Development and validation of a preoperative "difficulty score" for laparoscopic transabdominal adrenalectomy: a multicenter retrospective study.

Background: A difficulty score for laparoscopic adrenalectomy (LA) is lacking in the literature. A retrospective cohort study was designed to develop a preoperative "difficulty score" for LA.

Methods: A multicenter study was conducted involving four Italian tertiary centers for adrenal disease.

Effect of SAcubitril/Valsartan on left vEntricular ejection fraction and on the potential indication for Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator in primary prevention: the SAVE-ICD study.

Purpose: Sacubitril/valsartan has been associated with a positive reverse left ventricular remodelling in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). These patients may also benefit from an ICD implant. We aimed to assess EF improvement after 6 months of treatment with sacubitril/valsartan, evaluating when ICD as primary prevention was no longer indicated.

Anatomical Variations of Anterior Ethmoidal Foramen and Cribriform Plate: Relations With Sex.

Position of anterior ethmoidal artery and height of lateral lamella of cribriform plate (LLCP) represent critical variants in endoscopy.In 200 maxillofacial computed tomography scans of patients the position of anterior ethmoidal foramen (AEF) in relation to ethmoid roof was recorded. The height of LLCP was measured and classified according to Keros classification.

Additional diagnostic value of cardiac magnetic resonance feature tracking in patients with biopsy-proven arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy.

Background: We aim to evaluate the value of Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) feature tracking (CMR-FT) in addition to Task Force Criteria(TFC) in patients with (arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy) AC biopsy-proved.

Methods: Thirty-five patients with AC histologically proven who performed CMR with late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) acquisition were enrolled. The study population was divided in Group1 (negative CMR TFC and LV ejection fraction≥55%) and Group2 (positive CMR TFC and/or LVEF<55%) and compared to an age and gender-matched control group.

Temporal Bone Pneumatization: Relationship With Sex and Variants of the Ethmoid and Sphenoid Bone.

Pneumatization variants of the temporal bone have a crucial importance in several surgical interventions. However, very few data are known about possible correlation with other pneumatization variants.Pneumatization of glenoid fossa, petrous apex, and infralabyrinthine portion of temporal bone was assessed in 200 computed tomography scans, equally divided between males and females (18-92 years).

Cardiac Biomarkers and Autoantibodies in Endurance Athletes: Potential Similarities with Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy Pathogenic Mechanisms.

The "Extreme Exercise Hypothesis" states that when individuals perform training beyond the ideal exercise dose, a decline in the beneficial effects of physical activity occurs. This is due to significant changes in myocardial structure and function, such as hemodynamic alterations, cardiac chamber enlargement and hypertrophy, myocardial inflammation, oxidative stress, fibrosis, and conduction changes. In addition, an increased amount of circulating biomarkers of exercise-induced damage has been reported.

Gender Differences in the Presentation and Outcomes of Hospitalized Patients With COVID-19.

Gender-related differences in COVID-19 clinical presentation, disease progression, and mortality have not been adequately explored. We analyzed the clinical profile, presentation, treatments, and outcomes of patients according to gender in the HOPE-COVID-19 International Registry. Among 2,798 enrolled patients, 1,111 were women (39.

Cardiac Imaging in Athlete's Heart: The Role of the Radiologist.

Athlete's heart (AH) is the result of morphological and functional cardiac modifications due to long-lasting athletic training. Athletes can develop very marked structural myocardial changes, which may simulate or cover unknown cardiomyopathies. The differential diagnosis between AH and cardiomyopathy is necessary to prevent the risk of catastrophic events, such as sudden cardiac death, but it can be a challenging task.

Incidence and Clinical Impact of Right Ventricular Involvement (Biventricular Ballooning) in Takotsubo Syndrome: Results From the GEIST Registry.

Background: The short- and long-term prognosis of Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) presenting with right ventricular (RV) involvement remains poorly understood.

Research Question: What is the incidence and clinical outcome of RV involvement in TTS?

Study Design And Methods: This study analyzed 839 consecutive patients with TTS (758 female subjects and 81 male subjects) in a multicenter registry. RV involvement was defined as wall motion abnormality of the RV free wall, with or without apical involvement.

Candidemia in intensive care units over nine years at a large Italian university hospital: Comparison with other wards.

Purpose: Candidemia is an alarming problem in critically ill patients including those admitted in intensive care units (ICUs). We aimed to describe the clinical and microbiological characteristics of bloodstream infections (BSIs) due to Candida spp. in patients admitted to ICUs of an italian tertiary referral university hospital over nine years.

Current patterns of beta-blocker prescription in cardiac amyloidosis: an Italian nationwide survey.

Aims: The use of beta-blocker therapy in cardiac amyloidosis (CA) is debated. We aimed at describing patterns of beta-blocker prescription through a nationwide survey.

Methods And Results: From 11 referral centres, we retrospectively collected data of CA patients with a first evaluation after 2016 (n = 642).

Rate and impact on patient outcome and healthcare utilization of complications requiring surgical revision: Subcutaneous versus transvenous implantable defibrillator therapy.

Introduction: Comparison data on management of device-related complications and their impact on patient outcome and healthcare utilization between subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (S-ICD) and transvenous ICD (TV-ICD) are lacking. We designed this prospective, multicentre, observational registry to compare the rate, nature, and impact of long-term device-related complications requiring surgical revision on patient outcome and healthcare utilization between patients undergoing S-ICD or TV-ICD implantation.

Methods And Results: A total of 1099 consecutive patients who underwent S-ICD or TV-ICD implantation were enrolled.

Long-Term Outcomes of Near-Zero Radiation Ablation of Paroxysmal Supraventricular Tachycardia: A Comparison With Fluoroscopy-Guided Approach.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the long-term outcomes of minimally fluoroscopic approach (MFA) compared with conventional fluoroscopic ablation (ConvA) in terms of recurrences of arrhythmia and long-term complications.

Background: Catheter ablation (CA) of supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) with an MFA, under the guidance of electroanatomic mapping (EAM) systems, results in a significant reduction in exposure to ionizing radiations without impairing acute procedural success and complication rate. However, data regarding long-term outcomes of MFA compared with ConvA are lacking.

Ventricular Fibrillation Recurrences in Successfully Shocked Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrests.

The prognostic impact of ventricular fibrillation (VF) recurrences after a successful shock in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OOHCA) is still poorly understood, and some evidence suggests a potential pro-arrhythmic effect of chest compressions in this setting. In the present analysis, we looked at the short-term and long-term prognosis of VF recurrences in OOHCA. And their potential association with chest compressions.

Twitter for professional use in electrophysiology: practical guide for #EPeeps.

Social media (SoMe) becomes more and more popular in the cardiological community. Among them, Twitter is an emerging and dynamic medium to connect, communicate and educate academic and clinical cardiologists. However, in contrast to traditional scientific communications, the content provided through SoMe is not peer-reviewed and may not necessarily always represent scientific evidence or may even be used to unjustifiably promote therapies for commercial purposes.

Metabolic Signature of Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy.

Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) is a genetic-based cardiac disease accompanied by severe ventricular arrhythmias and a progressive substitution of the myocardium with fibro-fatty tissue. ACM is often associated with sudden cardiac death. Due to the reduced penetrance and variable expressivity, the presence of a genetic defect is not conclusive, thus complicating the diagnosis of ACM.

Sports Activity and Arrhythmic Risk in Cardiomyopathies and Channelopathies: A Critical Review of European Guidelines on Sports Cardiology in Patients with Cardiovascular Diseases.

The prediction and prevention of sudden cardiac death is the philosopher's stone of clinical cardiac electrophysiology. Sports can act as triggers of fatal arrhythmias and therefore it is essential to promptly frame the athlete at risk and to carefully evaluate the suitability for both competitive and recreational sports activity. A history of syncope or palpitations, the presence of premature ventricular complexes or more complex arrhythmias, a reduced left ventricular systolic function, or the presence of known or familiar heart disease should prompt a thorough evaluation with second level examinations.

Myocardial Inflammation, Sports Practice, and Sudden Cardiac Death: 2021 Update.

Myocardial inflammation is an important cause of cardiovascular morbidity and sudden cardiac death in athletes. The relationship between sports practice and myocardial inflammation is complex, and recent data from studies concerning cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and endomyocardial biopsy have substantially added to our understanding of the challenges encountered in the comprehensive care of athletes with myocarditis or inflammatory cardiomyopathy (ICM). In this review, we provide an overview of the current knowledge on the epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of myocarditis, ICM, and myopericarditis/perimyocarditis in athletes, with a special emphasis on arrhythmias, patient-tailored therapies, and sports eligibility issues.

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)].

Use and misuse of instant messaging in clinical data sharing: the EHRA-SMS survey.

Instant messaging (IM) enables medical professionals to quickly share clinical data to their peers for counselling. Purpose of this survey is to assess the habits related to IM, their application in clinical practice and the perceived pros and cons. An online survey was distributed to the medical community via newsletters, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

Prevalence and outcome of silent hypoxemia in COVID-19.

Background: In the early stages of COVID-19 pneumonia, hypoxemia has been described in absence of dyspnea ("silent" or "happy" hypoxemia). Our aim was to report its prevalence and outcome in a series of hypoxemic patients upon Emergency Department admission.

Methods: In this retrospective observational cohort study we enrolled a study population consisting of 213 COVID-19 patients with PaO2/FiO2 ratio <300 mmHg at hospital admission.

Impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak on radiology research: An Italian survey.

Purpose: To understand how COVID-19 pandemic has changed radiology research in Italy.

Methods: A questionnaire (n = 19 questions) was sent to all members of the Italian Society of Radiology two months after the first Italian national lockdown was lifted.

Results: A total of 327 Italian radiologists took part in the survey (mean age: 49 ± 12 years).

Current status and needs for changes in critical care training: the voice of the young cardiologists.

Aims: The implementation of the 2013 European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Core Curriculum guidelines for acute cardiovascular care (acc) training among European countries is unknown. We aimed to evaluate the current status of acc training among cardiology trainees and young cardiologists (<40 years) from ESC countries.

Methods And Results: The survey (March-July 2019) asked about details of cardiology training, self-confidence in acc technical and non-technical skills, access to training opportunities, and needs for further training in the field.

Assessment of patients presenting with life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias and suspected myocarditis: The key role of endomyocardial biopsy.

Background: Life-threatening ventricular tachyarrhythmias (VAs) represent a significant cause of death in myocarditis.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to identify predictors of sustained VAs in patients with myocarditis and ventricular phenotype diagnosed by workflow including endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) guided by 3D electroanatomic mapping (3D-EAM).

Methods: We prospectively enrolled patients with suspected myocarditis and VAs, undergoing cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, coronary angiography, 3D-EAM, and EMB guided by 3D-EAM.