Detection of clinically relevant variants in the gene below 10% allelic frequency: A multicenter study by ERIC, the European Research Initiative on CLL.

In chronic lymphocytic leukemia, the reliability of next-generation sequencing (NGS) to detect variants ≤10% allelic frequency (low-VAF) is debated. We tested the ability to detect 23 such variants in 41 different laboratories using their NGS method of choice. The sensitivity was 85.

Hepatic venous pressure gradient predicts risk of hepatic decompensation and liver-related mortality in patients with MASLD.

Background & Aims: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a leading cause of advanced chronic liver disease (ACLD). Portal hypertension drives hepatic decompensation and is best diagnosed by hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) measurement. Here, we investigate the prognostic value of HVPG in MASLD-related compensated ACLD (MASLD-cACLD).

Age-Related Differences in Takotsubo Syndrome: Results From the Multicenter GEIST Registry.

Background: The role of age in the short- and long-term prognosis of takotsubo syndrome (TTS) is controversial. The aim of the present study was to evaluate age-related differences and prognostic implications among patients with TTS.

Methods And Results: In total, 2492 consecutive patients with TTS enrolled in an international registry were stratified into 4 groups (<45, 45-64, 65-74, and ≥75 years).

Trigger-Associated Clinical Implications and Outcomes in Takotsubo Syndrome: Results From the Multicenter GEIST Registry.

Background Takotsubo syndrome is usually triggered by a stressful event. The type of trigger seems to influence the outcome and should therefore be considered separately. Methods and Results Patients included in the GEIST (German-Italian-Spanish Takotsubo) registry were categorized according to physical trigger (PT), emotional trigger (ET), and no trigger (NT) of Takotsubo syndrome.

Location and allocation: Inequity of access to liver transplantation for patients with severe acute-on-chronic liver failure in Europe.

There is growing evidence that liver transplantation (LT) is the most effective treatment for acute-on-chronic liver failure grade-3 (ACLF-3). This study examines whether and how this evidence translates into practice by analyzing the variability in intensive care unit (ICU) admissions, listing strategies, and LT activity for patients with ACLF-3 across transplantation centers in Europe. Consecutive patients who were admitted to the ICU with ACLF-3, whether or not they were listed and/or transplanted with ACLF-3, between 2018 and 2019 were included across 20 transplantation centers.

Decreased Long-Term Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2-Specific Humoral Immunity in Liver Transplantation Recipients 12 Months After Coronavirus Disease 2019.

Long-term humoral immunity and its protective role in liver transplantation (LT) patients have not been elucidated. We performed a prospective multicenter study to assess the persistence of immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies in LT recipients 12 months after coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). A total of 65 LT recipients were matched with 65 nontransplanted patients by a propensity score including variables with recognized impact on COVID-19.

Association Between Preexisting Versus Newly Identified Atrial Fibrillation and Outcomes of Patients With Acute Pulmonary Embolism.

Background Atrial fibrillation (AF) may exist before or occur early in the course of pulmonary embolism (PE). We determined the PE outcomes based on the presence and timing of AF. Methods and Results Using the data from a multicenter PE registry, we identified 3 groups: (1) those with preexisting AF, (2) patients with new AF within 2 days from acute PE (incident AF), and (3) patients without AF.

The effect of COPD on the incidence and mortality of hospitalized patients with pulmonary embolism: A nationwide population-based study (2016-2018).

Background: To examine the incidence, clinical characteristics, and in-hospital outcomes of pulmonary embolism (PE) among hospitalized patients with or without chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in Spain, and to identify predictors of in-hospital-mortality (IHM) after PE among patients with and without COPD.

Methods: We included all patients aged ≥ 40 years who were hospitalised for PE between 2016 and 2018. Data were collected from the Spanish National Hospital Discharge Database.

National Trends in Utilization and In-Hospital Outcomes of Surgical Aortic Valve Replacements in Spain, 2001-2015.

Objective: The aims of this study were to examine the incidence and in-hospital outcomes of surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) and to identify factors associated with in-hospital mortality (IHM) among patients according to the type of implanted valve used in SAVR.

Methods: We performed a retrospective study using the Spanish National Hospital Discharge Database, 2001-2015. We included patients who had SAVR listed as a procedure in their discharge report.

Brain biopsy in the diagnosis of leptomeningeal involvement in stage I chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Leptomeningeal involvement of CLL is usually underdiagnosed as neurological symptoms are unspecific. It is important to carefully evaluate neurological status in these patients and consider this entity between the differential diagnosis of a neurological deterioration as adequate treatment improves the prognosis. Imaging techniques, analyses of cerebrospinal fluid, and brain biopsy are useful to establish a definitive diagnosis.

Multinational case-control study of risk factors for the development of late invasive pulmonary aspergillosis following kidney transplantation.

Objectives: To assess the risk factors for development of late-onset invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) after kidney transplantation (KT).

Methods: We performed a multinational case-control study that retrospectively recruited 112 KT recipients diagnosed with IPA between 2000 and 2013. Controls were matched (1:1 ratio) by centre and date of transplantation.

A Focused Review of Gender Differences in Antithrombotic Therapy.

Background: The biological differences among male and female, based on distinctive expression of sex chromosomes, on varied gene-expression and on peculiar sexual hormones, lead to important differences in physiology and pathophysiology.

Objective: The aim of this work was to briefly review the relationships among genderrelated differences and clinical implications in antithrombotic therapy, that could be related to sex-differences in platelet biology and coagulation reactions.

Results: The major clinical setting in which antithrombotic drugs are involved for the treatment are atrial fibrillation, venous thromboembolisn, coronary artery disease and peripheral artery diseases.