The impact of COVID-19 on myocardial infarctions, strokes and out-of-hospital cardiopulmonary arrests: an observational retrospective study on time-sensitive disorders in the Friuli Venezia Giulia region (Italy).

The COVID-19 global pandemic has changed considerably the way time-sensitive disorders are treated. Home isolation, people's fear of contracting the virus and hospital reorganisation have led to a significant decrease in contacts between citizens and the healthcare system, with an expected decrease in calls to the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) of the Friuli-Venezia Giulia (FVG) region. However, mortality in clinical emergencies like acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), stroke and out-of-hospital cardiopulmonary arrest (OHCA) remained high. An observational retrospective cross-sectional study was carried out in FVG, taking into account the period between March 1, 2020, and May 31, 2020, the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, and comparing it with the same period in 2019. The flow of calls to the EMS was analysed and COVID-19 impact on time-sensitive disorders (STEMIs, ischemic strokes and OHCPAs) was measured in terms of hospitalisation, treatment and mortality. Despite a -8.01% decrease (p value ˂0.001) in emergency response, a 10.89% increase in calls to the EMS was observed. A lower number of advanced cardiopulmonary resuscitations (CPR) (75.8 vs 45.2%, p=0.000021 in April) and ROSC (39.1 vs 11.6%, p=0.0001 in April) was remarked, and survival rate dropped from 8.5 to 5%. There were less strokes (-27.5%, p value=0.002) despite a more severe onset of symptoms at hospitalisation with NHISS˃10 in 38.47% of cases. Acute myocardial infarctions decreased as well (-20%, p value=0.05), but statistical significances were not determined in the variables considered and in mortality. Despite a lower number of emergency responses, the number of calls to the EMS was considerably higher. The number of cardiac arrests treated with advanced CPR (ALS) was lower, but mortality was higher. The number of strokes decreased as well, but at the time of hospitalisation the clinical picture of the patient was more severe, thus affecting the outcome when the patient was discharged. Finally, STEMI patients decreased; however, no critical issues were observed in the variables taken into account, neither in terms of response times nor in terms of treatment times.

Bicuspid aortic valve disease and ascending aortic aneurysm: should an aortic root replacement be mandatory?†.

OBJECTIVES: The higher risk of adverse aortic events in patients with bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) disease and ascending aorta aneurysm is known, but the management of moderate aortic root dilatation in younger patients is a controversial issue. The aim of the study was to compare survival in patients with or without root replacement. METHODS: We reviewed 166 consecutive patients with BAV disease and concomitant ascending aorta aneurysm (mean ascending aorta diameter: 51.4 ± 7.2 mm) undergoing cardiac surgery from 1994 to 2010. A total of 77 patients underwent Bentall procedure (90.9% male, mean age: 55.7 ± 12.7 years, Bentall group), whereas the remaining 89 patients underwent aortic valve replacement with supracoronary ascending aorta replacement (SAAR 71.9% male, mean age: 60.5 ± 11.2 years, SAAR group, P = 0.002). The preoperative mean diameter of the root was 44.0 ± 7.2 mm in the Bentall, and 38.5 ± 4.8 mm in the SAAR group (P < 0.0001). RESULTS: In-hospital mortality was 2.6% in the Bentall, and 2.3% in the SAAR groups. Overall survival was 84 and 81% in the Bentall (median follow-up: 105 months) versus 89 and 88% in the SAAR (median follow-up: 73 months) groups at 10 and 15 years (P = 0.36), respectively. The mean cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time was 201 ± 56 min and 174 ± 58 min (P = 0.0016), the mean cross-clamp time 156 ± 42 min and 132 ± 38 min (P = 0.0008) in the Bentall and SAAR groups, respectively. Four sudden deaths have occurred in the Bentall group and in 2 in the SAAR group. Progressive dilatation of the aortic root in the SAAR group was not significat (postoperative mean diameter: 36.3 ± 4.4 mm). Neither subgroup of patients in the SAAR with preoperative moderate dilatation of aortic root had significat aortic dilatation at the mean follow-up of 73 ± 39 months (preoperative diameter: 43.5 ± 2.3 mm versus postoperative: 39.1 ± 4.2 mm). One patient in Bentall and 1 in the SAAR groups were reoperated for tubular graft infection. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with BAV disease, ascending aorta aneurysm and moderate dilatation of the root, the significat reduction of CPB and cross-clamp times, the stability of the residual root at long term and the low risk of adverse aortic events associated with SAAR compared with the Bentall procedure have led us to consider the isolated aortic valve replacement with supracoronary aorta replacement an alternative strategy to the Bentall procedure, especially in high-risk and older patients.

[Sudden cardiac death in patients with left ventricular dysfunction from ischemic heart disease: role of the implantable defibrillator. Evidence, guidelines and good clinical judgment]. / Morte cardiaca improvvisa nella disfunzione ventricolare da cardiopatia ischemica: il ruolo del defibrillatore impiantabile tra evidenze, linee guida e buon senso clinico.

A number of studies have shown that the implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) is the most effective therapy for the prevention of sudden cardiac death from ventricular arrhythmias in patients with ischemic heart disease and severe left ventricular dysfunction. However, ejection fraction should not be considered the only parameter for the identification of candidates to ICD; this may lead to a "hyper-simplification" of the choices and to often unnecessary or inappropriate implantations. The purpose of this paper was to review the literature data regarding indications for ICD implantation in primary prevention in patients with severe ischemic left ventricular dysfunction by taking into account different clinical settings, in particular the biological age, the comorbidity profile, the temporal length between the ischemic event and ICD implantation, the possible impact of revascularization in reducing the arrhythmic risk.

How can optimization of medical treatment avoid unnecessary implantable cardioverter-defibrillator implantations in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy presenting with "SCD-HeFT criteria?".

To assess the proportion and long-term outcomes of patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy and potential indications for implantable cardioverter-defibrillator before and after optimization of medical treatment, 503 consecutive patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy were evaluated from 1988 to 2006. A total of 245 patients (49%) satisfied the "Sudden Cardiac Death in Heart Failure Trial (SCD-HeFT) criteria," defined as a left ventricular ejection fraction of ≤0.35 and New York Heart Association (NYHA) class II-III on registration. Among these, 162 (group A) were re-evaluated 5.4 ± 2 months later with concurrent ß-blockers and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor use. Of the 162 patients, 50 (31%) still had "SCD-HeFT criteria" (group A1), 109 (67%) had an improved left ventricular ejection fraction and/or New York Heart Association class (group A2), and 3 (2%) were in NYHA class IV. Of the 227 patients without baseline "SCD-HeFT criteria" (left ventricular ejection fraction >0.35 or NYHA class I), 125 were evaluated after 5.5 ± 2 months. Of these 227 patients, 13 (10%) developed "SCD-HeFT criteria" (group B1), 111 (89%) remained without "SCD-HeFT criteria" (group B2), and 1 (1%) had worsened to NYHA class IV. The 10-year mortality/heart transplantation and sudden death/sustained ventricular arrhythmia rate was 57% and 37% in group A1, 23% and 20% in group A2 (p <0.001 for mortality/heart transplantation and p = 0.014 for sudden death/sustained ventricular arrhythmia vs group A1), 45% and 41% in group B1 (p = NS vs group A1), 16% and 14% in group B2 (p = NS vs group A2), respectively. In conclusion, two thirds of patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy and "SCD-HeFT criteria" at presentation did not maintain implantable cardioverter-defibrillator indications 3 to 9 months later with optimal medical therapy. Their long-term outcome was excellent, similar to that observed for patients who had never met the "SCD-HeFT criteria."