Internal and emergency medicine
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Effective secondary prevention after acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is largely dependent on dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT). Despite DAPT, however, patients remain at substantial risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (i.e., cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, stroke), and, therefore, combination therapy of oral anticoagulant and antiplatelets has been previously proposed. Because of the increase in bleeding and the cumbersome management of vitamin K antagonists, such combination therapy has never gained much popularity. ⋯ Both APPRAISE-2 and ATLAS ACS 2-TIMI 51 trials confirm a dose-dependent increase in major bleeding events, including intracranial, with apixaban and rivaroxaban when combined with DAPT. Low-dose (2.5 mg twice daily) rivaroxaban on the other hand, is associated with a significantly higher efficacy on the occurrence of combined cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, stroke, and of stent thrombosis. Owing to the persistent uncertainty regarding the net clinical benefit of combined therapy of NOAC, namely low-dose (2.5 mg twice daily) rivaroxaban and DAPT of aspirin and clopidogrel, further studies are warranted to identify the ACS patient who will benefit most from such treatment, also in comparison to the current therapeutic standard represented by DAPT of aspirin and ticagrelor (or prasugrel).
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Metabolic syndrome and its various features (obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease) are increasing worldwide and constitute a severe risk for the sustainability of the present universal Italian health care system. Lifestyle interventions should be the first therapeutic strategy to prevent/treat metabolic diseases, far before pharmacologic treatment. The role of diet and weight loss has been fully ascertained, whereas the role of physical activity is frequently overlooked both by physicians and by patients. ⋯ The quantity and the frequency of physical activity necessary to produce beneficial effects has not been defined as yet, but brisk walking is considered particularly appropriate, as it can be practiced by a large number of individuals, without any additional cost, and has a low rate of injury. The effects of exercise and leisure time physical activity extend from prevention to treatment of the various components of the metabolic syndrome, as well as to mood and quality of life. Any effort should be done to favor adherence to protocols of physical activity in the community.
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Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a common potentially life-threatening complication in acutely ill medical patients; over 70 % of the fatal episodes of pulmonary embolism during hospitalization occur in non-surgical patients. In the absence of thromboprophylaxis, the incidence of venographically detected deep vein thrombosis is about 15 % in medical patients. Several trials and meta-analyses have clearly demonstrated the prophylactic role of unfractionated heparin, low molecular weight heparin and fondaparinux. ⋯ The optimal duration of thromboprophylaxis in medical patients is still a matter of debate; currently, extended prophylaxis after discharge is not recommended, but it may be required for subgroup of patients with persistently high VTE risk and a negligible risk of bleeding. Based on the results of recent studies, the new oral anticoagulants appear to have a very limited role, if any. However, a better risk stratification of patients who have a persistently increased risk of VTE is warranted to improve the risk to benefit profile of any anticoagulant drug to be used in this setting.