Left ventricular elastance with resting volumetric transthoracic echocardiography identifies different phenotypes in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: A retrospective analysis of a multicenter prospective observational study.

Background: Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a heterogeneous entity including patients with different phenotypes of near normal, normal, and supernormal left ventricular (LV) function.

Objectives: To assess the value of resting LV elastance (also known as force) with transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) to identify HFpEF phenotypes.

Methods: In a prospective, observational, multicenter study, 2380 HFpEF patients were recruited from July 2016 to May 2024.

Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Incidence in Scleroderma Patients Treated with Bosentan for Digital Ulcers: Evidence from the Italian SPRING Registry.

Objective: Bosentan (BOS) is approved for treating pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and preventing digital ulcers (DU) in systemic sclerosis (SSc). Our study aimed to evaluate whether BOS prescribed for DU could reduce the incidence of PAH in a large SSc cohort from the SPRING registry.

Methods: Patients with SSc from the SPRING registry, meeting ACR/EULAR 2013 classification criteria with data on PAH onset, DU status, BOS exposure, and at least a one-year follow-up between 2015 and 2020, and no known PAH at baseline were included.

Critical Issues in the Management of CRMS/CFSPID Children: A National Real-World Survey.

Background: Notwithstanding guidance from the European Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Society (ECFS) neonatal screening (NBS) working group, significant variation persists in the evaluation and management of Cystic Fibrosis Screen Positive, Inconclusive Diagnosis (CFSPID) subjects, leaving many aspects of care under debate. This study reports the results of a national survey investigating management and treatment approaches of pre-school CFSPIDs in Italy.

Methods: In February 2024, a comprehensive questionnaire was distributed to all Italian CF centers.

Evolution of autoimmune diagnostics over the past 10 years: lessons learned from the UK NEQAS external quality assessment EQA programs.

Objectives: External quality assessment (EQA) programs play a pivotal role in harmonizing laboratory practices, offering users a benchmark system to evaluate their own performance and identify areas requiring improvement. The objective of this study was to go through and analyze the UK NEQAS "Immunology, Immunochemistry and Allergy" EQA reports between 2012 and 2021 to assess the overall level of harmonization in autoimmune diagnostics and identify areas requiring improvement for future actions.

Methods: The EQA programs reviewed included anti-nuclear (ANA), anti-dsDNA, anti-centromere, anti-extractable nuclear antigen (ENA), anti-phospholipids, anti-neutrophil cytoplasm (ANCA), anti-proteinase 3 (PR3), anti-myeloperoxidase (MPO), anti-glomerular basement membrane (GBM), rheumatoid factor (RF), anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPA), mitochondrial (AMA), liver-kidney-microsomal (LKM), smooth muscle (ASMA), APCA, and celiac disease antibodies.

Outcomes and prognostic indicators in daratumumab-refractory multiple myeloma: a multicenter real-world study of elotuzumab, pomalidomide, and dexamethasone in 247 patients.

Background: Daratumumab-refractory multiple myeloma (Dara-R MM) presents a significant treatment challenge. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and survival outcomes of elotuzumab, pomalidomide, and dexamethasone (EloPd) in a large, real-world cohort of patients with Dara-R MM, with particular focus on progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS).

Materials And Methods: This retrospective analysis included 247 Dara-R MM patients treated with EloPd.

Polymer-free versus biodegradable-polymer drug-eluting stent in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention: an assessor-blind, non-inferiority, randomised controlled trial.

Background: Few data are available on polymer-free drug-eluting stents in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Aims: We aimed to determine the efficacy and safety of a polymer-free amphilimus-eluting stent (AES), using a reservoir-based technology for drug delivery, compared with a biodegradable-polymer everolimus-eluting stent (EES).

Methods: This was a randomised, investigator-initiated, assessor-blind, non-inferiority trial conducted at 14 hospitals in Italy (ClinicalTrials.

Establishing an Extracorporeal Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Program.

Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) is a complex, life-saving procedure that uses mechanical support for patients with refractory cardiac arrest, representing the pinnacle of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) applications. Effective ECPR requires precise patient selection, rapid mobilization of a multidisciplinary team, and skilled cannulation techniques. Establishing a program necessitates a cohesive ECMO system that promotes interdisciplinary collaboration, which is essential for managing acute cardiogenic shock and severe pulmonary failure.

Early noninvasive ventilation in general wards for acute respiratory failure: an international, multicentre, open-label, randomised trial.

Background: The impact of noninvasive ventilation (NIV) managed outside the intensive care unit in patients with early acute respiratory failure remains unclear. We aimed to determine whether adding early NIV prevents the progression to severe respiratory failure.

Methods: In this multinational, randomised, open-label controlled trial, adults with mild acute respiratory failure (arterial oxygen partial pressure/fraction of inspiratory oxygen [Pao/FiO] ratio ≥200) were enrolled across 11 hospitals in Italy, Greece, and Kazakhstan.

Biomarker profiles that differentiate type-1 and type 2 myocardial infarction.

Background: It is crucial to distinguish type-1 myocardial infarction (T1MI) from type-2 myocardial infarction (T2MI) at admission and during hospitalization to avoid unnecessary invasive exams and inappropriate admissions to the acute cardiac care unit.

Objectives: The purpose of the study was to define a simple profile derived from commonly used biomarkers to differentiate T1MI from T2MI.

Methods: We prospectively enrolled in an observational study 213 iconsecutive patients with a provisional diagnosis of non-ST-elevation acute myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) admitted to the Cardiology Department.

Pleomorphic dermal sarcoma of the scalp with intracranial space involvement: management of a rare entity. Illustrative case.

Background: Exophytic tumors of the calvaria (ETCs) remain a challenging pathology because of their complex management. The authors discuss the case of a woman with a large exophytic mass of the right frontotemporal region and underline their decision-making process on the management of this unique case and possible similar ones.

Observations: Neuroradiological findings showed a calvarial tumor with both epicranial and intracranial extension involving the frontotemporal bone with a mixed component (lytic and sclerotic) and dural infiltration with a pseudonodular pattern.

AIHEMAF-P: An Innovative Healthcare Model for Atrial Fibrillation Patients.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the most common cardiac arrhythmias of clinical relevance and a major cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Following a diagnosis of AF, patients are directed towards therapy with anticoagulant drugs to reduce the thromboembolic risk and antiarrhythmics to control their cardiac rhythm, with periodic follow-up checks. Despite the great ease of handling these drugs, we soon realized the need for follow-up models that would allow the appropriateness and safety of these pharmacological treatments to be monitored over time.

Amino Acid Infusion for Kidney Protection in Cardiac Surgery Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease: A Secondary Analysis of the PROTECTION Trial.

Background: In the PROTECTION trial, intravenous amino acids (AA) decreased the occurrence of acute kidney injury (AKI) in cardiac surgery patients with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Recruitment of renal functional reserve may be responsible for such protection. However, patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have diminished renal functional reserve, and AA may be less protective in such patients.

Seasonal patterns of myositis-specific and myositis-associated autoantibodies in Italy: Seasonal patterns of myositis autoantibodies.

Objective: Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM) are a heterogeneous group of systemic autoimmune disorders affecting skeletal muscles but also other organs. There are different forms of IIM, each with peculiar clinical manifestations and prognosis. Accordingly, several autoantibodies have been described in IIM, with different prevalence in the different forms of the disease.

Harmonization of anti-nuclear antibody testing (ANA) by indirect immunofluorescence assay: Results from ten years of UK NEQAS external quality assessment.

External quality assurance (EQA) programs play a pivotal role in monitoring laboratory practices, allowing each laboratory to evaluate the consistency of results across different methods as well the ability of individual laboratories to compare and improve over time their own performance. The objective of our study was to analyze the UK NEQAS EQA reports for the "Antibodies to Nuclear and Related Antigens" program from 2013 to 2023, to assess the overall level of harmonization of the responses for anti-nuclear antibody (ANA) testing by indirect immunofluorescence (IIF), in terms of both pattern and titer consensus. As a second aim, we analyzed the impact of the introduction in UK NEQAS EQA reports of the International Consensus on ANA Patterns (ICAP) nomenclature and of digital image recognition on the harmonization of the ANA HEp-2 IIF test.

Awake veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: practical aspects and considerations.

Veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a life-saving technique in the armamentarium of critical care medicine. It involves extracorporeal blood circulation outside the body, providing temporary respiratory support while allowing the lungs to heal. Traditionally, patients undergoing ECMO require sedation to minimize discomfort and facilitate mechanical ventilation.

Relationship Between Loss of Y Chromosome and Urologic Cancers: New Future Perspectives.

The Y chromosome (ChrY) is essential for male sex determination and spermatogenesis. However, recent studies have revealed its broader role in various physiological processes and disease susceptibility, including cancer. A comprehensive literature review was conducted using databases like MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar.

The effects of Dapagliflozin in a real-world population of HFrEF patients with different hemodynamic profiles: worse is better.

Background: Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) represent a deep revolution of the therapeutic approach to heart failure (HF), preventing its insurgence but also improving the management of the disease and slowing its natural progression. To date, few studies have explored the effectiveness of SGLT2i and, in particular, Dapagliflozin in a real-world population. Therefore, in this observational prospective study, we evaluated Dapagliflozin's effectiveness in a real-world HF population categorized in the different hemodynamic profiles.