acute coronary syndrome or percutaneous coronary revascularization.

Uric acid and high-residual platelet reactivity in patients treated with clopidogrel or ticagrelor.

Background And Aim: High residual platelet reactivity (HRPR) is still an important challenge, despite the advent of new potent ADP-antagonists. Therefore it is of extreme importance to identify factors that can influence platelet activation. Serum uric acid (SUA) has been largely addressed in the past as a possible risk factor for coronary artery disease, with a possible association with platelets hyperreactivity.

Stem cells therapy for ALS.

Introduction: Despite knowledge on the molecular basis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) having quickly progressed over the last few years, such discoveries have not yet translated into new therapeutics. With the advancement of stem cell technologies there is hope for stem cell therapeutics as novel treatments for ALS.

Areas Covered: We discuss in detail the therapeutic potential of different types of stem cells in preclinical and clinical works.

Preoperative risk factors for prolonged postoperative ventilation following thymectomy in myasthenia gravis.

Unlabelled: Adequate preoperative evaluation and preparation for surgery are required to prevent prolonged mechanical ventilation after thymectomy, and facilitate the recovery of patients with myasthenia gravis (MG). The objective of this study was to identify the preoperative risk factors for extubation failure after thymectomy in patients with MG.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on 61 patients with MG who underwent extended thymectomy.

New versus Conventional Helmet for Delivering Noninvasive Ventilation: A Physiologic, Crossover Randomized Study in Critically Ill Patients.

Background: The helmet is a well-tolerated interface for noninvasive ventilation, although it is associated with poor patient-ventilator interaction. A new helmet (NH) has proven to attenuate this limitation of the standard helmet (SH) in both bench study and healthy volunteers. The authors compared a NH and a SH in intensive care unit patients receiving noninvasive ventilation for prevention of postextubation respiratory failure; both helmets were also compared with the endotracheal tube in place before extubation.

Impact of atorvastatin or rosuvastatin co-administration on platelet reactivity in patients treated with dual antiplatelet therapy.

Background: Residual high-on treatment platelet reactivity (HRPR) still represents a challenging matter in patients with coronary artery disease. Drug-to-drug interaction has been suggested between some statin and antiplatelet agents, despite their co-administration is mandatory in patients after an acute cardiovascular event or coronary stenting. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to investigate any impact of rosuvastatin or atorvastatin co-administration on platelet reactivity in patients receiving dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT).