Blood transfusion decisions cannot be based on percutaneous haemoglobin measurements.

Introduction: Percutaneous measurement of haemoglobin (SpHb) has been an emerging technique in the past decades. It has been suggested that SpHb measurement could be used as a trend monitor and as a supportive tool for easier and faster transfusion decision-making. The aim of this study was to investigate whether SpHb monitoring is a useful instrument in transfusion decision-making.

Short- and Longer-Term Association Between Body Mass Index and Health Status in Cardiac Rehabilitation Patients.

Purpose: The association between body mass index (BMI) and subjective health status before and after cardiac rehabilitation (CR) and 1 year later was compared in patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) who did (CR group) and did not receive CR (no-CR group). The aim was to investigate the association between BMI and subjective health status based on the Short Form-12 questionnaire.

Methods: Between 2009 and 2011, 242 patients with pPCI with an acute myocardial infarction completed a CR program and were compared with 115 patients in the no-CR group.

Prognostic Value of Coronary Computed Tomography Imaging in Patients at High Risk Without Symptoms of Coronary Artery Disease.

At present, traditional risk factors are used to guide cardiovascular management of asymptomatic subjects. Intensified surveillance may be warranted in those identified as high risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD). This study aims to determine the prognostic value of coronary computed tomography (CT) angiography (CCTA) next to the coronary artery calcium score (CACS) in patients at high CVD risk without symptoms suspect for coronary artery disease (CAD).