Efficacy and safety profile of GreenLight laser photoselective vaporization of the prostate in ≥ 75 years old patients: results from the Italian GreenLight Laser Study Group.

Background: Benign Prostatic Obstruction (BPO) is the most common non-malignant urological condition among men and its incidence rise with age. Among prostate treatments, GreenLight laser seems to reduce bleeding and would be safer in the aging population.

Aims: We aimed to compare the functional outcomes and safety profile of < 75 years old (Group A) and ≥ 75 years old (Group B) patients.

Which patient may benefit the most from penile prosthesis implantation?

Background: Penile prosthesis implantation has been associated with overall good functional outcomes. Of relevance, some patients reported higher level of satisfaction and quality of life.

Aim: We investigated the profile of the patients who may benefit the most from penile prosthesis implantation.

Post-Operative Acute Urinary Retention After Greenlight Laser. Analysis of Risk Factors from A Multicentric Database.

Purpose: Greenlight laser is a mini-invasive technique used to treat Benign Prostatic Obstruction (BPO). Some of the advantages of GreenLight photoselective vaporization (PVP) are shorter catheterization time and hospital stay compared to TURP. Post-operative acute urinary retention (pAUR) leads to patients' discomfort, prolonged hospital stay and increased health care costs.

The safety and feasibility of the simultaneous use of 180-W GreenLight laser for prostate vaporization during concomitant surgery.

Objectives: To explore the safety and feasibility of photo-selective vaporization of the prostate (PVP) with GreenLight XPS 180 Watt laser (GL-180- W XPS) combined with other surgical procedures.

Material And Methods: Data on patients in whom GL-180-W XPS was performed to relieve lower urinary tract symptoms/ benign prostatic hyperplasia (LUTS/BPH) symptoms were extracted from a multi-institutional database (2011-2016). Patients were stratified into two groups.

Follow-up management of patients receiving direct oral anticoagulants.

Over the last years, direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) have radically changed and simplified the therapeutic approach and management of patients on anticoagulant therapy. For these patients, international guidelines recommend to set up a regular follow-up (every 1-6 months) to re-enforce education, to ensure adequate adherence and persistence to treatment. In real-life setting, the application of the suggested follow-up regimens and incidence rates of thrombotic and bleeding complications related to the intensity of follow-up strategies has not been described.

Long-Term Survival and Results at a Mean Follow-Up Period of 24 Years of a Tapered Straight, Collarless, Grit-Blasted, Titanium Alloy Stem.

Background: There is limited evidence on the survivorship of patients who undergo cementless stem implantation, beyond 20 years of the hip arthroplasty. We report implant survival and results of the CLS Spotorno femoral stem until 30 years from implantation.

Methods: Survival analysis of 147 CLS Spotorno stems in 119 patients for an average period of 24 years (20-30) from the date of implantation was performed.

Prevalence and risk factors for pulmonary embolism in patients with suspected acute exacerbation of COPD: a multi-center study.

Introduction: Pulmonary embolism (PE) prevalence in acute exacerbations of COPD is highly variable.

Methods: To investigate the prevalence and risk factors of PE in patients hospitalized in Departments of Internal Medicine because of AECOPD and suspected PE we conducted a retrospective multicenter study in patients with an AECOPD undergoing chest angio-computed tomography (angio-CT) because of clinical suspect of PE.

Results: 1043 patients (mean age 75.

Operative profile, safety and functional outcomes after GreenLight laser prostate surgery: results from a 12 months follow-up multicenter Italian cohort analyses.

Background: Over the two past decades, GreenLight laser therapy has been considered a valid alternative for the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia/benign prostatic obstruction (BPH/BPO). However, the debate on the effectiveness of laser therapy compared to conventional techniques is still open. The aim of our study is to analyze and describe the use of GreenLight laser prostate surgery in Italy, with regard to the surgical techniques performed and the surgical and functional outcomes at mid-term follow-up.

Vena Cava Filters and In-Hospital Case Fatality Among Patients With Pulmonary Embolism: Results From a Large Population-Based Study.

In patients with venous thromboembolism (VTE), vena cava filters (VCFs) are currently only recommended when anticoagulant treatment is contraindicated or if VTE has recurred despite adequate anticoagulation. However, evidence on the efficacy of filter in patients with VTE is not compelling. We evaluated potential efficacy of VCF in reducing in-hospital mortality in a large population of patients presenting with a first episode of pulmonary embolism (PE).

GreenLight Photoselective Vaporization of the Prostate: One Laser for Different Prostate Sizes.

GreenLight laser vaporization of the prostate (photoselective vaporization of the prostate [PVP]) is a safe and effective procedure for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia. Long-term results and advantages of PVP in patients with large and symptomatic prostate are still under evaluation. In a multicenter experience, patients who underwent standard or anatomical PVP were retrospectively reviewed.

The continuous challenge of antithrombotic strategies in diabetes: focus on direct oral anticoagulants.

Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) include dabigatran, which inhibits thrombin, and apixaban, edoxaban, and rivaroxaban, which inhibit factor Xa. They have been extensively studied in large trials involving patients affected by the most common cardiovascular diseases. As the presence of diabetes leads to peculiar changes in primary and secondary hemostasis, in this review we highlight the current evidence regarding DOAC use in diabetic patients included in the majority of recently conducted studies.

Antiphospholipid Syndrome During Septic Shock: Hyper- or Hypocoagulability?: A Case Report.

We report the clinical case of a septic patient with antiphospholipid syndrome who developed ischemia in all 4 limbs, despite a normal systemic blood pressure. Prolonged coagulation times suggested a hemorrhagic diathesis, requiring transfusion of fresh-frozen plasma and discontinuation of heparin infusion. In contrast, the study of the viscoelastic properties of the clot by thromboelastography suggested an uncontrolled activation of the coagulation cascade.

Direct oral anticoagulants for extended treatment of venous thromboembolism: insights from the EINSTEIN CHOICE study.

The risk of recurrence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) persists after interruption of the initial anticoagulation therapy. New evidence shows that direct oral anticoagulants are effective for extended treatment of VTE and may reduce the risk of all-cause mortality. The optimal duration of anticoagulation after VTE is, however, controversial and complicated by the need for individualised assessment and balance between thrombosis and bleeding risks.

External Fixation as a Definitive Treatment for Humeral Shaft Fractures: Radiographic and Functional Results With Analysis of Outcome Predictors.

Objectives: To evaluate the results obtained using unilateral external fixation as a definitive treatment for humeral shaft fractures and to identify possible predictors of radiographic and functional outcomes.

Design: Retrospective study.

Setting: One large metropolitan hospital.

Perioperative major acute cardiovascular events after 180-W GreenLight laser photoselective vaporization of the prostate.

Background: Major acute cardiovascular events (MACE) prevalence after 180-W GreenLight (180-W GL) laser photoselective vaporization (PVP) have never been explored. Aim of our study is to evaluate perioperative MACE that occurred concomitantly with 180-W GL PVP.

Materials And Methods: We relied on a multi-institutional database that included 14 centers.

Standard vs. anatomical 180-W GreenLight laser photoselective vaporization of the prostate: a propensity score analysis.

Purpose: To compare the efficacy, safety, Patient Global Impression of Improvement (PGI-I), and complications rates after 180-W GreenLight laser (180-W GL laser) standard and anatomical photoselective vaporization (sPVP and aPVP).

Methods: Within a multi-institutional database, we identified patients who underwent sPVP or aPVP to relief BPH symptoms. IPSS, Q , and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) were measured at baseline and during the follow-up.

Interpathologist concordance in the histological diagnosis of focal prostatic atrophy lesions, acute and chronic prostatitis, PIN, and prostate cancer.

Epidemiological and biological evidence indicates a causal relationship between the presence of proliferative atrophic lesions and the development of prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) and prostate cancer. The presence of inflammatory and atrophic lesions of the prostate is widely underestimated and they are not generally mentioned in pathology reports. We performed a histopathological concordance study among eight genitourinary specialists and seven generalist pathologists, using 116 histological slides of prostate lesions, including proliferative atrophic lesions, PIN, and cancer.

Migraineurs show a high prevalence of antiphospholipid antibodies.

Background: It has been observed that migraineurs show a higher risk of thrombosis and that the most frequent symptom reported by patients with antiphospholipid syndrome is headache, especially migraine.

Objectives: The aim of our research was to evaluate the prevalence of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) in a random cohort of migraineurs.

Patients/methods: This analytic, comparative case study was performed to evaluate the prevalence of antiphospholipid antibodies by comparing a population of migraineurs with and without aura with sex- and age-matched controls.

High prolactin levels as a worsening factor for migraine.

Many factors should be considered when an episodic migraine worsens and becomes chronic. Prolactin (PRL) was linked to the origin of pain in patients with microprolactinomas who developed different types of headaches. Our team carried out studies on 27 patients with a background of episodic headaches that became chronic.

Could plasma cystatin C be useful as a marker of hemodialysis low molecular weight proteins removal?

Background: Plasma cystatin (pCyst) is a well-assessed tool for measuring renal function, and it could also play a part in hemodialysis adequacy.

Methods: pCyst and other uremic toxins (urea, creatinine, parathyroid hormone, prolactin) were assessed before and after a dialysis session in 18 hemodialysis patients: 7 on bicarbonate hemodialysis (BHD) and 11 on mixed convective dialysis (MCD; 6 standard hemodiafiltration and 5 acetate-free biofiltration). Plasma levels and reduction ratios (RR) were then compared between the BHD and MCD groups.

Selective stenting and the course of atherosclerotic renovascular nephropathy.

Background: The effectiveness of percutaneous revascularisation (PTRA) in the treatment of atherosclerothic renovascular nephropathy (ARN), a leading cause of progressive renal failure, is still a matter of debate.

Methods: we reviewed 52 patients submitted to selective stenting from 1991 to 2000 because of ARN, followed for a mean of 22.3 months before and 24.

Normalization of protein equivalent of nitrogen appearance and dialytic adequacy in CAPD.

Caloric-proteic malnutrition is frequently encountered in peritoneal dialysis and is associated with an increased risk of morbidity and mortality. Our paper aims to assess any greater reliability of protein equivalent of nitrogen appearance (PNA) normalization to desirable body weight (dBW) compared to actual body weight (aBW) and resulting implications for the relationship between dialytic adequacy and protein intake in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). We studied 36 patients on CAPD, 24 male and 12 female (aged 66.