Antibiotic prophylaxis in invasive urodynamics, a Delphi consensus of the Italian Society of Urodynamics (SIUD).

INTRODUCTION: Although antibiotic prophylaxis (AB) demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in bacteriuria after invasive urodynamics (UDS), no significant decrease in the incidence of urinary tract infections (UTI) has been confirmed. No absolute recommendations on the use of AB in case of relevant potential risk of UTI have been reported, though some categories of patients at increased infective probability after UDS have been recognized. The aim of this study is to report the experts' consensus on the best practice for the use of AB before UDS in the main categories of patients at potential risk of developing UTI. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic literature review was performed on AB before UDS in males and females. A panel of experts from the Italian Society of Urodynamics, Continence, Neuro-Urology, and Pelvic Floor (SIUD) assessed the review data and decided by a modified Delphi method on 16 statements proposed and discussed by the panel. The cut-off percentage for the consensus was a ≥70% of positive responses to the survey. The study was a Delphi consensus with experts' opinions, not a clinical trial involving directly patients. RESULTS: The panel group was composed of 57 experts in functional urology and UDS, mainly urologists, likewise gynaecologists, physiatrists, infectivologists, pediatric urologists, and nurses. A positive consensus was achieved on 9/16 (56.25%) of the statements, especially on the need for performing AB before UD in patients with neurogenic bladder and immunosuppression. Urine analysis and urine culture before UDS are mandatory, and in the event of their positivity, UDS should be postponed. A consensus was reached on avoiding AB in menopausal status, diabetes, age, gender, bladder outlet obstruction, high postvoid residual, chronic catheterization, previous urological surgery, lack of urological abnormalities, pelvic organ prolapse, and negative urine analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Antibiotic prophylaxis is not recommended for patients without notable risk factors and with a negative urine test due to the potential morbidities that may result from antibiotic administration. However, AB can be used for risk categories such as neurogenic bladder and immunosuppression. The evaluation of urine analysis and urine culture and postponing UDS in cases of positive tests were considered good practices, as well as performing AB in the neurogenic bladder and immunosuppression.

Acute Hyperglycemia-Induced Injury in Myocardial Infarction.

Acute hyperglycemia is a transient increase in plasma glucose level (PGL) frequently observed in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). The aim of this review is to clarify the molecular mechanisms whereby acute hyperglycemia impacts coronary flow and myocardial perfusion in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and to discuss the consequent clinical and prognostic implications. We conducted a comprehensive literature review on the molecular causes of myocardial damage driven by acute hyperglycemia in the context of AMI. The negative impact of high PGL on admission recognizes a multifactorial etiology involving endothelial function, oxidative stress, production of leukocyte adhesion molecules, platelet aggregation, and activation of the coagulation cascade. The current evidence suggests that all these pathophysiological mechanisms compromise myocardial perfusion as a whole and not only in the culprit coronary artery. Acute hyperglycemia on admission, regardless of whether or not in the context of a diabetes mellitus history, could be, thus, identified as a predictor of worse myocardial reperfusion and poorer prognosis in patients with AMI. In order to reduce hyperglycemia-related complications, it seems rational to pursue in these patients an adequate and quick control of PGL, despite the best pharmacological treatment for acute hyperglycemia still remaining a matter of debate.

Non-Invasive Blood Pressure Sensing via Machine Learning.

In this paper, a machine learning (ML) approach to estimate blood pressure (BP) using photoplethysmography (PPG) is presented. The final aim of this paper was to develop ML methods for estimating blood pressure (BP) in a non-invasive way that is suitable in a telemedicine health-care monitoring context. The training of regression models useful for estimating systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) was conducted using new extracted features from PPG signals processed using the Maximal Overlap Discrete Wavelet Transform (MODWT). As a matter of fact, the interest was on the use of the most significant features obtained by the Minimum Redundancy Maximum Relevance (MRMR) selection algorithm to train eXtreme Gradient Boost (XGBoost) and Neural Network (NN) models. This aim was satisfactorily achieved by also comparing it with works in the literature; in fact, it was found that XGBoost models are more accurate than NN models in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure measurements, obtaining a Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) for SBP and DBP, respectively, of 5.67 mmHg and 3.95 mmHg. For SBP measurement, this result is an improvement compared to that reported in the literature. Furthermore, the trained XGBoost regression model fulfills the requirements of the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) as well as grade A of the British Hypertension Society (BHS) standard.

Photoplethysmography Signal Wavelet Enhancement and Novel Features Selection for Non-Invasive Cuff-Less Blood Pressure Monitoring.

In this paper, new features relevant to blood pressure (BP) estimation using photoplethysmography (PPG) are presented. A total of 195 features, including the proposed ones and those already known in the literature, have been calculated on a set composed of 50,000 pulses from 1080 different patients. Three feature selection methods, namely Correlation-based Feature Selection (CFS), RReliefF and Minimum Redundancy Maximum Relevance (MRMR), have then been applied to identify the most significant features for BP estimation. Some of these features have been extracted through a novel PPG signal enhancement method based on the use of the Maximal Overlap Discrete Wavelet Transform (MODWT). As a matter of fact, the enhanced signal leads to a reliable identification of the characteristic points of the PPG signal (e.g., systolic, diastolic and dicrotic notch points) by simple means, obtaining results comparable with those from purposely defined algorithms. For systolic points, mean and std of errors computed as the difference between the locations obtained using a purposely defined already known algorithm and those using the MODWT enhancement are, respectively, 0.0097 s and 0.0202 s; for diastolic points they are, respectively, 0.0441 s and 0.0486 s; for dicrotic notch points they are 0.0458 s and 0.0896 s. Hence, this study leads to the selection of several new features from the MODWT enhanced signal on every single pulse extracted from PPG signals, in addition to features already known in the literature. These features can be employed to train machine learning (ML) models useful for estimating systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) in a non-invasive way, which is suitable for telemedicine health-care monitoring.

Degenerative Severe Aortic Stenosis and Concomitant Coronary Artery Disease: What Is Changing in the Era of the "Transcatheter Revolution"?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To summarize epidemiology, pathophysiology, prognostic relevance, and treatment options of coronary artery disease (CAD) when coupled with severe aortic stenosis (SAS). In regard to treatment options, we focused on the most recently adopted therapeutic approaches and on the future perspectives in light of the latest percutaneous and surgical technical improvements in the field of both CAD and SAS management. RECENT FINDINGS: Nowadays, SAS is the most common valve disease requiring intervention, either surgical or percutaneous. On the other side, CAD is one of the leading causes of death in the developed countries. CAD and degenerative SAS share several predisposing factors and are often concurrently found in clinical practice. Despite in the last years the transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has been deeply changing the therapeutic approach to SAS, the correct management of patients with concomitant CAD remains controversial due to limited and heterogeneous data in the literature. Coronary revascularization is often performed in patients with concomitant CAD and SAS. Complete surgical approach is still the standard of care according to international guidelines. However, in light of the recent results of TAVR trials, the therapeutic approach is expected to change. To date, percutaneous coronary intervention performed before TAVR is safe and feasible even if the optimal timing for revascularization remains debated. Due to the great complexity of the patients affected by SAS and CAD and until unquestionable truths will come from large randomized trials, the role of the Heart Team in the decision-making process is of primary importance to guarantee the best tailored therapeutic strategy for the single patient.

What We Do and What We Should Do Against Malnutrition in Spinal Cord Injury: A Position Paper From Italian Spinal Cord Injury Network Rehabilitation Centers.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a traumatic event that significantly impacts body composition and alters energy and nutritional needs. This places patients with SCI at a high risk of malnutrition, which can hinder optimal functional recovery, prolong hospital stays, increase hospital admissions, and contribute to the development of obesity and cardiovascular and metabolic ailments in chronic patients. Consequently, there is an urgent need for clear guidance to support clinicians in managing the nutritional needs of patients with SCI at different stages of the disease, including the acute (0 - 4 months after injury), post-acute (4 - 26 months after injury), and post-discharge phases. This study utilized a cross-sectional survey to assess the strategies employed in seven spinal units across Italy to address the nutritional needs of patients with SCI during the acute, post-acute, and post-discharge phases of the condition. Eight clinicians (five physiatrists, two internists, and one urologist) and one nurse participated in the survey. Following the survey completion, the participants were invited to partake in a round table session to delve deeper into the questionnaire results to gather their opinions and gain insights into clinical practices related to the various challenges surrounding the management of malnutrition in patients with SCI. We here review the available evidence on the energy needs and nutritional requirements of patients with SCI, highlighting the clinical aspects that deserve more attention throughout the distinct phases of the disease. We additionally provide an overview of the scenario regarding the management of malnutrition in patients with SCI across various spinal units in Italy. Through this comprehensive analysis, we aimed to enhance understanding and provide valuable insights for clinicians working with patients with SCI, equipping them with the knowledge and confidence to provide nutritional support to patients with SCI efficiently. By addressing the challenges of defining nutritional needs and presenting a practical guide, we aspire to contribute to the overall management and care of individuals with SCI and the prevention of malnutrition and its associated complications, thereby improving patient outcomes.

Intermittent self-catheterization training and effects on treatment adherence and infection.

BACKGROUND: Intermittent self-catheterization (CISC) is the preferred treatment for patients with bladder dysfunction due to spinal cord injuries or multiple sclerosis (MS). However, the learning phase plays a crucial role in the still frequent drop-out. AIM: To examine whether the timing of training affects the treatment compliance and the prevalence of urinary tract infections in patients with neurogenic urinary retention. DESIGN: This is a non-randomized observational study. SETTING: The study was carried out from January 2017 to December 2019 in outpatient settings at the Bari Polyclinic Unipolar Spinal Unit (Bari, Italy). POPULATION: The study included adults with a CISC prescription for neurogenic urinary retention and learning the technique for the first time. METHODS: One hundred patients were enrolled, 75 trained immediately after diagnosis and physician prescription, while 25 in the contest of a separate training visit, one or two days after physician prescription. After the training (T0), patient's data and number of prescribed daily catheterizations were recorded and compared with those collected after 6 and 12 months. Accuracy of the procedure and episodes of infections were assessed as well. RESULTS: Adherence to prescribed CISC frequency and complications were not affected by the timing of training. However, patients adherent to the prescribe frequency of catheterization had less risk of infection than those who were not. Further post-hoc analysis confirmed that urodynamic findings and the pathology did not impact the overall occurrence of complications, but infections occurred more frequently in patients with MS (P<0.03). CONCLUSIONS: The timing of CISC education does not affect treatment adherence or the occurrence of complications. However, the adherence to the CISC prescription seems to reduce the risk of infection. CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT: Patient training can be scheduled according to the organization of the centers, as patient compliance and the occurrence of complications are not affected.

Comparative effectiveness of Cangrelor in patients with acute coronary syndrome undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention: an observational investigation from the M.O.Ca. registry.

Cangrelor, the first intravenous P2Y12 inhibitor (P2Y12-I), has been approved on the basis of three large RCTs from the CHAMPION program which nevertheless have been criticized for the low bleeding risk of the enrolled patients, the large quote of chronic coronary syndromes, and the use of Clopidogrel as control arm even in the setting of acute coronary syndromes (ACS). We sought to investigate, in the setting of ACS, the comparative performance of Cangrelor in terms of in-hospital ischemic and haemorrhagic outcomes compared with the current gold-standard of oral P2Y12-I. The study retrospectively enrolled 686 consecutive patients admitted to the Divisions of Cardiology of Policlinico of Bari and L. Bonomo Hospital of Andria for ACS and treated with percutaneous coronary intervention. The study population was divided according to the P2Y12-I treatment strategy in two groups: patients given an oral P2Y12-I and patients receiving Cangrelor in the cath lab followed by an oral P2Y12-I. Clinical endpoints included death, ischemic and bleeding events occurring during hospital stay. Cangrelor treated patients presented higher clinical risk profile at presentation and faced higher death rate. However, after PS matching, in-hospital mortality resulted comparable between the groups and Cangrelor use was associated with reduced in-hospital definite stent thrombosis (p = 0.03). Data from our real-world registry highlight that, in the setting of ACS, Cangrelor is prevalently used in patients with very challenging clinical presentations. The adjusted analysis provides for the first time promising data on stent thrombosis reduction associated with Cangrelor use.

Alex Plus Versus Xience Drug-Eluting Stents for Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Routine Clinical Practice: A Propensity Score-Matched Analysis.

BACKGROUND: The next iteration of drug-eluting stents (DESs) for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has focused on bioresorbable polymers and thin struts. The Alex Plus DES is a new-generation sirolimus-eluting device with 70-µm cobalt chromium struts, a 5-µm bioresorbable polymer and a very small profile. Despite such favorable features, limited data are available to estimate the risk-benefit profile of Alex Plus. We aimed at comparing the effectiveness of Alex Plus in real-world practice. METHODS: Retrospective clinical data on patients treated with Alex Plus at our institutions were collected and clinical outcome data over follow-up were obtained, comparing them with those of subjects receiving Xience, a leading DES with permanent polymer. RESULTS: A total of 100 patients (126 lesions) treated with Alex Plus and 753 subjects (1020 lesions) receiving Xience were included. Baseline and procedural features were largely similar in the 2 groups, with the notable exception of age, sex, and left circumflex coronary artery as the target vessel. Clinical follow-up showed that patients with Alex Plus had a significantly higher risk of major adverse clinical event (MACE), mainly driven by an excess in repeat PCI (hazard ratio, 4.81; 95% confidence interval, 2.83-8.20; P<.001). Even after propensity-score matching, Alex Plus was associated with an increased risk of MACE (P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our clinical experience to date with Alex Plus has been disappointing, despite the favorable promises. Further improvements are likely needed in the Alex Plus DES, most likely in drug delivery, before this device is considered for routine clinical use in complex patients or lesions.

TAVI-CT score to evaluate the anatomic risk in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) requires thorough preprocedural planning with non-invasive imaging, including computed tomography (CT). The plethora of details obtained with thoraco-abdominal CT represents a challenge for accurate and synthetic decision-making. We devised and tested a comprehensive score suitable to summarize CT exams when planning TAVI. An original comprehensive scoring system (TAVI-CT score) was devised, including details on cardiac, aortic, iliac and femoral artery features. The score was applied to a prospectively collected series of patients undergoing TAVI at our institution, driving decision making on access and prosthesis choice. Different TAVI-CT score groups were compared in terms of procedural success, acute complications, and early clinical outcomes. We included a total of 200 undergoing TAVI between February 2020 and May 2021, with 74 (37.0%) having a low (0-2) TAVI-CT score, 50 (25.0%) having a moderate (3) TAVI-CT score, and 76 (38.0%) having a high (≥ 4) TAVI-CT score. Male gender was the only non-CT variable significantly associated with the TAVI-CT score (p = 0.001). As expected, access choice differed significantly across TAVI-CT scores (p = 0.009), as was device choice, with Portico more favored and Allegra less favored in the highest TAVI-CT score group (p = 0.036). Acute outcomes were similar in the 3 groups, including device and procedural success rates (respectively p = 0.717 and p = 1). One-month follow-up showed similar rates of death, myocardial infarction, stroke, and bleeding, as well as of a composite safety endpoint (all p > 0.05). However, vascular complications were significantly more common in the highest TAVI-CT score group (p = 0.041). The TAVI-CT score is a simple scoring system that could be routinely applied to CT imaging for TAVI planning, if the present hypothesis-generating findings are confirmed in larger prospective studies.

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement for Mixed Aortic Valve Disease: A Propensity Score-Adjusted Analysis From the RISPEVA Registry.

BACKGROUND: The differential outcomes between pure/predominant aortic stenosis (AS) and mixed aortic valve disease (MAVD) in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) are still debated. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the comparative clinical outcomes of patients with MAVD and AS undergoing TAVI using data from the RISPEVA registry. METHODS: A total of 3263 patients were included. Of the 3263 patients, 656 with concomitant moderate/severe aortic regurgitation constituted the MAVD group and 2607 constituted the AS cohort. Primary endpoints were 30-day mortality and 1-year survival. Postprocedural paravalvular regurgitation (PPVR), cerebrovascular events, bleeding, and vascular complications were assessed at 30 days. RESULTS: In the overall population, 30-day mortality in the MAVD group was higher than in AS patients (4.3% vs 2.6%;P=.02); however, no differences were detected after propensity-score matching (4.1% vs 3.5%; P=.62). One-year survival was comparable between MAVD and AS patients in both unmatched and matched cohorts. Left ventricular ejection fraction, pulmonary artery systolic pressure, and PPVR, but not baseline MAVD, were predictors of 30-day mortality. The incidence of PPVR was higher in the MAVD group vs the AS group; this difference was not confirmed in patients implanted with a balloon-expandable device. CONCLUSION: MAVD per se did not negatively affect patients' prognoses, but appears to identify a more complex cohort of patients with a worse clinical and functional status, probably referred to TAVI in a later stage of the disease. Patients with MAVD had a greater propensity to develop PPVR, which is a known predictor of worse outcome; this tendency seems to be mitigated by the implantation of balloon-expandable valves.

Autoimmune diseases in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention: A risk factor for in-stent restenosis?

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Despite the relation between autoimmune diseases and increased atherosclerotic risk is established, the influence of autoimmune disorders on in-stent restenosis (ISR) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is only partly known. ISR is an aberrant reparative process mainly characterized by an increased number of vascular smooth muscle cells and excessive deposition of extracellular proteoglycans and type III collagen. Chronic inflammation, always present in autoimmune diseases, modulates the endothelial response to PCI. Aim of this review is to resume the current evidence on the association between ISR and autoimmune diseases, focusing on pathogenic mechanisms and therapeutic targets. METHODS: We conducted a comprehensive review of the literature on the relationship between ISR and insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), antiphospholipid-antibodies syndrome (APS), inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), and Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT). RESULTS: Patients affected with IDDM, RA, SLE, APS, IBD and HT proved to face higher rates of ISR compared to the general population. The endothelial dysfunction seems the principal common pathogenic pathway for ISR and is attributed to both the immune system disorder and the systemic inflammation. Some evidence suggested that methotrexate and anti-tumor necrosis factor treatments can be effective in reducing ISR, while antibodies against vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 showed to reduce neointimal hyperplasia in animal models. CONCLUSIONS: Autoimmune diseases are a risk factor for ISR. The study of the potential cardiovascular benefits of the current therapies, mainly anti-inflammatory drugs, and the pursuit of innovative treatments appear of paramount interest.

Changes in gut microbiota in the acute phase after spinal cord injury correlate with severity of the lesion.

After spinal cord injury (SCI), patients face many physical and psychological issues including intestinal dysfunction and comorbidities, strongly affecting quality of life. The gut microbiota has recently been suggested to influence the course of the disease in these patients. However, to date only two studies have profiled the gut microbiota in SCI patients, months after a traumatic injury. Here we characterized the gut microbiota in a large Italian SCI population, within a short time from a not only traumatic injury. Feces were collected within the first week at the rehabilitation center (no later than 60 days after SCI), and profiled by 16S rRNA gene-based next-generation sequencing. Microbial profiles were compared to those publicly available of healthy age- and gender-matched Italians, and correlated to patient metadata, including type of SCI, spinal unit location, nutrition and concomitant antibiotic therapies. The gut microbiota of SCI patients shows distinct dysbiotic signatures, i.e. increase in potentially pathogenic, pro-inflammatory and mucus-degrading bacteria, and depletion of short-chain fatty acid producers. While robust to most host variables, such dysbiosis varies by lesion level and completeness, with the most neurologically impaired patients showing an even more unbalanced microbial profile. The SCI-related gut microbiome dysbiosis is very likely secondary to injury and closely related to the degree of completeness and severity of the lesion, regardless of etiology and time interval. This microbial layout could variously contribute to increased gut permeability and inflammation, potentially predisposing patients to the onset of severe comorbidities.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Acute Coronary Syndromes: From Pathogenesis to the Fine Line Between Bleeding and Ischemic Risk.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a pathological condition that first involves the gastrointestinal wall but can also trigger a systemic inflammatory state and thus extraintestinal manifestations. Systemic inflammation is probably secondary to the passage of bacterial products into the bloodstream because of altered intestinal permeability and the consequent release of proinflammatory mediators. Inflammation, through several diverse pathophysiological pathways, determines both a procoagulative state and systemic endothelial dysfunction, which are both deemed to be responsible for venous and arterial thromboembolic adverse events. The management of systemic thrombotic complications is particularly challenging in this category of patients, who also present a high bleeding risk; what is more, both bleeding and thrombotic risks peak during the active phases of the disease. The literature suggests that treating physicians have been, so far, more heavily influenced by concerns about bleeding than by the thrombotic risk. Despite the absence of data provided by large cohorts or randomized studies, the high risk of arterial and venous atherothrombosis in patients with IBD seems unquestionable. Moreover, several reports suggest that when arterial thromboembolism involves the coronary vessels, causing acute coronary syndromes, ischemic complications from antithrombotic drug undertreatment are frequent and severe. This review aims to shed light on the tricky balance between the ischemic and hemorrhagic risks of patients with IBD and to highlight how difficult it is for clinicians to define a tailored therapy based on a case-by-case, careful, and unprejudiced clinical evaluation.

Assessing the Best Prognostic Score for Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (from the RISPEVA Registry).

The ACC/TVT score is a specific predictive model of in-hospital mortality for patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). The aim of this study was to test its predictive accuracy in comparison with standard surgical risk models (Logistic Euroscore, Euroscore II, and STS-PROM) in the population of TAVI patients included in the multicenter RISPEVA (Registro Italiano GISE sull'impianto di Valvola Aortica Percutanea) registry. The study cohort included 3293 patients who underwent TAVI between 2008 and 2019. The 4 risk scores were calculated for all patients. For all scores, the capability to predict 30-day mortality was assessed by means of several analyses testing calibration and discrimination. The ACC/TVT score showed moderate discrimination, with a C-statistics for 30-day mortality of 0.63, not significantly different from the standard surgical risk models. The ACC/TVT score demonstrated, in contrast, better calibration compared with the other scores, as proved by a greater correspondence between estimated probabilities and the actual observations. However, when the ACC/TVT score was tested in the subgroup of patients treated in a more contemporary period (from 2016 on), it revealed a slight tendency to lose discrimination and to overestimate mortality risk. In conclusion, in comparison with the standard surgical risk models, the ACC/TVT score demonstrated better prediction accuracy for estimation of 30-day mortality in terms of calibration. Nevertheless, its predictive reliability remained suboptimal and tended to worsen in patients treated more recently.

Clinical presentation, therapeutic approach, and outcome of young patients admitted for COVID-19, with respect to the elderly counterpart.

There is limited information on the presenting characteristics, prognosis, and therapeutic approaches of young patients hospitalized for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We sought to investigate the baseline characteristics, in-hospital treatment, and outcomes of a wide cohort < 65 years admitted for COVID-19. Using the international multicenter HOPE-COVID-19 registry, we evaluated the baseline characteristics, clinical presentation, therapeutic approach, and prognosis of patients < 65 years discharged (deceased or alive) after hospital admission for COVID-19, also compared with the elderly counterpart. Of the included 5746 patients, 2676 were < 65 and 3070 ≥ 65 years. All risk factors and several parameters suggestive of worse clinical presentation augmented through increasing age classes. In-hospital mortality rates were 6.8% and 32.1% in the younger and older cohort, respectively (p < 0.001). Among young patients, mortality, access to ICU and treatment with IMVwere positively correlated with age. Contrariwise, over 65 years of age this trend was broken so that only the association between age and mortality was persistent, while the rates of access to ICU and IMV started to decline. Younger patients also recognized specific predictors of case fatality, such as obesity and gender. Age negatively impacts on mortality, access to ICU and treatment with IMV in patients < 65 years. In elderly patients only case fatality rate keeps augmenting in a stepwise manner through increasing age categories, while therapeutic approaches become more conservative. Besides age, obesity, gender, history of cancer, and severe dyspnea, tachypnea, chest X-ray bilateral abnormalities, abnormal level of creatinine and leucocyte among admission parameters seem to play a central role in the outcome of patients younger than 65 years.

The role of clean intermittent catheterization in rehabilitation setting: a survey of healthcare operators' perception in Italy.

BACKGROUND: Clean intermittent catheterization (CIC) is defined as the repetitive temporary placement of a catheter to empty the bladder. It has become the first-line and preferred method of drainage in patients with neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction. AIM: We investigated the use of CIC in the real-life setting in Italy. METHODS: We administered interviews to health operators of centers for urinary rehabilitation. RESULTS: Overall, 110 healthcare professionals were invited to fill the questionnaire and 109 (72% males) answered it. Answers to the questionnaire showed that 65.2% of patients with urinary retention used CIC, 22.3% used a transurethral indwelling catheter, and 5.5% used a suprapubic catheter; 6.3% of patients used CIC during the daytime and used the indwelling catheter during the night. The most relevant factor, pertaining the patient, to decide to propose the use of CIC was manual ability, followed by good cognitive function, adequate anatomical condition, age, available adequate caregiver, psychological consistency and good socio-cultural level. Lubrification, usability and easy insertion were the most relevant characteristics of a catheter that favored the choice of the device for CIC. In addition, in the opinion of interviewed operators, the line of catheters with glycerin-water based lubrification had the main characteristics to be preferred for CIC. CONCLUSIONS: CIC is a preferential intervention for urinary retention in the clinical practice in Italy, is chosen on the basis of patient's characteristics, and lubrification, usability and easy insertion are the most important features of catheters.

Cardiogenic Shock Following Acute Myocardial Infarction: What's New?

Cardiogenic shock (CS) is a state of critical end-organ hypoperfusion primarily due to cardiac dysfunction. This condition is the most common cause of death in patients affected by acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Despite early revascularization, prompt optimal medical therapy, and up-to-date mechanical circulatory supports, mortality of patients with CS remains high.The objective of this review is to summarize epidemiology, pathophysiology, and treatment options of CS in light of the new European Society of Cardiology (ESC) recommendations. The latest European guidelines on myocardial revascularization have reviewed the previous guidelines with respect to early multivessel revascularization and routine use of intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) in patients with AMI-related CS.Most of the current evidences come partly from randomized trials, but mostly from observational registries because of the difficulty to test different treatments in this life-threatening clinical setting.Some of the latest studies highlight the potential crucial benefit of newly introduced mechanical circulatory support devices, although evidences are not sufficient to definitely assess the benefit/risk ratio of the different systems.Many questions remain unanswered in this field, and further trials are advocated to better elucidate the best medical, reperfusion, and circulatory support approaches aimed to improve the poor prognosis of patients with CS after AMI.

Comparison of Outcomes of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation in Patients ≥85 Years Versus Those <85 Years.

The differential outcomes across the age spectrum of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) recipients are still debated. Aim of the study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes of oldest-old patients undergoing TAVI in the large "Registro Italiano GISE sull'impianto di Valvola Aortica Percutanea (RISPEVA)" registry. A total of 3,507 patients were stratified according to age: 1,381 were ≥85 years, 2,126 were <85 years. Primary endpoints were death at 30-days and complete follow-up (FU) (medium 368 days). Cerebrovascular events, myocardial infarction, bleedings, vascular complications at 30-days and complete FU were considered. In the unadjusted analysis, 30-days mortality in the oldest-old group was higher than in younger patients (4.2% vs 2.4%; p = 0.007); this difference kept true also at complete FU (19.6% vs 15.9%; p = 0.014). After propensity score (PS) matching, the oldest-old population showed a higher mortality solely at 30-days (4.7% vs 2.4%; p = 0.016), while the survival at complete FU was similar to that of younger patients (20.1% vs 18.0%; p = 0.286). The incidence of non-fatal outcomes resulted comparable between the 2 groups, also after propensity score matching. At the multivariate logistic regression analysis procedural major or disabling bleedings, cerebrovascular events, cardiogenic shock resulted predictors of 30-days death in the oldest-old cohort. In conclusion, patients ≥85 years can safely undergo TAVI being not more exposed to procedural complications than those <85 years; nevertheless they showed worse 30-days mortality, probably driven by reduced tolerance to complications. Passed the critical periprocedural phase, patients ≥85 years had a similar survival to those <85 years with comparable risk profile.

Comparative Effectiveness and Safety of Polymer-Free Biolimus-Eluting Stent and Durable Polymer Everolimus-Eluting Stent in All-Comer Patients Who Underwent Percutaneous Coronary Interventions.

We aim to compare Polymer-Free Biolimus-Eluting Stent (PF-BES) with Durable Polymer Everolimus-Eluting stent (DP-EES) in unselected patients. PF-BES showed a favorable profile in high-bleeding risk patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention. Limited data are available on PF-BES compared with second-generation durable polymer-coated drug-eluting stents in patients eligible for standard dual antiplatelet therapy. A total of 848 consecutive patients were enrolled: 306 patients were treated with PF-BES and 542 with DP-EES. Stent performance was tested in a propensity score-matched population and in a Complex Higher-Risk and Indicated Patients (CHIP) subpopulation. A per-lesion analysis on 1,204 lesions (PF-BES = 424 vs DP-EES = 780) was also performed. At a medium follow-up of 18.5 ± 5.0 months, no differences in the matched population were found in terms of major adverse cardiac events (PF-BES 9.0% vs DP-EES 4.5%; p 0.091), myocardial infarction (PF-BES 6.2% vs DP-EES 2.3%; p 0.111), stent restenosis (PF-BES 2.3% vs DP-EES 0.0%; p 0.123), definite or probable stent thrombosis (PF-BES 2.8% vs DP-EES 1.1%; p 0.448). A significant inferior rate of restenosis was observed in the DP-EES arm in the whole (PF-BES 2.3% vs DP-EES 0.6%; p 0.041) and CHIP populations (PF-BES 4.3% vs DP-EES 0.5%; p 0.023), as well as in the per-lesion analysis (DP-EES 0.4% vs PF-BES 1.7%; p 0.039). In conclusion, in a real-world cohort PF-BES performed similarly to DP-EES in terms of restenosis and stent thrombosis in the matched population. Nonetheless, in the whole and CHIP populations, as well as in the per-lesion analysis, restenosis occurrence resulted higher in the PF-BES group.