Italian Association of Hospital Cardiologists Position Paper 'Gender discrepancy: time to implement gender-based clinical management'.

It has been well assessed that women have been widely under-represented in cardiovascular clinical trials. Moreover, a significant discrepancy in pharmacological and interventional strategies has been reported. Therefore, poor outcomes and more significant mortality have been shown in many diseases. Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic differences in drug metabolism have also been described so that effectiveness could be different according to sex. However, awareness about the gender gap remains too scarce. Consequently, gender-specific guidelines are lacking, and the need for a sex-specific approach has become more evident in the last few years. This paper aims to evaluate different therapeutic approaches to managing the most common women's diseases.

Sex differences in patients presenting with acute coronary syndrome: a state-of-the-art review.

Cardiovascular conditions in the spectrum of acute coronary syndromes are characterized by sex differences with regard to pathophysiology, risk factors, clinical presentation, invasive and pharmacologic treatment, and outcomes. This review delves into these differences, including specific subsets like myocardial infarction with non-obstructed coronary arteries or Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection, and alternative diagnoses like Takotsubo cardiomyopathy or myocarditis. Moreover, practical considerations are enclosed, on how a sex-specific approach should be integrated in clinical practice: in fact, personal history should focus on female-specific risk factors, and hormonal status and hormonal therapy should be assessed. Moreover, physical and psychological stressors should be investigated, particularly in the event of Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection or Takotsubo cardiomyopathy.

[Gender discrepancy: time to implement gender-based clinical management]. / Position paper ANMCO: Differenze di genere nell'approccio farmacologico cardiovascolare.

It is well established that gender strongly influences cardiovascular risk factors, playing a crucial role in cardiovascular prevention, clinical pathways, diagnostic approach and treatment. Beyond the sex, which is a biological factor, gender entails a socio-cultural condition that impacts access and quality of care due to structural and institutional barriers. However, despite its great importance, this issue has not been adequately covered. Indeed sex and gender differences scarcely impact the clinical approach, creating a lot of disparities in care and outcomes of patients. Therefore, it becomes essential to increase the awareness of the importance of sex and gender influences on cardiovascular diseases. Moreover, new strategies for reducing disparities should be developed. Importantly, these differences should be taken into account in guideline recommendations. In this regard, it is crucial to include a greater number of women in clinical trials, since they are currently underrepresented. Furthermore, more women should be involved as member of international boards in order to develop recommendations and guidelines with more attention to this important topic.The aim of this ANMCO position paper is to shed light on gender differences concerning many cardiovascular drugs in order to encourage a more personalized therapeutic approach.

[Gender cardiology: focus on clinical and pathophysiological peculiarities in women with long COVID syndrome]. / Cardiologia di genere: il punto su peculiarità cliniche e fisiopatologiche nelle donne nel long COVID.

Long COVID is a clinical syndrome characterized by the persistence or development of symptoms due to COVID-19 at least 12 weeks after initial infection. More than 200 different symptoms have been ascribed to long COVID, the most common being fatigue, shortness of breath, and muscle weakness. Women have a three-fold higher risk of being diagnosed with long COVID, and the symptoms more often described are persistent weakness, chest pain, altered smell and taste, palpitations or muscle pain, as well as neurological, gastrointestinal and rheumatologic symptoms. Long COVID features are influenced by immune function, endothelial dysfunction and sex hormones. Moreover, it leads to systemic dysfunction, so various therapeutic strategies have been explored and still different trials are ongoing, mainly regarding anticoagulation and immuno-modulators. Nowadays the most quoted interventions are focused rehabilitation programs and pharmacological selected treatments in specifical cases. The aim of this review will be focusing the clinical and pathophysiological sex-related peculiarities to understand the different long COVID phenotypes and possibly address a better tailored approach and treatment.

The impact of UEFA Euro 2020 football championship on Takotsubo Syndrome: Results of a multicenter national registry.

Objectives: The UEFA 2020 European Football Championship held in multiple cities across Europe from June 11 to July 11, 2021, was won by Italy, providing an opportunity to examine the relationship between emotional stress and the incidence of acute cardiovascular events (ACE). Methods and results: Cardiovascular hospitalizations in the Cardiac Care Units of 49 hospital networks in Italy were assessed by emergency physicians during the UEFA Euro 2020 Football Championship. We compared the events that occurred during matches involving Italy with events that occurred during the remaining days of the championship as the control period. ACE was assessed in 1,235 patients. ACE during the UEFA Euro 2020 Football Championship semifinal and final, the most stressful matches ended with penalties and victory of the Italian team, were assessed. A significant increase in the incidence of Takotsubo Syndrome (TTS) by a factor of 11.41 (1.6-495.1, P < 0.003), as compared with the control period, was demonstrated during the semifinal and final, whereas no differences were found in the incidence of ACS [IRR 0.93(0.74-1.18), P = 0.57]. No differences in the incidence of ACS [IRR 0.98 (0.87-1.11; P = 0.80)] or TTS [IRR 1.66(0.80-3.4), P = 0.14] were found in the entire period including all matches of the UEFA Euro 2020 compared to the control period. Conclusions: The data of this national registry demonstrated an association between the semifinal and final of UEFA Euro 2020 and TTS suggesting that it can be triggered by also positive emotions such as the victory in the European Football Championship finals.

[ANMCO Position paper: Pulmonary circulation diseases and COVID-19]. / Position paper ANMCO: Malattie del circolo polmonare e COVID-19.

The new coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which is causing hundreds of thousands of deaths worldwide, is complex and can present with a multi-organ localization. One of its worst complications is an interstitial pneumonia with acute respiratory failure also known as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which requires non-invasive or invasive ventilation. A severe coagulopathy with poor prognosis is found in 5-10% of cases. SARS-CoV-2 is manifesting as a multi-dimensional disease and, recently, unique co-existing pathophysiological and clinical aspects are being defined: (i) an increased immune and inflammatory response with the activation of a cytokine storm and consequent coagulopathy, which promote both venous thromboembolic events and in situ thrombosis localized in small arterioles and pulmonary alveolar capillaries; (ii) a high intrapulmonary shunt, which often accounts for the severity of respiratory failure, due to reduced hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction with pulmonary neo-angiogenetic phenomena. Furthermore, the high incidence of venous thromboembolism in COVID-19 patients admitted to the intensive care unit and the autoptic findings of in situ micro-thrombosis at the pulmonary vascular level, suggest that in this disease coagulopathy, unlike septic disseminated intravascular coagulation, is driven towards a hyper-thrombogenic state, giving rise to a debate (with ongoing studies) about the preventive use of anticoagulant doses of heparin to reduce mortality. The aim of this position paper from the Italian Association of Hospital Cardiologists (ANMCO) is to highlight the main implications that COVID-19 infection has on the pulmonary circulation from a pathophysiological, clinical and management point of view.

[Proposal for a standardized discharge letter after hospital stay for acute pulmonary embolism]. / Proposta di una lettera di dimissione standardizzata dopo ospedalizzazione per embolia polmonare acuta.

Pulmonary embolism represents the third leading cause of cardiovascular mortality in developed countries. It requires, in most cases, hospital treatment and always a structured follow-up program. Therefore, at the time of discharge, the communication and the transfer of information from the specialist to the general practitioner, through the discharge letter, represents a crucial opportunity. The aim is to improve the quality of the transmitted content, including information regarding initial assessment, procedures during hospitalization, residual risks, discharge treatments, therapeutic goals and follow-up plan in accordance with the latest guidelines. The discharge letter after hospitalization for pulmonary embolism must include personalized information, especially regarding the anticoagulant regimen in the specific onset setting. Finally, the follow-up program should be accurately described. A standardized discharge letter template, accompanied by some final notes addressed to the general practitioner and patient, could represent a useful tool to improve the quality and time of transmission of information between health professionals after pulmonary embolism.

Effects of phenobarbital and levetiracetam on PR and QTc intervals in patients with post-stroke seizure.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Sudden unexplained/unexpected death (SUDEP) is related to high mortality in patients with epilepsy. The prolongation of QT interval, involved in cardiac arrhythmia-related SUDEP, may be precipitated by antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). In this study, we evaluated the effects of phenobarbital and levetiracetam on PR-QTc intervals in patients with post-stroke seizures. METHODS: We performed an open-label, parallel group, prospective, multicenter study between June 2009 and December 2013 in patients older than 18 years of age with a clinical diagnosis of post-stroke seizure and treated with phenobarbital or levetiracetam. In order to exclude a role of cerebral post-stroke injury on modulation of PR and QTc intervals, patients with cerebral post-stroke injury and without seizures were also enrolled as controls. RESULTS: Interictal electrocardiography analysis revealed no significant difference in PR interval between patients treated with an AED (n = 49) and control patients (n = 50) (181.25 ± 12.05 vs. 182.4 ± 10.3 ms; p > 0.05). In contrast, a significantly longer QTc interval was recorded in patients treated with an AED compared with control patients (441.2 ± 56.6 vs. 396.8 ± 49.3 ms; p < 0.01). Patients treated with phenobarbital showed a significantly longer QTc interval than patients treated with levetiracetam (460.0 ± 57.2 vs. 421.5 ± 50.1 ms; p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The study reported that in patients with late post-stroke seizures, phenobarbital prolonged QTc interval more so than levetiracetam.

[Isolated congenital coronary fistula in adult population: discussion a clinical case and review of current literature]. / Fistola coronarica congenita isolata in età adulta: descrizione di un caso e revisione della letteratura.

We describe a case of a 56 year-old man with a history of chest pain. No evidence of myocardial ischemia or arrhytmias was observed. Echocardiographic examination in Emergency Department evidenced aortic root dilatation. Angio CT excluded aortic dissection. Trans esophageous Echocardiography (TEE) correctly identified an arterial fistula between the right coronary artery and superior vena cava, confirmed by angio CT 3-D reconstruction and coronarography. The definitive diagnosis was made after integrated approach (using TTE, TEE, CT, coronarography). The anatomic features of the fistula and the aortic root were examinated. Actually the patient is being followed with serial clinical and echocardiography examination for monitoring hemodynamic overload by fistula and size of aortic root for potential surgical correction. Current literature for incidence, diagnosis and the treatment of coronary fistulas is discussed.

[Left ventricular geometric patterns and cardiac function in patients with chronic renal failure undergoing hemodialysis]. / Pattern geometrici e funzione cardiaca in soggetti con insufficienza renale cronica in fase dialitica.

UNLABELLED: The aim of this study was to estimate the impact and prevalence of left ventricular geometric alterations and systolic and diastolic dysfunction in hemodialysis patients, as well as the relationship with cardiac troponin as a marker of myocardial damage. METHODS: 31 patients (pts), 19 males and 12 females, age 58.1+/-16.4 (26 on hemodialysis, 5 on peritoneal dialysis) and 31 healthy normal controls were enrolled. Echocardiography measurements were carried out according to the American Society of Echocardiography recommendations. Left ventricular mass was calculated, according to the Devereux formula and indexed to height and weight 2.7. Doppler echocardiography was performed to study diastolic function by measurements of isovolumetric relaxation period (IVRT), E wave deceleretion time (DTE) and E/A ratio. Cardiac troponin was measured by a third generation electro-chemiluminescence immunoassay. Statistical analysis was performed using the t-test for between-group comparisons and the Pearson and Spearman's tests to investigate correlations; p values of <0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Eccentric hypertrophy was the most frequent pattern (n=17; 55%), followed by normal cardiac geometry (n=7; 23%), and concentric hypertrophy (n=5; 16%). Only 6% of pts (n=2) showed concentric remodelling. Systolic dysfunction was present in terms of endocardial parameters in 3 pts (9%) (fractional shortening <25%, EF<50%), but in terms of midwall myocardial shortening in 51% (n=16). Diastolic dysfunction was present in 87% (n=27) with a pattern of impaired relaxation (in 5 without left ventricular hypertrophy). E/A was negatively correlated with age (r=-0.41, p=0.02); DTE was positively correlated with posterior wall thickness (r=0.36, p=0.05) and interventricular septum thickness (r=0.45, p=0.01); cardiac troponin was positively correlated with age (r=0.50, p=0.00), left ventricular mass (r=0.41, p=0.02), posterior wall thickness (r=0.41; p=0.02) and interventricular septum thickness (r=0.39, p=0.03) but not with diastolic dysfunction parameters. No significant difference was found in terms of duration of dialysis between patients with normal left ventricular geometry and those with left ventricular hypertrophy, but a significant difference in age was found (p=0.03). Pts with diastolic dysfunction had more frequent hypotensive episodes during dialysis (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: Impaired geometry and cardiac function is frequently observed in pts undergoing hemodialysis. Diastolic dysfunction is associated to a geometric pattern of left ventricular hypertrophy, although it can be an isolated initial manifestation of myocardial damage. Depressed midwall myocardial shortening can discriminate left ventricular dysfunction better than traditional endocardial systolic indexes.

[Prevalence of structural abnormalities of the atrial septum and their association with recent ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack: echocardiographic evaluation in 18631 patients]. / Prevalenza di anomalie del setto interatriale e loro associazione con recenti episodi di stroke/attacco ischemico transitorio: valutazione ecocardiografica in 18631 pazienti.

BACKGROUND: Ischemic stroke is one of the most frequent causes of morbidity and mortality in industrialized countries. In more than 40% of cases the cause of the ischemic event is not recognized, especially in young patients in whom, moreover, the presence of a structural abnormality of atrial septal aneurysm (ASA) and patent foramen ovale (PFO) is more frequently reported. The prevalence of this two minor atrial septal defects is strongly related to the study population (unselected patients and patients with recent ischemic stroke/transient ischemic attack-TIA) and to the diagnostic tool employed (transthoracic echocardiography--TTE or transesophageal echocardiography--TEE). METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated the prevalence of ASA in 16,836 patients who underwent TTE from January 1, 1994 to June 30, 2002. During this time period we also evaluated the prevalence of ASA, PFO and their association in 1795 patients in whom a TEE was performed. The patients who underwent TEE were divided into two groups: group A included 430 patients with recent stroke/TIA or suspect cardioembolic event, and group B included 1365 patients as controls. RESULTS: An ASA was detected in 1.6% of the whole study population; 0.7% of the patients underwent TTE and 10.2% of the patients underwent TEE. In group A the prevalence of ASA was 24%, in group B 4.7% (p < 0.001). A PFO was identified in 9.9% of patients in whom a TEE was performed; the rate was 24% in group A and 5.3% in group B (p < 0.001). In a subgroup of 65 patients, < 60 years (mean age 45 +/- 8 years), with cryptogenic or unexplained stroke/TIA a TEE examination identified the presence of ASA, PFO and their association in a rate of 20, 15 and 34%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our data show, in a large study population, a prevalence of ASA and PFO not negligible. The association of this two atrial septal abnormalities in patients with stroke/TIA, especially those classified as cryptogenic, suggests to study in depth these minor atrial septal defects and in particular: 1) to standardize ASA definition; 2) to identify the etiopathogenetic mechanisms leading to embolic events; 3) to define the best pharmacological treatment.