[In-hospital management of acute ischemic stroke. A retrospective analysis at the Viterbo hospital (Italy), 2008 to 2012]. / Percorsi intraospedalieri nelle malattie cerebrovascolari acute. Studio retrospettivo presso l'ospedale di Viterbo, 2008-2012.

BACKGROUND: Cerebrovascular diseases account for 10-12% of all deaths in Italy, and are the leading cause of disability and the second major cause of dementia. Cerebrovascular events may affect cerebral vascular function resulting in symptoms of variable duration and severity. METHODS: This retrospective analysis included 1892 patients admitted with a definite or probable diagnosis of cerebrovascular disease who experienced an acute vascular injury. Data were collected from the medical records at the Belcolle Hospital of Viterbo (Italy) from January 2008 to November 2012. RESULTS: A definite diagnosis was not made on admission in 15.4% of patients, and blood pressure measurement was not performed in 6.9% of patients. Almost all patients underwent a brain CT scan and interdisciplinary assessment. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings based on the experience of the Belcolle Hospital show several limitations in the diagnostic and therapeutic management of patients with acute cerebrovascular events. These are mainly related to diagnostic and therapeutic attitudes of the emergency department personnel (physicians and nurses), funding for professional training, and implementation of stroke units.

[Management strategies and choice of antithrombotic treatment in patients admitted with acute coronary syndrome--executive summary for clinical practice. Consensus Document of the Regional Chapters of the Italian National Association of Hospital Cardiologists (ANMCO) and of the Italian Society of Emergency Medicine (SIMEU)]. / Strategie Assistenziali e Scelta della Terapia Antitrombotica nei Pazienti Ricoverati con Diagnosi di Sindrome Coronarica Acuta--Sintesi Operativa per la Pratica Clinica. Documento congiunto delle Sezioni Regionali del Lazio dell'Associazione Nazionale Medici Cardiologi Ospedalieri (ANMCO) e della Società Italiana di Medicina di Emergenza-Urgenza (SIMEU).

This document has been developed by the Lazio regional chapters of two scientific associations, the Italian National Association of Hospital Cardiologists (ANMCO) and the Italian Society of Emergency Medicine (SIMEU), whose members are actively involved in the everyday management of Acute Coronary Syndromes (ACS). The document is aimed at providing a specific, practical, evidence-based guideline for the effective management of antithrombotic treatment (antiplatelet and anticoagulant) in the complex and ever changing scenario of ACS. The document employs a synthetic approach which considers two main issues: the actual operative context of treatment delivery and the general management strategy.