European journal of internal medicine
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Eur. J. Intern. Med. · Jan 2020
Predictive value of the Canada Acute Coronary Syndrome risk score for post-acute myocardial infarction infection.
Although rare, infection in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) significantly increases mortality. Therefore, it is important to identify patients at high risk of infection. We aimed to validate the value of the Canada Acute Coronary Syndrome (C-ACS) risk score for predicting infection in such patients. ⋯ The C-ACS risk score was a good predictor of P-AMI infection, and other clinical outcomes.
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Eur. J. Intern. Med. · Jan 2020
Management of venous thromboembolism in cancer patients: Considerations about the clinical practice guideline update of the American society of clinical oncology.
The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) recently updated their clinical practice guidelines. The most novel aspect of this update is represented by the introduction of DOACs as pharmacological options both for prophylaxis and treatment of VTE in patients with cancer. The heterogeneity of the cancer population in terms of type and stage of the malignancy, presence of comorbidities, and variability in cancer treatments and prognosis represent the major challenge of managing VTE in patients with cancer. ⋯ Uncertainties to the updated ASCO guidelines remain concerning a number of indications on prophylaxis and treatment due to the limited evidence available. These limitations determine the low strength of the recommendations. The ongoing studies will contribute to refine the best management of patients with cancer-associated VTE.
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Eur. J. Intern. Med. · Jan 2020
Diagnosis and treatment of hypertensive emergencies and urgencies among Italian emergency and intensive care departments. Results from an Italian survey: Progetto GEAR (Gestione dell'Emergenza e urgenza in ARea critica).
Hypertensive emergencies (HE) and urgencies (HU) are frequent causes of patients referral to Emergency Department (ED) and the approach may be different according to local clinical practice. Our aim was to explore awareness, management, treatment and counselling after discharge of HE and HU in Italy, by mean of an on-line survey. The young investigator research group of the Italian Society of Hypertension developed a 23-item questionnaire spread by e-mail invitation to the members of Italian Scientific societies in the field of Hypertension. 665 questionnaires were collected from EDs, Emergency and Urgency Medicine, Cardiology or Coronary Units, Internal Medicines, Intensive care, Stroke units. ⋯ After discharge, home blood pressure monitoring and general practitioner re-evaluation were more frequently suggested, while ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and hypertension specialist examination were less prescribed. The differences observed across the different macro-areas, regarded prescription of diagnostic test and drug administration. This survey depicts a complex situation of shades and lights in the real-life management of HE and HU in Italy.