[Early invasive strategy (<24 h) in high-risk non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome: when the guideline recommendations need to be contextualized].

The advantages of an early invasive strategy in non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTE-ACS) are well documented. Less clear is the ideal time to perform it (within 24 h, within 72 h, or during hospitalization after positive non-invasive testing for ischemia). In particular, the class IA recommendation for coronary angiography within 24 h in patients with high-risk NSTE-ACS is controversial.

Dimethyl fumarate-induced lymphocyte count drop is related to clinical effectiveness in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.

Background And Purpose: Dimethyl fumarate (DMF) causes a mean lymphocyte count drop of approximately 30% in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) patients. The relationship between this reduction and DMF effectiveness is controversial. The objective was to investigate if the decrease in absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) from baseline during DMF treatment is associated with clinical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) disease activity.

Imaging Early Postoperative Complications of Cardiothoracic Surgery.

Imaging plays a central role in the evaluation of patients following cardiothoracic surgery, both for monitoring in the early postoperative period and for assessing for suspected complications. Patients with postsurgical complications can develop a range of signs and symptoms, from hypotension and tachycardia, as the result of severe bleeding, to fever and leukocytosis because of infection. The radiologist is an important member of the care team in the postoperative period, helping identify and manage complications of cardiothoracic surgery.

The real-world effectiveness of natalizumab and fingolimod in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. An Italian multicentre study.

Background: Both natalizumab and fingolimod are highly effective in the treatment of relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS). In the absence of head-to-head trials, some observational studies have compared their efficacy with conflicting results.

Objectives: To investigate the efficacy of natalizumab and fingolimod in a cohort of RRMS patients in an observational, retrospective study.

Distribution of Paraoxonase-1 (PON-1) and Lipoprotein Phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) across Lipoprotein Subclasses in Subjects with Type 2 Diabetes.

Paraoxonase-1 (PON1) and lipoprotein phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) may exert an important protective role by preventing the oxidative transformation of high- and low-density lipoproteins (HDL and LDL, respectively). The activity of both enzymes is influenced by lipidome and proteome of the lipoprotein carriers. T2DM typically presents significant changes in the molecular composition of the lipoprotein subclasses.

Discovery of Novel 1,3,8-Triazaspiro[4.5]decane Derivatives That Target the c Subunit of F/F-Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) Synthase for the Treatment of Reperfusion Damage in Myocardial Infarction.

Recent cardiology research studies have reported the role, function, and structure of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) and have shown that its opening plays a key role in the progression of myocardial cell death secondary to reperfusion. In this manuscript, we validated a new pharmacological approach as an adjunct to reperfusion in myocardial infarction (MI) treatment and describe the discovery, optimization, and structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies of the first small-molecule mPTP opening inhibitors based on a 1,3,8-triazaspiro[4.5]decane scaffold that targets the c subunit of the F/F-ATP synthase complex.

Small Vessel Disease Is Associated with Tissue Inhibitor of Matrix Metalloproteinase-4 After Ischaemic Stroke.

Small vessel disease (SVD) is frequent in aging and stroke patients. Inflammation and remodeling of extracellular matrix have been suggested as concurrent mechanisms of SVD. We investigated the relationship between imaging features of SVD and circulating metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) in patients with ischaemic stroke.

First-line disease-modifying drugs in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: an Italian real-life multicenter study on persistence.

Objective: The introduction of oral disease-modifying drugs (DMDs) in addition to the available, injectable, ones for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) could be expected to improve medication persistence due to a greater acceptability of the route of administration. The aim of the study was to compare the proportion of patients discontinuing injectable DMDs (interferon beta 1a/1b, pegylated interferon, glatiramer acetate) with those discontinuing oral DMDs (dimethylfumarate and teriflunomide) during an observation period of at least 12 months. Secondary aims were to compare the time to discontinuation and the reasons for discontinuation between the two groups and to explore the demographic and clinical factors associated with DMD discontinuation.

[Antegrade and retrograde approach through the venous graft for treating a chronic total occlusion in a patient with acute coronary syndrome complicated by pulmonary edema].

Percutaneous treatment of chronic total occlusions (CTO) is one of the major challenges in contemporary interventional cardiology. These lesions are identified in 15% to 30% of all patients referred for coronary angiography. Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of CTOs is technically challenging and requires familiarity with advanced interventional techniques as well as specialty equipment.

TGF-β Signaling Pathways in Different Compartments of the Lower Airways of Patients With Stable COPD.

Background: The expression and localization of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) pathway proteins in different compartments of the lower airways of patients with stable COPD is unclear. We aimed to determine TGF-β pathway protein expression in patients with stable COPD.

Methods: The expression and localization of TGF-β pathway components was measured in the bronchial mucosa and peripheral lungs of patients with stable COPD (n = 44), control smokers with normal lung function (n = 24), and control nonsmoking subjects (n = 11) using immunohistochemical analysis.

[Coronary revascularization in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction and multivessel disease].

Forty to 60% of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients present with multivessel coronary artery disease, identified during primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) of the culprit lesion. At present, data about revascularization of non-culprit coronary lesions are conflicting. Nevertheless, patients with multivessel coronary artery disease have a worse outcome.

A Prospective Evaluation of a Pre-Specified Absorb BVS Implantation Strategy in ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction: The BVS STEMI STRATEGY-IT Study.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility and clinical results following a pre-specified bioresorbable scaffold (Absorb BVS) implantation strategy in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

Background: Concerns were raised about the safety of Absorb because a non-negligible rate of thrombosis was reported within 30 days and at midterm follow-up after primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

Methods: This was a prospective, multicenter study of patients with STEMI (<75 years of age with symptom onset <12 h) undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention with Absorb following a dedicated implantation protocol.

Sex and Circadian Periodicity of Cardiovascular Diseases: Are Women Sufficiently Represented in Chronobiological Studies?

Women are often excluded/underrepresented in clinical trials; sometimes, the number of men/women participants or separate analysis by sex are not reported. A robust body of evidence demonstrated that several life-threatening acute cardiovascular diseases, for example, acute myocardial infarction, sudden cardiac death, cardiac arrest, rupture or dissection of aortic aneurysms, and stroke, exhibit a circadian periodicity with a morning peak. An analysis of 20 years of chronobiologic studies (44% of them, accounting for 85% of total cases, with separate analysis by sex) confirmed that morning hours are a critical time of onset of acute cardiovascular diseases in men and women.

A counseling program on nuisance bleeding improves quality of life in patients on dual antiplatelet therapy: A randomized controlled trial.

Background: Nuisance bleeding is a major determinant of quality of life and drug discontinuation in patients on dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT). However, no randomized trial has been focused on the impact of nuisance bleeding on quality of life.

Methods: BATMAN is an investigator-driven, randomized, controlled, single-center, open trial (NCT02554006).

Definitive childlessness in women with multiple sclerosis: a multicenter study.

The frequency of definitive childlessness in women with multiple sclerosis (MS) may be higher than in the general population. MS may also affect decisions on the delivery procedure and on breast-feeding issues. Aim of the study was to assess the frequency of childlessness and its possible causes, the proportion of cesarean deliveries (CD), and the frequency of breast-feeding in patients and controls who have reached the end of their reproductive period.

Inflammatory and metalloproteinases profiles predict three-month poor outcomes in ischemic stroke treated with thrombolysis.

Inflammatory mediators and metalloproteinases are altered in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) and play a detrimental effect on clinical severity and hemorrhagic transformation of the ischemic brain lesion. Using data from the Italian multicenter observational MAGIC (MArker bioloGici nell'Ictus Cerebrale) Study, we evaluated the effect of inflammatory and metalloproteinases profiles on three-month functional outcome, hemorrhagic transformation and mortality in 327 patients with AIS treated with intravenous thrombolys in according to SITS-MOST (Safe Implementation of Thrombolysis in Stroke-MOnitoring STudy) criteria. Circulating biomarkers were assessed at baseline and 24 h after thrombolysis.

Meta-Analysis of the Duration of Dual Antiplatelet Therapy in Patients Treated With Second-Generation Drug-Eluting Stents.

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the optimal duration of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) after percutaneous coronary intervention, especially in the era of second-generation drug-eluting stents (DES). The work was conducted from November 2014 to April 2015. All randomized controlled trials comparing short (<12 months) versus long (≥12 months) DAPT in patients treated with second-generation DES were analyzed.

Occurrence, causes, and outcome after switching from ticagrelor to clopidogrel in a real-life scenario: data from a prospective registry.

In randomized clinical trials, ticagrelor has been substituted in roughly one-third of the patients during follow-up. To date, there are no studies addressing safety and modalities of switching from ticagrelor to clopidogrel. The aim of our study is to describe the occurrence, causes, and outcome of the switch from ticagrelor to clopidogrel in a real-life scenario.

Bioresorbable Scaffold vs. Second Generation Drug Eluting Stent in Long Coronary Lesions requiring Overlap: A Propensity-Matched Comparison (the UNDERDOGS study).

Background: Randomized clinical trials on bioresorbable scaffolds (BRS) enrolled patients with simple coronary lesions. The present study was sought to give preliminary findings about safety of BRS implantation in overlap in long coronary lesions.

Methods: From June 2012 to January 2015, we prospectively collected data from 162 consecutive patients receiving overlapping BRS implantation in the 16 participating institutions.

Bioresorbable vascular scaffold overlap evaluation with optical coherence tomography after implantation with or without enhanced stent visualization system (WOLFIE study): a two-centre prospective comparison.

To assess if enhanced stent visualization (ESV)-guided implantation of overlapping bioresorbable vascular scaffold (BVS) is superior to angiography alone-guided implantation in the reduction of overlap length. WOLFIE is a two-centre prospective open study enrolling 30 patients treated with implantation of at least two overlapping BVS. In the first centre (London), BVS implantation was guided by conventional angiography, while in the second centre (Ferrara), an ESV system was systematically employed.

Fractional flow reserve: Current applications and overview of the available data.

Flow fractional reserve (FFR) allows to evaluate the functional significance of coronary artery lesions, through the ratio of the mean coronary artery pressure after the stenosis to the mean aortic pressure during maximum hyperemia. The actual widely accepted cut-off value is 0.80.

Unbalanced Metalloproteinase-9 and Tissue Inhibitors of Metalloproteinases Ratios Predict Hemorrhagic Transformation of Lesion in Ischemic Stroke Patients Treated with Thrombolysis: Results from the MAGIC Study.

Background: Experimentally, metalloproteinases (MMPs) play a detrimental role related to the severity of ischemic brain lesions. Both MMPs activity and function in tissues reflect the balance between MMPs and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs). We aimed to evaluate the role of MMPs/TIMPs balance in the setting of rtPA-treated stroke patients.