Search

The growing number and complexity of procedures performed in interventional cardiology laboratories increases the risk of biological damage to personnel working in these settings. Given the radio sensitivity of the gonads and the product of conception, women have a risk related to radio exposure that has an impact on their private and working life. This review discusses the available evidence regarding the impact of ionizing radiation on fertility and pregnancy. Furthermore, the different preventive strategies and containment maneuvers of radio exposure in catheterization and electrophysiology/pacing laboratories are examined. Finally, the areas of uncertainty that require targeted research aimed at better defining risks and prevention possibilities are highlighted. Globally, greater information and a safe and inclusive work environment will ensure equal opportunities and fair professional growth in the cardiology field.

Recently, cardiac intensive care units (CICUs) have undergone a significant transformation related to the evolution in management of acute coronary syndrome and influenced by other factors such as the epidemiological transition, the increasing complexity of clinical cases, the technological advancement, and the growth of clinical and scientific expertise of cardiologists. In the context of this evolution, a functional reorganization of CICUs in Italy has to be implemented in order to meet the changing needs of the population with cardiovascular disease requiring critical care. Therefore, the Italian Association of Hospital Cardiologists (ANMCO) proposes this position paper for the reorganization of CICUs into three levels with increasing functional complexity, based on the hospital characteristics, the available technology, and clinical cases treated. The system would be functionally integrated into a regional CICU organization modeled on a time-dependent care network. This proposed network aims to standardize diagnostic and therapeutic protocols and establish unified data collection registries to facilitate self-assessment and support clinical research. The document delineates specific requirements for each CICU level, including the management of clinical cases, the expertise of intensive care cardiologists, the technological facilities, and the medical and nursing staff needed to ensure optimal care delivery.

Chronic coronary syndromes (CCS) are the most common clinical manifestation of coronary atherosclerosis. Coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) is a recent innovation in non-invasive cardiac imaging. It is the only anatomical imaging method that allows direct visualization of the coronary lumen, vessel walls, and atherosclerotic plaques, offering high sensitivity and a strong negative predictive value. CCTA is particularly useful in identifying or ruling out coronary atherosclerosis in the context of CCS and serves as an excellent filter for invasive coronary angiography. Compared to other non-invasive functional imaging tests (stress echocardiography, single photon emission computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, positron emission tomography), CCTA provides detailed characterization of both obstructive and non-obstructive plaques, enabling accurate risk stratification and guiding therapy. Recent advances in computed tomography technology and imaging techniques further extend the use of CCTA beyond plaque and stenosis evaluation, offering also functional lesion information. This consensus document aims to detail the technical aspects of CCTA and illustrate its role in optimizing CCS diagnostic and therapeutic management, enhancing precision medicine and personalized patient care.

Psychiatric disorders significantly impact orthopaedic practice, often manifesting in ways that can complicate diagnosis and treatment. This narrative review explores psychiatric conditions that mimic musculoskeletal disorders, including Conversion Disorder, Factitious Disorder, Somatic Symptom Disorder, and Malingering. These disorders present a range of challenges, from interfering with accurate diagnosis to contributing to suboptimal clinical outcomes and increased healthcare costs. Is fundamental the role of orthopaedic surgeons in recognizing these conditions, which can present as genuine musculoskeletal symptoms but have underlying psychiatric origins. It emphasizes the need for heightened awareness and proper training to avoid misdiagnosis and ensure timely, appropriate treatment. By examining current literature, the review provides a comprehensive overview of each disorder, detailing their clinical presentations, diagnostic criteria, and treatment strategies. The aim is to enhance orthopedic practitioners' ability to identify and manage these complex cases effectively, improving patient care and reducing the risk of unnecessary interventions., Competing Interests: Declarations. Ethics approval: Not applicable. Consent to participate: Not applicable. Consent to publish: Not applicable. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2024. The Author(s) under exclusive licence to SICOT aisbl.)

Background: The clinical governance of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) has markedly changed in the last few years. We sought to assess the contemporary in-hospital management patterns of patients with AMI at a country level., Methods: EYESHOT (EmploYEd antithrombotic therapies in patients with acute coronary Syndromes HOspitalized in iTalian cardiac care units)-2 was a nationwide, prospective registry aimed to evaluate the current management of patients admitted to intensive cardiac care units (CCUs) for an AMI in Italy., Results: Over a 4-week period (February 1st-29th, 2024), 183 CCUs enrolled 2806 consecutive patients: 52.6 % with non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) and 47.4 % with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). The median time from hospital admission to angiography in NSTEMI was 22.3 h (IQR 10.9-46.1), while for STEMI was 1.1 h (IQR 0.5-2.2) with significant difference between hospitals with and without catheterization laboratories. In both NSTEMI and STEMI patients, percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) was the preferred management strategy (73.3 % and 94.2 %, respectively). An optimal secondary prevention therapy, including dual antiplatelet therapy, inhibition of the renin-angiotensin system, a beta-blocker and a high-intensity statin was prescribed at discharge in more than 75 % of patients with AMI. In-hospital major bleedings occurred in 2.0 % and 2.3 % (p = 0.58), while death in 1.8 % and 2.8 % (p = 0.09) of NSTEMI and STEMI patients, respectively., Conclusions: The EYESHOT-2 registry shows the current management strategies and outcome of AMI patients admitted to Italian CCUs and provides insights to improve the clinical care of such patients., Clinical Trial Registration: URL: http://www., Clinicaltrials: gov. Unique identifier: NCT06316128., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest LDL received honoraria for advisory boards or as speaker/chairman at scientific congresses from the following companies: Amgen, Aspen, AstraZeneca, Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Chiesi, Daiichi Sankyo, Menarini, Novonordisk, Pfizer/Bristol-Myers Squibb, Sanofi and Servier. APM received personal fees for participation in study committees sponsored by Bayer, AstraZeneca, Novartis and Sanofi, outside the present work. SL received honoraria for advisory boards or as speaker/chairman at scientific congresses from the following companies: AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Chiesi, Daiichi Sankyo, Novonordisk, Pfizer/Bristol-Myers Squibb, and Sanofi. DL is an employee of Heart Care Foundation which conducted the study, partially supported by an unresctricted grant of research from Chiesi Farmaceutici S.p.A., Italy. MMG has no conflict of interest to disclose., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

This article explores the historical significance and lasting impact of Vittorio Putti's "Decalogue of Fractures" in the field of orthopedic trauma. Putti served as director of the Rizzoli Orthopedic Institute in Bologna from 1915 until his death in 1940 and was one of the founding members of the "Société Internationale de Chirurgie Orthopédique et de Traumatologie" (SICOT). He also played a key role in organizing the third SICOT World Congress, held in Bologna in 1936.The "Decalogue" distills Putti's extensive clinical experience and remains a cornerstone of modern traumatology. He developed the *Decalogue* to enhance the principles of fracture treatment, addressing what he viewed as suboptimal outcomes. This article examines each of the tenets, emphasizing their influence on contemporary fracture management and the evolution of orthopaedic trauma care. It also reflects on Putti's forward-thinking vision for a comprehensive trauma network, underscoring his belief in the critical importance of specialization and centralization to ensure efficiency, quality, and consistency, principles that continue to shape orthopaedic practice today., Competing Interests: Declarations. Ethical approval: The study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. Ethical approval for the study was not necessary because the registry collects data as standard practice on all patients, using a format protecting their identity. Competing interests: The authors have no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose., (© 2024. The Author(s) under exclusive licence to SICOT aisbl.)