Pulmonary embolism: incidence and outcomes in a twelve-year historical series, in Tuscany - Italy (2010-2021).

Background: Pulmonary embolism poses a global health concern. Administrative databases serve as valuable sources for broad epidemiological studies on the prevalence and incidence of major diagnoses or diseases. The primary scope is to provide up-to-date insights into Pulmonary Embolism incidence trends, examining shifts in management and outcomes. Design: This retrospective observational study examines a 12-year dataset from hospitals in the Tuscany Region, covering the first two years of the Covid-19 pandemic. Methods: Administrative data from residents aged 18 and older discharged from hospital between 2010 and 2021 were used for the analysis. Results: Hospitalized pulmonary embolism incidence slightly declined from 2010 to 2019 (64.7 to 60.9 x 100,000; p=0.152). Males under 75 showed a higher incidence rate, while females had higher incidence rates in older age groups. In-hospital and 30-day mortality decreased from 2010 to 2019 (p=0.001 and 0.020 respectively). In 2020, 30-day mortality increased (12.4% vs 10.1%, p=0.029), while in-hospital mortality remained stable. One-year mortality was stable from 2010-2019 but increased in 2020 (32.6% vs 29.4%, p=0.037). Considering the multivariable model, one-year mortality is significantly associated with sex, age, and comorbidities. Conclusions: Our study shows that Pulmonary Embolism persists as a relevant burden in Tuscany region, but with improvements in management over the past decade and a decisive change in pharmacological treatment. Gender-related differences emerge, highlighting the need for a gender-specific healthcare approach.

Use and misuse of the emergency room by patients with eating disorders in a matched-cohort analysis: What can we learn from it?

We examined the pattern of access to hospital emergency room (hER) in 2018-2021 among patients with eating disorders (ED) from Florence, Italy, diagnosed during 1994-2018, using a matched cohort design. We included 902 ED patients and an equal number of sex-, age-, and residence-matched individuals. We fitted conditional Poisson regression models with robust variance estimator to estimate incidence rate ratios (IRR) and 95% confidence intervals. ED patients accessed hER more than twice as often as matched individuals: the IRR was 2.11 (1.21-3.70), 2.02 (1.36-3.00), and 2.49 (1.71-3.61) among AN, BN, and BED patients. Factors associated with increased hER use were older age (≥40 years; for AN patients, also younger age, <20 years), BMI ≤ 16 kg/m2 (for AN), and psychopathological severity. The rise in access to hER was particularly marked during the early phases of the COVID-19 pandemic and declined only partially thereafter. Acute psychiatric symptoms and non-specific medical conditions represented the main causes of increased access to hER. Use of hER was more often inappropriate among ED patients than matched individuals. Integration of primary and mental health care may be necessary to counteract the high and often inappropriate use of hER by patients with ED.

COVID-19 vaccine literacy: A scoping review.

To address vaccine hesitancy, specific self-rated tools have been developed to assess vaccine literacy (VL) related to COVID-19, including additional variables, such as beliefs, behavior, and willingness to be vaccinated. To explore the recent literature a search was performed selecting articles published between January 2020 and October 2022: 26 papers were identified using these tools in the context of COVID-19. Descriptive analysis showed that the levels of VL observed in the studies were generally in agreement, with functional VL score often lower than the interactive-critical dimension, as if the latter was stimulated by the COVID-19-related infodemic. Factors associated with VL included vaccination status, age, educational level, and, possibly, gender. Effective communication based on VL when promoting vaccination is critical to sustaining immunization against COVID-19 and other communicable diseases. The VL scales developed to date have shown good consistency. However, further research is needed to improve these tools and develop new ones.

Integration of transthoracic focused cardiac ultrasound in the diagnostic algorithm for suspected acute aortic syndromes.

AIMS: The diagnosis of acute aortic syndromes (AASs) is challenging and requires integrated strategies. Transthoracic focused cardiac ultrasound (FoCUS) is endorsed by guidelines as a first-line/triage tool allowing rapid bedside assessment of the aorta. However, the performance of FoCUS in the European Society of Cardiology-recommended workup of AASs awaits validation. METHODS AND RESULTS: This was a prespecified subanalysis of the ADvISED multicentre prospective study. Patients with suspected AAS underwent FoCUS for detection of direct/indirect signs of AAS. Clinical probability assessment was performed with the aortic dissection detection risk score (ADD-RS). Case adjudication was based on advanced imaging, surgery, autopsy, or 14-day follow-up. An AAS was diagnosed in 146 (17.4%) of 839 patients. Presence of direct FoCUS signs had a sensitivity and specificity of 45.2% [95% confidence interval (CI) 37-53.6%] and 97.4% (95% CI 95.9-98.4%), while presence of any FoCUS sign had a sensitivity and specificity of 89% (95% CI 82.8-93.6%) and 74.5% (95% CI 71-77.7%) for AAS. The additive value of FoCUS was most evident within low clinical probability (ADD-RS ≤1). Herein, direct FoCUS signs were identified in 40 (4.8%) patients (P < 0.001), including 29 with AAS. ADD-RS ≤1 plus negative FoCUS for AAS rule-out had a sensitivity of 93.8% (95% CI 88.6-97.1%) and a failure rate of 1.9% (95% CI 0.9-3.6%). Addition of negative D-dimer led to a failure rate of 0% (95% CI 0-1.2%). CONCLUSION: FoCUS has additive value in the workup of AASs. Direct FoCUS signs can rapidly identify patients requiring advanced imaging despite low clinical probability. In integrated bundles, negative FoCUS is useful for rule-out of AASs.

Diagnostic accuracy of lung ultrasonography combined with procalcitonin for the diagnosis of pneumonia: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: The diagnostic value of lung ultrasonography (LUS) and procalcitonin (PCT) in the diagnosis of lung infections is known. No studies evaluated the combination of LUS and PCT for the diagnosis of pneumonia in the emergency department (ED). We evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of the combination of LUS and PCT in the diagnosis of pneumonia. METHODS: Patients with respiratory symptoms of unexplained origin who underwent a chest CT in ED were included in the study if PCT assay was available. LUS was performed before CT and was targeted to the detection of lung consolidations with the morphologic features of pneumonia. A PCT assay was performed at presentation, and cut-off of 0.25 and of 0.5 ng/ml were used to rule-out and rule-in pneumonia. The final diagnosis of pneumonia was established by independent clinicians, on the basis of clinical chart review including CT results. RESULTS: We enrolled 128 patients and pneumonia was the final diagnosis in 61 (47.7%). In 38 patients (29.7%) LUS and PCT were negative (PCT < 0.25 ng/ml). The overall accuracy, sensitivity and negative predictive value of LUS/PCT were 88.8, 96.7 and 94.7% respectively. Sensitivity of the LUS/PCT test was significantly superior to LUS alone (85.2%) and PCT alone (73.8%) (p < 0.05 for both). Specificity and positive predictive value of the combination of positivity of LUS/PCT (PCT > 0.5 ng/ml) were 94% and 83.3% respectively. Specificity of LUS/PCT was not significantly different to LUS alone (88.1%) (p = 0.125). CONCLUSIONS: The sensitivity of the combination of LUS with PCT for the diagnosis of pneumonia was significantly superior when compared with the sensitivity of LUS and PCT alone.

Role of masked coronary heart disease in patients with recent-onset atrial fibrillation and troponin elevations.

BACKGROUND: Patients with recent-onset atrial fibrillation (AF) and cardiac troponin I (cTnI) elevations show poor outcomes. Coronary heart disease might be a cause, consequence, or an innocent bystander. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to recognize and treat coronary heart disease to avoid adverse events. METHODS: Patients with recent-onset AF participated in the study. The exclusion criteria were acute coronary syndrome and severe comorbidities. Patients managed with standard care (group 1, n=1086, years 2010-2011) were compared with patients managed with tailored care inclusive of echocardiography and stress testing when required (group 2, n=1055, years 2012-2013). ENDPOINT: The endpoint was a composite of ischemic vascular events including stroke, acute coronary syndrome, revascularization and cardiovascular death at 6 months of follow-up. RESULTS: Of 4008 patients considered, 2141 were enrolled; 183 showed cTnI elevations, 92 in group 1 and 91 in group 2. cTnI elevations, known ischemic heart disease and age were predictors of the endpoint on multivariate analysis. Overall, two versus seven patients (P=0.033) in groups 1 and 2, respectively, underwent revascularization. Eventually, 16 patients in group 1 versus five patients in group 2 reached the endpoint (P=0.019). Patients of group 2 were managed as follow: 35 were admitted, 15 with positive stress testing and 20 with high cTnI values (mean values: 0.64±1.01 ng/ml). Fifty-six patients were discharged with negative stress testing results (n=13) or very low cTnI values (n=43, mean values 0.29±0.30 ng/ml). CONCLUSION: In patients with AF and cTnI elevations, tailored care inclusive of echocardiography and stress testing succeeded in recognizing and treating masked 'critical' coronary heart disease, avoiding adverse events.

Abnormal troponin level as short-term predictor of poor outcome in acute atrial fibrillation.

BACKGROUND: The link between minor troponin (cardiac troponin I [cTnI]) elevations and atrial fibrillation (AF) is still debated. METHODS: A total of 948 patients with AF lasting less than 48 hours participated in the study and were required to undergo 1-month and 12-month follow-up. The exclusion criteria were represented by younger than 18 years, the presence of hemodynamic instability, or severe comorbidity. Primary end point was the composite of ischemic vascular events inclusive of stroke, acute coronary syndrome, revascularization, and death. RESULTS: In the short term, 4 patients (5%) of 78 with abnormal cTnI reached the primary end point (P = .001 vs others). Conversely, in the long term, 13 patients (17%) with abnormal cTnI, 21 (10%) with known ischemic vascular disease, and 50 (5%) aged patients (75 ± 10 years) reached the primary end point (P < .001, P < .001, and P = .002, respectively). At multivariate analysis, abnormal cTnI (hazard ratio [HR], 2.84; 95% confidence interval, 1.38-5.84; P = .005), known ischemic vascular disease (HR, 2.03; 95% confidence interval, 1.11-3.70; P = .021), and age (HR, 1.05; 95 confidence interval, 1.02-1.08; P = .002) were predictors of the primary end point. Minimal or minor cTnI elevation (<0.45 or ≥ 0.45 ng/mL, respectively) showed no differences when associated with the primary end point. The C-statistic demonstrated the significant prognostic value of older age and known ischemic vascular disease, beyond troponin. Clinical parameters inclusive of heart rate, blood pressure, and risk factors for arteriosclerosis showed no relationship with adverse events. Readmission rate did not differ between groups. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with acute AF, minor cTnI elevations link to short-term adverse events. Known ischemic vascular disease and older age showed prognostic value only in the long term.

Risk scores prognostic implementation in patients with chest pain and nondiagnostic electrocardiograms.

BACKGROUND: Several risk scores are available for prognostic purpose in patients presenting with chest pain. AIM: The aim of this study was to compare Grace, Pursuit, Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI), Goldman, Sanchis, and Florence Prediction Rule (FPR) to exercise electrocardiogram (ECG), decision making, and outcome in the emergency setting. METHODS: Patients with nondiagnostic ECGs and normal troponins and without history of coronary disease underwent exercise ECG. Patients with positive testing underwent coronary angiography; otherwise, they were discharged. End point was the composite of coronary stenosis at angiography or cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, angina, and revascularization at 12-month follow-up. RESULTS: Of 508 patients considered, 320 had no history of coronary disease: 29 were unable to perform exercise testing, and finally, 291 were enrolled. Areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves for Grace, Pursuit, TIMI, Goldman, Sanchis, and FPR were 0.59, 0.68, 0.69, 0.543, 0.66, and 0.74, respectively (P < .05 FPR vs Goldman and Grace). In patients with negative exercise ECG and overall low risk score, only the FPR effectively succeeded in recognizing those who achieved the end point; in patients with high risk score, the additional presence of carotid stenosis and recurrent angina predicted the end point (odds ratio, 12 and 5, respectively). Overall, logistic regression analysis including exercise ECG, coronary risk factors, and risk scores showed that exercise ECG was an independent predictor of coronary events (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: The FPR effectively succeeds in ruling out coronary events in patients categorized with overall low risk score. Exercise ECG, nonetheless being an independent predictor of coronary events could be considered questionable in this subset of patients.

[Carotid and femoral intima-media thickness as an early atherosclerotic marker. Advantages and limits]. / Spessore intima-media carotideo e femorale come marker precoci di aterosclerosi. I vantaggi, i limiti.

The intima-media thickness (IMT) is defined as the distance between the hyperechogenic inner (blood-intima interface) and outer line (media-adventitia interface) of the arterial wall. It is a surrogate marker of atherosclerotic damage. No consensus guidelines are available on which site and how carotid IMT sampling should be performed, and comparison among data from different studies is difficult. IMT is the "phenotype" of the early phases of atherosclerotic disease and is related to the main traditional risk factors. Moreover, IMT is a marker of organ damage either in the heart or in other vascular districts. Although threshold IMT values for the prediction of cardiovascular events have not been identified, high IMT values are associated with an increased occurrence of cardiovascular events. Indeed, an IMT > or = 0.9 mm was demonstrated to be associated with an increased cardiovascular risk even after age adjustment. The value of IMT as an independent risk factor is still under debate, especially in young patients at intermediate risk. Moreover, the IMT regression reported in therapeutic trials with statins and antihypertensive drugs was only weakly or not at all associated with a decrease in cardiovascular events. In comparison to carotid IMT, femoral IMT is more strictly correlated with the severity of coronary artery disease and the need for revascularization in effort angina. The simultaneous measurement of carotid and femoral IMT may improve risk stratification in patients with coronary heart disease. The challenge for the future is to establish an IMT cut-off value for a better definition of the individual cardiovascular risk. Such cut-off value may be derived from the combined measurement of carotid and femoral IMT.