Clinical characteristics and outcomes of first diagnosed atrial fibrillation: Insights from 2 prospective registries in Europe and Asia.

Background: Clinical characteristics and outcomes in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) vary from diagnosis to advanced stages.

Objective: To assess differences in characteristics and outcomes between patients with first diagnosed AF and known AF.

Methods: A post hoc analysis of 2 prospective registries from Europe and Asia.

SGLT2 Inhibitors and GLP-1 Receptor Agonists in PAD: A State-of-the-Art Review.

Sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) and GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) are now established as cornerstone therapies for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), given their cardiovascular and renal protective properties. However, their use in patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) remains controversial due to concerns raised in early trials about potential increases in lower limb complications, particularly amputations. This narrative review examines current evidence on the association between SGLT2is and GLP-1 RAs in PAD-related outcomes, including limb events, amputation risk, and cardiovascular and renal endpoints.

Three months of bempedoic acid treatment does not affect cystatin C-based estimation of glomerular filtration rate.

Introduction: Bempedoic acid can interfere with creatinine excretion, thereby potentially altering the calculation of glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), but is not known to have an effect on cystatin C metabolism.

Aim: The aim of this pilot observational study was to assess the impact of 3-months bempedoic acid treatment on renal function assessed by serum creatinine and cystatin C.

Methods: Consecutive hypercholesterolemic outpatients with indication to be started on bempedoic acid and available serum creatinine and cystatin C levels were enrolled.

Intersecting paths between autoimmunity and bone marrow fibrosis: the case of autoimmune myelofibrosis.

Bone marrow fibrosis is frequently observed in patients with haematological malignancies including myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPNs). The most common cause of BMF is the BCR-ABL-negative MPN primary myelofibrosis (PMF) however, BMF may also be caused by a variety of non-neoplastic disorders such as infections, endocrine diseases and autoimmune diseases (ADs). Autoimmune myelofibrosis (AIMF) is a type of BMF associated with either a fully blown AD (secondary AIMF) or serological signs of autoimmunity without an overt AD (primary AIMF).

Uric Acid, Colchicine and Chronic Inflammatory Diseases: A Cardiovascular Perspective.

Based on the notion that inflammation plays a pivotal role in the development and progression of cardiovascular diseases (CV) and that hyperuricaemia is an independent CV risk factor, chronic inflammatory diseases such as gout and rheumatoid arthritis are an interesting case study. Both conditions are burdened by an excess CV risk; they are themselves an independent CV risk factor, and in the case of gout, hyperuricaemia is a hallmark of the disease. Colchicine, a drug historically used for the management of gout, has recently been repurposed for secondary CV prevention in individuals at high CV risk.

Triglyceride-glucose index threshold for cardiovascular mortality in hypertensive individuals - URRAH project.

Aims: The triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index is a surrogate marker of insulin resistance (IR). Data regarding this topic is constantly increasing, however, few and heterogeneous data are available on the relationship between this index and cardiovascular mortality risk in hypertensive populations. In this context, we aimed to explore the relationship between TyG and cardiovascular mortality in a large sample of hypertensive individuals from the URRAH cohort.

Internal Jugular Vein Thrombosis: A Bicentric Cohort Study.

Internal jugular vein thrombosis (IJVT) is a rare but serious complication in hospitalized patients, often associated with central venous access devices (CVADs). The primary objective of the study was to analyze the clinical characteristics of patients with newly diagnosed IJVT, in particular to evaluate mortality, development of pulmonary embolism and incidence of bleeding at 30 days from diagnosis. Secondly, a sub-analysis was performed between patients with device-related and non-device-related thrombosis.

Development of thymoma without myasthenia gravis in a patient with radiographic axial spondyloarthritis treated with tumor necrosis factor-α inhibitors.

Thymic tumors are rare in the general population, and to the best of our knowledge, no cases of thymoma have been described in patients with rheumatic diseases treated with tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α inhibitors, except the case of a patient receiving infliximab for Crohn's disease (CD) who developed a B2 thymoma. We describe a 60-year-old Caucasian male with radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (r-axSpA) and CD who developed an AB-type thymoma without myasthenia gravis after 18 years of treatment with TNF-α inhibitors. The patient had received the same molecule since the r-axSpA/CD diagnosis and changed it 6 months before the diagnosis of thymoma due to a disease flare.

Cryptogenic stroke: too many suspects to find a culprit?

A cerebral stroke is a heterogeneous entity and-in the context of this heterogeneity-a cryptogenic stroke, that is, of unknown origin at the time of diagnosis, finds a worthy position. Cryptogenic strokes are ∼25% of ischaemic strokes and in hindsight, they often appear to be of obvious or highly presumptive origin. Knowledge of the causes of a cerebral stroke that are not immediately evident is, therefore, fundamental for the purposes of correct secondary and, hopefully, primary prevention.

Clinical outcomes in patients with cardiorenal multimorbidity: the role of serum uric acid/serum creatinine ratio.

Introduction: Serum uric acid (SUA), the final product of purine metabolism, is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular (CV) disease. Since SUA levels depend on renal function, SUA to serum creatinine ratio (SUA/sCr) is emerging as a more specific biomarker of CV risk.

Aim: To evaluate in hospitalized patients with cardiorenal multimorbidity (CRM) if the SUA/sCr ≥ 5.

2024 consensus document of the Italian Society of Arterial Hypertension (SIIA) and the Italian Society of Cardiovascular Prevention (SIPREC): update on LDL cholesterol lowering in patients with arterial hypertension.

Hypertension and hypercholesterolemia often occur in the same individuals, increasing the risk of major cardiovascular (CV) outcomes, including myocardial infarction, stroke, CV death, as well as other CV complications. Concomitant management of these condition now represent a crucial step to reduce individual global CV risk and improve CV disease prevention in daily clinical practice. Given the high prevalence of hypertension and hypercholesterolemia in general population and their impact on health status, several pharmacological options are currently available to achieve the recommended therapeutic targets.

Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Diseases and Awareness of Related Burden in Women: Results of a Survey in Italian Pharmacies.

Introduction: Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) represent the leading cause of morbidity and mortality for women worldwide, yet they are often unaware of this heavy burden.

Aim: To assess cardiovascular risk awareness among Italian women.

Methods: Following World Heart Day 2023, a cardiovascular prevention campaign was conducted in Italian pharmacies to evaluate the effectiveness of screening activities offered by pharmacies and raise awareness of cardiovascular health status among Italian women.

"Minimal-Advice" on Salt Intake: Results of a Multicentre Pilot Randomised Controlled Trial on Hypertensive Patients.

Introduction: A strong and well-known association exists between salt consumption, potassium intake, and cardiovascular diseases. MINISAL-SIIA results showed high salt and low potassium consumption in Italian hypertensive patients. In addition, a recent Italian survey showed that the degree of knowledge and behaviour about salt was directly interrelated, suggesting a key role of the educational approach.

Predictive value of TG/HDL-C and GFR-adjusted uric acid levels on cardiovascular mortality: the URRAH study.

Background: Insulin resistance (IR) and serum uric acid (SUA) are closely interconnected: SUA contributes to adversely affects the insulin signaling pathway and contributes to IR, while IR is a known predictor for the development of hyperuricemia. The triglyceride (TG) to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) ratio has been proposed as an easily obtainable marker for IR. This research aimed to investigate the interaction between IR and glomerular filtration rate (GFR)-adjusted uricemia (SUA/GFR ratio) in determining CV risk in a large population cohort study.

Screening of primary aldosteronism and pheochromocytoma among patients with hypertension: an Italian nationwide survey.

Purpose: The delayed or missed diagnosis of secondary hypertension contributes to the poor blood pressure control worldwide. This study aimed to assess the diagnostic approach to primary aldosteronism (PA) and pheochromocytoma (PHEO) among Italian centers associated to European and Italian Societies of Hypertension.

Methods: Between July and December 2023, a 10-items questionnaire was administered to experts from 82 centers of 14 Italian regions and to cardiologists from the ARCA (Associazioni Regionali Cardiologi Ambulatoriali) Piemonte.

Hepatic Sinusoidal Obstruction Syndrome (SOS) Associated with Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy.

Unlabelled: Sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (SOS) is a distinctive and potentially fatal form of hepatic injury that mainly occurs after hematopoietic-stem cell transplantation but also due to many other conditions including drug or toxin exposure. Recently, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have revolutionised the treatment of many solid organ malignancies. Furthermore, as their use has become more widespread, rare toxicities have emerged.

The Evolving Role of Neutrophils and Neutrophil Extracellular Traps (NETs) in Obesity and Related Diseases: Recent Insights and Advances.

Obesity is a chronic, multifactorial disease characterized by persistent low-grade tissue and systemic inflammation. Fat accumulation in adipose tissue (AT) leads to stress and dysfunctional adipocytes, along with the infiltration of immune cells, which initiates and sustains inflammation. Neutrophils are the first immune cells to infiltrate AT during high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity.

From MASLD to PAD: Looking for Cardiovascular Disease Starting from Metabolic Status.

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is still the least studied and evaluated form in clinical practice among atherosclerotic pathologies, despite the increased mortality and comorbidities related to it. The relationship between steatotic liver disease and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease has been extensively documented. The purpose of this work is to perform a review of the evidence linking NAFLD or MASLD to PAD, and examine possible clinical scenarios that arise from this new terminology.

The effect of virtual reality hypnosis (HypnoVR) in patients undergoing inguinal hernia repair under local anesthesia. A preliminary report.

Introduction: Surgical procedures, even under local anesthesia, can induce significant stress and anxiety in patients. Innovative approaches to alleviate anxiety are crucial for improving patient outcomes. Sedatives and anxiolytics may alleviate this discomfort, but they can also subject patients to undesirable side effects, diminishing their overall effectiveness, and, finally, delaying discharge.

Increased nocturnal urinary cortisol levels in the elderly patients with depression, coexisting major geriatric syndromes and combined pathogenetic mechanisms.

Background: The mechanisms at the basis of depression are still matter of debate, but several studies in the literature suggest common pathways with dementia (genetic predispositions, metabolic and inflammatory mechanisms, neuropathological changes) and other geriatric syndromes.

Aims: To evaluate the role of cortisol (as marker of the HPA, hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis hyperactivity) in elderly subjects with depressive symptoms (by the means of the AGICO, AGIng and COrtisol, study), in relationship to the presence of the major geriatric syndromes.

Methods: The AGICO study enrolled patients from ten Geriatric Units in Italy.

Management of Renovascular Hypertension and Renal Denervation in Patients with Hypertension: An Italian Nationwide Survey.

Introduction: Renovascular hypertension (RVH) remains underdiagnosed despite its significant cardiovascular and renal morbidity.

Aim: This survey investigated screening and management practices for RVH among hypertensive patients in Italian hypertension centres in a real-life setting. Secondary, we analysed the current spread of renal denervation (RDN) and the criteria used for its eligibility.