Italian Single-center Experience Research Articles

#1601 Cranial vs. caudal direction technique in percutaneous kidney biopsy: an Italian single-center experience

Abstract Background and Aims The percutaneous kidney biopsy (PKB) is the gold standard for diagnosing kidney pathology. For an appropriate diagnosis, an adequate sample size must be obtained. For most light microscopy assessments, 10 glomeruli are needed to assess the severity and the distribution of lesions adequately. However, the PKB procedure has potential risks such as bleeding, hematuria, hematoma, and the formation of an arterio-venous fistula. The PKB is nowadays a well-known technique with a low number of complications. It consists of an automated biopsy needle directed to the cortex of the inferior pole of the kidney. In clinical practices, the needle direction may have a caudal direction (CD) or a cranial direction (CN). Few small studies have compared the two techniques. Method We report the results of our experience of 107 percutaneous ultrasound (US)-guided native kidney biopsies with the CN technique performed from January 2021 to December 2023. Two core samples were obtained with a 14-G automated needle. After the biopsy, the patient bed-rested in a supine position for 24 hours. Vital signs and blood count controls were monitored after 2 and 4 hours. The post-biopsy kidney ultrasonogram US was done after 48 hours to detect complications. Results We observed 7,5% of complications: one retroperitoneal bleed required blood transfusion and embolization, and 7 perinephric hematoma size ≥ 1 cm. We compared the results of the CN-PKB with a historical cohort of 100 CD-PKB performed from January 2018 to December 2020. These last ones have shown 4% of complications, which resulted in only perinephric hematoma size ≥ 1 cm. The Chi-Square test was performed to compare statistical differences between the groups for categorical variables, showing no statistical significance (p-value >0.05). Samples were always adequate for pathological diagnosis. Conclusion Our results demonstrate that the two PKB techniques performed with the CN and the CD techniques give similar results in terms of adequacy and safety.

A proposed index of myocardial staining for vein of Marshall ethanol infusion: an Italian single-center experience.

Mitral isthmus (MI) conduction block is a fundamental step in anatomical approach treatment for persistent atrial fibrillation (PeAF). However, MI block is hardly achievable with endocardial ablation only. Retrograde ethanol infusion (EI) into the vein of Marshall (VOM) facilitates MI block. Fluorographic myocardial staining (MS) during VOM-EI could be helpful in predicting procedural alcoholization outcome even if its role is qualitatively assessed in the routine. The aim was to quantitatively assess MS during VOM-EI and to evaluate its association with MI block achievement. Consecutive patients undergoing catheter ablation for PeAF at Fondazione Toscana Gabriele Monasterio (Pisa, Italy) from February 2022 to May 2023 were considered. Patients with identifiable VOM were included. A proposed index of MS (MSI) was retrospectively calculated in each included patient. Correlation of MSI with low-voltage zones (LVZ) extension after VOM-EI and its association with MI block achievement were assessed. In total, 42 patients out of 49 (85.8%) had an identifiable VOM. MI block was successfully achieved in 35 patients out of 42 (83.3%). MSI was significantly associated with the occurrence of MI block (OR 1.24 (1.03-1.48); p = 0.022). A higher MSI resulted in reduced ablation time (p = 0.014) and reduced radiofrequency applications (p = 0.002) to obtain MI block. MSI was also associated with MI block obtained by endocardial ablation only (OR 1.07 (1.02-1.13); p = 0.002). MSI was highly correlated with newly formed LVZ extension (r = 0.776; p = 0.001). In our study cohort, optimal MSI predicts MI block and facilitates its achievement with endocardial ablation only.

Improving Prediction of Early Death in Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia: External Validation Study from Italian Single Center Experience

Background: Despite significant advancements in treatment efficacy of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), early death (ED) - mainly related to major hemorrhagic and thrombotic events occurring within 30 days from diagnosis - remains a prominent hurdle to therapeutic success. In this regard, Österroos et al. very recently developed a score which stratifies the risk of ED of patients (pts) with APL in three categories (low [score 0-2], high [score 3-4], very high [score 5-7]) according to age (<50 years, 50-59 years, 60-69 years and ≥70 years), white blood cell count (<3.0x10 9/L, 3.0-5.0x10 9/L and >5.0x10 9/L), and platelet count (≥30x10 9/L and <30x10 9/L), all of which are readily available, real-world variables. However, the presence of specific comorbidities, or diseases characteristics, such as the presence of FLT3-ITD mutation, CD2 expression and bcr3 PML::RARA transcript were not evaluated, even if they could potentially further improve the risk stratification ( Österroos et al. Haematologica 2022;107(7):1528-1537). Aims: The aims of this study were to integrate the score proposed by Österroos et al. and evaluate the role of pts comorbidities and disease biological data in modifying risk stratification. Methods: Data were retrospectively collected from 127 consecutive pts diagnosed at our Center from January 2000 to May 2023. Patients had been treated according to the AIDA protocol (n = 76, 60%) or with the combination of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and arsenic trioxide (ATO) (n = 39, 31%) ( Lo-Coco et al. N Engl J Med 2013;369:111-121); 10 pts received ATRA; only 2 pts did not receive any treatment. Results: Table 1 summarizes the main clinical characteristics of the 127 pts included in this study. Overall, ED rate was 11% (n = 14, 12 died within 7 days from diagnosis); the cause of death was a hemorrhagic event in 11 pts. The score identified low- (n = 79, 64%), high- (n = 39, 31%) and very high-risk (n = 6, 5%) categories; ED rates for each category were 3.8%, 20.5% and 0%, respectively. Despite no ED events were registered in our small very-high risk cohort (n = 6), a third of these pts (n = 2) experienced cerebral hemorrhage at disease onset and eventually survived. We confirmed that the score proposed by Österroos et al. was better at predicting ED risk than the Sanz score, with the Area Under the Receiver Operating Characteristic (AUROC) curve of 0.73 (95% CI 0.60-0.87) vs 0.66 (95% CI 0.51-0.81). The AUROC of the reference study cohort was 0.77 (95% CI 0.72-0.83). The presence of specific biological characteristics of the disease, such as FLT3-ITD mutation, bcr3 PML::RARA transcript or CD2 expression were not associated with an increased risk of ED (Table 2). Similarly, the presence of comorbidities (i.e. cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, and smoking) were not associated with an increased risk of ED (data not shown). By univariate analysis the presence of fever at diagnosis and male sex showed a trend toward an increased risk of ED (OR 3.77, 95% CI 0.88-19.26, P = 0.08 and OR 3.13, 95% CI 0.92-14.36, P = 0.09, respectively). Conclusions: Our data support the use of the score developed by Ö sterroos et al. to better predict the risk of ED in APL and to select the pts who may benefit from more aggressive supportive care. The presence of fever at diagnosis and male sex seems to be associated with a further increase in the risk of ED but this association needs to be confirmed in a larger study. The integration of biological characteristics of disease and comorbidities does not improve the risk stratification of ED.

Pregnancy planning and management for women with multiple sclerosis: what has changed over the last 15 years? An Italian single-center experience.

Pregnancy planning is a relevant issue in the management of Multiple Sclerosis (MS), which commonly involves women of childbearing age. Increased knowledge and a wider therapeutic scenario could have changed the approach of neurologists towards this topic over time. Our aim was to describe how pregnancy planning and management for women with MS have changed in the last 15 years. We retrospectively collected clinical data of female patients with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS), referred to the Neurology Clinic of the University-Hospital "Policlinico G. Rodolico" of Catania, who became pregnant between 2005-2020. We compared data about MS and pregnancy between two time periods according to pregnancy onset (2005-2012; 2013-2020). 190 patients with RRMS carried 253 pregnancies in the observation period. Women undergoing a pregnancy in the last period (2013-2020), as compared to women who had pregnancy in the first period (2005-2012), were older (p<0.01), more often treated before and during pregnancy with high-efficacy disease-modifying drugs (DMD) (p<0.001), and exhibited lower annualized relapse rates (ARR) before (p=0.01) and after pregnancy (p<0.001). Results from our experience suggest that nowadays DMD are more frequently used in women of childbearing age, even during pregnancy, leading to a reduced ARR before and after delivery in absence of increased obstetric complications.

Correction to: MODY patients carrying mutation in syndromic diabetes genes. An Italian single-center experience

Correction to: MODY patients carrying mutation in syndromic diabetes genes. An Italian single-center experience

Six-month multidisciplinary follow-up in multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children: An Italian single-center experience.

A severe multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) related to SARS-CoV-2 has been described after infection. A limited number of reports have analyzed the long-term complications related to pro-inflammatory status in MIS-C. We evaluated multiorgan impairment at the 6-month follow-up in MIS-C. We enrolled 33 pediatric patients consecutively hospitalized for MIS-C and monitored for almost 6 months. The inter-relationship of patient's features and disease severity at admission with long term complications was studied by multivariate analysis. Endo-metabolic derangement, cardiac injury, respiratory, renal and gastrointestinal manifestations and neurological involvement are part of the initial presentation. The most abnormalities appear to resolve within the first few weeks, without significant long term dysfunction at the 6-months follow-up, except for endocrine (non-thyroidal illness syndrome in 12.1%, insulin resistance in 21.2%) and neurological system (27.3% cognitive or psychological, behavioral, adaptive difficulties). Endocrine and heart involvement at admission represent a significant factor on the long term sequelae; however no association between severity score and long-term outcome was noted. The severity of initial clinical presentation may be associated to organ domain, however it is not related to long term sequelae. The prevalent organ restoration supports a predominant indirect immune-mediated injury triggered by a systemic inflammatory response; however a direct damage due to the viral entry could be not excluded. Eventhought our preliminary results seem to suggest that MIS-C is not a long-term risk condition for children health, a longer follow-up is mandatory to confirm this hypothesis.

Short-Term Safety and Psychosocial Impact of the BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 Vaccine in Cancer Patients-An Italian Single-Center Experience.

Safety data regarding BNT162b2 in cancer patients (CPs) are scarce. Herein we report the side effects (SEs), the adverse events (AEs), and the patient-reported outcomes (PROs) following BNT162b2 administration in CPs treated at the San Luigi Gonzaga University Hospital. All CPs who agreed to participate in our vaccination campaign received BNT162b2 and were included in the descriptive analysis. An anonymous questionnaire investigating the occurrence of SEs/AEs and PROs was administered to the study population 21 days after the first dose. Pearson's chi-squared test was used to estimate the risk of experiencing SEs/AEs according to selected variables. A total of 997 patients were included in the study: 62.0% had stage IV cancer, and 68.8% were receiving an active treatment, of whom 15.9% were receiving immunotherapy. SEs/AEs were recorded in 37.1% of cases after the first dose and in 48.5% of cases after the second dose. The most common SEs were muscle pain/local rash (27.9% and 28%, after the first and second dose, respectively). Patients older than 70 years showed lower risk of SEs/AEs, while women showed a higher risk. Before receiving the vaccine, 18.2% of patients felt fearful and/or insecure about the vaccination. After the first dose, 57.5% of patients changed their feelings positively. Our data support the short-term safety of BNT162b2 in CPs, regardless of disease stage and concurrent treatments. Overall, the vaccination showed a positive impact on quality of life.

Covid-19 in Patients with Hematological Disorders: An Italian Single Center Experience before Covid-19 Vaccination

Covid-19 in Patients with Hematological Disorders: An Italian Single Center Experience before Covid-19 Vaccination

MODY patients carrying mutation in syndromic diabetes genes. An Italian single-center experience.

MODY patients carrying mutation in syndromic diabetes genes. An Italian single-center experience.

COVID-19 in sub-intensive care unit: An italian single-center experience along the three epidemic waves

The goal was to characterize COVID-19 patients who needed treatment in Sub-Intensive Care Units (SICUs) for hypoxemic respiratory failure, describe their six-month mortality, and identify clinical and laboratory characteristics that were associated with death. Data from 216 consecutive patients admitted to the COVIDSICU of Turin’s San Giovanni Bosco Hospital were analyzed retrospectively. A total of 216 patients (24.5% of whom were female) were enrolled. The average age was 63±11.9 years. In the three waves, the six-month mortality rate was 32.8%, 35.1%, and 26.6%, respectively (p=0.52). The mortality rate was significantly higher in intubated patients compared to those not requiring intubation (60.8% versus 29.9%, p&lt;0.01). On admission, deceased patients were older (69±7.7 versus 60.2±12.6 y.o., p&lt;0.01), with a higher prevalence of dyslipidemia, coronary artery disease, chronic heart failure, and higher serum creatinine. However, only age was predictive of death at multivariate analysis (OR 5.29, p&lt;0.01), with 63 years old as the best cut-point. At six months, mortality in COVID patients managed in a SICU is around 30%. Age is a significant negative prognostic factor, with 63 years of age being the best predicting cut-off.

Neurological Involvement in Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children: Clinical, Electroencephalographic and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Peculiarities and Therapeutic Implications. An Italian Single-Center Experience.

ObjectiveTo describe neurological involvement in multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) and to evaluate whether neurological manifestations are related to the degree of multiorgan involvement and inflammation.MethodsThe authors conducted a retrospective analysis of clinical, electroencephalographic (EEG), neuroradiological (MRI), and CSF parameters in 62 children with MIS-C (45 M, age 8 months—17 years, mean age 9 years) hospitalized between October 1, 2020 and March 31, 2022.ResultsNeurological involvement was documented in 58/62 (93.5%) patients. Altered mental status was observed in 29 (46.7%), focal neurological signs in 22 (35.4%), and non-specific symptoms in 54 (87%). EEG was performed in 26/62 children: 20 showed EEG slowing, diffuse or predominantly over the posterior regions. Ten patients underwent brain MRI: three showed a cytotoxic lesion of the corpus callosum. CSF analysis, performed in six patients, was normal. On the basis of the clinical and EEG findings, two profiles of neurological involvement were identified: 16/62 (26%) patients presented encephalitis with rapid-onset encephalopathy, focal neurological signs, and EEG slowing; 42/62 (68%) showed mild neurological involvement with mild or non-specific neurological signs. All patients received intravenous immunoglobulin and methylprednisolone (MTP), low-molecular-weight heparin, and therapeutic-dose anticoagulant treatment. Children with severe encephalopathy received intravenous MTP at 30 mg/kg/day for 3 days, obtaining rapid clinical and EEG improvement. Neurological assessment at discharge was normal in all cases. Children with encephalitis were younger than those without (median age 5 and 10 years, respectively); no differences between the two groups were found in the other parameters: comorbidities, fever, number of organs and systems involved, shock, hospitalization, pediatric intensive care unit admission, non-invasive ventilation, inotropic support, laboratory data.ConclusionNeurological involvement in MIS-C is frequent but not serious in most cases: around two thirds of the affected children had mild and short-lasting symptoms. It seems to be related to age, but not to the degree of multiorgan involvement and inflammation. In children with acute immune-mediated encephalitis, the clinical picture was dominated by encephalopathy that disappeared with immunomodulatory therapy. Neurological assessment allowed timely diagnosis and treatment.

Postcardiotomy VA ECMO in adult patients: Italian single center experience in 2021.

Postcardiotomy VA ECMO in adult patients: Italian single center experience in 2021.

MO959: Covid-19 Vaccine in Kidney Transplanted Patients. is There A Clinical Relevance? An Italian Single Center Experience

BACKGROUND AND AIMSCOVID-19 is a life-threatening infection among elderly, comorbid patients or transplanted patients. In our recently published paper (Campise, M.; Alfieri, C.M.; et al. Pathogens 2021, 10, 964), we described our single Centre experience with 82 adult kidney-transplant patients (KTxp) with COVID-19 infection during the previous two pandemic outbreaks: 27 KTxp (first outbreak) and 65 (second). We observed a relatively low and possibly underestimated incidence of infection (5.1%) with a incidence of death almost four times higher than in general population (13%). The availability of COVID-19 vaccines has undoubtedly changed the outcome of the infection in both immunocompetent and immunosuppressed patients.Aim of this second ongoing observational and descriptive study, is to evaluate if the vaccination performed extensively among our KTxp, has modified the incidence and gravity of COVID-19 infection.METHODData on KTxp with COVID-19 infection (COV+) from the 29 October 2021 to 31 December 2021 were collected. Particularly, we focused our anthropometric, clinical and therapeutic aspects. In the statistical analyses, continuous variables were expressed as median and interquartile range (25%–75%), and nominal variables were reported as percentage of cases.RESULTSFrom the 29 October 2021 to the 31 December 2021, 33 KTxp developed COVID-19 infection, 60% were male. Median age was 50[29–58] years. Transplant vintage was 57[27–163] months. Median serum creatinine was 1.30[1.0–1.9] mg/dL and body mass index was 23[21–28] kg/m2. Immunosuppressive schedule included: CNI inhibitors, steroids and mycophenolate (MMF) in 97–90 and 70% of COV + respectively. In 50% of cases native vitamin D supplementation was present, whereas only 30% of cases were treated with renin-angiotensin inhibitors. Only one had insulin dependent diabetes. At the moment of nasopharyngeal swab positivity 64% of COV + had already received three doses of vaccine (Comirnaty (BNT162b2)®) and 30% 2 doses. Only 3% of pts had received a single dose. One patient had refused vaccination for personal reasons.Antigenic nasopharyngeal swab was performed in 70% of COV + and molecular swab in 60%. Thirty-five % of COV + were tested with both methods.The most frequent symptoms were: fever (70%), cough (75%) and headache (40%). In the previous outbreaks dyspnea was present in 33% of cases dropping to 13% in this cohort. Smell and taste alteration were present in 25% and 28% respectively. We did not perform the COVID-19 sequence. But, on the base of the symptoms referred, we are confident that 17 patients had delta variant and remaining had omicron.The first therapeutic approaches were the increase of the daily steroid dosage up to 25 mg (60% of cases) together with MMF temporarily withdrawing in 70% of cases and halving in 10%. Forty % of pts were also treated with monoclonal antibodies (Ronapreve ®) upon infectious disease specialist evaluation. During the first two outbreaks, hospitalization was necessary in 45% of cases, and 13% of pts died. In the present cohort only 10% of patients required oxygen support and hospitalization. Nobody died.CONCLUSIONAlthough very preliminary, our results indicate that the vaccination campaign has noticeably ameliorated the incidence, the clinical presentation and the outcome of COVID-19 in KTxp. This comforting data should further sensitize the medical community on vaccination counseling in KTxp as soon as possible. Study with higher number of patients are needed to further clarify the individual response on antibody production and sensitivity to this still life-threatening infection.

Risk Factors Associated with Poor Outcome in Patients with Infective Endocarditis: An Italian Single-Center Experience.

Background: Nowadays, infective endocarditis (IE) is still burdened by a high mortality. In the absence of an adequate prognostic stratification system, it is important to assess new predictors of poor outcomes. The aim of our study is to evaluate which factors were associated with higher mortality in IE patients. Methods: A retrospective cohort study enrolled patients with an IE diagnosis at the Infectious Diseases Clinic of the University ‘G. D’Annunzio’, Chieti, Italy from January 2013 to December 2019. For each patient, demographic, anamnestic and clinical information, embolic phenomena, laboratory and microbiologic data, treatment, and outcomes were collected and analyzed. A correlation analysis was performed. Results: Sixty-eight patients with EI were studied; among them, the mortality was 17.6%, 20.6%, and 23.5%, intra-hospital, at 1 month from discharge and at 6 months from discharge, respectively. Mortality was significantly correlated with age, estimated glomerular filtration rate, and procalcitonin values when considering either basal values (r = 0.266, p = 0.029), or values at 48–72 h from the start of an antibiotic therapy (r = 0.222; p < 0.05), cerebral embolization for 6-month mortality (r = 0.284; p = 0.019), and inadequate antibiotic therapy (r = 0.232, p < 0.05). Conclusions: Procalcitonin values, at EI diagnosis and at 48–72 h after starting antibiotics, are prognostic factors useful for stratifying patient risk, and for setting up a personalized treatment. Of note, cerebral embolization and an inappropriate empirical treatment were associated with a higher mortality in the short- and long-term.

Impact of the SARS-COV-2 Pandemic on the Endovascular Treatment of Acute Stroke – an Italian Single-Center Experience

ObjectivesThe SARS-CoV-2 pandemic greatly influenced the overall quality of healthcare. The purpose of this study was to compare the time variables for acute stroke treatment and evaluate differences in the pre-hospital and in-hospital care before and during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, as well as between the first and second waves. Materials and methodsObservational and retrospective study from an Italian hospital, including patients who underwent thrombectomy between January 1st 2019 and December 31st 2020. ResultsOut of a total of 594 patients, 301 were treated in 2019 and 293 in 2020. The majority observed in 2019 came from spoke centers (67,1%), while in 2020 more than half (52%, p < 0.01) were evaluated at the hospital's emergency room directly (ER-NCGH). When compared to 2019, time metrics were globally increased in 2020, particularly in the ER-NCGH groups during the period of the first wave (N = 24 and N = 56, respectively): “Onset-to-door”:50,5 vs 88,5, p < 0,01; “Arrival in Neuroradiology – groin”:13 vs 25, p < 0,01; “Door-to-groin”:118 vs 143,5, p = 0,02; “Onset-to-groin”:180 vs 244,5, p < 0,01; “Groin-to-recanalization”: 41 vs 49,5, p = 0,03. When comparing ER-NCGH groups between the first (N = 56) and second (N = 49) waves, there was an overall improvement in times, namely in the “Door-to-CT” (47,5 vs 37, p < 0,01), “Arrival in Neuroradiology – groin” (25 vs 20, p = 0,03) and “Onset-to-groin” (244,5 vs 227,5, p = 0,02). ConclusionsDuring the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, treatment for stroke patients was delayed, particularly during the first wave. Reallocation of resources and the shutting down of spoke centers may have played a determinant role.

Could Gender Impact on Immediate and Long-term Carotid Artery Stenting Outcome? Insight from an Italian Single Center Experience

Carotid artery stenting (CAS) has become a valid alternative to carotid endarterectomy in stroke prevention. However, female gender is still considered as an independent risk factor for CAS procedures, potentially limiting immediate and long-term benefits. Aim of present study was to evaluate gender differences in CAS submitted patients from an Italian high-volume center. a retrospective monocentric study has been conducted on 568 patients (366 males and 202 females), submitted to CAS, between January 2000 and December 2019. Besides gender sex, clinical anatomical, and procedural data were collected as possible factors determining the outcome, when associated to sex gender itself. Primary endpoint of this study consisted in evaluating the technical and procedural success ratio, and the incidence of major and minor stroke, transient ischemic attack, acute myocardial infarction (AMI) peri-procedurally and at medium and long term, between the male and the female population. Secondary endpoint of this study consisted in evaluating the percentage ratio of minor complications happening peri-procedurally in both genders. Male patients were more likely to be octogenarians, clinical history of coronary artery disease, and smokers, while diabetes was more frequent in female patients. Anatomical and plaque morphology features were not different between the two groups. Technical success was obtained in all but two patients (99,6%), while procedural success was 95% (538/566 patients). During the peri-procedural time, no major stroke, 16 minor strokes (2,81%, 2,45% males vs. 3,45% females, P= 0,48), and 11 transient ischemic attack (2,18% males vs. 1,48% females, P= 0,56) were recorded. At a medium follow-up 57 months, 32 stroke (8 major strokes, 24 minor strokes) episodes (5,6%, males 5,7% vs. females 5,4%, P= 0,88), 24 AMIs (4,2%, males 4,6% vs. females 3,46%, P= 0,5;), 13 restenosis (2,8%, males 2,4% vs. females 1,9%, P= 0,71) and 223 deaths (39,2%, males 34,9% vs. females 47%, P= 0,0048) were noted. Our results showed no differences in immediate, and long-term CAS outcomes between gender. Larger, prospective studies are required to assess the real importance and significance of gender in determining CAS procedures' benefit and outcome.

Prevalence and impact on post-transplant outcome of sarcopenia among patients with cirrhosis on waiting-list for liver transplantation: Preliminary data from an Italian single center experience

Background: Sarcopenia, defined as the progressive and generalized loss of skeletal muscle mass, has been reported in 22-45% of waiting-list cirrhotic patients, with one-year post-liver transplantation (LT) survival rates of 50%-64% in sarcopenics vs 85%-94% in non-sarcopenics. However, its role in organ allocation has never been considered, to reduce the underestimation of MELD in liver disease severity in some categories of patients, as women or elders.

Caring for fragile patients with rectal cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic: an Italian single-center experience.

Background: During COVID-19 pandemic entire Countries rapidly ran out of intensive care beds, occupied by critically ill infected patients. This put almost all health care systems to the test. Elective surgery has been halted and acute care surgeries drastically limited. Since pandemic began, Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS) and General Anesthesia (GA) have been under great debate as they are both aerosol generating procedures and may contribute to contagions inside theaters. Moreover, as known, GA can be associated with delayed recovery after anesthesia and can lead to the admission of the patient to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging during the COVID-19 pandemic: A southern Italian single-center experience

PurposeWe aimed to assess the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging studies performed during the lockdown imposed by the Italian Government from March 2020 to May 2020. Materials and methodWe reviewed the number and the findings of CMR scans performed during the COVID-19 pandemic between March and May 2020 at University of Naples Federico II. The number and the findings of CMR studies acquired in the corresponding months of 2017, 2018 and 2019 were also assessed for direct comparison. ResultsA total of 117 CMR studies was considered, including the procedures performed during the pandemic (n = 18) and those performed in the corresponding months of the prior 3 years (n = 99). The number of CMR studies performed during the COVID-19 pandemic was significantly (P < .01) lower compared to the mean number (n = 33) of the procedures performed in the corresponding months of 2017−2019. The percentage of abnormal CMR studies was similar (P = 0.73) during the pandemic (67 %) compared to that found in the corresponding months of 2017−2019 (70 %) suggesting that many abnormal tests were missed due to the lockdown. ConclusionThe number of CMR studies was significantly reduced during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to the corresponding period of the previous three years. The lack of difference in the prevalence of abnormal CMR studies between the two study time intervals strongly suggests that many patients with potentially abnormal imaging test have been missed during the pandemic.

The management of "fragile" and suspected COVID-19 surgical patients during pandemic: an Italian single-center experience.

During Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic entire countries rapidly ran out of intensive care beds, occupied by critically ill infected patients. Elective surgery was initially halted and acute non-deferrable surgical care drastically limited. The presence of COVID-19 patients into intensive care units (ICU) is currently decreasing but their congestion have restricted our therapeutic strategies during the last months. In the COVID-19 era eighteen patients (8 men, 10 women) with a mean age of 80 years, needing undelayable abdominal surgery underwent awake open surgery at our Department. Prior to surgery, all patients underwent COVID-19 investigation. In all cases locoregional anesthesia (LA) was performed. Intraoperative and postoperative pain has been monitored and regularly assessed. A distinct pathway has been set up to keep patients of uncertain COVID-19 diagnosis separated from all other patients. Mean operative time was 104 minutes. In only one case conversion to general anesthesia was necessary. Postoperative pain was always well controlled. None of them required postoperative intensive care support. Only one perioperative complication occurred. Early readmissions after surgery were never observed. On the basis of our experience awake laparotomy under LA resulted feasible, safe, painless and, in specific cases, the only viable option. For patients presenting fragile cardiovascular and respiratory, reserves and in whom general anesthesia (GA) would presumably increase morbidity and mortality we encourage LA as an alternative to GA. In the COVID-19 era, it has become part of our ICU-preserving strategy allowing us to carry out undeferrable surgeries.