Rovigo

Researchers are evaluating the EuroHeart program, an observational and prospective multicenter initiative designed to improve quality of care for patients with common cardiovascular diseases such as Acute Coronary Syndrome ACS, heart failure, and atrial fibrillation. EuroHeart collects standardized and harmonized patient data to support continuous quality improvement by monitoring adherence to quality indicators defined by the European Society of Cardiology ESC. The program aims to understand how well proven treatments are applied in everyday clinical practice. The study involves continuous data collection from consecutive patients hospitalized or treated for these cardiovascular conditions. Participants enter a 12-month follow-up period during which clinical events and health status data are gathered. This registry specifically evaluates adherence to ESC quality indicators in Italian clinical practice, including measures such as time to reperfusion and prescription of recommended medications at discharge. Participants will be monitored through regular collection of clinical data over the 12 months following enrollment. Researchers will assess adherence to multiple ESC quality indicators related to treatment and management of STEMI and NSTEMI patients, including evaluations of left ventricular function, lipid levels, and use of dual antiplatelet therapy and other medications. The study also tracks cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular events during follow-up to support quality improvement efforts. Participation involves consent and data collection without experimental treatments.

Older adults face a high risk of acute respiratory infections, which lead to hospitalization, death, and loss of independence globally. Reduced immune function with age and environmental exposures increase vulnerability and lower vaccine effectiveness. This international study evaluates the impact of hospitalizations caused by respiratory viruses such as influenza, SARS-CoV-2, respiratory syncytial virus, and human metapneumovirus on loss of autonomy in people aged 60 and older to guide better prevention and vaccination approaches. The study observes individuals hospitalized with confirmed infections from these respiratory viruses. There are no experimental treatments instead, researchers monitor the patients over time to assess changes in their ability to perform daily activities. Functional dependency is measured at hospital admission, discharge, and at 3 and 6 months after discharge. The study also tracks health outcomes like medical complications, length of hospital stay, ICU admission, readmissions, new medications, and living situation changes. Participants will undergo evaluations of their daily living skills using standardized scores at multiple time points during and after hospitalization. Data on demographics, vaccination status, and comorbidities are collected at baseline. Follow-up phone assessments at 3 and 6 months help capture recovery and long-term effects. The study aims to deepen understanding of how respiratory infections affect older adults independence and support strategies for healthier aging.

Researchers are evaluating the superiority of physiological ventricular pacing compared to managed ventricular pacing for preventing persistent atrial fibrillation in patients who have a prolonged atrioventricular interval and require pacing due to sinus node disease or certain types of second-degree atrioventricular block. This multicenter, prospective, randomized trial uses CE-marked devices already in clinical practice to compare these pacing methods. The study involves two groups one receiving physiological ventricular pacing PhysioVP, which delivers stimulation to the hearts natural conduction system to correct the PR interval and avoid dyssynchrony, and the other receiving managed ventricular pacing DDD-VPA, which uses right ventricular leads and algorithms to minimize ventricular pacing. Both groups receive atrial leads placed in the right atrial appendage. Patients are implanted with dual-chamber pacemakers and monitored over time. Participants will have in-office clinical checks at 1, 12, 24, and 36 months after implantation, with additional home monitoring at 6, 18, and 30 months. Researchers will measure outcomes such as the occurrence of persistent atrial fibrillation and clinical composite outcomes over 36 months. Secondary measures include heart function, remodeling, and safety endpoints. The study continues monitoring for three years to evaluate the pacing methods impact.

Researchers are evaluating whether stimulating the hearts conduction system reduces heart failure events in patients with atrioventricular block and how this approach compares to conventional pacing in real-world clinical practice. The study also aims to assess the impact of these treatments on patients quality of life and cost-effectiveness. This trial involves adult patients who need a pacemaker due to atrioventricular conduction disease. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups conduction system pacing CSP or conventional right ventricular RV pacing. CSP uses specialized catheters to place the pacing lead at the left side of the interventricular septum near the left bundle branch, with continuous ECG monitoring to confirm correct placement. The conventional pacing group receives RV pacing at the apex or septum of the right ventricle using single or dual chamber pacemakers, chosen based on the patients heart rhythm. During the 36 months following pacemaker implantation, patients will be followed to monitor heart failure outcomes, including heart failure events, hospitalizations, and non-drug interventions. Quality of life and cost-effectiveness will also be evaluated. The study uses randomization and quadruple masking to ensure unbiased assessment, and participants will be monitored regularly to track their health and treatment effects over the study period.

This research aims to assess how well the Dehydration Readmission After Ileostomy Prediction DRIP score is used and how often its recommended care steps are applied to prevent dehydration and hospital readmissions in patients who have an ileostomy after elective colorectal surgery. The study focuses on patients at risk of dehydration, a common complication after ileostomy due to fluid loss through the stoma, which can lead to serious health issues and readmission. The study is prospective and observational, involving multiple Italian colorectal surgical centers. Patients undergoing ileostomy creation after elective colorectal resection will be observed for adherence to the DRIP scoring system and its preventive care protocol. The DRIP score categorizes patients into five risk levels from very low to very high, guiding different interventions such as pre-discharge education, intravenous fluids at home, antidiarrheal medications, nursing follow-up, phone check-ins, and outpatient visits with blood tests. Data collection will occur from May 2025 to April 2026, with a six-month follow-up period. Participants will have their clinical data recorded, including stoma care details, hydration status, creatinine levels, and post-discharge care measures. Researchers will track the application of DRIP scores, adherence to care strategies, and readmission rates at 30, 90, and 180 days. Data will be entered securely and analyzed to identify factors influencing readmission and dehydration. The study aims to improve patient outcomes by optimizing dehydration prevention and reducing hospital readmissions after ileostomy surgery.

Researchers are evaluating the long-term clinical and instrumental response to Cardiac Contractility Modulation CCM therapy in adults with symptomatic heart failure caused by systolic left ventricular dysfunction despite adequate medical treatment. This observational cohort study, both retrospective and prospective, focuses on subjects already receiving CCM as part of their regular care. The study aims to assess clinical response, hospitalizations, quality of life, walking distance, and changes in heart biomarkers over 12 months. Participants carry the OPTIMIZER Smart Mini CCM device, a programmable implantable pulse generator connected to leads in the heart. The study groups are defined by their response to low-dose dobutamine stress echocardiography before implantation, with one group showing a reduction of 15% or more in left ventricular end-systolic volume LVESV and the other less than 15%. The low-dose dobutamine test involves incremental infusions of the drug to assess heart contractile reserve. During the 12-month follow-up, researchers will monitor changes in New York Heart Association NYHA class, hospitalizations, quality of life using the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire, walking test distance, and NT-proBNP biomarker levels. Additional assessments include echocardiographic measures and recording adverse events, cardiac device implants, or surgery. This comprehensive monitoring helps evaluate the clinical and functional effects of CCM therapy over time.