Non cardiovascular comorbidities in Heart Failure. An updated position paper from the Heart Failure Working Group of the Italian Society of Cardiology (SIC).

Heart Failure (HF) is frequently associated with various non cardiovascular (CV) comorbidities significantly impacting HF prognosis. Indeed, the simultaneous presence of multiple diseases leads to an increased vulnerability, with frailty occurrence. This status implies poor quality of life and increased adverse events rate in terms of hospitalization and mortality.

Impact of GFR Estimation Formulas on MECKI Score Performance and Prognostic Accuracy in Heart Failure: The MECKI-RENAL Study.

Background: Appropriate interpretation of kidney function is essential for clinical and therapeutic management of heart failure (HF). We evaluated the prognostic accuracy of 6 glomerular filtration rate estimation (eGFR) formulas in HF patients with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and their impact on the Metabolic Exercise test data combined with Cardiac and Kidney Indexes (MECKI) score prognostic accuracy.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 6,933 patients enrolled in the MECKI score database.

Different loop diuretic dosing and administration in acute heart failure (DIUR-AHF): a multicenter prospective observational open-label study.

Background Although Loop diuretics (LD) represent the milestone treatment in acute heart failure (AHF), relevant concerns exist about the best administration modality. We aim to investigate the effects of different LD regimen and dosage in patients with AHF. Methods In this multicenter prospective observational open-label study, patients were assigned to receive twice-daily intravenous injections (Bolus infusion, BiV) or continuous intravenous infusion (CiV) of furosemide for a period of 72-120 hours.

Burnout among young Italian Internists: a cross-sectional study assessing prevalence and associated factors.

Burnout among physicians is associated with poor productivity at work, dissatisfaction, and regrets about career choices. The present study aims to evaluate the prevalence of burnout and its main associated factors among young Italian Internists. An online survey assessing different aspects of training and working conditions of young internists was conducted across European countries by the Young Internists Group of the European Federation of Internal Medicine (EFIM).

Risk calculator of multimorbid risk of rehospitalisation and death from heart failure - including the contribution of the gut microbiome.

Background: The elucidation of the contributory role of multimorbidity to heart failure (HF) including the gut-heart axis has added a new dimension to our understanding of HF pathophysiology which is not reflected in currently available risk scores. The present investigation aimed to develop and validate a novel risk score model of multimorbidity for HF risk stratification.

Methods: A risk model was developed based on the contribution of markers associated with HF multimorbidities on outcomes of mortality and/or rehospitalization due to HF (death/HF) at one year.

Growth Hormone Replacement Therapy in Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

Background: Growing evidence suggests that reduced activity of the growth hormone (GH)/insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 axis is common and associated with poor clinical status and outcome in heart failure (HF). In addition, preliminary results of growth hormone deficiency (GHD) correction in HF showed an improvement in quality of life, cardiac structure and function, and cardiovascular performance.

Objectives: The aim of the present double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial was to evaluate the cardiovascular effects of 1 year of GH replacement therapy in a cohort of patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF).

Sex and gender specific pitfalls and challenges in cardiac rehabilitation: a working hypothesis towards better inclusivity in cardiac rehabilitation programmes.

Notwithstanding its acknowledged pivotal role for cardiovascular prevention, cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is still largely under prescribed, in almost 25% of patients owing an indication for. In addition, when considering differences concerning the two sexes, female individuals are underrepresented in CR programmes with lower referral rates, participation, and completion as compared to male counterpart. This picture becomes even more tangled with reference to gender, a complex socio-cultural construct characterized by four domains (gender identity, relation, role, and institutionalized gender).

Beneficial Effects on Exercise Capacity Associated with a Combination of Lactoferrin, Lysozyme, Lactobacillus, Resveratrol, Vitamins, and Oligoelements in Patients with Post-COVID-19 Syndrome: A Single-Center Retrospective Study.

: Although long-term COVID-19 symptoms are common, little is known about the management of post-COVID-19 condition. The aim of the current report is to evaluate the effects of a combination of lactoferrin, lysozyme, lactobacillus, resveratrol, vitamins, and oligoelements (PIRV-F20) on the exercise capacity of post-COVID-19 patients. : A retrospective analysis of consecutive patients referred to a specific outpatient clinic dedicated to post-COVID-19 condition from April 2022 to April 2023 was conducted.

A matter of sex-persistent predictive value of MECKI score prognostic power in men and women with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction: a multicenter study.

Background: A sex-based evaluation of prognosis in heart failure (HF) is lacking.

Methods And Results: We analyzed the Metabolic Exercise test data combined with Cardiac and Kidney Indexes (MECKI) score registry, which includes HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) patients. A cross-validation procedure was performed to estimate weights separately for men and women of all MECKI score parameters: left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), hemoglobin, kidney function assessed by Modification of Diet in Renal Disease, blood sodium level, ventilation vs.

OPTImal PHARMacological therapy for patients with heart failure: Rationale and design of the OPTIPHARM-HF registry.

Aims: Patients with heart failure (HF) remain often undertreated for multiple reasons, including treatment inertia, contraindications, and intolerance. The OPTIimal PHARMacological therapy for patients with Heart Failure (OPTIPHARM-HF) registry is designed to evaluate the prevalence of evidence-based medical treatment prescription and titration, as well as the causes of its underuse, in a broad real-world population of consecutive patients with HF across the whole ejection fraction spectrum and among different clinical phenotypes.

Methods: The OPTIPHARM-HF registry (NCT06192524) is a prospective, multicenter, observational, national study of adult patients with symptomatic HF, as defined by current international guidelines, regardless of ejection fraction.

The Changing Role of Loop Diuretics in Heart Failure Management across the Last Century.

Congestion is the main therapeutic target of acute heart failure (HF) treatment, and loop diuretics (LDs) are widely used drugs for this purpose. Despite their extensive use, these agents remain largely understudied in terms of modality administration, treatment duration, and escalation dose for subjects responding poorly to therapy. LDs were initially investigated in several edematous statuses such as cirrhosis, nephrotic syndrome, and congestive HF and initially approved for the treatment of cardiogenic congestion in 1966.

Endothelial Dysfunction and Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction-An Updated Review of the Literature.

Heart failure (HF) is a clinical syndrome consisting of typical symptoms and signs due to structural and/or functional abnormalities of the heart, resulting in elevated intracardiac pressures and/or inadequate cardiac output. The vascular system plays a crucial role in the development and progression of HF regardless of ejection fraction, with endothelial dysfunction (ED) as one of the principal features of HF. The main ED manifestations (i.

Biomarkers in Acute Myocarditis and Chronic Inflammatory Cardiomyopathy: An Updated Review of the Literature.

Myocarditis is a disease caused by cardiac inflammation that can progress to dilated cardiomyopathy, heart failure, and eventually death. Several etiologies, including autoimmune, drug-induced, and infectious, lead to inflammation, which causes damage to the myocardium, followed by remodeling and fibrosis. Although there has been an increasing understanding of pathophysiology, early and accurate diagnosis, and effective treatment remain challenging due to the high heterogeneity.

Rationale and protocol of a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial to test the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of dimethyl fumarate in Friedreich Ataxia (DMF-FA-201).

Introduction: Friedreich Ataxia (FRDA) is an autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disorder that causes gait and limb ataxia, dysarthria, and impaired vibratory sense, with cardiomyopathy being the predominant cause of death. There is no approved therapy, which results in the use of symptomatic treatments and the chronic support of physiotherapy. Dimethyl fumarate (DMF) is a fumaric acid ester used for the treatment of psoriasis and Multiple Sclerosis (MS).