Neurosurgical Microvascular Anastomosis: Systematic Review of the Existing Simulators and Proposal of a New Training Classification System.

Background: The literature lacks a combined analysis of neurosurgical microvascular anastomosis training models. We performed a systematic literature search to provide an overview of the existing models and proposed a classification system based on the level of simulation and reproducibility of the microvascular anastomosis.

Methods: The systematic literature search followed the PRISMA guidelines.

Serological response and breakthrough infection after COVID-19 vaccination in patients with cirrhosis and post-liver transplant.

Background: Vaccine hesitancy and lack of access remain major issues in disseminating COVID-19 vaccination to liver patients globally. Factors predicting poor response to vaccination and risk of breakthrough infection are important data to target booster vaccine programs. The primary aim of the current study was to measure humoral responses to 2 doses of COVID-19 vaccine.

Left Ventricular Assist Device: Indication, Timing, and Management.

Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) are indicated in inotrope-dependent heart failure (HF) patients with pure or predominant LV dysfunction. Survival benefit is less clear in ambulatory, advanced HF. Timing is crucial: early, unnecessary exposure to the risks of surgery, and device-related complications (infections, stroke, and bleeding) should be weighed against the probability of dying or developing irreversible right ventricular and/or end-organ dysfunction while deferring implant.

The frequency of rare and monogenic diseases in pediatric organ transplant recipients in Italy.

Background: Rare diseases are chronic and life-threatening disorders affecting < 1 person every 2,000. For most of them, clinical symptoms and signs can be observed at birth or childhood. Approximately 80% of all rare diseases have a genetic background and most of them are monogenic conditions.

Endoscopic Lipofilling for the Treatment of Bronchopleural Fistulas After Anatomic Lung Resection.

A bronchopleural fistula is a potentially fatal complication of anatomic lung resection surgery. Bronchoscopy has been described in the treatment of small-caliber fistulas. An endoscopic procedure based on instillation of mesenchymal stem cells for the treatment of bronchopleural fistula has recently been successful.

Assessment of right ventricular function in advanced heart failure with nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy: insights of right ventricular elastance.

Background: The right ventriculoarterial coupling (R-V/A), a measure of right ventricular systolic dysfunction (RVSD) adaptation/maladaptation to chronic overload, and consequent pulmonary hypertension, has been little investigated in nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (NIDCM). We examined the correlates of R-V/A and traditional echocardiographic indices of RVSD, over the spectrum of pulmonary hypertension and tertiles of mean pulmonary artery pressures (PAPm).

Methods: In 2016-2017, we studied 81 consecutive patients for heart transplant/advanced heart failure.

HepaDisk - A new quality of life questionnaire for HCV patients.

Background: Since most patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection now receive treatment irrespective of liver disease severity, special attention to patient quality of life (QoL), including psycho-social aspects, is required. No QoL questionnaire is specific for patients with HCV.

Aims: To develop and validate a short Italian questionnaire (HepaDisk) assessing the QoL of patients affected by HCV with intuitive graphic results that is understandable by patients and physicians.

Prophylactic continuous positive airway pressure after pulmonary lobectomy: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Despite advances in perioperative care and surgical techniques, patients undergoing pulmonary lobectomy are still at high risk for postoperative complications. Among interventions expected to reduce complications, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is a discussed option. This trial aims to test the hypothesis whether prophylactic application of CPAP following pulmonary lobectomy can reduce postoperative complications.

A New Life: Motherhood After Heart Transplantation. A Single-center Experience and Review of Literature.

Background: Pregnancy after heart transplantation (HTx) may expose the recipient to hemodynamic and immunologic risks and the newborn to toxic effects of immunosuppressive therapy. Adequate preconception counseling is crucial to identify optimal timing and to modify immunosuppressive therapy to minimize risks for both the mother and the fetus.

Methods: We describe our experience with 12 pregnancies occurred in 11 women who had undergone HTx at our center.

Getting approval for new therapeutic medical devices versus drugs: are the differences justified?

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