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In routine clinical practice, hepatitis C virus-infected patients can prematurely discontinue the prescribed regimen for several reasons. The aim of our study was to investigate sustained virological response (SVR12) rates in patients who prematurely discontinued directly acting antiviral (DAA) regimens and to assess the shortest effective duration of DAA able to lead to SVR12. We retrospectively collected the SVR rates of patients, registered in the NAVIGATORE-Lombardia Network database from January 2015, who discontinued DAAs before the predefined end of treatment. Overall, we included 365 patients, males were the majority (213, 58.4%), mean age was 60.5years, and 53 (14.5%) patients were HIV-co-infected. Liver cirrhosis was observed in 251 (68.8%) subjects, and the most represented genotypes were 1b (n=168, 46%) and 3 (n=59, 16.2%). DAA was discontinued a median of 1 (IQR 1–4) weeks before the predefined EOT, with 164 (44.9%) patients stopping DAAs at least 2weeks before the planned schedule. In patients with F0–F3 liver fibrosis, lower rates of SVR12 were observed in patients treated for

We describe clinical characteristics, treatments and outcomes of 44 Caucasian patients with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) at a single hospital in Pavia, Italy, from 21–28 February 2020, at the beginning of the outbreak in Europe. Seventeen patients developed severe disease, two died. After a median of 6 days, 14 patients were discharged from hospital. Predictors of lower odds of discharge were age > 65 years, antiviral treatment and for severe disease, lactate dehydrogenase > 300 mg/dL.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the role of Tocilizumab therapy (TCZ) in terms of ICU admission and mortality rate of critically ill patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia. Design: Patients with COVID-19 pneumonia were prospectively enrolled in SMAtteo COvid19 REgistry (SMACORE). A retrospective analysis of patients treated with TCZ matched using propensity score to patients treated with Standard Of Care (SOC) was conducted. Setting: The study was conducted at IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo Hospital, Pavia, Italy, from March 14, 2020 to March 27, 2020. Participants: Patients with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 hospitalized in our institution at the time of TCZ availability. Interventions: TCZ was administered to 21 patients. The first administration was 8 mg/kg (up to a maximum 800 mg per dose) of Tocilizumab intravenously, repeated after 12 h if no side effects were reported after the first dose. Main Outcomes and Measures: ICU admission and 7-day mortality rate. Secondary outcomes included clinical and laboratory data. Results: There were 112 patients evaluated (82 were male and 30 were female, with a median age of 63.55 years). Using propensity scores, the 21 patients who received TCZ were matched to 21 patients who received SOC (a combination of hydroxychloroquine, azithromycin and prophylactic dose of low weight heparin). No adverse event was detected following TCZ administration. This study found that treatment with TCZ did not significantly affect ICU admission (OR 0.11; 95% CI between 0.00 and 3.38; p = 0.22) or 7-day mortality rate (OR 0.78; 95% CI between 0.06 and 9.34; p = 0.84) when compared with SOC. Analysis of laboratory measures showed significant interactions between time and treatment regarding C-Reactive Protein (CRP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), platelets and international normalized ratio (INR) levels. Variation in lymphocytes count was observed over time, irrespective of treatment. Conclusions: TCZ administration did not reduce ICU admission or mortality rate in a cohort of 21 patients. Additional data are needed to understand the effect(s) of TCZ in treating patients diagnosed with COVID-19.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) diagnosis is based on molecular detection of SARS‐CoV‐2 in respiratory samples such as nasal swab (NS) However, the evidence that NS in patients with pneumonia was sometimes negative raises the attention to collect other clinical specimens SARS‐CoV‐2 was shown in 10 3% rectal swabs (RS), 7 7% plasma, 1% urine, and 0% feces from 143 NS‐positive patients Potential infection by fluids different from respiratory secretion is possible but unlikely [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Pediatric Allergy & Immunology is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use This abstract may be abridged No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract (Copyright applies to all Abstracts )

An accurate prediction of the clinical outcomes of European patients requiring hospitalisation for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is lacking. The aim of the study is to identify predictors of in-hospital mortality and discharge in a cohort of Lombardy patients with COVID-19. All consecutive hospitalised patients from February 21st to March 30th, 2020, with confirmed COVID-19 from the IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Lombardy, Italy, were included. In-hospital mortality and discharge were evaluated by competing risk analysis. The Fine and Gray model was fitted in order to estimate the effect of covariates on the cumulative incidence functions (CIFs) for in-hospital mortality and discharge. 426 adult patients [median age 68 (IQR 56 to 77 years)] were admitted with confirmed COVID-19 over a 5-week period; 292 (69%) were male. By 21 April 2020, 141 (33%) of these patients had died, 239 (56%) patients had been discharged and 46 (11%) were still hospitalised. Among these 46 patients, updated as of 30 May, 2020, 5 (10.9%) had died, 8 (17.4%) were still in ICU, 12 (26.1%) were transferred to lower intensity care units and 21 (45.7%) were discharged. Regression on the CIFs for in-hospital mortality showed that older age, male sex, number of comorbidities and hospital admission after March 4th were independent risk factors associated with in-hospital mortality. Older age, male sex and number of comorbidities definitively predicted in-hospital mortality in hospitalised patients with COVID-19.

We report a case of a newborn, affected by tuberous sclerosis complex, with a prenatally diagnosed giant cardiac rhabdomyoma associated with a large renal angiomyolipoma presenting as a duct-depending lesion not treatable by surgery. After receiving everolimus, a mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor, we observed a rapid, significant, and durable reduction of both lesions without remarkable side effects.

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Objective: Augmentation of pulmonary blood flow is the only surgical treatment to reduce symptoms of cyanosis in patients with cavopulmonary connection unsuitable for Fontan operation. Brachial arteriovenous fistula is a good option to increase pulmonary blood flow. In this report, we analyze its possible consequences on ventricular function. Methods: Six patients considered unsuitable for a Fontan completion because of poor ventricular function underwent brachial arteriovenous fistula. The fistula was performed with the interposition of a 4-mm gore-tex conduit between the brachial vein and the brachial artery. Results: The mean oxygen saturation increased from 76.8 ± 1.9% to 84.1 ± 1.4% (p < 0.01); hemoglobin and hematocrit decreased from 21.13 ± 0.7 g/dL to 18.12 ± 0.5 g/dL (p < 0.01) and from 63.3 ± 2.7% to 54.2 ± 0.7% (p < 0.01), respectively. Mean ejection fraction and shortening fraction increased from 38.6 ± 1.5% to 49.5 ± 2.3% (p < 0.01) and from 23.3 ± 1.8% to 28.8 ± 1.3% (p < 0.01), respectively. A Fontan completion and takedown of the fistula was then accomplished, within six years, with no mortality or major complications. At a mean follow-up of 15 months, all six patients are clinically in good condition. Conclusion: In patients with a cavopulmonary connection and poor ventricular function, the brachial arteriovenous fistula may play a role in increasing oxygen saturation, optimizing ventricular preload, and reducing blood viscosity and pulmonary arteriovenous malformations. This approach might represent an intermediate step to rescue patients previously considered unsuitable or at high risk for Fontan operation. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Congenital heart diseases are corrected early in life, so the surgical procedure has to maintain the maximum potential for growth. The quest for the ideal material for cardiac tissue repair is still ongoing. Here, we describe our preliminary experience with an extracellular matrix for cardiac and vascular tissue repair. Between August 2009 and April 2011, 26 patients underwent cardiac surgery using the CorMatrix patch for vascular repair (10 pulmonary artery, four ascending aorta, three aortic arch and one right ventricular outflow tract) or for valve reconstruction (five aortic, two tricuspid, one mitral and one pulmonary valve); in four cases, the repair was associated with pericardial closure using the same patch. There were no deaths, and at a mean follow-up of 13.2months, there was no evidence of patch-related complications either in the vascular position or when used for valve repair. The ideal material for cardiac tissue repair should be haemostatic and resistant to tearing and calcification, and possibly one that will not induce an inflammatory cascade. In the last 25months, we used an extracellular matrix for cardiac and vascular tissue repair. The patch is advocated to induce the patient's own tissue regeneration. The early results are encouraging, but a longer follow-up is needed to understand the real potential of this material. © 2011 Published by European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. All rights reserved.

Many surgical techniques have been described either to repair and to replace the aortic valve. Among the paediatric population the potential for growth has to be preserved and valve reconstruction is therefore of great importance. In the last two years 25 consecutive patients, mean age 8.6 years, with aortic valve disease, underwent aortic valve repair for aortic regurgitation (AR) (10 patients), aortic valve stenosis (5 patients) or mixed lesion (10 patients). None of the patients died neither during hospitalization nor at follow-up (median 9.25 months). In the aortic stenosis (AS) group, one patient required reoperation (re-repair). None of the patients in the AR group developed more than mild AS and mild AR during follow-up. Nine out of 10 patients of the mixed lesion group had no or trivial AR at the follow-up. Left ventricular dimension decreased in all patients after repair. With a better understanding of the causes of AS or AR and the adoption of different techniques, often used in multiple association, we believe that aortic valve repair can be achieved in most patients with a normal left ventricular outflow tract. © 2010 Published by European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery.

Proponents of a telemetrically adjustable pulmonary artery band (PAB) device have cited simplified postoperative management and shortened length of stay as advantages associated with that technology. This report concerns a recent experience with both conventional pulmonary artery banding (conv-PAB) and the telemetrically adjustable PAB FloWatch (FW-PAB). From January 2005 through December 2008, 19 consecutive infants underwent either conv-PAB (8 patients, mean age 3.5 months, mean weight 4.1 kg) or FW-PAB (11 patients, mean age 2.6 months, mean weight 3.1 kg). Indications for PAB were left ventricular retraining (1 patient in FW-PAB), palliation prior to biventricular repair (7 patients in conv-PAB and 10 in FW-PAB group), and staged univentricular repair (1 patient in conv-PAB). In-hospital mortality was 0%. In the FW-PAB group, 1 FloWatch device was removed because of hemodynamic compromise related to the bulk of the device. There were no major complications in the conv-PAB group and no differences between groups with respect to postoperative ventilation time or length of stay in the intensive care unit or in hospital. In the FW-PAB group, a mean of 3.1 ± 1.7 regulations per patient were undertaken. Of the regulations, 85% (29/34) were adjustments to tighten the device, and 15% (5/34) were to loosen it. During follow-up, 8 patients underwent intracardiac repair and pulmonary artery debanding: 4 in the conv-PAB group and 4 in the FW-PAB group. The course of patients in both groups after PAB were similar. Major differences in length of stay and resource utilization were not apparent. © 2010, SAGE Publications. All rights reserved.

Objective: Mitral valve prolapse is a rare condition and represents a challenge for cardiac surgeons. Many techniques have been described to treat the wide spectrum of abnormalities causing mitral valve regurgitation but the low incidence of these abnormalities is the cause of the relatively poor experience of many institutions. Methods: From April 2005 to September 2006, five patients underwent isolated mitral valve repair with the edge-to-edge technique for anterior or bileaflet prolapse. Three patients also had a Gore-Tex strip to reinforce the posterior annulus, whereas two had a 26-size soft incomplete ring annuloplasty. Results: There was no death and none of the patients required reoperation. None of the patients had mitral regurgitation more than 1+ at a mean follow-up of 30 months. None of the patients had mitral stenosis or any valve-related event. Conclusion: The edge-to-edge technique is a well tolerated and useful technique for the anterior or bileaflet prolapse of the mitral valve. Although many techniques have been described with good results, in many anatomical settings and in small patients, edge-to-edge is a good option and might not interfere with the growth of the valve. Early results are encouraging but a longer follow-up is needed to evaluate the long-term prognosis. © 2009 Italian Federation of Cardiology.

Plastic bronchitis is a rare complication of a variety of respiratory diseases and congenital heart disease surgery, particularly Fontan procedure. Bronchial casts with rubber-like consistency develop acutely and may cause severe life-threatening respiratory distress. The management of plastic bronchitis is yet not well defined. Early intermittent, self-administered nebulization of tissue plasminogen activator was found to be effective in preventing deterioration of acute respiratory symptoms in a patient with primary ciliary dyskinesia and recurrent cast formation. Further investigation into new therapeutic strategies for this devastating disease is advocated. © 2014 Colaneri et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.