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.

Mechanical thrombectomy in patients with heart failure: the Italian registry of Endovascular Treatment in Acute Stroke.

Background: Heart failure (HF) is the second most important cardiac risk factor for stroke after atrial fibrillation (AF). Few data are available on mechanical thrombectomy (MT) in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients with HF.

Methods: The source of data is the multicentre Italian Registry of Endovascular Treatment in Acute Stroke (IRETAS).

SCAI stage reclassification at 24 h predicts outcome of cardiogenic shock: Insights from the Altshock-2 registry.

Background: Cardiogenic shock (CS) includes several phenotypes with heterogenous hemodynamic features. Timely prognostication is warranted to identify patients requiring treatment escalation. We explored the association of the updated Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI) stages classification with in-hospital mortality using a prospective national registry.

Intensive cardiac care unit admission trends during the COVID-19 outbreak in Italy: a multi-center study.

A significant decline in the admission to intensive cardiac care unit (ICCU) has been noted in Italy during the COVID-19 outbreak. Previous studies have provided data on clinical features and outcome of these patients, but information is still incomplete. In this multicenter study conducted in six ICCUs, we enrolled consecutive adult patients admitted to ICCU in three specific time intervals: from February 8 to March 9, 2020 [before national lockdown (pre-LD)], from March 10 to April 9, 2020 [during the first period of national lockdown (in-LD)] and from May 18 to June 17, 2020 [soon after the end of all containment measures (after-LD)].

3D model-guided transcatheter closure of left ventricular pseudoaneurysm: a case series.

Left ventricular pseudoaneurysm (LVPsA) is a rare complication of myocardial infarction, cardiac surgery, chest trauma, infection or transcatheter interventions. It may cause arrhythmias, mass effect, thromboembolism and life-threatening rupture. The transcatheter approach is nowadays considered a cost-effective alternative to surgery.

Clinical and Ultrasound Predictors of Placenta Accreta in Pregnant Women with Antepartum Diagnosis of Placenta Previa: A Multicenter Study.

Background/aims: Abnormally invasive placenta (AIP) includes placenta accreta, increta, and percreta and represents major complications of pregnancy. This study was designed to assess the role of ultrasonography in the identification of AIP among pregnant women with antepartum diagnosis of placenta previa.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed between May 2015 and April 2016 in 11 centers, including 242 women with antepartum diagnosis of placenta previa.

Trend of estimated glomerular filtration rate during ombistasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir plus dasabuvir ± ribavirin in HIV/HCV co-infected patients.

The renal function is a key-issue in HIV/HCV co-infected patients, nevertheless, it has not established so far whether HCV treatment with new direct acting agents could impact on estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) variations. In the present work, we examined the real-life data on renal function that have been prospectively collected in the SIMIT compassionate-use program of ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir plus dasabuvir (OBV/PTV/r + DSV) in 144 HIV/HCV genotype 1 co-infected patients. The population was 74% male, 30.

Ombitasvir/Paritaprevir/Ritonavir and Dasabuvir Combination Treatment in Patients with HIV/HCV Co-Infection: Results of an Italian Compassionate Use Program.

Patients co-infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are at high risk of liver disease progression. We report a favorable safety profile and SVR12 rates of 96.7% among HIV/HCV co-infected patients participating in an Italian compassionate-use program of ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir + dasabuvir (OBV/PTV/r + DSV) ± ribavirin (RBV).

Serum uric acid is associated with non-dipping circadian pattern in young patients (30-40 years old) with newly diagnosed essential hypertension.

Background: We aimed at evaluating the relationship between the circadian blood pressure rhythm and UA level in young patients (30-40 years old) with newly diagnosed essential hypertension.

Methods: The study included 62 essential hypertensive patients and 29 healthy controls (20 men, 35 ± 3 years) divided into two groups according to 24-hour ABPM results: 30 dippers and 32 nondippers.

Results: Nondippers showed significantly higher both serum UA levels compared to dippers and controls (6.

Tragal cartilage in tympanoplasty: anatomic and functional results in 306 cases.

Cartilage is the grafting material of choice in advanced disorders of the middle ear while the indications for its routine use remain controversial due to the possible detrimental effect on post-operative hearing. Aim of the present study was to report personal experience with "tragal cartilage shield" tympanoplasty. The study focused on 306 adult patients (236 primary procedures and 70 revisions from January 2003 to June 2007).

Monopolar and bipolar radiofrequency thermal ablation of inferior turbinates: 20-month follow-up.

Objective: We prospectively evaluated the efficacy and morbidity of monopolar and bipolar radiofrequency volumetric tissue reduction (RFVTR) of inferior turbinates during a 20-month follow-up.

Methods: The study was conducted on 150 patients randomly assigned into two groups of 75 each. In group A, we used the bipolar device "Coblator II ENT" (Arthrocare Corp, Sunnyvale, CA) and in group B the monopolar device Somnoplasty (Somnus Medical Technologies, Inc, Sunnyvale, CA).

Surgical results of aortic valve replacement via partial upper sternotomy: comparison with median sternotomy.

Background: the theoretical advantages of mini-invasive cardiac surgery are shorter hospitalisation, better surgical results and costs reduction. In November 1997 we started a non-coronary mini-invasive surgery program using a partial upper median sternotomy. This study has been conceived to retrospectively compare two groups of patients who underwent isolate aortic valve replacement using the conventional and the mini-invasive technique.

Transesophageal echocardiographic diagnosis of a dehisced Carpentier mitral ring.

We describe an unusual case of gross dehiscence of a Carpentier mitral ring, not due to bacterial endocarditis, causing severe mitral valve insufficiency and cardiac failure. Diagnosis was made by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). Mitral valve replacement was then performed.

Primary cardiac rhabdomyosarcoma of the left atrium: an unusual presentation.

Rhabdomyosarcoma accounts for almost 20% of all primary malignant neoplasms of the heart. These tumors usually arise from the ventricular walls. In adult patients, they sometimes arise from the atrial walls and mimic atrioventricular valve stenosis.

Extended vertical transseptal approach versus conventional left atriotomy for mitral valve surgery.

Background And Aim Of The Study: Mitral valve surgery requires optimal exposure of the valvular apparatus, particularly when a conservative procedure is used. Retrospectively, we compared surgical results in patients who underwent mitral valve surgery using the vertical transseptal approach (which has been adopted routinely in our institute) with those in patients undergoing conventional left atriotomy.

Methods: A total of 172 consecutive patients operated on for mitral procedures were allocated to either group A (those operated on through a longitudinal left atriotomy; n = 62), or group B (mitral valve exposure achieved through an extensive vertical transseptal approach; n = 110).

Early massive thrombosis of a mechanical mitral valve.

We report the case of a 74-year-old woman who underwent an elective procedure to replace her mitral valve with a 27-mm CarboMedics bileaflet valve (CarboMedics, Inc.; Austin, Tex) to correct mitral incompetence. Massive thrombosis of the prosthesis was clinically evident on the 6th postoperative day, despite administration of warfarin therapy according to our usual protocol.