Organization and Activity of Italian Echocardiographic Laboratories: A Survey of the Italian Society of Echocardiography and Cardiovascular Imaging.

Background: The Italian Society of Echocardiography and Cardiovascular Imaging (SIECVI) conducted a national survey to understand better how different echocardiographic modalities are used and accessed in Italy.

Methods: We analyzed echocardiography laboratory activities over a month (November 2022). Data were retrieved via an electronic survey based on a structured questionnaire, uploaded on the SIECVI website.

Apical versus subclavian transcatheter aortic valve implantation: An 8-year United Kingdom analysis.

Objectives: Subclavian (SC) and transapical (TA) approaches are the main alternatives to the default femoral delivery for transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). The aim of this study was to compare complications and morbidity/mortality associated with SC and TA in a long-term time frame.

Methods: From January 2007 to July 2015, 1506 patients underwent TAVI surgery in 36 United Kingdom TAVI centers.

The impact of gender bias in cardiothoracic surgery in Europe: a European Society of Thoracic Surgeons and European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery survey.

Objectives: The European Society of Thoracic Surgeons and the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery designed a questionnaire to assess the impact of gender bias on a cardiothoracic surgery career.

Methods: A 46-item survey investigating gender bias was designed using online survey software from December 2020 to January 2021. All European Society of Thoracic Surgeons and European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery members and non-members included in the mailing lists were invited to complete an electronic survey.

Survival relative to pacemaker status after transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

Objectives: To determine whether a permanent pacemaker (PPM) in situ can enhance survival after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI), in a predominantly inoperable or high risk cohort.

Background: New conduction disturbances are the most frequent complication of TAVI, often necessitating PPM implantation before hospital discharge.

Methods: We performed an observational cohort analysis of the UK TAVI registry (2007-2015).

Midterm outcomes of transaortic and transapical TAVI in patients with unsuitable vascular anatomy for femoral access: A propensity score inverse probability weight study.

Aims: Transaortic (TAo) and transapical (TA) implantation can be used in transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) when the transfemoral (TF) approach is precluded. We compare the safety and efficacy of these alternative techniques.

Methods: From October 2007 to February 2016, TAo and TA patients' data were collected.

Systemic allergic reactions induced by labile plant-food allergens: Seeking potential cofactors. A multicenter study.

Background: Heat-and-pepsin-sensitive plant food allergens (PR-10 and profilin) sometimes cause systemic reaction.

Objective: To detect the risk factors for systemic reactions induced by labile food allergens.

Methods: A retrospective multicenter study was performed on patients with a documented history of systemic allergic reaction to labile plant food allergens and on age-matched controls with a history of oral allergy syndrome (OAS) induced by the same foods.

Long-Term Survival and Outcomes According to VARC-2 Criteria for Subclavian, Direct Aortic, Femoral, and Apical Implantation: An 8-Year United Kingdom TAVI Surgical Experience.

Objectives: The use of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has expanded as an alternative to aortic valve replacement, and more than 500,000 patients have been treated worldwide since April, 2002. The aim of this study was to compare complications and morbidity/mortality associated with different TAVI approaches as alternatives to a surgical-femoral approach.

Methods: From January 2007 to January 2015, 2,863 patients underwent TAVI surgery in 36 United Kingdom TAVI centers.

Main Risk Factor in Long-Term Postoperative Aortic Root Enlargement After Aortic Valve Surgery Associated with Ascending Aorta Replacement.

Aim: Dilatation of the aortic root (AR) after aortic valve surgery associated with ascending aorta replacement (AVS+AAR) is an important concern in long-term follow-up (FU). This study aimed to identify factors that may be associated with this late complication.

Material And Methods: Two-hundred-sixteen consecutive patients (150 males and 66 females) who underwent AVS+AAR from June 2009 to April 2018 at a single center were retrospectively analyzed.

Chronic Pain and Discomfort in Primary Uncomplicated Groin Hernia: A Prospective Study Comparing Trans-Abdominal Pre-Peritoneal (TAPP) to Open Repair Surgery With a 3-Year Follow-Up.

Background: Chronic pain still occurs in 10-12% of patients who undergo surgical groin hernia repair. Considering the high prevalence of this pathology, we performed a single-center prospective study comparing the laparoscopic trans-abdominal pre-peritoneal (TAPP) approach to the standard surgical open technique for primary uncomplicated hernia repair.

Methods: A prospective cohort of 278 patients was extracted from our dataset: 121 received a laparoscopic TAPP approach, and 157 were treated by the Lichtenstein technique in case of inguinal hernia or by the deployment of a polypropylene plug in case of femoral hernia.

Laparoscopic Appendectomy: How Should we Deal with the Appendicular Stump?

The laparoscopic appendectomy approach (LAA) for acute appendicitis has fewer intra- and post-operative complications, less pain, and smaller scars compared to the traditional open appendectomy approach (OAA), but a higher frequency of intra-abdominal abscess (IAA). The relationship between this higher frequency of IAA and the omission of appendicular stump invagination is difficult to explain, even though such invagination of the appendicular stump is the only difference between standard LAA and OAA.

Transanal Hemorrhoidal Dearterialization With Doppler Arterial Identification Versus Classic Hemorrhoidectomy: A Retrospective Analysis of 270 Patients.

Purpose: Despite the minimally invasive nature of transanal hemorrhoidal dearterialization (THD) with Doppler arterial identification procedures, hemorrhoidectomy is still considered the gold standard procedure for hemorrhoidal disease. However, the classical techniques of hemorrhoidectomy have a high rate of postoperative complications. The main purpose of this study is to demonstrate the efficacy and complications of these techniques used for grades II and III hemorrhoids.

Management of Small Bowel Perforation by a Bizarre Foreign Body in a 55-Year-Old Woman.

Introduction: Ingestion of foreign bodies including dentures, fishbone, screw, and/or surgical devices can be a cause of morbidity, and it rarely could be fatal.

Presentation Of Case: We present the first hitherto reported case of mussel shell ingestion, which caused acute abdominal pain in a 55-year-old woman. The shell pierced ileal loops, and it was found in the abdominal cavity.

Conservative Management of Chronic Anal Fissure. Results of a Case Series at 2-years Follow-up and Proposition of a New Classification.

Background: Anal fissure is a common proctological condition that is usually defined as an anodermal ulcerative process starting from the posterior commissure to the dentate line. The objective of this study was to evaluate the resolution rate of anal fissure through the use of conservative management in patients grouped according to our newly proposed classification. A secondary purpose was to quantify the recurrence rates at 2-years follow-up in each group.

Association between Oro-Facial Defects and Systemic Alterations in Children Affected by Marfan Syndrome.

Background: It is important to establish an early diagnosis of the Marfan Syndrome (MFS) for providing an adequate pharmacological or surgical therapy. Nevertheless, this diagnosis may be complex, given the multi-organic involvement of this disease.

Aims: In this work, we evaluated the oral phenotype in a group of paediatric patients with a clinical diagnosis of MFS, to quantify the association of the oro-facial defects with other systemic alterations.

Candida parapsilosis endocarditis on a prosthetic aortic valve with unclear echocardiographic features.

Fungal endocarditis is rare in comparison with bacterial endocarditis and is associated with a poor prognosis. Despite the proven reliability of echocardiography, false negatives are not uncommon and may influence the therapeutic strategy, as some reports have supported the efficacy of antifungal treatment alone. We report on a case of bioprosthetic aortic valve Candida parapsilosis endocarditis without typical echocardiograhy findings, which we treated with both antifungal and surgical therapy.

Surgical treatment of aortic valve regurgitation secondary to ascending aorta aneurysm: is adjunctive subcommissural annuloplasty necessary?

Background: Subcommissural aortic annuloplasty (SCA) has been recommended for treatment of functional aortic regurgitation (AR), but its association with sinotubular junction adjustment is still controversial.

Methods: Sixty patients with moderate or severe functional AR secondary to proximal ascending aorta aneurysm operated on between May 2004 and December 2010 were reviewed. Forty patients underwent SCA and ascending aorta repair (SCA group; mean age, 65 ± 9 years) and 20 underwent ascending aorta repair alone (non-SCA group; mean age, 69 ± 8 years).

Left atrial radiofrequency ablation associated with valve surgery: midterm outcomes.

Background: Left atrial ablation is a surgical standard technique for the treatment of persistent or chronic atrial fibrillation (p-AF and c-AF, respectively).Objective The aim of the study is to evaluate midterm results of left atrial ablation according to modified Maze procedure in patients affected by p-AF or c-AF and concomitant mitral or aortic valve disease requiring surgical treatment.

Methods: A total of 108 patients (age, mean ± standard deviation [SD]: 66 ± 8.