The Added Value of Prostate-specific Membrane Antigen Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography to Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Local Staging of Prostate Cancer in Patients Undergoing Radical Prostatectomy.

Background And Objective: The role of prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-based positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) in addition to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for local staging of prostate cancer (PC) has been poorly addressed so far. Our aim was to assess the diagnostic accuracy of PSMA PET/CT and MRI, alone and combined, for detection of extraprostatic extension (EPE) and seminal vesicle invasion (SVI) in PC.

Methods: We conducted a multicenter retrospective study evaluating patients undergoing PSMA PET/CT and MRI before radical prostatectomy.

The association of quantitative PSMA PET parameters with pathologic ISUP grade: an international multicenter analysis.

Purpose: To assess if PSMA PET quantitative parameters are associated with pathologic ISUP grade group (GG) and upgrading/downgrading.

Methods: PCa patients undergoing radical prostatectomy with or without pelvic lymph node dissection staged with preoperative PSMA PET at seven referral centres worldwide were evaluated. PSMA PET parameters which included SUV, PSMA, and total PSMA accumulation (PSMA) were collected.

Identification of the Optimal Candidates for Nodal Staging with Extended Pelvic Lymph Node Dissection Among Prostate Cancer Patients Who Underwent Preoperative Prostate-specific Membrane Antigen Positron Emission Tomography. External Validation of the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and Briganti Nomograms and Development of a Novel Tool.

Background: Although the therapeutic role of extended pelvic lymph node dissection (ePLND) in patients with prostate cancer (PCa) is still under debate, this procedure is recommended for staging purposes in selected cases. Nomograms for predicting lymph node invasion (LNI) do not account for prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) positron emission tomography (PET) imaging, which is characterized by a high negative predictive value for nodal metastases.

Objective: To externally validate models predicting LNI in patients with miN0M0 PCa at PSMA PET and to develop a novel tool in this setting.

Surgical Metastasectomy for Visceral and Bone Prostate Cancer Metastases: A Mini-Review.

Despite growing interest in metastasis-directed therapy (MDT) for prostate cancer (PCa), little is known regarding the feasibility and effectiveness of surgical metastasectomy for isolated lesions. We performed a narrative review of the available evidence supporting metastasectomy for M1b-c lesions in men diagnosed with oligometastatic or oligorecurrent PCa. The case series and case reports we identified indicate that surgical MDT is a safe and feasible treatment option for well-selected patients with a small number of PCa metastases diagnosed via molecular imaging.

Nightmares in Salvage Robot-assisted Radical Prostatectomy After Primary Radiation Therapy for Prostate Cancer: A Step by Step Tutorial.

Unlabelled: Salvage radical prostatectomy after primary radiotherapy (sRP) is considered a challenging procedure. We highlight the complications of sRP and detail critical surgical steps to help prevent them. A nonsystematic literature review in PubMed using the term "salvage radical prostatectomy" was performed on December 1, 2021.

The beneficial effect of extracorporeal shockwave myocardial revascularization: Two years of follow-up.

Objectives: Despite the advancements achieved by revascularization technique and pharmacological therapies, the number of patients with refractory angina (RA) is still high, carrying together a poor prognosis. Experimental data and small clinical studies suggest that the use of extracorporeal shockwave myocardial revascularization (ESMR) might improve symptoms of angina in patients with RA. The aim of our study is to evaluate the efficacy of cardiac shock wave therapy in a long term follow-up of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) otherwise not suitable for revascularization.

Out of proportion proximal aortic remodeling: A subclinical marker of early vascular ageing? A systematic review.

Introduction: Proximal aorta stiffens and dilates with aging. Aortic stiffening is a well known process, carrying prognostic implications. On the contrary, few data are available about proximal aorta dilatation.

Typical blood pressure response during dobutamine stress echocardiography of patients without known cardiovascular disease who have normal stress echocardiograms.

Aims: Blood pressure (BP) responses during dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) have not been systematically studied. Consequently, it is not known what constitutes a normal or an abnormal BP response to dobutamine stress. We sought to define the typical BP response during DSE of patients not known to have cardiovascular disease.

The beneficial effect of extracorporeal shockwave myocardial revascularization in patients with refractory angina.

Objectives: The incidence of patients with refractory angina (RA) is increasing. Medical therapy for RA is limited and prognosis is poor. Experimental data suggest that the use of Extracorporeal shockwave myocardial revascularization (ESMR) may contribute to angiogenesis and improve symptoms of angina in patients with RA.

Non invasive evaluation of cardiac hemodynamics in end stage renal disease (ESRD).

Objective: Volume overload is typical of haemodialysis patients; correct volume status evaluation is crucial in achieving blood pressure homeostasis, hypertension management and good treatment planning. This study evaluates the effect of acute volume depletion on ultrasonographic parameters and suggests two of them as able to predict patients volume overload.

Patients And Intervention: 27 patients with end stage renal disease treated with haemodialysis underwent a complete echocardiographic exam before, after 90 min and at the end of the dialysis.

Aortic root dilatation in essential hypertension: prevalence according to new reference values.

Background: Aortic root dilatation (ARD) and arterial hypertension represent two important risk factors for aortic dissection: prevalence of observed ARD is increasing - up to 12% in the latest available reports. A recently published work tested on a good number of healthy individuals new reference ranges for aortic root dimensions, suggesting new reference values with corrections for age, gender, height (pHeight) or body surface area (pBSA).

Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate the prevalence of ARD in hypertensive patients using various criteria.

Ascending aortic dilatation, arterial stiffness and cardiac organ damage in essential hypertension.

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to evaluate the prevalence of dilatation of proximal ascending aorta (pAA) in essential hypertensive patients and the association between pAA dilatation, arterial stiffness and left ventricular hypertrophy.

Background: Few data are available regarding patients with pAA dilatation in arterial hypertension. It is not known whether pAA dilatation may be related to increased left ventricular mass and what the relation with central hemodynamics and arterial stiffness would be.

Left atrial enlargement in essential hypertension: role in the assessment of subclinical hypertensive heart disease.

Background: Arterial hypertension is a common cause of cardiac organ damage, inducing morphofunctional modifications involving left chambers. This is a retrospective study: it was designed to evaluate the additive clinical value of left atrial enlargement (LAe) assessment in the evaluation of cardiac organ damage.

Methods: A total of 814 (67% male; aged 50.

Stereotactic body radiation therapy for lung metastases.

Introduction: Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) has an emerging role in patients affected with pulmonary metastases. Purpose of this study was to evaluate efficacy and tolerability of SBRT in a cohort of patients treated between 2003 and 2009 at our institution.

Methods: A total of 61 patients with oligometastatic lung tumors (single pulmonary nodules in 73.

Percutaneous closure of patent foramen ovale in patients with anatomical and clinical high-risk characteristics: long-term efficacy and safety.

Background: Transcatheter closure of patent foramen ovale (PFO) is a widespread procedure, but no randomized study on its outcome in high-risk patients is available. Our aims were to determine the efficacy and safety of this procedure in a cohort of high-risk patients through the observation of clinical adverse events and residual shunt, to evaluate the impact of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) guidance during the procedure, and investigate the relationship between the anatomical and clinical characteristics and the outcome.

Methods And Results: Ninety-five patients underwent PFO closure for cryptogenic cerebral ischemia; each of them presented one or more of the following risk factors: recurrent cerebral ischemia (9.

Aortic size index enlargement is associated with central hemodynamics in essential hypertension.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between brachial and central blood pressure (bBP and cBP) levels and aortic root dilatation (ARD) in essential hypertensive patients. A total of 190 untreated and treated essential hypertensive patients (mean age, 55 ± 11 years) were considered for this analysis. We measured pulsatile hemodynamics and the proximal aortic diameter directly using tonometry, ultrasound imaging (echocardiography) and Doppler.

Real time triplane echocardiography in aortic valve stenosis: validation, reliability, and feasibility of a new method for valve area quantification.

Aims: The aim of the study was to validate a novel formula for aortic valve area (AVA) based on the principle of continuity equation, that substitutes Doppler-derived stroke volume (SV) by SV directly measured with real time simultaneous triplane three-dimensional echocardiography (RT3P). RT3P has proved accuracy for left ventricular volume calculation. So far, however, neither this potential has been applied to hemodynamic assessment, nor RT3P has succeeded in the evaluation of aortic valve disease.

Prevalence and clinical impact of polyomaviruses KI and WU in lung transplant recipients.

The newly discovered polyomaviruses KI and WU (KIV and WUV) were isolated from secretions of patients with respiratory symptoms as well as in blood, spleen, lymphoid tissues, and stools, especially in immunocompromised conditions. The aim of this work was to evaluate the prevalence of KIV and WUV in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) from lung transplant recipients. We also examined potential correlations between these viruses and occurrences of pneumonia, acute respiratory insufficiency, or other acute respiratory conditions and acute rejection episodes.

Unexpected long durability of a low-profile porcine Liotta bioprosthesis in mitral position.

We report a case in which replacement of a low-profile porcine Liotta bioprosthesis was required 21 years after initial implantation. The patient underwent mitral valve replacement with a 28-mm Liotta bioprosthesis in 1985 for mitral stenosis. Twenty-one years later, severe mitral regurgitation was detected at echocardiography and mitral valve reoperation combined with tricuspid annuloplasty was successfully performed.

Does lobectomy for lung cancer in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease affect lung function? A multicenter national study.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of lobectomy on pulmonary function in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Methods: One hundred thirty-seven patients were analyzed; 49 had normal pulmonary function tests, and 88 had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Different functional parameter groups were identified: obstructive (forced expiratory volume in 1 second [FEV1], forced expiratory volume in 1 second/forced vital capacity [FEV1/FVC], and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease index), hyperinflation (residual volume and functional residual capacity), and diffusion (transfer factor of the lung for carbon monoxide).

Septal reshaping.

Left ventricular (LV) aneurysm is a complication of an acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Herein a new technique is described that is indicated when the postinfarctual scar involves the septum more than the free wall. The incision starts at the apex and is directed, parallel to LAD, toward the base of the heart.