Telemedicine monitoring in the follow-up of kidney transplant recipients: consensus indications from an Italian panel of surgeons and nephrologists after the COVID-19 experience.

The quality of follow-up has clearly emerged as a key factor for long-term kidney graft survival. Currently, many clinics are facing difficulties in delivering optimal surveillance because of the increased number and complexity of kidney transplant recipients, and because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Additional ways of performing follow-up visits are needed and telemedicine has emerged as a tool to strengthen patient care intensity. Six Italian transplant surgeons and nephrologists convened via teleconference to develop a consensual model of video visits for the follow-up of kidney transplant recipients. Issues discussed were: profile of eligible patients; assessments that can be carried out; video visit organization and medical professionals involved; supporting tools and implementation. The video visit was consensually recognized as the most relevant for the follow-up of kidney transplant recipients. Eligible patients should have basic electronic devices and the skills to correctly use them and be in clinically stable condition. With the exception of physical and instrumental examination, and kidney biopsy, all other assessments are feasible during a video visit and can be implemented by specific training and use of supporting tools. The video visit model is simple and adaptable to most transplant patients. It is not intended to replace face-to-face examinations, but is an additional tool for improving the intensity of follow-up of kidney transplant recipients, which can be integrated into current monitoring protocols.

Next-Generation Sequencing in Clinical Practice: Is It a Cost-Saving Alternative to a Single-Gene Testing Approach?

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to compare the costs of a next-generation sequencing-based (NGS-based) panel testing strategy to those of a single-gene testing-based (SGT-based) strategy, considering different scenarios of clinical practice evolution. METHODS: Three Italian hospitals were analysed, and four different testing pathways (paths 1, 2, 3, and 4) were identified: two for advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (aNSCLC) patients and two for unresectable metastatic colon-rectal cancer (mCRC) patients. For each path, we explored four scenarios considering the current clinical practice and its expected evolution. The 16 testing cases (4 scenarios × 4 paths) were then compared in terms of differential costs between the NGS-based and SGT-based approaches considering personnel, consumables, equipment, and overhead costs. Break-even and sensitivity analyses were performed. Data gathering, aimed at identifying the hospital setup, was performed through a semi-structured questionnaire administered to the professionals involved in testing activities. RESULTS: The NGS-based strategy was found to be a cost-saving alternative to the SGT-based strategy in 15 of the 16 testing cases. The break-even threshold, the minimum number of patients required to make the NGS-based approach less costly than the SGT-based approach, varied across the testing cases depending on molecular alterations tested, techniques adopted, and specific costs. The analysis found the NGS-based approach to be less costly than the SGT-based approach in nine of the 16 testing cases at any volume of tests performed; in six cases, the NGS-based approach was found to be less costly above a threshold (and in one case, it was found to be always more expensive). Savings obtained using an NGS-based approach ranged from €30 to €1249 per patient; in the unique testing case where NGS was more costly, the additional cost per patient was €25. CONCLUSIONS: An NGS-based approach may be less costly than an SGT-based approach; also, generated savings increase with the number of patients and different molecular alterations tested.

Constrictive Pericarditis with Extensive Calcification and Caseous Necrosis.

Constrictive pericarditis is a disease where loss of pericardial elasticity and restriction of filling of the cardiac chambers occurs. It is most often seen as an associated symptom of heart failure. Pericardiectomy provides effective treatment for patients with symptomatic constrictive pericarditis, although high rates of morbidity and mortality are related to the procedure. We present a case with extensive calcification, massive caseous necrosis and an important impairment of right ventricular function successfully operated in our institution.

Constrictive pericarditis with extensive calcification and caseous necrosis

Abstract Constrictive pericarditis is a disease where loss of pericardial elasticity and restriction of filling of the cardiac chambers occurs. It is most often seen as an associated symptom of heart failure. Pericardiectomy provides effective treatment for patients with symptomatic constrictive pericarditis, although high rates of morbidity and mortality are related to the procedure. We present a case with extensive calcification, massive caseous necrosis and an important impairment of right ventricular function successfully operated in our institution.

Heart Injury with Projectile Lodged Inside the Heart.

Penetrating heart injuries present high mortality rates. Increasing rates of urban violence have contributed to a significant rise in the number of heart injuries by firearm projectiles. Such injuries are associated with the highest mortality rates among penetrating cardiac injuries and may involve one or more cardiac chambers. We present the case of a police officer who, in an approach to five robbers, suffered a transfixed cardiac injury by firearm with the projectile having been lodged inside the right ventricle. This patient was successfully operated, 65 days after the injury, at our institution.

Heart injury with projectile lodged inside the heart

Abstract Penetrating heart injuries present high mortality rates. Increasing rates of urban violence have contributed to a significant rise in the number of heart injuries by firearm projectiles. Such injuries are associated with the highest mortality rates among penetrating cardiac injuries and may involve one or more cardiac chambers. We present the case of a police officer who, in an approach to five robbers, suffered a transfixed cardiac injury by firearm with the projectile having been lodged inside the right ventricle. This patient was successfully operated, 65 days after the injury, at our institution.

Non-neural phenotype of spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy: results from a large cohort of Italian patients.

OBJECTIVE: To carry out a deep characterisation of the main androgen-responsive tissues involved in spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA). METHODS: 73 consecutive Italian patients underwent a full clinical protocol including biochemical and hormonal analyses, genitourinary examination, bone metabolism and densitometry, cardiological evaluation and muscle pathology. RESULTS: Creatine kinase levels were slightly to markedly elevated in almost all cases (68 of the 73; 94%). 30 (41%) patients had fasting glucose above the reference limit, and many patients had total cholesterol (40; 54.7%), low-density lipoproteins cholesterol (29; 39.7%) and triglyceride (35; 48%) levels above the recommended values. Although testosterone, luteinising hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone values were generally normal, in one-third of cases we calculated an increased Androgen Sensitivity Index reflecting the presence of androgen resistance in these patients. According to the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), 7/70 (10%) patients reported severe lower urinal tract symptoms (IPSS score >19), and 21/73 (30%) patients were moderately symptomatic (IPSS score from 8 to 19). In addition, 3 patients were carriers of an indwelling bladder catheter. Videourodynamic evaluation indicated that 4 of the 7 patients reporting severe urinary symptoms had an overt prostate-unrelated bladder outlet obstruction. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scan data were consistent with low bone mass in 25/61 (41%) patients. Low bone mass was more frequent at the femoral than at the lumbar level. Skeletal muscle biopsy was carried out in 20 patients and myogenic changes in addition to the neurogenic atrophy were mostly observed. CONCLUSIONS: Our study provides evidence of a wide non-neural clinical phenotype in SBMA, suggesting the need for comprehensive multidisciplinary protocols for these patients.

Patterns of treatment and costs of intermediate and advanced hepatocellular carcinoma management in four Italian centers.

BACKGROUND: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a severe health condition associated with high hospitalizations and mortality rates, which also imposes a relevant economic burden. PURPOSE: The aim of the present survey is to investigate treatment strategies and related costs for HCC in the intermediate and advanced stages of the disease. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The survey was conducted in four Italian centers through structured interviews with physicians. Information regarding the stage of disease, treatments performed, and related health care resource consumption was included in the questionnaire. Direct health care cost per patient associated with the most relevant treatments such as sorafenib, transarterial chemoembolization (TACE), and transarterial radioembolization (TARE) was evaluated. RESULTS: Between 2013 and 2014, 285 patients with HCC were treated in the four participating centers; of these, 80 were in intermediate stage HCC (Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer Classification [BCLC] B), and 57 were in the advanced stage of the disease (BCLC C). In intermediate stage HCC, the most frequent first-line treatment was TACE (63%) followed by sorafenib (15%), radiofrequency ablation (14%), and TARE (1.3%). In the advanced stage of HCC, the most frequently used first-line therapy was sorafenib (56%), followed by best supportive care (21%), TACE (18%), and TARE (3.5%). The total costs of treatment per patient amounted to €12,214.54 with sorafenib, €13,418.49 with TACE, and €26,106.08 with TARE. Both in the intermediate and in the advanced stage of the disease, variability in treatment patterns among centers was observed. CONCLUSION: The present analysis raises for the first time the awareness of the overall costs incurred by the Italian National Healthcare System for different treatments used in intermediate and advanced HCC. Further investigations would be important to better understand the effective health care resource usage.

Long-term sympathoinhibitory effects of surgically induced weight loss in severe obese patients.

Weight loss improves insulin sensitivity and exerts sympathomodulatory effects. No data, however, are available on the effects of the weight loss induced by vertical sleeve gastrectomy on sympathetic neural drive, insulin sensitivity, and their reciprocal cross talks. In 10 severe obese hypertensives (age, 54.0±2.3 years [mean±SEM]), we measured sphygmomanometric blood pressure, heart rate, body mass index, homeostatic model assessment index, plasma leptin, muscle sympathetic nerve traffic (microneurography), and baroreflex sensitivity (vasoactive drug technique). Measurements were performed 2 to 3 days before surgery and repeated 6 and 12 months after the procedure. Ten matched hypertensive obeses not undergoing gastrectomy served as controls. Six months after bariatric surgery, a significant (P<0.05) reduction in body mass index (-9.1±1.4 kg/m(2)), sphygmomanometric systolic blood pressure (-10.2±4.5 mm Hg), heart rate (-11.0±2.4 bpm), homeostatic model assessment index (-3-3±1.3 AU), plasma leptin (-53.6±8.8 µg/L), and muscle sympathetic nerve traffic (-15.0±3.4 bursts/100 heart beats) was observed. The weight loss, the plasma leptin reduction, and the sympathetic inhibition were maintained after 12 months, whereas homeostatic model assessment index showed a tendency to return toward presurgery values. A significant improvement in baroreflex control of sympathetic nerve traffic was observed both 6 (+32.1%; P<0.05) and 12 months (+60.7%; P<0.01) after gastrectomy. No significant changes in the above-mentioned variables were detected in the control group. These data provide evidence that massive weight loss induced by sleeve gastrectomy triggers profound sympathoinhibitory effects, associated with a stable and significant reduction in plasma leptin levels, whereas the improvement in insulin sensitivity was attenuated with time and unrelated to the sympathoinhibition.

Geli Putty®: a new alternative on sternal hemostasis in cardiac surgery.

We present a gelatin that fills the medullary of sternum providing effective hemostasis plus protection for each sternal end.

TDP-43 in skeletal muscle of patients affected with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

TAR DNA binding protein (TDP-43) is the pathologic substrate of neuronal and glial aggregates in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Pathologic TDP-43 is hyperphosphorylated and cleaved to generate abnormal protein species that accumulate in the cytoplasm. To assess the hypothesis of TDP-43 pathology as a systemic disorder in ALS we analysed the immunohistochemical and biochemical profile of TDP-43 in muscle biopsies of 30 ALS patients and 30 controls. In all ALS muscle biopsies we observed that TDP-43 was constantly present in an intranuclear localization and TDP-43 Western blotting showed only a 43-KDa band as controls. Our results suggest that TDP-43 pathology is probably confined to the central nervous system in ALS.

Muscle histopathology in upper motor neuron-dominant amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

The distinction between primary lateral sclerosis (PLS) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) still remains debated. Recently, PLS patients displaying lower motor neuron (LMN) signs have been defined as 'upper motor neuron (UMN)-dominant ALS', using 'clinically pure PLS' diagnosis to those with no LMN signs. To further characterize the LMN involvement in UMN-dominant ALS we investigated the presence and the extent of neurogenic abnormalities in the skeletal muscle of patients affected with a pyramidal syndrome consistent with UMN-dominant ALS. A total of nine patients affected with UMN-dominant ALS were analysed. In all cases, muscle biopsies showed the presence of scattered or clustered atrophic angulated fibres in small groups, and a mild to moderate fibre type-grouping. Target and targetoid fibres were detected in two cases only. Three patients had a second muscle biopsy which demonstrated a roughly unchanged pattern of chronic denervation with still moderate reinnervation phenomena. This study suggests that in UMN-dominant ALS muscle denervation may be characterized by an early chronic impairment of a restricted number of LMNs. The extent rather than the presence of LMN signs may allow to categorize patients with motor neuron disease involving mainly UMN into distinct entities.

Disfunção endotelial após isquemia global e reperfusão em cirurgia cardíaca com circulação extracorpórea: estudo do papel do magnésio em artérias coronarianas caninas / Ischemia followed by reperfusion often occur in cardiac surgery with extracorporal circulation: study of the paper of magnesium in canine coronary arteries

OBJETIVO: Estudar a disfunção endotelial conseqüente à lesão provocada por isquemia global seguida de reperfusão e a potencial influência protetora do magnésio sobre a integridade funcional do endotélio em coronárias isoladas de cães. MÉTODO: Segmentos de artérias coronárias caninas foram suspensos em banhos orgânicos para medida de força isométrica. A disfunção endotelial foi avaliada pela capacidade destes segmentos produzirem óxido nítrico, alterando a força isométrica inicial. Foram selecionados quatro grupos com seis cães em cada um: SEM CEC (controle), CEC (110 minutos de perfusão sem isquemia), ISQ (45 minutos de isquemia), ISQ/REP (45 minutos de isquemia seguidos de 60 minutos de reperfusão). A ação do magnésio foi avaliada em três fases: I (banho orgânico com magnésio), II (banho orgânico sem magnésio) e III (banho orgânico com magnésio restaurado). Foram utilizados três agonistas farmacológicos que representam os principais passos da via de produção do óxido nítrico: receptor de membrana da célula endotelial - acetilcolina (ACh); transdução do sinal entre o receptor e os processos intracelulares através da G-proteína - fluoreto de sódio (NaF); liberação dos estoques intracelulares de cálcio - cálcio ionóforo (A23187). Ao estudo da função endotelial associou-se a avaliação da atividade da musculatura lisa dependente de GMPc - nitroprussiato de sódio (NPS). RESULTADOS: Os principais achados desta investigação foram: 1) a presença de magnésio no perfusato pareceu atenuar a disfunção endotelial causada por isquemia global seguida de reperfusão; 2) a presença de magnésio no banho orgânico (fase I) associou-se a maior relaxamento em resposta aos agonistas da produção de óxido nítrico; 3) a remoção de magnésio do banho orgânico (fase II) esteve associada à redução na intensidade do relaxamento em resposta aos agonistas da produção de óxido nítrico; 4) a restauração de magnésio ao banho orgânico (fase III) permitiu recuperação do relaxamento observado na fase I, apenas em resposta à estimulação direta das G-proteínas. Para os demais agonistas a restauração esteve associada à redução adicional na intensidade do relaxamento; 5) a musculatura lisa recebeu influência da concentração de magnésio no banho orgânico. CONCLUSÃO: O magnésio influencia favoravelmente na produção de óxido nítrico pelo endotélio coronariano, atenuando a disfunção endotelial causada por isquemia global seguida de reperfusão

Plastica mitral com anel maleável de pericárdio bovino / Mitral valve repair with a malleable bovine pericardium ring

OBJECTIVE: To describe a surgical procedure utilizing a malleable bovine pericardium ring in mitral valve repair and clinical and echodopplercadiographic results. METHODS: Thirty-two (25 female and 7 male) patients, aged between 9 and 66 (M=36.4 + or - 17.2) years, were studied over a 16-month period, with 100 percent follow-up. In 23 (72 percent) of the patients, the mitral approach was the only one applied; 9 patients underwent associated operations. The technique applied consisted of measuring the perimeter of the anterior leaflet and implanting, according to this measurement, a flexible bovine pericardium prosthesis for reinforcement and conformation of the posterior mitral annulus, reducing it to the perimeter of the anterior leaflet with adjustment of the valve apparatus. RESULTS: The patient survival ratio was 93.8 percent, with 2 (6.2 percent) fatal outcomes, one from unknown causes, the other due to left ventricular failure. Only one reoperation was performed. On echodopplercardiography, 88 percent of the patients had functional recovery of the mitral valve (50 percent without and 38 percent with mild insufficiency and no hemodynamic repercussions). Of four (12 percent) of the remaining patients, 6 percent had moderate and 6 percent had seigre insufficiency. Twenty-eight percent of class II patients and 72 percent of class III patients passed into classes I (65 percent), II (32 percent), and III (3 percent), according to NYHA classification criteria. CONCLUSION: Being flexible, the bovine pericardium ring fit perfectly into the valve annulus, taking into account its geometry and contractility. Valve repair was shown to be reproducible, demonstrating significant advantages during patient evolution, which did not require anticoagulation measures

Tratamento cirúrgico das valvopatias: parte 3 / Surgical treatment of valvulopathies: part 3

Este trabalho, subdividido em três partes, apresentou breve histórico da cirurgia cardíaca, com ênfase a cirurgia valvar e substitutos valvulares, empregados com sucesso na década de 60, inicialmente com próteses mecânicas, seguidas pelas heterólogas após a introduçao do glutaraldeído para preservaçao dos tecidos biológicos. As indicaçoes básicas para operar lesoes valvares consistem em alívio dos sintomas, prevençao das complicaçoes e da mortalidade. Foram descritos, também, na primeira parte da publicaçao, aspectos da indicaçao cirúrgica, com ênfase em estenose e insuficiência das valvas mitral, aórtica, tricúspide e pulmonar, endocardite infecciosa ativa e da conduta pré-operatória, além da caracterizaçao das diferentes próteses valvulares cardíacas mecânicas e biológicas existentes no mercado e suas complicaçoes mais freqüentes. O tratamento cirúrgico das valvopatias, incluindo técnica operatória para troca de valvas mitral, aórtica, tricúspide e pulmonar, condutas anestésica e pós-operatória e reoperaçoes foram abordados na segunda parte da publicaçao. O trabalho foi concluído considerando as situaçoes especiais, como tratamento cirúrgico na endocardite em valvas mitral, tricúspide e aórtica, cuja incidência é maior que na mitral e a causa mais comum de insuficiência aórtica aguda. O desenvolvimento da endocardite tem fisiopatologia diferente quando comparado às próteses e valvas naturais, com morbi-mortalidade maior que a observada nas valvas nativas. Existem fatores que aumentam o risco de endocardite em valva nativa, raça negra, próteses mecânicas, sexo masculino e longo tempo de circulaçao extracorpórea. A interaçao clínico-cirúrgica parece influenciar de forma decisiva na obtençao de melhores resultados para essa lesao. Finalmente, foi registrada a nossa experiência com próteses biológicas em posiçao mitral e aórtica com 11 e 1O anos de seguimento, respectivamente. O índice de sobrevida na troca mitral foi semelhante entre jovens e adultos (74 por cento) para mitral e 67 por cento para aórtica. As complicaçoes tardias fatais relacionadas à bioprótese na posiçao mitral foram rotura, endocardite, vazamento paravalvular, tromboembolismo e, principalmente, calcificaçao, com freqüência de 1,0 evento por cento/paciente-ano, com 95 por cento dos pacientes livres dessas complicaçoes. Na posiçao aórtica, destacaram-se tromboembolismo e, principalmente, endocardite, totalizando 1,6 eventos por cento/paciente-ano, com 92,6 por cento dos pacientes livres dessas complicaçoes. As complicaçoes tardias nao fatais apresentaram-se com freqüências de 2,9 (mitral) e 1,1 eventos por cento/paciente-ano (aórtica), com destaque para endocardite e calcificaçao para mitral e endocardite e acidente vascular cerebral para aórtica, com 55,2 por cento (mitral) e 85,7 por cento (aórtica)dos pacientes livres dessas complicaçoes. Pela alta incidência ...

Tratamento cirúrgico das valvopatias: parte 2 / Surgical treatment of valvulopathies: part 2

Esta segunda parte abordará técnica operatória, conduta pós-operatória e reoperaçoes de pacientes com valvopatias. Em Técnica Operatória sao descritos os procedimentos de anestesia, a abordagem cirúrgica, que inclui a instalaçao da circulaçao extracorpórea, e as cirurgias das valvas mitral, aórtica, tricúspide e pulmonar. Em Conduta Pós-Operatória é relatada a rotina na Unidade de Terapia Intensiva, e em Reoperaçoes é abordada a técnica cirúrgica.

Tratamento cirúrgico das valvopatias: parte 1 / Surgical treatment of valvopathies: part 1

Este assunto, de amplo aspecto, será abordado em três partes. O presente trabalho trata-se do histórico, indicaçao cirúrgica, conduta pré-operatória e próteses valvulares cardíacas. Os demais capitulos discutirao sobre técnica operatória, reoperaçoes e situaçoes especiais, como o tratamento cirúrgico na endocardite e experiências com válvula de pericárdio bovino.

Estudo critico das proteses valvares / Critical evaluation of valvar prosthesis

Nesta revisao, os autores avaliam as varias proteses cardiacas utilizadas em pacientes que requerem trocas valvares, discutindo as vantagens, desvantagens e a experiencia clinica atual com os principais tipos