Long-term clinical outcomes of patients with drug-induced type 1 Brugada electrocardiographic pattern: A nationwide cohort registry study.

BACKGROUND: There are limited real-world data on the extended prognosis of patients with drug-induced type 1 Brugada electrocardiogram (ECG). OBJECTIVE: We assessed the clinical outcomes and predictors of life-threatening arrhythmias in patients with drug-induced type 1 Brugada ECG. METHODS: This multicenter retrospective study, conducted at 21 Italian and Swiss hospitals from July 1997 to May 2021, included consecutive patients with drug-induced type 1 ECG. The primary outcome, a composite of appropriate ICD therapies and sudden cardiac death, was assessed along with the clinical predictors of these events. RESULTS: A total of 606 patients (mean age 49.7 ± 14.7 years; 423 [69.8%] men) were followed for a median of 60.3 months (interquartile range 23.0-122.4 months). Nineteen patients (3.1%) experienced life-threatening arrhythmias, with a median annual event rate of 0.5% over 5 years and 0.25% over 10 years. The SCN5A mutation was the only predictor of the primary outcome (hazard ratio 4.54; P = .002), whereas a trend was observed for unexplained syncope (hazard ratio 3.85; P = .05). In patients who were asymptomatic at presentation, the median annual rate of life-threatening arrhythmias is 0.24% over 5 years and increases to 1.2% if they have inducible ventricular fibrillation during programmed ventricular stimulation. CONCLUSION: In patients with drug-induced type 1 Brugada ECG, the annual risk of life-threatening arrhythmias is low, with the SCN5A mutation as the only independent predictor. Unexplained syncope correlated with worse clinical outcomes. Ventricular fibrillation inducibility at programmed ventricular stimulation significantly increases the median annual rate of life-threatening arrhythmias from 0.24% to 1.2% over 5 years.

Oral Anticoagulation for Atrial Fibrillation in Octogenarians Across the Renal Function Spectrum.

PURPOSE: Our study aimed to describe the efficacy and safety of oral anticoagulation (OAC) use in octogenarians with atrial fibrillation (AF) across the spectrum of renal function. METHODS: Data for this study were sourced from AF Research Database (NCT03760874). AF patients aged ≥ 80 who received OAC treatment, both direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) and vitamin K antagonist (VKA) were selected. Participants were categorized in 2 groups according to creatinine clearance (CrCl) ≥ 45 and < 45 ml/min/1.73 m2. The primary safety outcome was the occurrence major bleeding. The primary effectiveness outcome was the occurrence of thromboembolic events. RESULTS: A total of 901 AF patients (median age 84 [4.9] years; 44% men) with age ≥ 80 years on treatment with DOACs (n: 629, 70%) and VKA (n: 272, 30%) were included in the study. 303 patients (34%) had CrCl < 45 ml/min/1.73m2 and 598 (66%) had CrCl ≥ 45 ml/min/1.73m2. No significant differences were shown in major bleedings, minor bleedings and thromboembolic events between patients on DOACs vs VKAs, both in the group with CrCl ≥ 45 than < 45 ml/min. In the group with CrCl < 45 ml/min/1.73 m2, a total of 72 patients (23%) died during the follow-up, with higher mortality in VKA group compared to DOACs (45% vs 15%; p < 0.001). At multivariate regression analysis, age [OR: 1.15; p = 0.001] and coronary artery disease (CAD) [OR: 1.74; p = 0.04] were independently associated with mortality; in contrast, the use of DOACs were inversely associated with mortality [OR = 0.26; p < 0.001]. In patients with CrCl ≥ 45 ml/min/1.73 m2, DOACs group experienced less intra-cranial hemorrhage (ICH) (0.2% vs 2.8%; p = 0.01) compared to VKAs. VKAs patients showed higher mortality compared to those on DOACs (29.1% vs 7.9%; p < 0.001). At multivariate regression analysis, chronic heart failure [OR = 2.14; p = 0.01] was independently associated with death, whereas male gender [OR: 0.45; p = 0.009] and the use of DOACs [OR: 0.29; p < 0.001] were associated with lower mortality. CONCLUSION: DOACs seem to be safe and effective in octogenarians with chronic kidney disease at stage ≥ G3b. As compared with VKA administration, the use of DOACs was associated with lower mortality rates among AF octogenarians with renal dysfunction.

Remdesivir treatment and clinical outcome in non-severe hospitalized COVID-19 patients: a propensity score matching multicenter Italian hospital experience.

INTRODUCTION: Remdesivir exerts positive effects on clinical improvement, even though it seems not to affect mortality among COVID-19 patients; moreover, it was associated with the occurence of marked bradycardia. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 989 consecutive patients with non-severe COVID-19 (SpO2 ≥ 94% on room air) admitted from October 2020 to July 2021 at five Italian hospitals. Propensity score matching allowed to obtain a comparable control group. Primary endpoints were bradycardia onset (heart rate < 50 bpm), acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in need of intubation and mortality. RESULTS: A total of 200 patients (20.2%) received remdesivir, while 789 standard of care (79.8%). In the matched cohorts, severe ARDS in need of intubation was experienced by 70 patients (17.5%), significantly higher in the control group (68% vs. 31%; p < 0.0001). Conversely, bradycardia, experienced by 53 patients (12%), was significantly higher in the remdesivir subgroup (20% vs. 1.1%; p < 0.0001). During follow-up, all-cause mortality was 15% (N = 62), significantly higher in the control group (76% vs. 24%; log-rank p < 0.0001), as shown at the Kaplan-Meier (KM) analysis. KM furthermore showed a significantly higher risk of severe ARDS in need of intubation among controls (log-rank p < 0.001), while an increased risk of bradycardia onset in the remdesivir group (log-rank p < 0.001). Multivariable logistic regression showed a protective role of remdesivir for both ARDS in need of intubation (OR 0.50, 95%CI 0.29-0.85; p = 0.01) and mortality (OR 0.18, 95%CI 0.09-0.39; p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Remdesivir treatment emerged as associated with reduced risk of severe acute respiratory distress syndrome in need of intubation and mortality. Remdesivir-induced bradycardia was not associated with worse outcome.

Drug management of atrial fibrillation in light of guidelines and current evidence: an Italian Survey on behalf of Italian Association of Arrhythmology and Cardiac Pacing.

AIM: Atrial fibrillation is a multifaceted disease requiring personalized treatment, in accordance with current ESC guidelines. Despite a wide range of literature, we still have various aspects dividing the opinion of the experts in rate control, rhythm control and thromboembolic prophylaxis. The aim of this survey was to provide a country-wide picture of current practice regarding atrial fibrillation pharmacological management according to a patient's characteristics. METHODS: Data were collected using an in-person survey that was administered to members of the Italian Association of Arrhythmology and Cardiac Pacing. RESULTS: We collected data from 106 physicians, working in 72 Italian hospitals from 15 of 21 regions. Our work evidenced a high inhomogeneity in atrial fibrillation management regarding rhythm control, rate control and thromboembolic prophylaxis in both acute and chronic patients. This element was more pronounced in settings in which literature shows a lack of evidence and, consequently, the indications provided by the guidelines are weak or absent. CONCLUSION: This National survey evidenced a high inhomogeneity in current approaches adopted for atrial fibrillation management by a sample of Italian cardiologist experts in arrhythmia management. Further studies are needed to explore if these divergences are associated with different long-term outcomes.

Dual Pathway Inhibition with Rivaroxaban and Aspirin Reduces Inflammatory Biomarkers in Atherosclerosis.

ABSTRACT: Dual pathway inhibition (DPI) with low-dose rivaroxaban and aspirin in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and/or peripheral artery disease (PAD) reduces the occurrence of cardiovascular (CV) events; however, the underlying mechanisms explaining these latter CV benefits are not clearly understood. Our explorative observational study aimed to evaluate the effect of dual pathway inhibition on plasma inflammation and coagulation markers among real-world patients with CAD and/or PAD. We prospectively included all consecutive patients with an established diagnosis of CAD and/or PAD treated with aspirin 100 mg once daily (OD) and rivaroxaban 2.5 mg twice daily (TD). Clinical evaluation and laboratory analyses, including hemoglobin, renal function (creatinine, urea, and cystatin-C), coagulation markers (INR and aPTT), inflammation markers (IL-6, CRP, lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2, and copeptin), and growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15), were conducted at baseline, before starting treatment, and at 4 and 24 weeks after study drug administration. Fifty-four consecutive patients (mean age 66 ± 7 years; male 83%) who completed the 6-month follow-up were included. At 24-week follow-up, a statistically significant reduction in IL-6 serum levels [4.6 (3.5-6.5) vs. 3.4 (2.4-4.3) pg/mL ; P = 0.0001] and fibrinogen [336 (290-390) vs. 310 (275-364) mg/dL; P = 0.04] was shown; moreover, a significant increase in GDF-15 serum level [1309 (974-1961) vs. 1538 (1286-2913) pg/mL; P = 0.002] was observed. Hemoglobin, renal function, and cardiovascular homeostasis biomarkers remain stable over the time. The anti-Xa activity at both [0.005 (0-0.02) vs. 0.2 (0.1-0.34); P < 0.0001) significantly increased. The dual pathway inhibitions with low-dose rivaroxaban and aspirin in patients with CAD and/or PAD were associated with the reduction of inflammation biomarkers.

Clinical impact of oral anticoagulation among octogenarians with atrial fibrillation and anaemia.

Our study aimed to describe the efficacy and safety of oral anticoagulation (OAC) use in elderly patients (> or = 80 years-old) with atrial fibrillation (AF) and concomitant anaemia. Data for this study were sourced from AF Research Database (NCT03760874). AF patients aged ≥ 80 who received OAC treatment, both direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) and vitamin K antagonist (VKA) were selected. Participants were categorized as anaemic and non-anaemic. The primary outcome was the occurrence of overall bleeding. The primary effectiveness outcome was the occurrence of thromboembolic events (a composite of ischemic stroke, transient ischemic attack and systemic embolism). The secondary safety and effectiveness outcomes were major, minor bleedings and mortality, respectively. A total of 958 patients were included in the study, 120 (12.5%) were anaemic; among them, 93 patients (76.6%) were treated with VKAs and 28 (23.3%) with DOAC. Kaplan-Meier curves for major bleedings showed significant differences between anemic- and non-anemic groups (log-rank p = 0.005). In multivariate analysis, among patients on OAC, anaemia was independently associated with major bleeding (HR 2.36; 95% IC 1.2-4.4; p = 0.006), intracranial hemorrhages (HR 3.81; 95% IC 1.35-10.7; p = 0.01) and minor bleedings (HR 2.40; 95%IC 1.1-5.2; p = 0.02); these associations were not confirmed in the DOACs subgroup. No difference in survival was shown between anaemic- and non-anaemic groups and among anaemic patients, between DOAC and VKAs subgroups. Anaemic octogenarians with AF on OAC therapy showed a significantly increased risk of major bleedings, in particular ICH, and mortality compared to non-anaemic.

Subcutaneous versus transvenous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator among drug-induced type-1 ECG pattern Brugada syndrome: a propensity score matching analysis from IBRYD study.

No real-world data are available about the complications rate in drug-induced type 1 Brugada Syndrome (BrS) patients with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD). Aim of our study is to compare the device-related complications, infections, and inappropriate therapies among drug-induced type 1 BrS patients with transvenous- ICD (TV-ICD) versus subcutaneous-ICD (S-ICD). Data for this study were sourced from the IBRYD (Italian BRugada sYnDrome) registry which includes 619 drug-induced type-1 BrS patients followed at 20 Italian tertiary referral hospitals. For the present analysis, we selected 258 consecutive BrS patients implanted with ICD. 198 patients (76.7%) received a TV-ICD, while 60 a S-ICD (23.4%). And were followed-up for a median time of 84.3 [46.5-147] months. ICD inappropriate therapies were experienced by 16 patients (6.2%). 14 patients (7.1%) in the TVICD group and 2 patients (3.3%) in S-ICD group (log-rank P = 0.64). ICD-related complications occurred in 31 patients (12%); 29 (14.6%) in TV-ICD group and 2 (3.3%) in S-ICD group (log-rank P = 0.41). ICD-related infections occurred in 10 patients (3.88%); 9 (4.5%) in TV-ICD group and 1 (1.8%) in S-ICD group (log-rank P = 0.80). After balancing for potential confounders using the propensity score matching technique, no differences were found in terms of clinical outcomes between the two groups. In a real-world setting of drug-induced type-1 BrS patients with ICD, no significant differences in inappropriate ICD therapies, device-related complications, and infections were shown among S-ICD vs TV-ICD. However, a reduction in lead-related complications was observed in the S-ICD group. In conclusion, our evidence suggests that S-ICD is at least non-inferior to TV-ICD in this population and may also reduce the risk of lead-related complications which can expose the patients to the necessity of lead extractions.

Late Onset Occurrence of Concomitant Myocardial Infarction and Ischemic Stroke in Hospitalized COVID-19 Patient: A Case Report.

We described the case of a 68-year-old COVID-19 patient with hypertension and dyslipidemia who discontinued the cardiovascular medications during hospitalization and experienced a late onset occurrence of concomitant ST-elevation myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke at resolution of SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia.

Clinical Performance of Oral Anticoagulants in Elderly with Atrial Fibrillation and Low Body Weight: Insight into Italian Cohort of PREFER-AF and PREFER-AF Prolongation Registries.

Background: Elderly patients are at high risk of both ischaemic and bleeding events, and the low body weight is considered a risk factor for major bleeding in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients on anticoagulation therapy. The aim of our study was to compare the safety and effectiveness of non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) versus well-controlled vitamin-K antagonists (VKA) therapy among AF patients aged >75 years and with a body weight <60 kg in a prospective registry setting. Methods: Data for this study were sourced from the Italian cohorts of PREFER in AF and PREFER in AF PROLONGATION registries. The occurrence of a composite of stroke, transient ischemic attack and systemic embolism (thromboembolic events) was the primary effectiveness endpoint. The occurrence of major bleeding was the primary safety endpoint. All-cause hospitalizations and all-cause death were the secondary endpoints. The net clinical benefit (NCB) was calculated in order to obtain an integrated assessment of the anti-thromboembolic and pro-haemorrhagic effects of NOACs vs. VKA. Results: Overall, 522 patients were included; 225 were on treatment with NOACs and 317 patients with VKA. The NOAC group more frequently featured a higher BMI and a higher prevalence of history of stroke/TIA and insulin-requiring diabetes; conversely, heart failure and chronic liver disease were less frequent in the NAOC group. In the unmatched study population, 18 patients (3.6% in the NOAC vs. 3.2% in the VKA group, p = 0.79) experienced thromboembolic events; 19 patients (1.78% in the NOAC vs. 4.73% in the VKA group, p = 0.06) experienced major bleeding events; and 68 patients were hospitalized during the follow-up (9.3% vs. 14.8%, p = 0.06). After balancing for potential confounders by using the 1:1 propensity score matching technique, 426 patients (213 on NOAC and 213 on VKA) were selected. We found no significant differences in terms of thromboembolic events (3.76% vs. 4.69%, p = 0.63), major bleeding events (n: 1.88% vs. 4.22%, p = 0.15) and hospitalizations (9.9% vs. 16.9%, p = 0.06) between NOAC vs. VKA matched population. Based on these incidences, we found a positive net clinical benefit (+1.6) of NOACs vs. VKAs. Conclusions: These real-world data suggest the safety and effectiveness of using NOACs in elderly patients with low body weight.

Epicardial Adipose Tissue and Cardiac Arrhythmias: Focus on Atrial Fibrillation.

Atrial Fibrillation (AF) is the most frequent cardiac arrhythmia and its prevalence increases with age. AF is strongly associated with an increased risk of stroke, heart failure and cardiovascular mortality. Among the risk factors associated with AF onset and severity, obesity and inflammation play a prominent role. Numerous recent evidence suggested a role of epicardial adipose tissue (EAT), the visceral fat depot of the heart, in the development of AF. Several potential arrhythmogenic mechanisms have been attributed to EAT, including myocardial inflammation, fibrosis, oxidative stress, and fat infiltration. EAT is a local source of inflammatory mediators which potentially contribute to atrial collagen deposition and fibrosis, the anatomical substrate for AF. Moreover, the close proximity between EAT and myocardium allows the EAT to penetrate and generate atrial myocardium fat infiltrates that can alter atrial electrophysiological properties. These observations support the hypothesis of a strong implication of EAT in structural and electrical atrial remodeling, which underlies AF onset and burden. The measure of EAT, through different imaging methods, such as echocardiography, computed tomography and cardiac magnetic resonance, has been proposed as a useful prognostic tool to predict the presence, severity and recurrence of AF. Furthermore, EAT is increasingly emerging as a promising potential therapeutic target. This review aims to summarize the recent evidence exploring the potential role of EAT in the pathogenesis of AF, the main mechanisms by which EAT can promote structural and electrical atrial remodeling and the potential therapeutic strategies targeting the cardiac visceral fat.

The prognostic role of interatrial block among COVID-19 patients hospitalized in medicine wards.

INTRODUCTION: Some abnormal electrocardiographic findings were independently associated with increased mortality in patients admitted for COVID-19; however, no studies have focussed on the prognosis impact of the interatrial block (IAB) in this clinical setting. The aim of our study was to assess the prevalence and clinical implications of IAB, both partial and advanced, in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. MATERIALS: We retrospectively evaluated 300 consecutive COVID-19 patients (63.22 ± 15.16 years; 70% males) admitted to eight Italian Hospitals from February 2020 to April 2020 who underwent twelve lead electrocardiographic recording at admission. The study population has been dichotomized into two groups according to the evidence of IAB at admission, both partial and advanced. The differences in terms of ARDS in need of intubation, in-hospital mortality and thromboembolic events (a composite of myocardial infarction, stroke and transient ischaemic attack) have been evaluated. RESULTS: The presence of IAB was noticed in 64 patients (21%). In the adjusted logistic regression model, the partial interatrial block was found to be an independent predictor of ARDS in need of intubation (HR: 1.92; p: .04) and in-hospital mortality (HR: 2.65; p: .02); moreover, the advanced interatrial block was an independent predictor of thrombotic events (HR: 7.14; p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Among COVID-19 patients hospitalized in medical wards, the presence of interatrial block is more frequent than in the general population and it might be useful as an early predictor for increased risk of incident thrombotic events, ARDS in need of intubation and in-hospital mortality.

Clinical Outcome of Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients with History of Atrial Fibrillation.

Background and objectives: Pre-existing atrial fibrillation (AF) is a frequent comorbidity in hospitalized patients with COVID-19; however, little is still known about its prognostic role in infected patients. The aim of our study was to evaluate whether the pre-existing AF as comorbidity would contribute to increase the risk for severe forms of COVID-19, worse prognosis, or even higher mortality. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively evaluated all consecutive COVID-19 patients admitted to the emergency department of nine Italian Hospitals from 1 March to 30 April 2020.The prevalence and the type of pre-existing AF have been collected. The correlation between the history and type of AF and the development of severe ARDS and in-hospital mortality has been evaluated. Results: In total, 467 patients (66.88 ± 14.55 years; 63% males) with COVID-19 were included in the present study. The history of AF was noticed in 122 cases (26.1%), of which 12 (2.6%) with paroxysmal, 57 (12.2%) with persistent and 53 (11.3%) with permanent AF. Among our study population, COVID-19 patients with AF history were older compared to those without AF history (71.25 ± 12.39 vs. 65.34 ± 14.95 years; p < 0.001); however, they did not show a statistically significant difference in cardiovascular comorbidities or treatments. Pre-existing AF resulted in being independently associated with an increased risk of developing severe ARDS during the hospitalization; in contrast, it did not increase the risk of in-hospital mortality. Among patients with AF history, no significant differences were detected in severe ARDS and in-hospital mortality between patients with permanent and non-permanent AF history. Conclusions: Pre-existing AF is a frequent among COVID-19 patients admitted to hospital, accounting up to 25% of cases. It is independently associated with an increased risk of severe ARDS in hospitalized COVID-19 patients; in contrast, it did not affect the risk of death. The type of pre-existing AF (permanent or non-permanent) did not impact the clinical outcome.

Inflammation and Cardiovascular Diseases in the Elderly: The Role of Epicardial Adipose Tissue.

Human aging is a complex phenomenon characterized by a wide spectrum of biological changes which impact on behavioral and social aspects. Age-related changes are accompanied by a decline in biological function and increased vulnerability leading to frailty, thereby advanced age is identified among the major risk factors of the main chronic human diseases. Aging is characterized by a state of chronic low-grade inflammation, also referred as inflammaging. It recognizes a multifactorial pathogenesis with a prominent role of the innate immune system activation, resulting in tissue degeneration and contributing to adverse outcomes. It is widely recognized that inflammation plays a central role in the development and progression of numerous chronic and cardiovascular diseases. In particular, low-grade inflammation, through an increased risk of atherosclerosis and insulin resistance, promote cardiovascular diseases in the elderly. Low-grade inflammation is also promoted by visceral adiposity, whose accumulation is paralleled by an increased inflammatory status. Aging is associated to increase in epicardial adipose tissue (EAT), the visceral fat depot of the heart. Structural and functional changes in EAT have been shown to be associated with several heart diseases, including coronary artery disease, aortic stenosis, atrial fibrillation, and heart failure. EAT increase is associated with a greater production and secretion of pro-inflammatory mediators and neuro-hormones, so that thickened EAT can pathologically influence, in a paracrine and vasocrine manner, the structure and function of the heart and is associated to a worse cardiovascular outcome. In this review, we will discuss the evidence underlying the interplay between inflammaging, EAT accumulation and cardiovascular diseases. We will examine and discuss the importance of EAT quantification, its characteristics and changes with age and its clinical implication.

Prevalence and clinical predictors of inappropriate direct oral anticoagulant dosage in octagenarians with atrial fibrillation.

PURPOSE: Older age is associated with inappropriate dose prescription of direct oral anticoagulants. The aim of our study was to describe the prevalence and the clinical predictors of inappropriate DOACs dosage among octogenarians in real-world setting. METHODS: Data for this study were sourced from the multicenter prospectively maintained Atrial Fibrillation (AF) Research Database (NCT03760874). Of the AF patients aged ≥ 80 who received DOACs treatment, 253 patients were selected. Participants were categorized as appropriate dosage, overdosage, or underdosage. Underdosage and overdosage were, respectively, defined as administration of a lower or higher DOAC dose than recommended in the EHRA consensus. RESULTS: A total of 178 patients (71%) received appropriate DOACs dose and 75 patients (29%) inappropriate DOACs dose; among them, 19 patients (25.6%) were overdosed and 56 (74.4%) were underdosed. Subgroup analysis demonstrated that underdosage was independently associated with male gender [OR = 3.15 (95% IC; 1.45-6.83); p < 0.001], coronary artery disease [OR = 3.60 (95% IC 1.45-9.10); p < 0.001] and body mass index [OR = 1.27 (1.14-1.41); p < 0.001]. Overdosage was independently associated with diabetes mellitus [OR = 18 (3.36-96); p < 0.001], with age [OR = 0.76 (95% IC; 0.61-0.96; p = 0.045], BMI [OR = 0.77 (95% IC; 0.62-0.97; p = 0.043] and with previous bleedings [OR = 6.40 (0.7; 1.43-28); p = 0.039]. There wasn't significant difference in thromboembolic, major bleeding events and mortality among different subgroups. Underdosage group showed a significatively lower survival compared with appropriate dose group (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: In our analysis, nearly one-third of octogenarians with AF received an inappropriate dose of DOAC. Several clinical factors were associated with DOACs' overdosage (diabetes mellitus type II, previous bleeding) or underdosage (male gender, coronary artery disease, and higher body mass index). Octogenarians with inappropriate DOACs underdosage showed less survival.

Inferior Vena Cava Edge Tracking Echocardiography: A Promising Tool with Applications in Multiple Clinical Settings.

Ultrasound (US)-based measurements of the inferior vena cava (IVC) diameter are widely used to estimate right atrial pressure (RAP) in a variety of clinical settings. However, the correlation with invasively measured RAP along with the reproducibility of US-based IVC measurements is modest at best. In the present manuscript, we discuss the limitations of the current technique to estimate RAP through IVC US assessment and present a new promising tool developed by our research group, the automated IVC edge-to-edge tracking system, which has the potential to improve RAP assessment by transforming the current categorical classification (low, normal, high RAP) in a continuous and precise RAP estimation technique. Finally, we critically evaluate all the clinical settings in which this new tool could improve current practice.

Chronic Oral Anticoagulation and Clinical Outcome in Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients.

PURPOSE: The clinical course of COVID-19 may be complicated by acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and thromboembolic events, which are associated with high risk of mortality. Although previous studies reported a lower rate of death in patients treated with heparin, the potential benefit of chronic oral anticoagulation therapy (OAT) remains unknown. We aimed to investigate the association between OAT with the risk of ARDS and mortality in hospitalized patients with COVID-19. METHODS: This is a multicenter retrospective Italian study including consecutive patients hospitalized for COVID-19 from March 1 to April 22, 2020, at six Italian hospitals. Patients were divided into two groups according to the chronic assumption of oral anticoagulants. RESULTS: Overall, 427 patients were included; 87 patients (19%) were in the OAT group. Of them, 54 patients (13%) were on treatment with non-vitamin k oral anticoagulants (NOACs) and 33 (8%) with vitamin-K antagonists (VKAs). OAT patients were older and had a higher rate of hypertension, diabetes, and coronary artery disease compared to No-OAT group. The rate of ARDS at admission (26% vs 28%, P=0.834), or developed during the hospitalization (9% vs 10%, P=0.915), was similar between study groups; in-hospital mortality (22% vs 26%, P=0.395) was also comparable. After balancing for potential confounders by using the propensity score matching technique, no differences were found in term of clinical outcome between OAT and No-OAT patients CONCLUSION: Oral anticoagulation therapy, either NOACs or VKAs, did not influence the risk of ARDS or death in patients hospitalized with COVID-19.

CRT implantation after transvenous lead/device extraction (TLE) in a patient with COVID-19: Endocarditis triggered by syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV-2) infection? A case report.

In the era of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the management of cardiac implantable electronic devices infections with concomitant viral infection has not been completely defined yet. In this explorable context, we report the first experience of a Cardiac resynchronization therapy with defibrillator (CRT-D) implantation after transvenous lead extraction for endocarditis in a COVID-19 patient. We describe both the measures and procedures implemented to reduce the cross-infection in the operating room and our clinical practice to improving procedure effectiveness on patient care.

Heparin and SARS-CoV-2: Multiple Pathophysiological Links.

Low molecular weight heparin, enoxaparin, has been one of most used drugs to fight the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Pharmacological properties of heparin recognize its specific ability, as with other oligosaccharides and glycosaminoglycan, to bind several types of viruses during their pass through the extracellular matrix of the respiratory tract, as well as its anticoagulant activity to prevent venous thromboembolism. Antithrombotic actions of enoxaparin have been testified both for inpatients with COVID-19 in regular ward and for inpatients in Intensive Care Units (ICUs). Prophylactic doses seem to be able to prevent venous thromboembolism (VTE) in inpatients in the regular ward, while intermediate or therapeutic doses have been frequently adopted for inpatients with COVID-19 in ICU. On the other hand, although we reported several useful actions of heparin for inpatients with COVID-19, an increased rate of bleeding has been recorded, and it may be related to several conditions such as underlying diseases with increased risks of bleeding, increased doses or prolonged administration of heparin, personal trend to bleed, and so on.