Pancytopenia in a Case of Aplastic Anaemia/Paroxysmal Nocturnal Haemoglobinuria Unmasked by SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Case Report.

During an acute SARS-CoV-2 infection, a diagnosis of Aplastic Anaemia associated with Paroxysmal Nocturnal Haemoglobinuria (AA/PNH) was made in a 78-year-old woman who had presented to the emergency department with severe pancytopenia. It is possible that she had subclinical AA/PNH that was unmasked during the acute COVID-19 infection, but we can also suspect a direct role of the virus in the pathogenesis of the disease, or we can hypothesize that COVID-19 infection changed the phosphatidylinositol glycan class A (PIGA) gene pathway.

Fat mass and vascular health in overweight/obese children.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Childhood obesity is one of the most serious public health challenges of the 21st century. Body mass index (BMI), the most widely used marker of body fatness, has serious limitations, particularly in children, since it does not accurately discriminate between lean and fat mass. Aim of our study was to investigate if the estimate of fat mass, as derived by a new prediction model, was associated with carotid intima media thickness (IMT) and the cross-sectional area of the intima media complex (CSA-IMC) in overweight or obese children. METHODS AND RESULTS: As many as 375 overweight/obese Italian children, 54.7% males, aged 5-15 years, admitted to a tertiary care hospital, were consecutively enrolled in a study on cardiovascular markers of atherosclerosis. All children underwent an ultrasound carotid examination. Mean weight was 62.2 ± 20.8 Kg and fat-mass was 26.2 ± 10.7 Kg. Multiple regression analyses showed a significant association of fat mass with carotid IMT (ß 0.156, p 0.01) and CSA-IMC (ß 0.216, p < 0.001); these associations remained significant after controlling for the main cardiovascular risk factors (age, sex, blood pressure, HOMA-index, triglycerides, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, birth weight and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein). CONCLUSION: Fat mass calculated with the new formula is independently associated with subclinical atherosclerosis in overweight/obese children.

Effect of statin therapy on pulse wave velocity: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Arterial stiffness (AS) is an independent cardiovascular risk factor. A number of studies have reported a beneficial role of statins on AS albeit with controversial results, in addition to their effects on lipid profile. Therefore, we carried out a meta-analysis of the available randomized controlled trials assessing the effects of statin therapy on AS, in the attempt to reach more definitive conclusions. METHODS: A systematic search of the on-line databases available up to March 2017 was conducted, including intervention studies reporting AS expressed by carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV), as difference between the effects of treatment with or without statins. For each study, mean difference (MD) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were pooled using a random effect model. RESULTS: Eleven studies met the pre-defined inclusion criteria, for a total of 573 participants and 2-144 weeks' intervention time. In the pooled analysis, statin therapy was associated with a -6.8% (95% C.I.: -11.7 to -1.8) reduction in PWV. There was significant heterogeneity among studies (I2 = 96%); none of the study characteristics seems to have influenced the effect of statin use on PWV. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this meta-analysis suggest that statin therapy reduces AS. This effect appears to be at least in part independent of the changes in blood pressure and lipid profile.

Carotid artery diameter and wall stiffness in proteinuric renal disease without severely reduced kidney function.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the carotid artery diameter, and wall thickness and stiffness in patients with glomerulopathy and proteinuria without severely reduced kidney function. METHODS: We compared 30 control subjects to 30 patients with glomerular disease, proteinuria, and glomerular filtration rate > 30 ml/min/1.73 m(2) : membranous glomerulonephritis (n = 13), minimal change disease (n = 2), focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis (n = 3), IgA nephropathy (n = 5), lupus nephritis (n = 5), antiphospholipid antibody nephropathy (n = 1), cryoglobulinemic glomerulonephritis (n = 1). The laboratory evaluations included carotid artery diameter, intima-media thickness, and stiffness measurements. RESULTS: Carotid cross-sectional area of intima-media complex was thicker in patients (18.6 ± 1.4 [x ± SEM]) than in controls (14.8 ± 0.6 mm(2) , p = 0.014), as was carotid artery wall stiffness (8.96 ± 0.86 versus 5.65 ± 0.38, [x ± SEM], p < 0.01). This difference remained significant after adjustment for age, sex, and metabolic cardiovascular risk factors: carotid stiffness was 9.19 ± 0.67 (99% confidence interval [CI] 7.40-10.98)] in patients and 4.80 ± 0.75 (99% CI 2.79-7.11) in controls; adjusted mean difference 4.40 (99% CI 1.46-7.34); p <0.001. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed, for the first time, signs of altered structural and elastic properties of the arterial wall in patients with proteinuria and glomerular disease without severely reduced kidney function.

Case Report: Genetic Analysis of PEG-Asparaginase Induced Severe Hypertriglyceridemia in an Adult With Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia.

PEG-Asparaginase (also known as Pegaspargase), along with glucocorticoids (predominantly prednisolone or dexamethasone) and other chemotherapeutic agents (such as cyclophosphamide, idarubicin, vincristine, cytarabine, methotrexate and 6-mercaptopurine) is the current standard treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in both children and adults. High doses of PEG-asparaginase are associated with side effects such as hepatotoxicity, pancreatitis, venous thrombosis, hypersensitivity reactions against the drug and severe hypertriglyceridemia. We report a case of a 28-year-old male who was normolipidemic at baseline and developed severe hypertriglyceridemia (triglycerides of 1793 mg/dl) following treatment with PEG-asparaginase for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Thorough genetic analysis was conducted to assess whether genetic variants could suggest a predisposition to this drug-induced metabolic condition. This genetic analysis showed the presence of a rare heterozygous missense variant c.11G > A-p.(Arg4Gln) in the APOC3 gene, classified as a variant of uncertain significance, as well as its association with four common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs; c.*40C > G in APOC3 and c.*158T > C; c.162-43G > A; c.-3A > G in APOA5) related to increased plasma triglyceride levels. To our knowledge this is the first case that a rare genetic variant associated to SNPs has been related to the onset of severe drug-induced hypertriglyceridemia.

Haematological Drugs Affecting Lipid Metabolism and Vascular Health.

Many drugs affect lipid metabolism and have side effects which promote atherosclerosis. The prevalence of cancer-therapy-related cardiovascular (CV) disease is increasing due to development of new drugs and improved survival of patients: cardio-oncology is a new field of interest and research. Moreover, drugs used in transplanted patients frequently have metabolic implications. Increasingly, internists, lipidologists, and angiologists are being consulted by haematologists for side effects on metabolism (especially lipid metabolism) and arterial circulation caused by drugs used in haematology. The purpose of this article is to review the main drugs used in haematology with side effects on lipid metabolism and atherosclerosis, detailing their mechanisms of action and suggesting the most effective therapies.

A height-weight formula to measure body fat in childhood obesity.

BACKGROUND: The assessment of body composition is central in diagnosis and treatment of paediatric obesity, but a criterion method is not feasible in clinical practice. Even the use of bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) is limited in children. Body mass index (BMI) Z-score is frequently used as a proxy index of body composition, but it does not discriminate between fat mass and fat-free mass. We aimed to assess the extent to which fat mass and percentage of body fat estimated by a height-weight equation agreed with a BIA equation in youths with obesity from South Italy. Furthermore, we investigated the correlation between BMI Z-score and fat mass or percentage of body mass estimated by these two models. METHODS: One-hundred-seventy-four youths with obesity (52.3% males, mean age 10.8 ± 1.9) were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Fat mass and percentage of body fat were calculated according to a height-weight based prediction model and to a BIA prediction model. RESULTS: According to Bland-Altman statistics, mean differences were relatively small for both fat mass (+ 0.65 kg) and percentage of body fat (+ 1.27%) with an overestimation at lower mean values; the majority of values fell within the limits of agreement. BMI Z-score was significantly associated with both fat mass and percentage of body fat, regardless of the method, but the strength of correlation was higher when the height-weight equation was considered (r = 0.82; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This formula may serve as surrogate for body fat estimation when instrumental tools are not available. Dealing with changes of body fat instead of BMI Z-score may help children and parents to focus on diet for health.

An improved method on stimulated T-lymphocytes to functionally characterize novel and known LDLR mutations.

The main causes of familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) are mutations in LDL receptor (LDLR) gene. Functional studies are necessary to demonstrate the LDLR function impairment caused by mutations and would be useful as a diagnostic tool if they allow discrimination between FH patients and controls. In order to identify the best method to detect LDLR activity, we compared continuous Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-transformed B-lymphocytes and mitogen stimulated T-lymphocytes. In addition, we characterized both novel and known mutations in the LDLR gene. T-lymphocytes and EBV-transformed B-lymphocytes were obtained from peripheral blood of 24 FH patients and 24 control subjects. Functional assays were performed by incubation with fluorescent LDL followed by flow cytometry analysis. Residual LDLR activity was calculated normalizing fluorescence for the mean fluorescence of controls. With stimulated T-lymphocytes we obtained a better discrimination capacity between controls and FH patients compared with EBV-transformed B-lymphocytes as demonstrated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis (the areas under the curve are 1.000 and 0.984 respectively; P < 0.0001 both). The characterization of LDLR activity through T-lymphocytes is more simple and faster than the use of EBV-transformed B-lymphocytes and allows a complete discrimination between controls and FH patients. Therefore the evaluation of residual LDLR activity could be helpful not only for mutation characterization but also for diagnostic purposes.

Carotid Atherosclerosis, Ultrasound and Lipoproteins.

Carotid artery plaques are considered a measure of atherosclerosis and are associated with an increased risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, particularly ischemic strokes. Monitoring of patients with an elevated risk of stroke is critical in developing better prevention strategies. Non-invasive imaging allows us to directly see atherosclerosis in vessels and many features that are related to plaque vulnerability. A large body of evidence has demonstrated a strong correlation between some lipid parameters and carotid atherosclerosis. In this article, we review the relationship between lipids and atherosclerosis with a focus on carotid ultrasound, the most common method to estimate atherosclerotic load.

Association between Non-HDL-C/HDL-C Ratio and Carotid Intima-Media Thickness in Post-Menopausal Women.

Atherogenic lipoproteins (particularly, very low-density lipoproteins, VLDL) are associated with subclinical atherosclerosis. The present study aims at evaluating whether routinely analysed lipid parameters are associated with carotid intima-media thickness, a proxy for subclinical atherosclerosis. Lipid parameters from 220 post-menopausal women undergoing ultrasound investigation of the carotid arteries were analysed. Forty-five percent of women showed subclinical atherosclerosis on carotid ultrasound. The mean carotid intima-media thickness was 1.26 ± 0.38 mm. The mean value of the non-HDL-C/HDL-C ratio was 3.1 ± 1.2. Univariate analysis showed a significant association between non-HDL-C/HDL-C ratio and intima-media thickness (r = 0.21, p = 0.001). After adjusting for cardiovascular risk factors (age, systolic blood pressure, smoking, body mass index Homeostasis model assessment: insulin resistance and high-sensitivity C-Reactive-Protein), multivariate analysis showed a significant association between non-HDL-C/HDL-C ratio and intima-media thickness (ß = 0.039, p = 0.04). Logistic regression analysis showed that the highest tertile of the non-HDL-C/HDL-C ratio was associated with the presence of carotid plaques (OR = 3.47, p = 0.003). Finally, a strong correlation between non-HDL-C/HDL-C ratio and cholesterol bound to VLDL (r = 0.77, p < 0.001) has been found. Non-HDL-C/HDL-C ratio is associated with the presence of carotid atherosclerosis in post-menopausal women and is strongly correlated to VLDL-C levels.

Lipoprotein(a) Where Do We Stand? From the Physiopathology to Innovative Terapy.

A number of epidemiologic studies have demonstrated a strong association between increasing lipoprotein a [Lp(a)] and cardiovascular disease. This correlation was demonstrated independent of other known cardiovascular (CV) risk factors. Screening for Lp(a) in the general population is not recommended, although Lp(a) levels are predominantly genetically determined so a single assessment is needed to identify patients at risk. In 2019 ESC/EAS guidelines recommend Lp(a) measurement at least once a lifetime, fo subjects at very high and high CV risk and those with a family history of premature cardiovascular disease, to reclassify patients with borderline risk. As concerning medications, statins play a key role in lipid lowering therapy, but present poor efficacy on Lp(a) levels. Actually, treatment options for elevated serum levels of Lp(a) are very limited. Apheresis is the most effective and well tolerated treatment in patients with high levels of Lp(a). However, promising new therapies, in particular antisense oligonucleotides have showed to be able to significantly reduce Lp(a) in phase II RCT. This review provides an overview of the biology and epidemiology of Lp(a), with a view to future therapies.

Air pollution and carotid arterial stiffness in children.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Many studies unequivocally indicate that air pollution is directly linked to the adverse cardiovascular outcomes in the general population. No data are currently available on cardiovascular effects of exposure to trafficked roads in healthy children. Distance of the residence to a major road has been shown to be a useful proxy for long-term traffic exposure and seem to be more consistently associated with atherosclerosis than particulate matter 2.5. The aim of this study was to investigate a possible association between the distance to a major road and carotid arterial subclinical markers of atherosclerosis in a group of children in Italy. METHODS: The participants consisted of 52 healthy children living in a small town of the Amalphitan Coast with only one highly trafficked road. All children underwent an ultrasound carotid arterial examination. RESULTS: A statistically significant difference was found in carotid arterial stiffness between children living closer to the main street and other children, both those living between 330 and 730 metres from the main street and those living more than 750 metres from the main street. No significant differences were detectable in carotid arterial thickness and arterial blood pressure among the three groups of children. CONCLUSION: This study provides evidence in support of an association of exposure to air pollution with early atherosclerotic markers in healthy children. Impaired vascular health in childhood and adolescence gives further substance to the hypothesis that traffic exhausts are relevant to cardiovascular diseases even early in life.

Association between Very Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (VLDL-C) and Carotid Intima-Media Thickness in Postmenopausal Women Without Overt Cardiovascular Disease and on LDL-C Target Levels.

BACKGROUND: atherosclerotic process inexorably advances in patients reaching low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) targets. An attractive hypothesis is that lipoprotein particles (very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), intermediate-density lipoprotein (IDL)), could contribute to residual risk. The present study aims to investigate the relationship between carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and different lipoprotein subfractions in a cohort of healthy postmenopausal women. METHODS: 75 postmenopausal women, at LDL-C target levels without overt cardiovascular disease, underwent biochemical analyses (including subfraction assay of plasma lipoproteins) and carotid ultrasound examination. RESULTS: a statistically significant correlation between VLDL and carotid IMT (p < 0.001) was found. No significant correlation was found between carotid IMT and LDL-C (p = 0.179), IDL-C (p = 0.815), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) (p = 0.855), and LDL score (p = 0.240). Moreover, IMT is significantly correlated to LDL particle diameter (p = 0.044). After adjusting for age, systolic blood pressure, body mass index, smoking habits, glucose plasma concentration, and Lipoprotein(a) (Lpa) levels, multivariate analysis showed that women in the third tertile of VLDL-C, compared with those in the first tertile, were significantly associated to the highest IMT (p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: in this cohort of postmenopausal women, VLDL-C was significantly associated to carotid IMT, independent of main cardiovascular risk factors. These findings pave the way for targeting circulating concentrations of VLDL-C to reduce cardiovascular events in patients with target LDL-C levels.

Comparison of two diets of varying glycemic index on carotid subclinical atherosclerosis in obese children.

Childhood obesity is associated with an increased carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and stiffness. Increased carotid wall thickening and rigidity are considered markers of subclinical atherosclerosis. The aim of the present study was to test the effect of two hypocaloric diets of varying glycemic index on weight loss and markers of subclinical atherosclerosis in obese children. Seventy consecutive obese children attending the Outpatient Weight Clinic of the Department of Pediatrics were invited to participate in an intensive dietary protocol. Twenty-six accepted and were randomly assigned to two different groups: the first group followed a hypocaloric low-glycemic index diet and the second a hypocaloric high-glycemic index diet. Anthropometric measures and biochemical tests were performed in all children. Quantitative B-mode ultrasound scans were used to measure intima-media thickness (IMT) and diameters of the common carotid artery. Considering both groups together, at 6 months, body mass index decreased from 28.3 +/- 3.1 to 25.8 +/- 3.3 kg/m(2), systolic blood pressure from 119 +/- 12 to 110 +/- 11 mmHg (P< 0.001), diastolic blood pressure from 78 +/- 8 to 74 +/- 7 mmHg (P< 0.001), IMT from 0.48 +/- 0.05 to 0.43 +/- 0.07 mm (P< 0.001), stiffness from 3.57 +/- 1.04 to 2.98 +/- 0.94 mm (P = 0.002), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein from 1.5 +/- 0.9 (values log transformed) to 0.4 +/- 1.1 (P < 0.001). No differences were detectable in fasting serum triglycerides, total cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Insulin resistance (calculated by the HOmeostatic Model Assessment index [HOMA] score) significantly reduced only in the low-glycemic-index diet group (P < 0.04). In conclusion, this study confirms a benefit of hypocaloric diets on carotid IMT and stiffness in obese children and demonstrates, for the first time, an amelioration of insulin sensitivity in obese children after a low-glycemic index diet. These results justify the advice to obese children to follow a low-glycemic index diet in order to improve their cardiometabolic profile.

Association between Lp(a) and small dense LDL in menopausal women without metabolic syndrome.

Background: Lipoprotein (a) (Lp [a]) is associated with premature atherosclerosis in menopausal women without metabolic syndrome (MS). MS is the main confounder in the relationship between Lp(a) and atherosclerosis in menopausal women. We have evaluated the relationship between Lp(a) and small dense-low density lipoprotein (sd-LDL) in 228 menopausal women participating to Progetto Atena. Methods: Lp(a) was measured and LDL particle separation was performed: mean LDL diameter and LDL score (% of sd-LDL) particles calculated. Results: Women without MS and elevated Lp(a) have increased number of sd-LDL (p < .05) and higher LDL score compared with those below the median of the studied population (p < .05). The association between Lp(a) and sd-LDL was evaluated taking into account different adjustment models. Women with elevated levels of Lp(a) show the following OR of having a small LDL diameter (in the lowest quartile): 1.02, p = .003; adjusted for age; 1.02, p = .002; adjusted for age, and triglycerides, or a high LDL score (in the highest quartile): 1.02, p = .006; adjusted for age; 1.02, p = .002; adjusted for age and triglycerides. Conclusions: In this group of menopausal women without MS, the independent association of Lp(a) with sd-LDL might explain at least in part the association of Lp(a) with premature atherosclerosis.

Atherogenic Lipoprotein Subfractions and Carotid Atherosclerosis in Menopausal Women.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the relationship between cholesterol contained in very-low-density lipoproteins (VLDL-C), intermediate-density lipoproteins (IDL-C), low-density lipoproteins, high-density lipoproteins, and carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) and carotid plaques in 228 postmenopausal women (63.1 ± 8.2 years) who participated in the ATENA Project and underwent clinical, biochemical (including the assay of lipoproteins using the Lipoprint system), and carotid ultrasound tests. Very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol had a statistically significant linear association with cIMT ( P < .001), which remained significant after adjustment for age, smoking, systolic blood pressure, glucose, and body mass index ( r2 = .20, P < .05). Higher concentrations of IDL-C and cholesterol contained in triglyceride-rich lipoproteins (TRL-C, ie, VLDL-C + IDL-C) were associated with plaques in the common carotid (tertile III/tertile I: odds ratio [OR] = 2.52, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.21-5.32, P < .02; OR = 2.30, 95% CI = 1.05-5.01, P < .05, respectively), after adjustment for main cardiovascular risk factors. In conclusion, high concentrations of VLDL-C and TRL-C are independently associated with the presence of carotid plaques. Their assay represents a useful tool for improving our knowledge on the role of different classes of lipoproteins in atherosclerosis.

Causative mutations and premature cardiovascular disease in patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia.

Background Familial hypercholesterolemia is a common autosomal dominant disease, caused by mutations leading to elevated low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and, if untreated, to premature cardiovascular disease. Methods Patients (young adults with a family history of hypercholesterolaemia or premature cardiovascular disease) with LDL cholesterol concentration ≥4.9 mmol/l, after excluding Familial Combined Hyperlipidaemia, were evaluated for causative mutations, Dutch Lipid Clinic Network score calculation and non-invasive ultrasound examination of carotid arteries. Results Of the 263 patients, 210 were heterozygotes for LDL receptor ( LDLR) mutations, four had APOB gene mutations, one PCSK9 gene mutation, while 48 had no evidence of mutations. Among 194 unrelated index cases 149 had mutations (77%). Among patients with LDLR mutations ( n = 145), there were five compound heterozygotes, 75 patients with null mutations and 65 with missense mutations. As many as 178 patients underwent a follow-up and treatment (statin ± ezetimibe), achieving a mean reduction of 49% in LDL cholesterol, with 21% of patients reaching the LDL goal of 2.6 mmol/l. In a multivariate analysis, carotid plaques, at ultrasound examination, were associated with the presence of genetic mutation ( p = 0.001), LDL cholesterol ( p < 0.001), Dutch Lipid Clinic Network score ( p < 0.001), independently of age, gender, smoking habits and systolic blood pressure. The presence of carotid plaque ( p = 0.017), LDL cholesterol ( p < 0.003), Dutch Lipid Clinic Network score ( p < 0.001) were independently associated with premature cardiovascular disease. Conclusions We identified patients with causative mutations in 82% of the cases under study. In addition to LDL cholesterol and Dutch Lipid Clinic Network score, carotid plaques in ultrasound evaluation provide direct evidence of premature vascular disease and are associated with high risk for cardiovascular events.

Carotid artery stiffness in obese children with the metabolic syndrome.

Obesity and overweight have been associated with increased carotid intima-media thickness and stiffness in adults and children. Overweight and obesity have also been associated with an increased prevalence of the metabolic syndrome (MS). The aim of the study was to test the hypothesis that obese children with the MS have increased rigidity of their arteries compared with obese children without the MS. We studied 100 obese children (age range 6 to 14 years; 61 males, 39 females) consecutively seen in the outpatient clinic of a hospital department of pediatrics. Anthropometric measures and biochemical tests were performed in all children. Quantitative B-mode ultrasound scans were used to measure intima-media thickness and diameters of the common carotid artery. Common carotid arterial stiffness was significantly higher in the group of obese children with the MS (n = 38) at 1.29 +/- 0.06 mm (values log transformed) versus 1.12 +/- 0.04 mm (p <0.03) compared with those without the MS (n = 62). These differences persisted even after adjustment for age, gender, and C-reactive protein. Obese children with the MS had significantly higher plasma concentrations of C-reactive protein (1.57 +/- 0.06 microg/L, values log transformed) compared with obese children without the MS (1.38 +/- 0.05 microg/L, p <0.03). In conclusion, obese children who met the diagnostic criteria for the MS had higher common carotid artery stiffness and higher C-reactive protein plasma concentrations than obese children without the MS.

Acid-base balance, serum electrolytes and need for non-invasive ventilation in patients with hypercapnic acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease admitted to an internal medicine ward.

BACKGROUND: Hypoventilation produces or worsens respiratory acidosis in patients with hypercapnia due to acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD). In these patients acid-base and hydroelectrolite balance are closely related. Aim of the present study was to evaluate acid-base and hydroelectrolite alterations in these subjects and the effect of non-invasive ventilation and pharmacological treatment. METHODS: We retrospectively analysed 110 patients consecutively admitted to the Internal Medicine ward of Cava de' Tirreni Hospital for acute exacerbation of hypercapnic chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. On admission all patients received oxygen with a Venturi mask to maintain arterial oxygen saturation at least >90 %, and received appropriate pharmacological treatment. Non-Invasive Ventilation (NIV) was started when, despite optimal therapy, patients had severe dyspnea, increased work of breathing and respiratory acidosis. Based on Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) data, we divided the 110 patients in 3 groups: A = 51 patients with compensated respiratory acidosis; B = 36 patients with respiratory acidosis + metabolic alkalosis; and C = 23 patients with respiratory acidosis + metabolic acidosis. 55 patients received only conventional therapy and 55 had conventional therapy plus NIV. RESULTS: The use of NIV support was lower in the patients belonging to group B than in those belonging to group A and C (25 %, vs 47 % and 96 % respectively; p < 0.01). A statistically significant association was found between pCO2 values and serum chloride concentrations both in the entire cohort and in the three separate groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows that in hypercapnic respiratory acidosis due to AECOPD, differently from previous studies, the metabolic alkalosis is not a negative prognostic factor neither determines greater NIV support need, whereas the metabolic acidosis in addition to respiratory acidosis is an unfavourable element, since it determines an increased need of NIV and invasive mechanical ventilation support.

Association between Lp (a) and atherosclerosis in menopausal women without metabolic syndrome.

AIM: The association between Lipoprotein (a) (Lp [a]) and common carotid intima media thickness (IMT) has been evaluated in 222 menopausal women. MATERIAL & METHODS: Lp (a) and IMT were measured, carotid ultrasound examination (B-Mode imaging) was performed and mean max IMT was calculated. RESULTS: Lp (a) was significantly lower in women with metabolic syndrome (MS). In a multivariate analysis Lp (a) showed the following odds ratio (OR; all p < 0.05) of having common carotid IMT (≥1.30 mm): 1.03, adjusted for age, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) and waist circumference; 1.02, adjusted for age LDL, homeostatic assessment model (HOMA). In women without MS, after controlling for age, LDL and waist circumference, we found the following OR for increased IMT (≥1.30; OR: 1.03; for Lp [a]); 1.02 adjusted for age, LDL and HOMA (all p < 0.05). In women with MS these relationships were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Lp (a) gives additional information in the risk assessment for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, especially in menopausal women without MS.