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This study evaluated the correlation between interatrial block (IAB) and atrial fibrillation (AF) among patients admitted to our Internal Medicine Unit: 110 (group 1) were identified with electrocardiograms both in sinus rhythm and AF, and 123 (group 2) constantly in sinus rhythm. In both groups we analyzed: the presence of partial (P≥120 msec) or advanced (P>120 msec and biphasic in D2, D3, aVF) IAB, and the main electrocardiographic and clinical features. Age and gender between the two groups were similar. IAB was present in 89/110 (80.91%) in group 1 and 26/123 (21.13%) in group 2 (P=0.1 mV (P0.1 mV.

BACKGROUND Chronic Heart Failure (CHF) represents worldwide a clinical condition with increasing prevalence, high social, economical and epidemiological impact. Even if new pharmacological and non-pharmacological approachs have been recently used, mortality remains high in general population and quality of life is poor in these patients. DISCUSSION The association between CHF and sleep disorders is frequent but still undervalued: sleep apnoeas in CHF produce negative effects on cardiovascular system and an aggravation of prognosis. CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) is commonly used to treat sleep apnoeas in patients without cardiac involvement and it is also used in first line treatment of acute cardiogenic pulmonary oedema thanks to its hemodynamic and ventilatory effects. The addition of nightly CPAP to standard aggressive medical therapy in patients with CHF and sleep apnoeas reduces the number of apnoeas, reduces the blood pressure, and the respiratory and cardiac rate, reduces the activation of sympathetic nervous system, the left ventricular volume and the hospitalization rate; besides CPAP increases the left ventricular ejection fraction, amd the oxygenation, it improves quality of life, tolerance to exercise and seems to reduce mortality in patients with a higher apnoeas suppression. CONCLUSIONS These implications suggest to investigate sleep apnoeas in patients with CHF in order to consider a possible treatment with CPAP. Further studies need to be developed to confirm the use of CPAP in patients with CHF without sleep disorders.

Background: In the last years Non-Invasive Ventilation (NIV) has been playing an important role in the treatment of Acute Respiratory Failure (ARF). A lot of trials have shown improvements in clinical features (respiratory rate, neurological score), pH and arterial blood gases. Methods: In particular clinical conditions, such as Acute Cardiogenic Pulmonary Edema (ACPE) and acute exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), systematic reviews and meta-analysis show a reduction in the need for intubation and in-hospital mortality compared to standard medical treatment. In other clinical conditions, such as acute asthma, Acute Lung Injury (ALI)/Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) and severe pneumonia, NIV does not show significant improvements in term of avoided intubations or mortality rate. Although the first important data on NIV comes from studies performed in Intensive Care Units (ICUs), subsequently these methodologies of ventilation have been used with increasing frequency in Emergency Departments (ED) and medical wards. Results: Studies developed in ICU sometimes report slightly worse outcomes compared to studies performed in general wards due to the need to treat more severe patients in ICU. Aetiology remains one of the most important factor determining prognosis: different pathological mechanisms substain different clinical conditions and not in all cases the application of positive pressures to the airways is useful. NIV for ARF due to COPD and ACPE is feasible, safe and effective also in a general medical ward if selection of patients, staff training and monitoring are appropriate: its early application improves clinical parameters, arterial blood gases, prevents endotracheal intubation, decreases mortality and hospitalisation. This should encourage the diffusion of NIV in this specific setting.

Background: In the last years Non-Invasive Ventilation (NIV) has been playing an important role in the treatment of Acute Respiratory Failure (ARF). Prospective randomised controlled trials have shown improvements in clinical features (respiratory rate, neurological score), pH and arterial blood gases and in particular clinical conditions (Acute Cardiogenic Pulmonary Edema, ACPE, and acute exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, COPD) systematic reviews and metha-analysis confirm a reduction in the need for intubation and in-hospital mortality compared to standard medical treatment. Methods: The most important techniques of ventilation in spontaneous breathing are: Continuous Positive Airway Pression (CPAP), usually performed with Venturi-like flow generators, and bi-level positive pressure ventilation (an high inspiratory pressure and a low expiratory pressure), performed with ventilators. Facial mask rather than nasal mask is used in ARF: the helmet is useful for prolonged treatments. Results: NIV’s success seems to be determined by early application, correct selection of patients and staff training. Controindications to NIV are: cardiac or respiratory arrest, a respiratory rate < 12 per minute, upper airway obstruction, hemodynamic instability or unstable cardiac arrhythmia, encephalopathy (Kelly score > 3), facial surgery trauma or deformity, inability to cooperate or protect the airway, high risk of aspiration and an inability to clear respiratory secretions. Conclusions: Bi-level ventilation for ARF due to COPD and CPAP or bi-level bentilation for ARF due to ACPE are feasible, safe and effective also in a General Medical ward if the selection of patients, the staff’s training and the monitoring are appropriate: they improve clinical parameters, arterial blood gases, prevent ETI, decrease mortality and hospitalisation. This should encourage the diffusion of NIV in this specific setting.

Introduction: The application of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is one of the most important therapeutic interventions used in patients with acute respiratory failure (ARF) secondary to acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema (ACPE). Thanks to its positive effects on both hemodynamics and ventilation, CPAP improves clinical and blood-gas parameters. Compared with standard oxygen therapy, use of CPAP is associated with decreased mortality and reduced need for intubation in these patients. Aim of the study: This review examines the principles of CPAP, techniques and equipment used to deliver it, and clinical applications. Special emphasis is placed on CPAP delivered with the Boussignac device. Discussion and conclusions: In emergency departments, this simple, lightweight, disposable device has proved to be well tolerated and similar to Venturi-like flow generators in terms of effectiveness. These findings suggest that Boussignac CPAP might be useful for managing ARF in non-critical care areas where other more complicated CPAP equipment (Venturi-like flow generators and ventilators) are not available (for example, in general medical wards).

Summary Introduction An 88-year-old woman suffered a cerebrovascular accident and was found on the floor of her cold house. Materials and methods At the time of admission to our division, the patient was unresponsive with a rectal temperature of 28 °C, blood pressure of 120/80 mmHg, and a heart rate of 40 bpm. The cerebral CT revealed a hypodense lesion in the temporal region. The ECG showed sinus bradycardia, prolonged PR and QTc intervals, and a classic “J” (Osborn) wave that was most pronounced in the lateral and inferior leads. The patient presented a low respiratory rate, hypoventilation, severe acidosis (both respiratory and metabolic), hyperkalemia, elevated liver enzymes, mild anemia, hyporeflexia, and sluggish pupil responses. Results During rewarming with thermic blanket and heated intravenous fluids, the respiratory condition improved, and the ECG alterations disappeared. Twenty-four hours later, however, the patient died suddenly due to cardiac asystole. Discussion This report analyses the effects of hypothermia and its clinical manifestations and provides a brief discussion of the electrophysiologic mechanisms underlying Osborn waves and the other electrocardiographic changes associated with hypothermia.

IntroductionAn 88-year-old woman suffered a cerebrovascular accident and was found on the floor of her cold house.Materials and methodsAt the time of admission to our division, the patient was unresponsive with a rectal temperature of 28 °C, blood pressure of 120/80 mmHg, and a heart rate of 40 bpm. The cerebral CT revealed a hypodense lesion in the temporal region. The ECG showed sinus bradycardia, prolonged PR and QTc intervals, and a classic “J” (Osborn) wave that was most pronounced in the lateral and inferior leads. The patient presented a low respiratory rate, hypoventilation, severe acidosis (both respiratory and metabolic), hyperkalemia, elevated liver enzymes, mild anemia, hyporeflexia, and sluggish pupil responses.ResultsDuring rewarming with thermic blanket and heated intravenous fluids, the respiratory condition improved, and the ECG alterations disappeared. Twenty-four hours later, however, the patient died suddenly due to cardiac asystole.DiscussionThis report analyses the effects of hypothermia and its clinical manifestations and provides a brief discussion of the electrophysiologic mechanisms underlying Osborn waves and the other electrocardiographic changes associated with hypothermia.

Summary Introduction The application of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is one of the most important therapeutic interventions used in patients with acute respiratory failure (ARF) secondary to acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema (ACPE). Thanks to its positive effects on both hemodynamics and ventilation, CPAP improves clinical and blood-gas parameters. Compared with standard oxygen therapy, use of CPAP is associated with decreased mortality and reduced need for intubation in these patients. Aim of the study This review examines the principles of CPAP, techniques and equipment used to deliver it, and clinical applications. Special emphasis is placed on CPAP delivered with the Boussignac device. Discussion and conclusions In emergency departments, this simple, lightweight, disposable device has proved to be well tolerated and similar to Venturi-like flow generators in terms of effectiveness. These findings suggest that Boussignac CPAP might be useful for managing ARF in non-critical care areas where other more complicated CPAP equipment (Venturi-like flow generators and ventilators) are not available (for example, in general medical wards).

Background In the last years Non-Invasive Ventilation (NIV) has been playing an important role in the treatment of Acute Respiratory Failure (ARF). Prospective randomised controlled trials have shown improvements in clinical features (respiratory rate, neurological score), pH and arterial blood gases and in particular clinical conditions (Acute Cardiogenic Pulmonary Edema, ACPE, and acute exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, COPD) systematic reviews and metha-analysis confirm a reduction in the need for intubation and in-hospital mortality compared to standard medical treatment. Methods The most important techniques of ventilation in spontaneous breathing are: Continuous Positive Airway Pression (CPAP), usually performed with Venturi-like flow generators, and bi-level positive pressure ventilation (an high inspiratory pressure and a low expiratory pressure), performed with ventilators. Facial mask rather than nasal mask is used in ARF: the helmet is useful for prolonged treatments. Results NIV's success seems to be determined by early application, correct selection of patients and staff training. Controindications to NIV are: cardiac or respiratory arrest, a respiratory rate 3), facial surgery trauma or deformity, inability to cooperate or protect the airway, high risk of aspiration and an inability to clear respiratory secretions. Conclusions Bi-level ventilation for ARF due to COPD and CPAP or bi-level bentilation for ARF due to ACPE are feasible, safe and effective also in a General Medical ward if the selection of patients, the staff's training and the monitoring are appropriate: they improve clinical parameters, arterial blood gases, prevent ETI, decrease mortality and hospitalisation. This should encourage the diffusion of NIV in this specific setting.