San Camillo & Forlanini Hospital

The goal of this observational study is to analyze the existence of a genetic predisposition in patients with spontaneous dissections of the cervical arteries (SCeAD).
The main questions it aims to answer are:
1. Which is the prevalence of pathogenic variants in genes coding for proteins involved in the structure or function of the connective tissue in adult patients with spontaneous dissections of the cervical arteries?
2. Which are the clinical characteristics of each single genetic variant identified?
3. Which are the clinical, radiological, laboratory variables associated with the finding of a pathogenic variant?
4. Are there differences between patients with SCeAD who have a pathogenic variant in a gene coding for proteins involved in the structure or function of the connective tissue and those who not?
5. There are differences in the risk of SCeAD recurrence between patients with SCeAD who have a pathogenic variant in a gene coding for proteins involved in the structure or function of the connective tissue and those who not?
6. There are differences in the risk of SCeAD recurrence based on the specific typology of genetic variant found?
Participants will be asked to undergo:
* a whole-CT total-body with contrast;
* a dysmorphological visit;
* a blood sampling for genetic testing;
* a neurological visit;
* Some follow-up visits.

The overall goal of this observational study is to learn about the psychological resources of mindfulness and flow experience available to persons newly diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS). The primary study aim will be to analyze the relation of flow and mindfulness with mental health among individuals who received an MS diagnosis within the last year. Secondary aims will be to analyze the daily activities preferentially associated with flow, and to evaluate possible changes in daily flow retrieval. Participants will answer questionnaires measuring flow, mindfulness, positive mental health, anxiety and depression at project start and 6 months later.

Prospective evaluation of the predictive value for post-LVAD right ventricular failure (RHF) of pulmonary vasodilator challenge, in addition to current laboratory, echocardiographic and haemodynamic parameters.
LVAD candidates satisfying the inclusion criteria will undergo vasodilator challenge with sodium nitroprusside (NTP) infusion following the study protocol.
Thereafter, we will evaluate all data in order to determine which variables significantly correlate with RHF onset after LVAD implantation.