Early Doppler-echocardiography evaluation of Carpentier-Edwards Standard and Carpentier-Edwards Magna aortic prosthetic valve: comparison of hemodynamic performance

OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to describe Doppler-echocardiography values of Carpentier-Edwards Perimount Standard (CEPS) and Carpentier-Edwards Perimount Magna (CEPM) aortic prosthetic valves, evaluated by a single, experienced echo-laboratory, early in the postoperative phase. METHODS: Three-hundred-seventy-seven consecutive patients, who had had a CEPS or a CEPM implanted in our Hospital due to aortic stenosis and/or insufficiency, underwent baseline Doppler echocardiography evaluation within 7 days after surgery. Hemodynamic performances of CEPS and CEPM were accurately described, evaluating flow-dependent (transprosthetic velocities and gradients) and flow-independent (effective orifice area, indexed effective orifice area and Doppler velocity index) Doppler-echocardiography parameters. RESULTS: Out of the 377 patients 48.8% were men (n = 184), mean age was 74.63 ± 6.77 years, mean BSA was 1.78 ± 0.18 m2, mean ejection fraction was 57.78 ± 8%. Two-hundred and sixty two CEPS and 115 CEPM were implanted. Comparing size-by-size CEPS with CEPM, both prostheses showed a good hemodynamic profile, with fairly similar values of pressure gradients (PGmax and mean, in mmHg, = 37,18 ± 11.57 and 20.81 ± 7.44 in CEPS n°19 compared to 32,47 ± 7,76 and 17,67 ± 4.63 in CEPM n°19 and progressively lower in higher sized prostheses, having PGmax and mean 15 ± 3,16 and 9.15 ± 1,29 in CEPS n°29 compared to 15,67 ± 1,53 and 9 ± 1 in CEPM n°29) and EOAi (being 0,65 ± 0,33 cm²/m² in CEPS n°19 compared to 0,77 ± 0,29 cm²/m² in CEPM n°19 and progressively higher in higher sized prostheses, being 1,28 ± 0,59 cm²/m² in CEPS n°29 compared to 1,07 ± 0,18 cm²/m² in CEPM n°29), the latter resulting, however, basically less flow obstructive. CONCLUSIONS: Our data confirm the good hemodynamic performance of both aortic bioprostheses and the more favourable hemodynamic profile of CEPM compared to CEPS, pointing out the need to perform routinely an accurate baseline Doppler-echocardiography evaluation early after surgery to allow an adequate interpretation of data at follow-up

Lucio Campiani. Un musicista mantovano nella cultura italiana dell'Ottocento, a cura di Licia Mari

New studies on the Mantuan musician Lucio Campiani (1822-1914), analyzed in the context of his time. The essays examine some of his compositions and include further details about his life, works and iconography. Additionally, there is a brief article regarding his father Michele, esteemed oboist

Gliptin-associated bullous pemphigoid shows peculiar features of anti-BP180 and -BP230 humoral response: results from a multicenter study

none24Background: Recently, several case-control studies demonstrated an association between gliptins and bullous pemphigoid (BP) occurrence. Data on clinical and immunological features of gliptin-associated bullous pemphigoid (GABP) are controversial. Objective: This study aims to clinically and immunologically characterize a large cohort of GABP patients to get insight into the pathophysiology of this emerging drug-induced variant of BP. Methods: Seventy-four GABP patients were prospectively enrolled and characterized from nine different Italian Dermatology Units between 2013 and 2020. Results: Our findings demonstrate that in GABP patients: i) the non-inflammatory phenotype which is characterized by low amounts of circulating and skin infiltrating eosinophils is frequently found; ii) IgG, IgE and IgA humoral response to BP180 and BP230 antigens is reduced in frequency and titers when compared with idiopathic BP; iii) IgG reactivity targets multiple BP180 epitopes other than NC16A. Limitations: A limitation of the study is the control group that did not comprise only type 2 diabetes mellitus BP patients. Conclusions: GABP patients show peculiar features of anti-BP180 and -BP230 humoral response laying the foundations for diagnostic improvements and to get novel insights into understanding the mechanism of BP onset.noneSalemme, Adele; Fania, Luca; Scarabello, Alessandra; Caproni, Marzia; Marzano, Angelo Valerio; Cozzani, Emanuele; Feliciani, Claudio; De Simone, Clara; Papini, Manuela; Satta, Rosanna Rita; Parodi, Aurora; Mariotti, Feliciana; Lechiancole, Stefania; Genovese, Giovanni; Passarelli, Francesca; Festa, Francesca; Bellei, Barbara; Provini, Alessia; Donatella Sordi, null; Pallotta, Sabatino; Abeni, Damiano; Mazzanti, Cinzia; Didona, Biagio; Di Zenzo, GiovanniSalemme, Adele; Fania, Luca; Scarabello, Alessandra; Caproni, Marzia; Marzano, Angelo Valerio; Cozzani, Emanuele; Feliciani, Claudio; De Simone, Clara; Papini, Manuela; Satta, Rosanna Rita; Parodi, Aurora; Mariotti, Feliciana; Lechiancole, Stefania; Genovese, Giovanni; Passarelli, Francesca; Festa, Francesca; Bellei, Barbara; Provini, Alessia; Donatella Sordi, Null; Pallotta, Sabatino; Abeni, Damiano; Mazzanti, Cinzia; Didona, Biagio; Di Zenzo, Giovann