Medicina
-
Background and Objectives: Knee osteoarthritis is a serious burden for modern countries. Timing of surgery and treatment choice are still a matter of controversy in the orthopedic literature. The purpose of this study was to ascertain the incidence and hospitalization trends of high tibial osteotomy in Italy from 2001 to 2016. ⋯ Varus deformity and knee osteoarthritis are the leading causes requiring high tibial osteotomy. Except for the pediatric setting, results showed that from the 20-24 age class to the 50-54 age class, there was an increasing request for knee osteotomy, whereas in those aged >60 years, the incidence progressively decreased. The evident decline in HTO performed over the years in Italy seems to reflect a minor role for knee osteotomy in the management of knee OA, as it seems to be primarily reserved for younger male patients.
-
Background and Objectives: Robotics is commonly used in the rehabilitation of neuro-musculoskeletal injuries and diseases. While in these conditions, robotics has clear benefits, it is unknown whether robotics will also enhance the outcome of cardiac rehabilitation. This systematic review evaluates the use of robotics in cardiac rehabilitation. ⋯ It was found that interventions that included the use of robotic assistance technologies improved the exercise capacity, VO2 max/peak, left ventricular ejection fraction, QOL, and physical functioning in people with cardiac diseases. Conclusions: Robotic assistance technologies can be used in cardiac rehabilitation programs. Further studies are needed to confirm the results and determine whether the use of robotics enhances intervention outcomes above standard interventions.
-
Background and Objectives: Over the past decade, there has been increasing attention paid to advanced and innovative cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) modalities, such as T1 and T2 mapping, which play a major role in diagnosing diffuse myocardial disease. There is little data summarizing the current evidence regarding the diagnostic accuracy of T1 and T2 mapping, and extracellular volume (ECV) in acute myocarditis. The aim of our study was to select, analyze, and systematically review the recent scientific literature on the diagnostic value of CMR T1 and T2 parametric mapping in clinically suspected acute myocarditis. ⋯ T1 and T2 mapping and ECV, combined with the late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) technique, increases the probability of detecting myocardial inflammatory changes at various stages of the disease, improving the diagnostic accuracy to 96%. Conclusions: New quantitative CMR techniques, i.e., T1 and T2 mapping, have an advantage over conventional CMR sequences in detecting inflammatory myocardial structural changes and play an important role in diagnosing acute myocarditis. Incorporating these sequences in daily clinical practice increases the diagnostic value of CMR in acute myocarditis and becomes an alternative to endomyocardial biopsy, which has been considered the gold standard until now.
-
Observational Study
Handheld 6-Lead ECG for Early Detection of Acute Inferior Wall ST-T Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction: HINT-MI Study Design and Rationale.
Background: ST-T segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is a critical condition that requires rapid diagnosis and treatment. Recently, various ECG recording devices have been developed. In this study, we aim to determine the utility of a 6-lead handheld ECG recording device to shorten the time taken for the diagnosis of inferior wall STEMI. ⋯ This study aims to evaluate sensitivity and specificity of a handheld 6-lead ECG device by the level of agreement with a standard 12-lead ECG for diagnosing inferior wall STEMI. Further, we will determine whether the use of the handheld device can reduce the time needed for reperfusion treatment through faster diagnosis. Conclusions: This study aims to investigate the feasibility of a handheld 6-lead ECG device for diagnosing inferior wall STEMI to reduce the time required to diagnose inferior wall STEMI and to allow timely treatment.
-
We would like to begin by expressing our gratitude for the interest shown in our research [...].