Single versus dual antiplatelet therapy following percutaneous left atrial appendage closure-A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: In the last few years, percutaneous LAA occlusion (LAAO) has become a plausible alternative in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients with contraindications to anticoagulation therapy. Nevertheless, the optimal antiplatelet strategy following percutaneous LAAO remains to be defined.

Methods: Studies comparing single antiplatelet therapy (SAPT) versus dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) following LAAO were systematically searched and screened.

The intertwining of healthcare-associated infections and COVID-19 in Italian intensive care units: an analysis of the SPIN-UTI project from 2006 to 2021.

Background: Although healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) pose an extraordinary burden on public health, the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is still a matter of debate.

Aim: To describe trends of HAIs in Italian intensive care units (ICUs) from 2006 to 2021, and to compare characteristics and outcomes of patients with or without COVID-19.

Methods: We evaluated patients participating in the 'Italian Nosocomial Infections Surveillance in Intensive Care Units' (SPIN-UTI) project, who were admitted to ICUs for more than 48 h.

Diagnostic capabilities of devices for cardiac resynchronization therapy.

Atrial fibrillation and chronic heart failure often coexist. Asymptomatic atrial fibrillation is common in patients with known atrial fibrillation but also in patients with no history of previous atrial fibrillation. The enhanced diagnostic capabilities of modern implantable devices for cardiac resynchronization therapy allow collecting of data on the clinical status of the patient in addition to information on device performance and cardiac rhythm.

Transcatheter treatment of coronary artery disease and atrial septal defect with sequential implantation of coronary stent and Amplatzer septal occluder: preliminary results.

Coronary stent implantation had been established as a highly effective revascularization technique in patients with occlusive coronary artery disease. Transcatheter closure of atrial septal defects is becoming a definite alternative to surgery in properly selected patients. During a 19-month period, 6 patients (50% women; mean age, 58 +/- 17 years; range, 32-73 years) of a consecutive series of 176 prospective multicenter registry patients undergoing transcatheter atrial septal defect closure were treated with sequential percutaneous coronary revascularization and Amplatzer septal occluder implantation.

[Emergency myocardial revascularization of the beating heart after angioplasty failure].

Occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery during angioplasty has a high mortality rate despite emergent myocardial revascularization. We describe two cases of coronary artery bypass grafting on beating heart without extracorporeal circulation to perform emergency operations after failed angioplasty.