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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Mastocytosis is characterised by clonal proliferation of mast cells in the skin and in various internal organs, and by symptoms related to an acute release of mast cell-derived mediators. In 20-30 % of patients, mastocytosis occurs without the typical skin lesions of urticaria pigmentosa that are usually the first clinical sign of the disease. In these patients, anaphylaxis is often the presenting sign of the disease. ⋯ An eliciting factor was identified in one case (a wasp sting), but one was found in the other two. Elevation of the serum tryptase suggested a mastocytosis, which was confirmed by bone marrow biopsy. This case series demonstrates that cardiovascular emergencies may be presenting signs of mastocytosis, and that elevation of serum tryptase after an acute cardiac event, if confirmed under basal conditions, may be useful for diagnosing this disease.