The negative effects of reduced attention to standard guidelines for screening and surgery of abdominal aortic aneurysms during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic

Si pone in evidenza l'importanza dello screening nella popolazione per aneurismi dell'aorta addominale

Aortic septotomy with scissor-technique

Viene descritta tecnica innovativa per il ridurre le complicanze legate alla dissezione aorta toracic

Burden of herpes zoster-associated chronic pain in Italian patients aged 50 years and over (2009¿2010): a GP-based prospective cohort study.

BackgroundPost-herpetic neuralgia (PHN) is the most common complication in herpes zoster (HZ) patients.MethodsWe performed a longitudinal, prospective study in 108 general practices throughout Italy to assess how many immunocompetent patients aged ¿50 years with newly diagnosed HZ develop HZ-associated pain, its duration and management over 6-months. HZ-associated pain was assessed by a direct question to the patient and by self-assessment of the worst pain felt in the previous two weeks on a visual analogue scale (VAS), a score ¿3 was taken as pain. PHN was defined as pain reported during the study period persisting for ¿3 months. Quality of life (QoL) was measured using the SF-12 questionnaire.ResultsAt enrolment, 370 of the 413 patients (89.6%) reported HZ-associated pain which was still present in 20.6% and 9.2% of patients after three and six months, respectively, despite many patients receiving recommended anti-viral therapy. The overall QoL scores were lower than those in healthy Italians of similar age; scores for patients with HZ-associated pain were lower. The presence of >50 vesicles and VAS score ¿3 at enrolment, and being male were significantly associated with PHN at three months.ConclusionsThese results suggest that HZ and PHN represent an important burden of disease in the elderly. There is a need for interventions that can prevent and reduce the burden of HZ to help improve the quality of life of the elderly. These data may be useful as baseline epidemiology data for the assessment of the impact of the VZV vaccine in Italy, after its implementation

Re: "Endothelitis in COVID-19-positive patients after extremity amputation for acute thrombotic events"

Ilonzo et al reported, in their recent and interesting article, their clinical experience in 4 patients affected by COVID-19 and undergoing major limb amputation secondary to acute irreversible ischemia. On histological examination with hematoxylin/eosin they found inflammatory cells associated with endothelium/apoptotic bodies, mononuclear cells, small vessel congestion, and lymphocytic endotheliitis and concluded that the findings in these patients is more likely an infectious angiitis due to COVID-19. In our experience we have observed numerous cases of venous and arterial thromboembolism not only in the acute phase of COVID-19, but (even more interestingly) even after recovery. Whether SARS-CoV-2 is able to directly attack vascular endothelial cells expressing high levels of ACE2, and then lead to abnormal coagulation and sepsis, still needs to be explored

Endovascular Surgery during COVID 19 virus pandemic as a valid alternative to open surgery

Lo studio sottolinea i vantaggi della chirurgia endovascolare durante la fase acuta della pandemia da COVID1

Abdominal aorta angiosarcoma after endovascular aneurysm repair

Primary tumors originating within the wall of the arteries are rare and they frequently manifest late, making effective treatment a challenge. We describe here a case of Abdominal Aorta AngioSarcoma masqueraded as an infected EndoVascular Aortic Repair. The knowledge of this pathology from vascular surgeons and radiologist is crucial, because a prompt diagnosis and treatment can improve the prognosis

Acute arterial and deep venous thromboembolism in COVID-19 patients. Risk factors and personalized therapy

The Lombardy region suffered severely during the acute phase of the coronavirus diease 2019 outbreak in Italy (Mar-Apr 2020) with 16,000 diagnosed coronavirus disease 2019-related deaths (49% of the total coronavirus disease 2019-related deaths in Italy). In the area surrounding Pavia during the critical stage of the outbreak (Mar-Apr 2020), 1,225 of the documented 4,200 deaths were related to coronavirus disease 2019 infection, with a mortality rate of 181/100,000 inhabitants and an increase in deaths of 138% compared with the same period during previous years. Our aim was to report the experience of the Department of Vascular Surgery of Pavia (Lombardy, Italy), including the lessons learned and future perspectives regarding the management of coronavirus disease 2019 patients who developed severe acute ischemia with impending lower limb loss or deep vein thrombosis

INNOVATIONS in earthquake risk reduction for resilience: RECENT advances and challenges

The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 (SFDRR) highlights the importance of scientific research, supporting the ‘availability and application of science and technology to decision making’ in disaster risk reduction (DRR). Science and technology can play a crucial role in the world’s ability to reduce casualties, physical damage, and interruption to critical infrastructure due to natural hazards and their complex interactions. The SFDRR encourages better access to technological innovations combined with increased DRR investments in developing cost-effective approaches and tackling global challenges. To this aim, it is essential to link multi- and interdisciplinary research and technological innovations with policy and engineering/DRR practice. To share knowledge and promote discussion on recent advances, challenges, and future directions on ‘Innovations in Earthquake Risk Reduction for Resilience’, a group of experts from academia and industry met in London, UK, in July 2019. The workshop focused on both cutting-edge ‘soft’ (e.g., novel modelling methods/frameworks, early warning systems, disaster financing and parametric insurance) and ‘hard’ (e.g., novel structural systems/devices for new structures and retrofitting of existing structures, sensors) risk-reduction strategies for the enhancement of structural and infrastructural earthquake safety and resilience. The workshop highlighted emerging trends and lessons from recent earthquake events and pinpointed critical issues for future research and policy interventions. This paper summarises some of the key aspects identified and discussed during the workshop to inform other researchers worldwide and extend the conversation to a broader audience, with the ultimate aim of driving change in how seismic risk is quantified and mitigated