Thus, in type 1 diabetes mellitus, measures of glycemic variability are useful in predicting both actual and long-lasting glycemic control. In absence of diabetes-related complications and of any intima-media thickness alterations, the major predictors of arterial distensibility are represented by traditional risk factors beside glycemic 24-h control.

BackgroundCardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) has gained a central role in the diagnosis of cardiac amyloidosis (CA). While the diagnostic role of a typical late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) pattern (global subendocardial enhancement coupled with accelerated contrast washout) has been identified, evidence is still conflicting regarding the prognostic role of such examination.Methods and resultsWe retrospectively analysed all patients referring for CMR at Niguarda Hospital (Milan, Italy) from January 2006 to January 2015 for suspected CA. Primary outcome was all-cause mortality. We identified 42 patients and divided them into 2 groups, according to the presence (Group A) or absence (Group B) of a typical amyloidosis LGE pattern. At the end of the follow-up (median 37 months, interquartile range 10–50 months), 31 patients (74%) had died. The hazard ratio for all-cause death was 3.2 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.5–6.4, p < 0.01) for Group A versus Group B. Median survival time was 17 months (95% CI 7–42 months) for Group A and 70 months (95% CI 49–94 months) for Group B (p < 0.01). Multivariate analysis did not find any adjunctive predictive role for biventricular volumes and ejection fraction, indexed left ventricular mass, transmitral E/e’ at echocardiography, age at diagnosis or serum creatinine.ConclusionIn our population, a typical LGE pattern was significantly associated with higher mortality. Moreover, patients with a typical LGE pattern showed a globally worse prognosis. Our data suggest that the LGE pattern may play a central role in prognostic stratification of patients with suspected CA, thus prompting further diagnostic and therapeutic measures.

Prolonged dual antiplatelet therapy is the cornerstone of the therapy after drug-eluting stent implantation. However, it is associated with risks and side-effects, such as bleeding events, which can negatively affect overall prognosis. Moreover, premature antiplatelet therapy discontinuation is not uncommon both in clinical trials and in clinical practice. It can lead to serious short-term and long-term complications, such as stent thrombosis, acute myocardial infarction and death. Although lack of patient's motivation can be regarded as an important cause of drug withdrawal, recent studies showed that medical decisions can be an even more frequent cause of premature discontinuation. The management of a patient with a coronary stent, undergoing surgery, is challenging and might lead to antiplatelet therapy withdrawal. In the present article, adherence and side-effects of antiplatelet therapy will be reviewed, also focusing on new antiplatelet drugs, such as prasugrel and ticagrelor. Furthermore, pharmacological interactions (e.g. proton pump inhibitors) as well as other causes of drug discontinuation will be addressed, particularly focusing on their prognostic and practical implications.

A 50-year-old man in chemotherapy for an advanced lung adenocarcinoma presented with chest pain and cutaneous rash during carboplatin infusion with electrocardiographic (ECG) evidence of an inferior lesion wave. The administration of steroids and nitrates promptly resulted in clinical and ECG normalization, without enzymatic dismission. This reaction was considered compatible with allergic coronary vasospasm (also known as Kounis syndrome), a rare but possible complication of chemotherapy. In these cases prompt diagnosis and a correct approach can avoid useless invasive interventions.