Procedural sedation for direct current cardioversion: a feasibility study between two management strategies in the emergency department.

Background: A cardiologist-only approach to procedural sedation with midazolam in the setting of elective cardioversion (DCC) for AF has already been proven as safe as sedation with propofol and anaesthesiologist assistance. No data exist regarding the safety of such a strategy during emergency procedures. The aim of this study is to compare the feasibility of sedation with midazolam, administered by a cardiologist, to an anaesthesiologist-assisted protocol with propofol in emergency DCC.

Development and validation of a prediction model for severe respiratory failure in hospitalized patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection: a multicentre cohort study (PREDI-CO study).

Objectives: We aimed to develop and validate a risk score to predict severe respiratory failure (SRF) among patients hospitalized with coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19).

Methods: We performed a multicentre cohort study among hospitalized (>24 hours) patients diagnosed with COVID-19 from 22 February to 3 April 2020, at 11 Italian hospitals. Patients were divided into derivation and validation cohorts according to random sorting of hospitals.

Recent advances in three-dimensional electroanatomical mapping guidance for the ablation of complex atrial and ventricular arrhythmias.

Purpose: To provide a brief overview of some relevant technological advances in the field of three-dimensional electroanatomical mapping (3D-EAM) that have recently entered the clinical arena and their role in guiding catheter ablation (CA) of complex atrial and ventricular arrhythmias.

Methods: In this technical report, we describe the general features of three novel algorithms featured in the updated CARTO PRIME™ mapping module for CARTO®3 version 7 3D-EAM system (Biosense Webster Inc., Diamond Bar, CA, USA): local activation time (LAT) hybrid, coherent mapping and map replay modules.

Clinical and Molecular Data Define a Diagnosis of Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy in a Carrier of a Brugada-Syndrome-Associated Mutation.

Plakophilin-2 () is the most frequently mutated desmosomal gene in arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM), a disease characterized by structural and electrical alterations predominantly affecting the right ventricular myocardium. Notably, ACM cases without overt structural alterations are frequently reported, mainly in the early phases of the disease. Recently, the p.

Surgery for Bentall endocarditis: short- and midterm outcomes from a multicentre registry.

Objectives: Endocarditis after the Bentall procedure is a severe disease often complicated by a pseudoaneurysm or mediastinitis. Reoperation is challenging but conservative therapy is not effective. The aim of this study was to assess short- and midterm outcomes of patients reoperated on for Bentall-related endocarditis.

Risk factors for candidaemia in hospitalized patients with liver cirrhosis: a multicentre case-control-control study.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk factors for candidaemia in patients with liver cirrhosis.

Methods: This was a case-control-control (1:2:2) study performed in four Italian tertiary centres from 2006 to 2015. Cases were patients with liver cirrhosis developing candidaemia.

Catheter-based cerebral protection system in open cardiac surgery: An example of true hybrid surgery.

Postoperative stroke after cardiac surgery is an ominous complication. Clinical manifestations range from cognitive disturbances and altered states of consciousness to focal neurological deficits. Stroke is also a well-documented risk of catheter-based cardiac interventions.

Treg sensitivity to FasL and relative IL-2 deprivation drive idiopathic aplastic anemia immune dysfunction.

Idiopathic aplastic anemia (AA) has 2 key characteristics: an autoimmune response against hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells and regulatory T-cells (Tregs) deficiency. We have previously demonstrated reduction in a specific subpopulation of Treg in AA, which predicts response to immunosuppression. The aims of the present study were to define mechanisms of Treg subpopulation imbalance and identify potential for therapeutic intervention.

Characterisation of candidemia in patients with recent surgery: A 7-year experience.

Candidemia can complicate major surgical procedures. However, literature data are scanty on this topic. In this study, we evaluated the epidemiology, clinical and microbiologic characteristics and outcome of candidemia in adult patients with recent surgery hospitalised in a single University Hospital in Central Italy from 2010 to 2016.

Endoscopic vein-graft harvesting in coronary artery bypass surgery: Tips and tricks.

Despite increased use of arterial grafts, the greater saphenous vein remains the most commonly used conduit in coronary artery bypass grafting. The use of less invasive techniques for vessel harvesting has gained interest in recent years, and, many studies have reported that endoscopic vein-graft harvesting reduces postoperative pain, the incidence of wound complications, and the length of hospital stay, as well as eliminating the need for a large longitudinal incision. Over the past decade, our cardiac surgery department has gained considerable experience (>1000 cases) with this endoscopic approach.

Pericardial Adipose Tissue Regulates Granulopoiesis, Fibrosis, and Cardiac Function After Myocardial Infarction.

Background: The pericardial adipose tissue (AT) contains a high density of lymphoid clusters. It is unknown whether these clusters play a role in post-myocardial infarction (MI) inflammatory responses and cardiac outcome.

Methods: Lymphoid clusters were examined in epicardial AT of humans with or without coronary artery disease.

Carbapenem-Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae influences the outcome of early infections in liver transplant recipients.

Background: Infections remain a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among liver transplant (LT) recipients. The aim of our study was to define the factors associated with outcome of early bacterial and fungal infections in a cohort of patients who underwent LT at the University Hospital of Ancona over a nine year period.

Methods: All consecutive patients who underwent LT in our center were considered.

Clinical management and outcome of major bleeding in patients on treatment with vitamin K antagonists.

Background: The optimal management of major bleeding associated with vitamin K antagonists remains unclear.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess the determinants of outcome of vitamin K antagonists-associated major bleeding and the outcome of bleeding in relation with the therapeutic management.

Methods: Patients hospitalized for major bleeding while on vitamin K antagonists were included in a prospective, cohort study.

A New Electrocardiographic Marker of Sudden Death in Brugada Syndrome: The S-Wave in Lead I.

Background: Risk stratification in asymptomatic patients remains by far the most important yet unresolved clinical problem in the Brugada syndrome (BrS).

Objectives: This study sought to analyze the usefulness of electrocardiographic parameters as markers of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in BrS.

Methods: This study analyzed data from 347 consecutive patients (78.