Impact of intravascular ultrasound for coronary bifurcations treated with last generations stents: insights from the BIFURCAT-ULTRA registry.

Background: Bifurcation lesions are associated with higher rates of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE).

Aim: To investigate the impact of imaging-guided PCI in a real-world population with coronary bifurcation lesions.

Methods: From the ULTRA-BIFURCAT registry, we compared IVUS vs.

Recommendations for fast-track extubation in adult cardiac surgery patients: a consensus statement.

Introduction: Enhanced recovery after cardiac surgery in selected low-risk patients, has the potential to improve outcomes and reduce the burden of healthcare costs. Anesthesia-related challenges play a major role in the successful implementation of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols, with particular emphasis placed on fast-track extubation. Acknowledging the importance of this practice, the Italian Association of Cardiac Anesthesiologists and Intensive Care (ITACTAIC) has advocated for an initiative to establish a consensus offering practical recommendations for fast-track extubation after adult cardiac surgery.

Highlights from the Respiratory Failure and Mechanical Ventilation Conference 2024.

The Respiratory Intensive Care Assembly of the European Respiratory Society gathered in Berlin to organise the third Respiratory Failure and Mechanical Ventilation Conference in February 2024. The conference covered key points of acute and chronic respiratory failure in adults. During the 3-day conference ventilatory strategies, patient selection, diagnostic approaches, treatment and health-related quality of life topics were addressed by a panel of international experts.

Rare connective tissue diseases in patients with C1-inhibitor deficiency hereditary angioedema: first evidence on prevalence and distribution from a large Italian cohort study.

Introduction: In patients with Hereditary Angioedema (HAE) related to primary C1 inhibitor deficiency (C1INH), the defective clearance of immune complexes and apoptotic materials along with impairment of normal humoral response potentially leads to autoimmunity. Few studies report evidence on autoimmune diseases in C1INH-HAE, but no large population studies focus on rare connective tissue diseases (RCTDs). We aim at evaluating for the first time prevalence and distribution of RCTDs - Systemic Lupus Erytematosus (SLE), primary Sjogren Syndrome (SjS), primary antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), Systemic Sclerosis (SSc), and mixed connective tissue diseases (MCTD) in a large Italian cohort of C1INH-HAE patients.

The emerging role of artificial intelligence in neuropathology: Where are we and where do we want to go?

The field of neuropathology, a subspecialty of pathology which studies the diseases affecting the nervous system, is experiencing significant changes due to advancements in artificial intelligence (AI). Traditionally reliant on histological methods and clinical correlations, neuropathology is now experiencing a revolution due to the development of AI technologies like machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL). These technologies enhance diagnostic accuracy, optimize workflows, and enable personalized treatment strategies.

Perioperative intravenous lidocaine infusion for postsurgical pain management in bariatric surgery patients.

Introduction: Obesity is one of the biggest modern health issues worldwide. Owing to the failure of both behavioral and pharmacological measures, the surgical approach has been established as the main conduct to follow, with bariatric surgery being one of the most effective and safe procedures. One of the bases for the optimal analgesic strategy is the use of adjuvants during the perioperative period.

Validation of the Valve Academic Research Consortium High Bleeding Risk Definition in Patients Undergoing TAVR.

Background: The Valve Academic Research Consortium for High Bleeding Risk (VARC-HBR) has recently introduced a consensus document that outlines risk factors to identify high bleeding risk in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence and predictive value of the VARC-HBR definition in a contemporary, large-scale transcatheter aortic valve replacement population.

Methods: Multicenter study including 10 449 patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

The Integration of Radiomics and Artificial Intelligence in Modern Medicine.

With profound effects on patient care, the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in radiomics has become a disruptive force in contemporary medicine. Radiomics, the quantitative feature extraction and analysis from medical images, offers useful imaging biomarkers that can reveal important information about the nature of diseases, how well patients respond to treatment and patient outcomes. The use of AI techniques in radiomics, such as machine learning and deep learning, has made it possible to create sophisticated computer-aided diagnostic systems, predictive models, and decision support tools.

Long-Term High-Flow Nasal Therapy in Patients with Bronchiectasis of Different Severity: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

: High-flow nasal therapy (HFNT) has been shown to reduce exacerbations of COPD and some evidence displays benefits in non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis (NCFB) patients. The present study aimed to compare the effectiveness of 12 months of home HFNT on the annual exacerbation rate between mild/moderate and severe NCFB patients, classified by the bronchiectasis severity index (BSI). Secondary outcomes were the evaluation of the dyspnea, pulmonary function, and sputum cultures in both groups.

H3K27me3 Loss in Central Nervous System Tumors: Diagnostic, Prognostic, and Therapeutic Implications.

Central nervous system (CNS) tumors represent a formidable clinical challenge due to their molecular complexity and varied prognostic outcomes. This review delves into the pivotal role of the epigenetic marker H3K27me3 in the development and treatment of CNS tumors. H3K27me3, specifically the trimethylation of lysine 27 on the histone H3 protein, plays a crucial role in regulating gene expression and maintaining chromatin architecture (e.

Ocular Manifestations of Pediatric Rhinosinusitis: A Comprehensive Review.

Rhinosinusitis is a common childhood illness that may result in a number of ocular problems. The goal of this thorough analysis is to compile the available data regarding the kinds, prevalence, and treatment of ocular problems related to juvenile rhinosinusitis. A comprehensive analysis of electronic databases, such as PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library, was carried out to pinpoint pertinent research articles written in English and published between the beginning and August of 2023.

Perioperative Rhabdomyolysis in Obese Individuals Undergoing Bariatric Surgery: Current Status.

One potential complication in bariatric surgery is rhabdomyolysis, which is a condition involving muscle tissue damage that can significantly impact a patient's health. The causes of rhabdomyolysis can be broadly classified into two major categories: traumatic and non-traumatic. Early investigations into the development of intraoperative rhabdomyolysis in bariatric surgery identified the main risk factors as tissue compression-primarily affecting the lower extremities, gluteal muscles, and lumbar region-as well as prolonged periods of immobilization.

Central nervous system manifestations in acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease.

Despite the growing evidence supporting the existence of CNS involvement in acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease (CNS-GvHD), the characteristics and course of the disease are still largely unknown. In this multicenter retrospective study, we analyzed the clinical, biological, radiological, and histopathological characteristics, as well as the clinical course of 66 patients diagnosed with possible CNS-GvHD (pCNS-GvHD), selected by predetermined diagnostic criteria. Results were then contrasted depending on whether pCNS-GvHD occurred before or after day 100 following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Fenoldopam for Renal Protection in Cardiac Surgery: Pharmacology, Clinical Applications, and Evolving Perspectives.

This comprehensive review examines the role of Fenoldopam, a selective dopamine-1 receptor agonist, in preventing and treating acute kidney injury (AKI) during cardiac surgery. AKI remains a significant complication in cardiac surgery, associated with increased morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. The review explores Fenoldopam's pharmacological properties, mechanism of action, and clinical applications, synthesizing evidence from randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, and observational studies.

Non-invasive physiological assessment of intermediate coronary stenoses from plain angiography through artificial intelligence: the STARFLOW system.

Background: Despite evidence supporting use of fractional flow reserve (FFR) and instantaneous waves-free ratio (iFR) to improve outcome of patients undergoing coronary angiography (CA) and percutaneous coronary intervention, such techniques are still underused in clinical practice due to economic and logistic issues.

Objectives: We aimed to develop an artificial intelligence (AI)-based application to compute FFR and iFR from plain CA.

Methods And Results: Consecutive patients performing FFR or iFR or both were enrolled.