Background:The aim was to assess endothelial function with photoplethysmography (PPG), by post-occlusive reactive hyperaemia (PORH) combined with alprostadil challenge test in patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD). Methods: Forty-nine PAD patients stage II-III Fontaine (39 male, 10 female, mean age 68.45±5.86 years) and a control group of 49 healthy individuals (24 male, 25 female; mean age 25.1±3.8 for a young subgroup; 71.0±0.16 years for an elderly subgroup) were included. Ankle-brachial index (ABI) was assessed at baseline, peripheral perfusion (PP) and PORH were assessed at baseline and after the 30 minutes administration of parenteral alprostadil. Results: After 3 minutes of arterial occlusion, peripheral perfusion increased from 0.69±0.94 mV/V to 2.27±2.42 mV/V (p<0.0001). After alprostadil challenge, peripheral perfusion increased from 0.84±1.24 mV/V to 4.52±3.52 mV/V (p<0.0001). In controls PP was 2.4±1.7 mV/V versus 3.8±1.5 mV/V, p<0.0001. Conclusion: In patients with PAD, an increase in PORH after alprostadil challenge due to the release of nitric oxide (NO), provides information on the endothelial function and could reflect the presence of collaterals. In the healthy control group, the increase in PORH could reflect the integrity of main arterial branch. In PAD patients with an increase in PORH, conservative therapy should be preferred over surgical revascularisation.

Objective: The aim of the study is to assess 24-hour blood pressure variability, circadian blood pressure profile and its relation to 24-hour blood pressure and cardiovascular risk factors in primary hypertension without any associated disease versus associated with a disease such as diabetes or chronic kidney disease. Methods: This observational study included 90 hypertensive patients, 49 with primary hypertension without associated disease and 41 patients with primary hypertension and diabetes or chronic kidney disease. Circadian blood pressure profile and 24-hour variability were assessed using ambulatory monitoring. Laboratory data regarding cardiovascular risk factors and demographic data were collected in a questionnaire. Results: The number of dipper patients was higher in the group without associated disease, but the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.27). In both groups a positive correlation was found between 24-hour systolic blood pressure variability and 24-hour systolic blood pressure (p=0.029) and was related to age (p=0.031). In the second group, systolic variability showed a positive correlation with serum triglycerides (p=0.006, r=0.416, CI: 0.1252 to 0.6422). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that systolic blood pressure variability is related to age, systolic blood pressure values and serum lipid levels. To prevent end organ damage in hypertension, the assessment of ambulatory monitoring derived 24-hour systolic blood pressure variability and its reduction may be at least as important as blood pressure lowering.

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Introduction: The compressed air weapon is a type of arm to which the projectile is propelled due to the compression of air in a sealed chamber. These types of weapons belong to the category of non-lethal weapons and ammunition subject to authorization. However, accidental fatal cases, suicides or even deaths with intention attributed to these types of weapons are described in the literature. Case presentation: We are discussing the case of a 5-year-old boy who, at a picnic with several families, is shot and killed with a compressed air rifle, left unattended. The medical crew arrived at the scene could not save the boy’s life. Necroptic examination revealed a gunshot wound through the heart, with the projectile stuck in the lateral-internal wall of the right ventricle. The projectile identified was a metal type projectile (lead), with a length of 8.5 mm and a diameter of 4.5 mm. Conclusions: Compressed air weapons, although considered non-lethal, have proven over time their extremely dangerous potential through the fatal injuries produced. Raising public awareness, limiting use and enforcing strict legislation could prevent tragic events.

Objective: In patients with critical limb ischemia who undergone revascularization procedures, the assessment of risk factors that may affect the postoperative outcome is of great importance. The main objective in this study is to assess the utility of two specific risk scores, the Finnvasc score and the modified Prevent III score.Methods: We evaluated the applicability of these two risk scores in 150 patients who undergone an unilateral infrainguinal surgical revascularization procedure. The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used to estimate the predictive value of the scoring methods. A comparison between the risk scores, determine the areas under the curve. Medium-term prediction ability was analyzed for both scoring methods.Results: The area under the curve of Finnvasc score for predicting amputation was 0.739 (95%CI:0.661-0.807) and of the modified PIII score 0.713 (95%CI:0.633-0.784); for restenosis we obtained 0.528 (95%CI:0.444-0.611), respectively 0.529 (95%CI:0.445-0.612) and for thrombosis 0.628 (95%CI:0.544-0.706) and 0.556 (95%CI:0.472-0.638), demonstrating that the Finnvasc score performs better in overall prediction. Heart failure is a strong independent predictor of amputation (p=0.0001, OR=26.90; 95%CI:5.81-124.2), restenosis (p=0.0003, OR=4.80; 95%CI:1.96-11.8) and mortality (p=0.01, OR=7.16; 95%CI:1.33-38.52).Conclusions: The accuracy of the two risk scoring methods in predicting the medium-term outcome of patients undergoing surgical infrainguinal revascularization is acceptable. The Finnvasc score is easier to be applied to the characteristics of our patients.