While the most recent evidence suggests a lack of benefit, antithrombotic therapy is still extensively prescribed in patients with Takotsubo syndrome (TTS). The objective of this study was to determine whether patients with TTS benefit from anti-aggregation, in terms of either short-term or long-term outcomes. A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted. A comprehensive search of the literature included MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, Clinicaltrials.gov, EU Clinical Trial Register, References, and contact with the authors. Methodological quality assessment and data extraction were systematically performed. The review adhered to the PRISMA framework guidelines. A total of 86 citations were identified, six being eligible for inclusion, for a total of 1997 patients. One of them considered both short-term and long-term outcomes. One reported outcomes during the index event, while the remaining four focused on potential long-term benefits. They were all retrospective cohort studies.Based on our data, the long-term use of antiplatelet therapy (AT) led to a significantly higher incidence of the composite outcome (OR: 1.54; 95% CI 1.09-2.17; p = 0.014) and overall mortality (OR 1.72; 95% CI 1.07-2.77; p = 0.027). The analysis did not show a statistically significant difference in TTS recurrences, stroke/TIA, and MI or CAD worsening with AT compared with no anti-aggregation. The AT in this settings did not show any clear benefit in improving the long-term outcomes, and it may be even detrimental and it may be detrimental. These results warrant further future research and the design of adequately powered randomized controlled trials focusing on the impact of aspirin on the outcomes in patients presenting with TTS.

Background: Congestive heart failure (CHF) associated with worsening renal function is a very common disorder, and, as well known, the goal of the treatment is reducing venous congestion and maintaining a targeted extracellular volume. The objective of the study is to evaluate regular peritoneal ultrafiltration treatment compared to a standard conservative approach in NYHA III–IV CHF patients. In particular, the primary endpoints of the study were the major event-free survival and the total days of medical care per month (which consist of the days of hospitalization and the number of outpatient visits). Material and Methods: This is a retrospective case-control study. Twenty-four patients were included in the present study. Twelve consecutive patients were treated with peritoneal treatment (group A) and 12 matched for age, gender, and severity of disease with a standard approach. Patients were observed over a maximum period of 18 months. Information on events, hospitalizations, and number of visits was collected during follow-up. Results: During the follow-up, we observed a major event in 4 patients in group A (33.3%) and in 8 patients in group B (66.7%). In group B, we observed 7 deaths and 1 ICD shock, while in group A, 3 deaths and 1 ICD shock. The number of visits per month was significantly lower in patients treated with the peritoneal method (1.2 [0.4–4.1] vs. 2.5 [2.0–3.1]; p = 0.03). The total days of medical care was significantly lower in group A (2.0 [1.1–5.5] vs. 4.4 [3.0–8.7]; p = 0.034). A multiple event analysis according to the Andersen-Gill model showed a significant event-free survival for group A. During the follow-up, we did not observe any episode of peritonitis in the treated group. Conclusions: Our study shows that the peritoneal technique is a good therapeutic tool in well-selected patients with CHF. In accordance with prior experience, this intervention has not only an important and significant clinical impact but also potential economic and social consequences.

Background: The reported prevalence of portal hypertension (PH) in Cystic Fibrosis is variable, incidence rates rarely provided and the utility of liver function tests (LFT's) early in life to predict PH is questionable. The aims were to (1) determine PH prevalence (P) and incidence rate (IR) and combined mortality transplant (MTX) data in PH vs non-PH patients and (2) to assess association of LFTs in early life with liver disease and PH. Method: (1) A double centre longitudinal cohort study of 577 CF patients diagnosed by newborn screening (NBS) with annual examinations for PH up to 18.5 years of age (max) was performed over 28 years for P, IR, and MTX data; (2) Cox proportional hazard models were used to assess the association of elevated LFTs on 2 or more occasions over 0-6.5 years and PH. Results: 51/577(8.8%) developed PH with an average IR of near 3/100 0 patient years per 5 year interval representing young, mid and late childhood respectively in patients 3-18 years of age. Combined mortality/liver transplant occurred in 12/51 (23.5%) PH and 25/526 (4.8%) non-PH (p < 0.001). Elevated enzymes particularly GGT (HR:5.71, 95% CI 3.11-10.47); ALT/GGT (HR: 5.56, 95% CI 2.82-10.98); and ALP/GGT (HR: 5.74, 95% CI 2.78-11.86) were associated with the onset of PH. Conclusion: This birth cohort with annual examination for PH provides an accurate assessment of the prevalence, and IR of PH and MTX of PH vs non-PH. Early elevated LFTs are associated with onset of MBC/PH. (C) 2019 European Cystic Fibrosis Society. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Diagnosis and management of Cancer therapeutics-related cardiac dysfunction is of crucial importance in breast cancer (BC) patients. The role of advanced echocardiographic techniques, such as deformation imaging, in the diagnosis and characterization of patients receiving cancer therapy has so far involved relatively small studies in the research setting. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis and systematic review of observational studies evaluating myocardial changes during chemotherapy detected through conventional echocardiographic parameters, such as 2D left ventricular ejection fraction (2D LVEF), and 2D Speckle tracking echocardiography (STE). The literature search retrieved 487 research works, articles, of which 17 were found to be pertinent with this topic. After full article review, 16 studies were considered suitable for the present analysis. Two separate analyses, one for the anthracyclines-based therapeutic regimen and one for the trastuzumab based therapeutic regimen, were performed. A significant reduction in 2D LVEF and 2D STE parameters during cancer therapy was found in both the investigations. Peak systolic global longitudinal strain demonstrated to be the most consistent 2D STE parameter in detecting early myocardial changes among all the studies. Thus, we confirmed the role of 2D STE for the early detection of myocardial damage, suggesting its crucial role in monitoring BC patients and eventually driving the introduction of cardioprotective treatment.

BACKGROUND:Although current literature has shown that patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) have worse locomotion compared with healthy counterparts, no studies have focused on the efficacy of exercise training in improving gait abnormalities including biomechanics and metabolic aspects, in this population.OBJECTIVE:To verify the effectiveness of exercise training (ET) on gait parameters (i.e., speed, step and stride length, single and double support, and energy cost of walking (Cw)) in patients with AD with respect to a standard cognitive treatment (CT).METHODS:In this study, we included a small portion of data belonging to a larger study (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT03034746). Patients with AD (Mini-Mental State Examination 22±5) were included in the study. Gait parameters and Cw were assessed at baseline and after 6 months (72 treatment sessions) of treatment. ET included 90 min of aerobic and strength training. CT included 90 min of cognitive stimuli.RESULTS:The 16 patients assigned to ET exhibited significant improvement of Cw (-0.9±0.1 J/kg·m-1), while differences in gait parameters were negligible. The effect on gait parameters were undetectable in the 18 patients assigned to CT (-0.2±0.5 J/kg·m-1).CONCLUSIONS:Data from this study showed that ET program seems effective in improving Cw in patients with AD. Interestingly, the positive effect of ET on Cw was not coupled with ameliorations of patient's gait parameters, suggesting that the gain of metabolic aspects of locomotion were the main factors responsible for this positive result.

Abstract Introduction MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs which are known to play an important role in proliferation, differentiation, invasion and angiogenesis of different malignant tumors. The role of tissue and blood level of miRNAs as useful bio-markers of gliomagenesis is also increasing. Interest is growing on tissue and plasma miR-222 level as prognostic marker in first line chemo- and radiotherapy treated patients with glioma, the mechanisms of action and the target genes of this miRNA in gliomagenesis being under extensive investigation. Furthermore, some evidence exist that miR-221 and miR-222 are upregulated in glioblastoma (GBM) patients and that these paralogues target O(6)-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) mRNA. Here we focused on the prognostic role of tissue miR-222 in GBM patients. Experimental procedures 63 GBM patients were included in the analysis (overall survival (OS) range: 8-122 months). For each patient formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue samples at first surgery were collected. miR-222 expression level was analyzed by qRT-PCR with TaqMan probe, normalizing miR-222 level on miR-U6 level. OS was analyzed by Kaplan-Meyer (K-M) survival curves. MGMT methylation analysis by pyrosequencing on tumoral DNA is on-going. Results In silico analysis of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) for GBM defined a median OS of 13.6 months in the whole sample population (n=199). Comparison of median OS, done stratifying two groups according to median tissue miR-222 expression level (low 222 vs high 222), showed a significant increased OS in low 222 patients (14.3 vs 13.1 months, p=0.017). Interestingly, K-M curves overlapped for the first 14 months and then diverged after. In particular, K-M analyses starting from 14 months revealed a significantly increased hazard ratio for high 222 patients (HR 1.96, 95% CI = 1.25 - 3.09, p<0.004) in respect to low 222 patients, being the median OS prolonged of further 15.1 months in low 222 and of 6.6 months in high 222 patients. On this basis, we tested the hypothesis of a possible role of miR-222 in a local sample population of 63 GBM patients with prolonged survival. MiR-222 expression level was measured as described above. Therefore, patients were stratified in two groups according to median tissue miR-222 expression level (low 222 vs high 222) and OS analysed on a K-M curve. The Hazard Ratio for high 222 patients was significantly higher (HR=5.30, 95% CI = 2.53-11.11, p<0.0001), being the median OS of 55 month in low 222 vs 30 months in high 222 GBM patients, respectively. Conclusions Quantitative analysis of miR-222 expression in the tumor tissue obtained at first surgery might provide a relevant prediction of prolonged survival in GBM patients. Further conclusions will be presented on the relationship between miR-222 and MGMT which will shed light on a possible role of miR-222 on gene methylation and GBM epigenetics. Citation Format: Laura Lattanzio, Marzia Borgognone, Rossella Merli, M. Cristina Dechecchi, Gianluigi Dorelli, Cristina Mocellini, Andrea Talacchi, Daniela Vivenza, Federica Tonissi, Alessandra Santangelo, Fabrizio Giordano, Caludio Ghimenton, Albino Eccher, Sergio Pericotti, Luisa Zanolla, Claudio Bernucci, Marco Merlano, Cristiana Lo Nigro, Giulio Cabrini. Low miR-222 expression levels predict long-term survival of patients affected by glioblastoma [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 4432. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-4432

Cardiovascular diseases are highly prevalent in Western countries. Among modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular events, dyslipidaemias have a predominant role, being conveniently controlled either by a healthy lifestyle or by drugs, when necessary. A number of guidelines have been issued to guide both clinicians and laboratorians to assess the cardiovascular risk and to provide the best patient management. Guidelines accumulated and evolved with time, incorporating new available evidence; however, differences among them could generate disorientation among health professionals. The recent recommendations by the American College of Cardiologists and the American Heart Association are a breaking point in the guideline history, mainly because of the suggestion of abandoning the therapeutic LDL cholesterol targets. In this paper, we illustrate available guidelines, emphasizing the different approaches to risk prediction. The possible adoption of the recent American guideline will pose problems to both clinicians and clinical laboratories. The number of subjects to be treated would markedly increase and the lack of therapeutic targets could hamper the possibility to share with patients the targets to fulfil, jeopardising their compliance. For laboratories, the major issue would be the difficulty to report lipid results according to targets adjusted to risk levels. In an opposite direction, a recent national consensus document suggests adopting in reporting lipid results the desirable lipid levels as established by European recommendations.

A number of recent contributions about the P value in statistics gave the spur to consider different aspects of its use in scientific papers. There is indeed a need of correct information on how and when to apply the P value to evaluate results of a scientific experiment and how to appropriately interpret the numerical value as well, considering that the P statistic is rather frequently reported in the medical literature. In this paper we first described the origin of the P value and its correct significance, using examples where the statistical significance of the P value does not necessarily mean a clinical significance. Then, we defined which kind of assumptions cannot be drawn from the a P value. The most common misuse is when a non-statistically significant P value is used to establish that two laboratory techniques are equivalent. Finally, some alternatives are given, the most common being the use of the confidence intervals. In spite of the interpretation mistakes commonly observed in scientific articles, the P value remains a useful statistic tool to be utilized and interpreted with better consciousness.

BACKGROUND:Sympathetic activation in heart failure patients favors the development of ventricular arrhythmias, thus leading to an increased risk of sudden cardiac death. β1 - and β2 -adrenergic receptor polymorphisms have been linked to the risk of sudden death. Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICD) are implanted in a large percentage of heart failure patients, and beyond preventing sudden cardiac death they provide a continuous monitoring of major ventricular arrhythmias and of their own interventions. We investigated whether functionally relevant β1 - and β2 -adrenergic receptor polymorphisms are associated with risk of ICD shocks, as evidenced in ICD memory.METHODS:311 patients with systolic heart failure were enrolled, and number and timing of shocks in ICD memory were recorded. Four selected polymorphisms were determined: β1 -adrenergic receptor polymorphisms Ser(49) Gly and Arg(389) Gly and β2 -adrenergic receptor polymorphisms Arg(16) Gly and Gln(27) Glu.RESULTS:Only Ser(49) Gly was significantly correlated with time free from ICD shocks, both considering time to the first event in a Cox model (hazard ratio 2.117), and modeling repeated events with the Andersen-Gill method (hazard ratio 2.088). Gly allele carriers had a higher probability of ICD shock. The relationship remained significant even after adjusting for ejection fraction and beta-blocker dosage (hazard ratio 1.910).CONCLUSIONS:Data from our study suggest that the β adrenoreceptor Gly 49 allele of the β1 -adrenergic receptor Ser(49) Gly polymorphisms may increase the risk of ICD shock in patients with heart failure, independent of beta-blocker dosage.

The aim of this study was to characterize hemodynamic and metabolic responses to dynamic resistance exercise in chronic heart failure patients (CHF) compared to healthy older men (CTR). We hypothesized that in controlled conditions; pharmacologically treated CHF should show the adaptations to the strength exercises similar to healthy subjects, demonstrating therefore the compatibility with the practical on field. We addressed the acute effects of dynamic resistance exercise in eight CHF patients and eleven age-matched CTRs, instrumented for expiratory gas and cardiovascular analysis. All subjects performed two series with up to twelve repetitions at 70 % of 1RM on a leg press machine. Arterial pressure and heart rate progressively increased throughout the movements and decreased on cessation, while stroke volume (Modelflow software) decreased by 30 % at the start and increased by 10 % at cessation. Cardiac output increased at cessation only. All values were lower in CHF, but the changes during the exercises were not significantly different from those of CTR. Oxygen consumption increased during the exercises and continued increasing thereafter up to 60–70 % V’O2max (absolute changes were smaller in CHF). We concluded that the response to dynamic resistance exercise is characterized by a sharp hindrance to the output of blood from the heart, which reduces stroke volume and enhances arterial pressure in CHF as well as in CTR. The simultaneous increase in heart rate kept cardiac output unaltered. The most important differences concerned a reduced metabolic response during exercise in CHF, even more evident in rest. Chronic heart failure syndrome and its treatment do not interfere with the cardiovascular responses to these kinds of physical activities. This finding can be considered a step forward in demonstrating that patients with chronic heart failure can, in controlled conditions, safely practice these essential exercises to preserve their muscle integrity.

Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is the recommended device treatment in patients with heart failure (HF), severely impaired left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF ≤35%), and left bundle branch block with QRS duration ≥120 ms, who are symptomatic despite optimal medical treatment [ [1] Brignole M. Auricchio A. Baron-Esquivias G. Bordachar P. Boriani G. Breithardt O.A. Cleland J. Deharo J.C. Delgado V. Elliott P.M. Gorenek B. Israel C.W. Leclercq C. Linde C. Mont L. Padeletti L. Sutton R. Vardas P.E. ESC Committee for Practice Guidelines (CPG) Zamorano J.L. Achenbach S. Baumgartner H. Bax J.J. Bueno H. Dean V. Deaton C. Erol C. Fagard R. Ferrari R. Hasdai D. Hoes A.W. Kirchhof P. Knuuti J. Kolh P. Lancellotti P. Linhart A. Nihoyannopoulos P. Piepoli M.F. Ponikowski P. Sirnes P.A. Tamargo J.L. Tendera M. Torbicki A. Wijns W. Windecker S. Reviewers Document Kirchhof P. Blomstrom-Lundqvist C. Badano L.P. Aliyev F. Bänsch D. Baumgartner H. Bsata W. Buser P. Charron P. Daubert J.C. Dobreanu D. Faerestrand S. Hasdai D. Hoes A.W. Le Heuzey J.Y. Mavrakis H. McDonagh T. Merino J.L. Nawar M.M. Nielsen J.C. Pieske B. Poposka L. Ruschitzka F. Tendera M. Van Gelder I.C. Wilson C.M. 2013 ESC guidelines on cardiac pacing and cardiac resynchronization therapy: the Task Force on cardiac pacing and resynchronization therapy of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC). Developed in collaboration with the European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA). Eur. Heart J. 2013; 34: 2281-2329 Crossref PubMed Scopus (1604) Google Scholar ]. Unfortunately, based on the current guidelines, about one-third of them do not respond clinically to CRT, and more than 40% do not show LV reverse remodeling. Device therapy optimization has been proposed to overcome this issue and the echo-guided atrio-ventricular (AV) and inter-ventricular (VV) delay adjustment is a promising and feasible technique. Observational and underpowered randomized studies have identified AV and VV suboptimal delays as predictors of poor CRT response and have shown significant clinical benefit following optimization [ 2 Auricchio A. Stellbrink C. Sack S. Block M. Vogt J. Bakker P. Huth C. Schöndube F. Wolfhard U. Böcker D. Krahnefeld O. Kirkels H. Pacing Therapies in Congestive Heart Failure (PATH-CHF) Study Group Long-term clinical effect of hemodynamically optimized cardiac resynchronization therapy in patients with heart failure and ventricular conduction delay. J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. 2002; 39: 2026-2033 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (903) Google Scholar , 3 Vidal B. Sitges M. Marigliano A. Delgado V. Díaz-Infante E. Azqueta M. Tamborero D. Tolosana J.M. Berruezo A. Pérez-Villa F. Paré C. Mont L. Brugada J. Optimizing the programation of cardiac resynchronization therapy devices in patients with heart failure and left bundle branch block. Am. J. Cardiol. 2007; 100: 1002-1006 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (82) Google Scholar ]. However, these findings have not been yet confirmed by larger randomized trials [ 4 Boriani G. Müller C.P. Seidl K.H. Grove R. Vogt J. Danschel W. Schuchert A. Djiane P. Biffi M. Becker T. Bailleul C. Trappe H.J. Resynchronization for the HemodYnamic Treatment for Heart Failure Management II Investigators Randomized comparison of simultaneous biventricular stimulation versus optimized interventricular delay in cardiac resynchronization therapy. The Resynchronization for the HemodYnamic Treatment for Heart Failure Management II implantable cardioverter defibrillator (RHYTHM II ICD) study. Am. Heart J. 2006; 151: 1050-1058 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (31) Google Scholar , 5 Ritter P. Delnoy P.P. Padeletti L. Lunati M. Naegele H. Borri-Brunetto A. Silvestre J. A randomized pilot study of optimization of cardiac resynchronization therapy in sinus rhythm patients using a peak endocardial acceleration sensor vs. standard methods. Europace. 2012; 14: 1324-1333 Crossref PubMed Scopus (88) Google Scholar ], although positive trends have been recently shown [ [6] Delnoy P.P. Ritter P. Naegele H. Orazi S. Szwed H. Zupan I. Goscinska-Bis K. Anselme F. Martino M. Padeletti L. Association between frequent cardiac resynchronization therapy optimization and long-term clinical response: a post hoc analysis of the Clinical Evaluation on Advanced Resynchronization (CLEAR) pilot study. Europace. 2013; 15: 1174-1181 Crossref PubMed Scopus (28) Google Scholar ]. Currently, the European Society of Cardiology [ [1] Brignole M. Auricchio A. Baron-Esquivias G. Bordachar P. Boriani G. Breithardt O.A. Cleland J. Deharo J.C. Delgado V. Elliott P.M. Gorenek B. Israel C.W. Leclercq C. Linde C. Mont L. Padeletti L. Sutton R. Vardas P.E. ESC Committee for Practice Guidelines (CPG) Zamorano J.L. Achenbach S. Baumgartner H. Bax J.J. Bueno H. Dean V. Deaton C. Erol C. Fagard R. Ferrari R. Hasdai D. Hoes A.W. Kirchhof P. Knuuti J. Kolh P. Lancellotti P. Linhart A. Nihoyannopoulos P. Piepoli M.F. Ponikowski P. Sirnes P.A. Tamargo J.L. Tendera M. Torbicki A. Wijns W. Windecker S. Reviewers Document Kirchhof P. Blomstrom-Lundqvist C. Badano L.P. Aliyev F. Bänsch D. Baumgartner H. Bsata W. Buser P. Charron P. Daubert J.C. Dobreanu D. Faerestrand S. Hasdai D. Hoes A.W. Le Heuzey J.Y. Mavrakis H. McDonagh T. Merino J.L. Nawar M.M. Nielsen J.C. Pieske B. Poposka L. Ruschitzka F. Tendera M. Van Gelder I.C. Wilson C.M. 2013 ESC guidelines on cardiac pacing and cardiac resynchronization therapy: the Task Force on cardiac pacing and resynchronization therapy of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC). Developed in collaboration with the European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA). Eur. Heart J. 2013; 34: 2281-2329 Crossref PubMed Scopus (1604) Google Scholar ] and the American Echocardiographic Society [ [7] Gorcsan III, J. Abraham T. Agler D.A. Bax J.J. Derumeaux G. Grimm R.A. Martin R. Steinberg J.S. Sutton M.S. Yu C.M. American Society of Echocardiography Dyssynchrony Writing Group Echocardiography for cardiac resynchronization therapy: recommendations for performance and reporting—a report from the American Society of Echocardiography Dyssynchrony Writing Group endorsed by the Heart Rhythm Society. J. Am. Soc. Echocardiogr. 2008; 21: 191-213 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (476) Google Scholar ] consider echocardiographic CRT optimization time-consuming and, on the basis of discordant evidence, recommend it just for those patients who are clinically non-responders. Such procedure does prolong visit length and requires a close collaboration between highly specialized operators (sonographer and device programmer). Therefore, we feel that there is a need to fulfill this gap of evidence by further investigation in experienced centers on the procedure outcome. In fact, not only there is a large degree of uncertainty in echo-guided CRT optimization in non-responders, but also there is no data on the technique in patients considered responders. Theoretically, the method could result in additional benefit to this class of patients as well.

OBJECTIVE:This study analyses dynamicchangesin dispersion of ventricularrepolarization over the time course of takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TC), and their relationships with clinical features and life-threatening arrhythmias.METHODS AND RESULTS:All consecutive patients admitted to our division between January 2008 and December 2011 with a diagnosis of TC were analysed. Patients with prior myocardial infarction, symptoms-onset-to-admission time greater than 12 hours, an implanted pacemaker, or under treatment with drugs affecting QTinterval, were excluded. Standard 12-lead ECG recordings during the acute, subacute and chronic phases were collected for each patient. Twenty-four patients (23 women, 63 +/- 14 years) were includedin our analysis. Only one patient experienced ventricular arrhythmias (4.2%). Significant increases were observed in QT and QTc intervals (from 420 ?423 to 505 +/- 66 ms, P < 0.00001, and from 479 +/- 33 to 551 +/- 51 ms, P < 0.00001, respectively), QTdispersion (from 59 +/- 18 to 100 +/- 44 ms, P=0.0006), Tpeak-to-Tend (from 82 +/- 20 to 123 +/- 39 ms, P=0.00006) and Tpeak-to-Tend/QT (from 0.20 +/- 0.33 to 0.26 +/- 0.57, P=0.0003) during the subacute phase. All these parameters returned to baseline values in the chronic phase and did not show any significant differences between the acute and chronic phases.CONCLUSIONS:A marked increase in QTc, QT dispersion, Tpeak-to-Tend and Tpeak-to-Tend/QT was observed during the subacute phase; this increase was transient and reverted in allpatients before hospital discharge. Ofnote, these findings were not associated with an increased risk of life-threatening arrhythmias.

The medical literature uses statistics to describe results of observational studies, clinical trials and experimental studies and to test the underlying scientific hypothesis. The statistic language could, however, not be familiar to any reader; this can hamper the correct comprehension of the paper and the appropriate interpretation of results. These considerations represented the spur to formulate a glossary of the more common statistical terms. To facilitate the reading of the vast majority of articles, which are written in English, corresponding English terms are also reported. The present document represents the first part of the project, related to descriptive statistics.

This document represents the third part of the project related to a glossary for statistics. The meta-analysis is the technique used to integrate the results from a number of different studies in only one quantitative evaluation to obtain conclusions that are stronger than those obtained from single studies. The meta-analysis is actually useful when the available studies are inadequately powerful because performed in a limited number of patients or when the results from single studies are discordant. The document includes statistical terms of more common use. To facilitate the reading of the vast majority of articles, which are written in English, corresponding English terms are also reported.

This document represents the second part of the project related to a glossary for statistics. The inferential statistics is the part of the statistic used to formulate statements about the characteristics of a population from a sample of it, selected randomly. The document includes statistical terms of more common use. To facilitate the reading of the vast majority of articles, which are written in English, corresponding English terms are also reported.