Regional disparities in the management and outcomes of ST-elevation myocardial infarction: an Italian analysis focusing on time-dependent reperfusion networks and in-hospital logistics.

Background: Prompt reperfusion is critical for patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) to improve outcomes. Yet, variability in regional healthcare delivery may influence treatment times and patient outcomes. We thus aimed at evaluating differences in management and outcomes of STEMI patients across Northern, Central, and Southern Italy, focusing on time-dependent reperfusion and in-hospital logistics.

Differentiating sensor changes in a composite heart failure ICD monitoring index: clinical correlates and implications.

Background: The HeartLogic algorithm (Boston Scientific, St Paul, MN) integrates data from implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) sensors to predict heart failure (HF) decompensation: first (S1) and third (S3) heart sounds, intrathoracic impedance, respiration rate, ratio of respiration rate to tidal volume (RSBI), and night heart rate.

Objective: This study assessed the relative changes in ICD sensors at the onset of HeartLogic alerts, their association with patient characteristics, and outcomes.

Methods: The study included 568 patients with HF carrying ICDs (CRT-D, n = 410) across 26 centers, with a median follow-up of 26 months.

Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma Growing in the Pacemaker Pocket.

An 88-year-old patient underwent pacemaker generator replacement. Shortly after the replacement, the pacemaker pocket became swollen and, assuming a hematoma, underwent percutaneous drainage. However, the swelling was due to an aggressive lymphoma located in the pocket.

Device programing and SMART pass algorithm activation in subcutaneous implantable defibrillator patients: Data from a remote monitoring database.

Background: The programing of subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (S-ICD) in clinical practice has been little studied, as the activation status of the SMART Pass filter, which was implemented to reduce inappropriate shocks.

Purpose: We assessed device programing during follow-up and the rate of detected arrhythmias in consecutive S-ICD recipients.

Methods: We analyzed data from 670 S-ICD patients followed on the remote network at 17 Italian centers for a median of 31 months (25th-75th percentile: 16-51).

Laparoscopic Treatment of Perforated Peptic Ulcer: A Propensity Score-Matched Comparison of Interrupted Stitches Repair versus Knotless Barbed Suture.

Peptic ulcers result from imbalanced acid production, and in recent decades, proton pump inhibitors have proven effective in treating them. However, perforated peptic ulcers (PPU) continue to occur with a persistent high mortality rate when not managed properly. The advantages of the laparoscopic approach have been widely acknowledged.

Calcium-phosphate homeostasis and insulin resistance in men.

Background And Aims: Data on P homeostasis in insulin resistance (IR) are still conflicting. We investigated calcium-phosphate homeostasis parameters in men with/without IR.

Methods And Results: 177 volunteers (aged 61.

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.

Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy (PRRT): Innovations and Improvements.

Neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) are tumors originating from neuroendocrine cells distributed throughout the human body. With an increasing incidence over the past few decades, they represent a highly heterogeneous group of neoplasms, mostly expressing somatostatin receptors (SSTRs) on their cell surface. Peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) has emerged as a crucial strategy for treating advanced, unresectable neuroendocrine tumors by administering radiolabeled somatostatin analogs intravenously to target SSTRs.

Adverse events in gastrointestinal endoscopy: Validation of the AGREE classification in a real-life 5-year setting.

Background: The novel AGREE classification for adverse events (AEs) in gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy has not yet been validated in a real-world setting.

Aims: Our study aims to evaluate the correlation between the grades of AEs in the ASGE and AGREE classifications and to assess the interobserver agreement of the two classification systems.

Methods: The correlation and association between the AE grades of the ASGE and AGREE classifications were analyzed using the Spearman rank correlation test and the chi-squared analysis, respectively.

Management of atrial fibrillation: two decades of progress - a scientific statement from the European Cardiac Arrhythmia Society.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained arrhythmia encountered in clinical practice. The aim of this review was to evaluate the progress made in the management of AF over the two last decades.

Results: Clinical classification of AF is usually based on the presence of symptoms, the duration of AF episodes and their possible recurrence over time, although incidental diagnosis is not uncommon.

Improving knowledge on safe medication management of inpatient children and adolescents: a pre-post study.

Objective: The primary aim of this study was to assess the impact of an education intervention on knowledge regarding medication use in hospitalized children and adolescents.

Methods: A pre-post multicentre study was conducted in pediatric wards of the hospitals in Lazio Region between July 2019-March 2021. An in-person education intervention was provided to hospitalized patients aged 6-15 years, able to understand spoken and written Italian language.

Cardioversion in patients with newly diagnosed non-valvular atrial fibrillation: observational study using prospectively collected registry data.

Objective: To investigate the clinical outcomes of patients who underwent cardioversion compared with those who did not have cardioverson in a large dataset of patients with recent onset non-valvular atrial fibrillation.

Design: Observational study using prospectively collected registry data (Global Anticoagulant Registry in the FIELD-AF-GARFIELD-AF).

Setting: 1317 participating sites in 35 countries.

Lobular Breast Cancer Conspicuity on Digital Breast Tomosynthesis Compared to Synthesized 2D Mammography: A Multireader Study.

Objectives: To compare the conspicuity of lobular breast cancers at digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) versus synthesized 2D mammography (synt2D).

Materials And Methods: Seventy-six women (mean age 61.2 years, range 50-74 years) submitted to biopsy in our institution, from 2019 to 2021, with proven invasive lobular breast cancer (ILC) were enrolled in this retrospective study.

Infection prevention in endoscopy practice: comparative evaluation of re-usable vs single-use endoscopic valves.

Re-usable air/water and suction valves used in endoscopes often demonstrate risk of infection. To the authors' knowledge, the safety and efficacy of re-usable and single-use valves have not been compared to date. As such, a laboratory investigation was undertaken to compare the safety and efficacy of re-usable and single-use valves at 11 Italian endoscopy sites.

Sister Mary Joseph nodule as the only sign of silent caecal adenocarcinoma.

Sister Mary Joseph nodule is a nodule localized in the umbilicus which represents a cutaneous metastasis from a primary cancer, mostly localized in the abdomen. We report the case of an 82-year-old woman who presented with an ulcerated umbilical nodule. Imaging identified it as a Sister Mary Joseph nodule, representing the only distant metastasis from a silent caecal adenocarcinoma.

Effective nonapical left ventricular pacing with quadripolar leads for cardiac resynchronization therapy.

Background: Current guidelines recommend avoiding apical left ventricular (LV) pacing for cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT).

Aims: We investigated the feasibility of nonapical pacing with the current quadripolar LV lead technology.

Methods: We analyzed consecutive patients who received CRT with an LV quadripolar lead.

Interplay between COVID-19, pollution, and weather features on changes in the incidence of acute coronary syndromes in early 2020.

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused an unprecedented change in the apparent epidemiology of acute coronary syndromes (ACS). However, the interplay between this disease, changes in pollution, climate, and aversion to activation of emergency medical services represents a challenging conundrum. We aimed at appraising the impact of COVID-19, weather, and environment features on the occurrence of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) in a large Italian region and metropolitan area.

Clinical classification and the subclinical atrial fibrillation challenge: a position paper of the European Cardiac Arrhythmia Society.

Symptomatic atrial fibrillation (AF) or clinical AF is associated with impaired quality of life, higher risk of stroke, heart failure, and increased mortality. Current clinical classification of AF is based on the duration of AF episodes and the recurrence over time. Appropriate management strategy should follow guidelines of Scientific Societies.

Impact of temporary traffic bans on the risk of acute coronary syndromes in a large metropolitan area.

Background: Strong epidemiologic evidence has highlighted the role of pollution, on top of adverse climate features, as a novel cardiovascular risk factor. However, mechanistic proof that reducing pollution may be beneficial to prevent atherothrombotic events is limited. We aimed at appraising the impact of temporary traffic bans in a large metropolitan area on the risk of acute coronary syndromes.