Abstract-Left ventricular (LV) mass and geometry predict risk for cardiovascular events in hypertension. Regression of LV hypertrophy (LVH) may imply an important prognostic significance. The relation between changes in LV geometry during antihypertensive treatment and subsequent prognosis has not yet been determined. A total of 436 prospectively identified uncomplicated hypertensive subjects with a baseline and follow-up echocardiogram (last examination 72Ϯ38 months apart) were followed for an additional 42Ϯ16 months. Their family doctor gave antihypertensive treatment. After the last follow-up echocardiogram, a first cardiovascular event occurred in 71 patients. Persistence of LVH from baseline to follow-up was confirmed as an independent predictor of cardiovascular events. Cardiovascular morbidity and mortality were significantly greater in patients with concentric (relative wall thickness Ն0.44) than in those with eccentric geometry (relative wall thickness Ͻ0.44) in patients presenting with LVH (Pϭ0.002) and in those without LVH (Pϭ0.002) at the follow-up echocardiogram. The incidence of cardiovascular events progressively increased from the first to the third tertile of LV mass index at follow-up (partition values 91 and 117 g/m 2 ), but for a similar value of LV mass index it was significantly greater in those with concentric geometry (OR: 4.07; 95% CI: 1.49 to 11.14; Pϭ0.004 in the second tertile; OR: 3.45; 95% CI: 1.62 to 7.32; Pϭ0.001 in the third tertile; PϽ0.0001 in concentric versus eccentric geometry). Persistence or development of concentric geometry during follow-up may have additional prognostic significance in hypertensive patients with and without LVH.

The aim was to determine, in a cross-sectional study, the relation between structural alterations in the heart and carotid arteries, and blood pressure (BP) changes from day to night time, measured by ambulatory BP (ABP). In 225 untreated subjects (

The aim of the study was to assess simultaneously several potential predictors of outcome (co-morbidity, previous and in-hospital treatment, radiologic Brixia score) in patients with COVID-19. This retrospective cohort study included 258 consecutive patients with confirmed COVID-19 admitted to a medical ward at the Montichiari Hospital, Brescia, Italy from February 28th to April 30th, 2020. Patients had COVID-19 related pneumonia with respiratory failure, and were treated with hydroxychloroquine, lopinavir plus ritonavir. In some patients additional treatment with tocilizumab, dexamethasone and enoxaparin was adopted. Outcomes (death or recovery) were assessed at the end of the discharge period or at the end the follow-up (August 2020).  During hospitalization, 59 patients died, while 6 died after discharge. The following variables were demonstrated to be associated with a worse prognosis: Radiologic Brixia score higher than 8, presence at baseline of hypertension, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart disease, cancer, previous treatment with ACE-inhibitors or anti-platelet drugs. Anticoagulant treatment during hospital admission with enoxaparin at a dose higher than 4000 U per was associated to a better prognosis. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that some co-morbidities and cardiovascular risk factors may affect prognosis. The radiologic Brixia score may be a useful tool for stratifying the risk of death at baseline. Anticoagulant treatment with enoxaparin might be associated to a clinical benefit in terms of survival in patients with COVID-19.

The aim of the study was to assess the short-term consequences of SARS-CoV-2-related pneumonia, also in relation to radiologic/laboratory/clinical indices of risk at baseline. This prospective follow-up cohort study included 94 patients with confirmed COVID-19 admitted to a medical ward at the Montichiari Hospital, Brescia, Italy from February 28th to April 30th, 2020. Patients had COVID-19 related pneumonia with respiratory failure. Ninety-four patients out of 193 survivors accepted to be re-evaluated after discharge, on average after 4 months. In ¼ of the patients an evidence of pulmonary fibrosis was detected, as indicated by an altered diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO); in 6–7% of patients the alteration was classified as of moderate/severe degree. We also evaluated quality of life thorough a structured questionnaire: 52% of the patients still lamented fatigue, 36% effort dyspnea, 10% anorexia, 14% dysgeusia or anosmia, 31% insomnia and 21% anxiety. Finally, we evaluated three prognostic indices (the Brixia radiologic score, the Charlson Comorbidity Index and the 4C mortality score) in terms of prediction of the clinical consequences of the disease. All of them significantly predicted the extent of short-term lung involvement. In conclusion, our study demonstrated that SARS-CoV-2-related pneumonia is associated to relevant short-term clinical consequences, both in terms of persistence of symptoms and in terms of impairment of DLCO (indicator of a possible development of pulmonary fibrosis); some severity indices of the disease may predict short-term clinical outcome. Further studies are needed to ascertain whether such manifestations may persist long-term.

Older age and low socio-economic conditions are associated with poor control of cardiovascular risk factors (RFs). We assessed the prevalence and awareness of cardiovascular RFs in 503 elderly outpatients of low social status attending two public Internal Medicine clinics in Naples, and studied the interaction of education and employment level with risk profile. The therapeutic intervention was oriented to improve patients' motivation through a positive patient-physician relationship, in keeping with the current guidelines for hypertension. The effect of treatment was evaluated by comparing retrospectively the level of cardiovascular RFs at baseline and at the last follow-up examination performed within 31 October 2005. Only 33.3% of patients (age ¼ 6876 years) had attended primary school. Overall (current or previous) employment level was also low. Obesity, hypertension and dyslipidaemias were present in most patients, diabetes in 17.3% of them. In all 8.0% of hypertensives, 16.1% of diabetics and 24.7% of dyslipidaemics were unaware of their diseases. Cardiovascular risk profile was worse at lower educational and employment levels. Odds ratios for the metabolic syndrome were 0.28 (95% confidence interval (CI) ¼ 0.15-0.52) and 0.35 (0.20-0.62) in the most qualified of three education and employment groups, respectively, compared to the lowest ones. The level of all cardiovascular RFs was effectively reduced during treatment. Control rate of most RFs improved significantly (for hypertension, from 12.8 to 36.5%, Po0.001). These patients had a high prevalence of cardiovascular RFs, which correlated with their educational and work activity levels. Awareness of their health status was unsatisfactory. Treatment, specifically addressing patient-physician relationship, favourably affected cardiovascular risk profile.