Arrhythmia monitoring and outcome after myocardial infarction (BIO|GUARD-MI): a randomized trial.

Objectives: Cardiac arrhythmias predict poor outcome after myocardial infarction (MI). We studied if arrhythmia monitoring with an insertable cardiac monitor (ICM) can improve treatment and outcome.

Design: BIO|GUARD-MI was a randomized, international open-label study with blinded outcome assessment.

Impact of remote monitoring in heart failure patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices during COVID-19 pandemic: a single center experience.

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) had spread into a pandemic affecting healthcare providers worldwide. Heart failure patients with implanted cardiac devices require close follow-up in-spite of pandemic related healthcare restrictions.

Methods: Patients were retrospectively registered and clinical outcomes were compared of 61 remote monitored (RMG) versus 71 conventionally (in-office only) followed (CFG) cardiac device implanted, heart failure patients.

Automatic daily remote monitoring in heart failure patients implanted with a cardiac resynchronisation therapy-defibrillator: a single-centre observational pilot study.

Introduction: The impact of remote monitoring (RM) on clinical outcomes in heart failure (HF) patients with cardiac resynchronisation therapy-defibrillator (CRT-D) implantation is controversial. This study sought to evaluate the performance of an RM follow-up protocol using modified criteria of the PARTNERS HF trial in comparison with a conventional follow-up scheme.

Material And Methods: We compared cardiovascular (CV) mortality (primary endpoint) and hospitalisation events for decompensated HF, and the number of ambulatory in-office visits (secondary endpoint) in CRT-D implanted patients with automatic RM utilising daily transmissions (RM group, = 45) and conventional follow-up (CFU group, = 43) in a single-centre observational study.

Cardiac resynchronization therapy with intraoperative epicardial mapping via minithoracotomy: 10 years' experience.

Background: Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is considered an efficient method to improve the left ventricular (LV) dysfunction with left bundle branch block. However, coronary venous anatomy is not appropriate in about 10% of the cases; thus other alternatives, such as epicardial lead implantation via minithoracotomy are needed.

Methods: During the period 2007-2017, a total of 57 patients were operated at our institute via left anterior minithoracotomy after an unsuccessful transvenous CRT.

Assessment of serum phenylalanine and tyrosine isomers in patients with ST-segment elevation vs non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

Background: Under conditions of oxidative stress, hydroxyl radicals can oxidize phenylalanine (Phe) into various tyrosine (Tyr) isomers (meta-, ortho-, and para-tyrosine; m-, o-, and p-Tyr), depending on the location of the hydroxyl group on the oxidized benzyl ring. This study aimed to compare patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and non-STEMI (NSTEMI) and the serum levels of Phe and Tyr isomers at the aortic root and distal to the culprit lesion in both groups.

Methods: Forty-four patients participated in the study: 23 with STEMI and 21 with NSTEMI.

Transmission and loss of ECG snapshots: Remote monitoring in implantable cardiac monitors.

Introduction: Remote monitoring including transmission of electrocardiogram (ECG) strips has been implemented in implantable cardiac monitors (ICM). We appraise whether the physician can rely on remote monitoring to be informed of all possibly significant arrhythmias.

Methods: We analyzed remote monitoring transmissions of patients in the ongoing BIO|GUARD-MI study, in which Biotronik devices are used.

Examination of Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide (PACAP) as a Potential Biomarker in Heart Failure Patients.

Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) is a pleiotropic and multifunctional neuropeptide having neurotrophic, neuroprotective, and general cytoprotective actions in a variety of tissues based on its anti-apoptotic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects. Several studies have demonstrated its cardioprotective effects in vitro and in various animal models. However, few data are available on the presence of PACAP in human cardiac tissues and its role in the pathomechanism and progression of different cardiac disorders, particularly heart failure.

Clinical outcomes in patients treated for coronary in-stent restenosis with drug-eluting balloons: Impact of high platelet reactivity.

Background: The impact of high platelet reactivity (HPR) on clinical outcomes after elective percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) with drug-eluting balloons (DEB) due to in-stent restenosis (ISR) is unknown.

Objective: We sought to evaluate the prognostic importance of HPR together with conventional risk factors in patients treated with DEB.

Methods: Patients treated with DEB due to ISR were enrolled in a single-centre, prospective registry between October 2009 and March 2015.

Effectiveness and safety of anti-ischemic trimetazidine in patients with stable angina pectoris and Type 2 diabetes.

Unlabelled: Aim & methods: This 6-month prospective, observational, noninterventional, open-label clinical study assessed the effectiveness/safety of trimetazidine in 737 patients with stable angina pectoris and Type 2 diabetes mellitus (OGYI/51534-1/2014).

Results: Trimetazidine-based therapy was effective in stable coronary artery disease, with significant improvements from baseline (p < 0.05) in: number of angina attacks/week (2.

[Carvedilol in the everyday interventional cardiology practice].

The treatment of severe coronary stenoses with stent implantation is very effective nevertheless, the underlying problem of atherosclerosis remains unsolved with the implantation of a stent. Therefore, besides lifestyle changes, the adequate medication therapy is of pivotal importance. In the majority of patients scheduled for or acutely undergoing catheterisation, beta-blockers form the basis of medication therapy.

[Analysis of telemetry, on-line and non-telemetry data for characterization of the physical activity of patients with heart failure].

Introduction: Several studies have demonstrated that the prevalence of heart disease can be accounted for between 0.4 and 2% in developed countries.

Aim: The present study aimed to use the PA% of the telemetry data to estimate the 6-minute walk test result.

[Telemetry data based on comparative study of physical activity in patients with resynchronization device].

Introduction: The effect of regular physical activity on health is widely recognized, but several studies have shown its key importance for heart patients.

Aim: The present study aimed to define the PA % values, and to convert them into metabolic equivalent values (MET), which describes oxygen consumption during physical activity.

Method: A total of seventeen patients with heart disease; 3 females and 14 males; age: 57.

Safety and effectiveness of combined antihypertensive and cholesterol-lowering therapy in high-/very high-risk patients.

Aim: Controlling cardiovascular (CV) risk factors is paramount in reducing atherosclerotic events. This 6-month prospective noninterventional trial assessed the safety and effectiveness of fixed-combination lisinopril-amlodipine plus rosuvastatin.

Patients & Methods: Patients with mild/moderate hypertension and hypercholesterolemia, at high-/very high-CV risk, received lisinopril-amlodipine (10/5, 20/5 or 20/10 mg/day) plus rosuvastatin (10 or 20 mg/day).

Apelin increases cardiac contractility via protein kinase Cε- and extracellular signal-regulated kinase-dependent mechanisms.

Background: Apelin, the endogenous ligand for the G protein-coupled apelin receptor, is an important regulator of the cardiovascular homoeostasis. We previously demonstrated that apelin is one of the most potent endogenous stimulators of cardiac contractility; however, its underlying signaling mechanisms remain largely elusive. In this study we characterized the contribution of protein kinase C (PKC), extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) and myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) to the positive inotropic effect of apelin.

Optimizing P2Y12 receptor inhibition in patients with acute coronary syndrome on the basis of platelet function testing: impact of prasugrel and high-dose clopidogrel.

Objectives: This study sought to evaluate the impact of treatment with prasugrel and high-dose clopidogrel on the basis of platelet function testing in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) who are undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Background: The clinical impact of treatment with prasugrel in patients with ACS who have high platelet reactivity (HPR) is unknown.

Methods: Patients with ACS who were pre-treated with clopidogrel and undergoing successful PCI were enrolled in a single-center, prospective registry.

BGP-15, a PARP-inhibitor, prevents imatinib-induced cardiotoxicity by activating Akt and suppressing JNK and p38 MAP kinases.

In this study, we investigate the cardiotoxic effects of the well-known cytostatic agent imatinib mesylate (Gleevec), and presented evidence for the cardioprotective effect of BGP-15 which is a novel insulin sensitizer. The cardiotoxic effect of imatinib mesylate was assessed in Langendorff rat heart perfusion system. The cardiac high-energy phosphate levels (creatine phosphate (PCr) and ATP) were monitored in situ by (31)P NMR spectroscopy.

Comparison of aortic and carotid arterial stiffness parameters in patients with verified coronary artery disease.

Background: Arterial stiffness parameters are commonly used to determine the development of atherosclerotic disease. The independent predictive value of aortic stiffness has been demonstrated for coronary events.

Hypothesis: The aim of our study was to compare regional and local arterial functional parameters measured by 2 different noninvasive methods in patients with verified coronary artery disease (CAD).

The effect of clopidogrel besylate and clopidogrel hydrogensulfate on platelet aggregation in patients with coronary artery disease: a retrospective study.

Background: Recently several alternative forms of the original clopidogrel hydrogensulfate (CHS) were spread worldwide. A large amount of such drugs turned out to be clopidogrel besylate (CB). Only three studies, involving healthy volunteers, investigated the antiplatelet effect of CB, whereas its attribute remained unexplored in the case of patients with cardiovascular diseases.

Justification of 150 mg clopidogrel in patients with high on-clopidogrel platelet reactivity.

Background: The GRAVITAS trial showed that 150 mg clopidogrel did not improve outcome in patients with high on-clopidogrel platelet reactivity (HPR) screened by the VerifyNow assay. We aimed to determine the impact of 150 mg clopidogrel in stable angina patients with HPR identified with conventional aggregometry (LTA).

Materials And Methods: Clopidogrel-naive stable angina patients before ad hoc percutaneous coronary intervention were recruited into a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (NCT00638326).

Role of reactive oxygen species in the regulation of cardiac contractility.

Increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) has been linked to the pathogenesis of contractile dysfunction in heart failure. However, it is unclear whether ROS can regulate physiological cellular processes in the myocardium. Here, we characterized the role of endogenous ROS production in the acute regulation of cardiac contractility in the intact rat heart.

Transradial versus transfemoral percutaneous coronary intervention in acute myocardial infarction Systematic overview and meta-analysis.

Background: Although transradial percutaneous coronary intervention (TRPCI) is widely applied for percutaneous procedures, its safety in the setting of ST-segment elevation (STEMI) is controversial. Our aim was to assess the safety and efficacy of TRPCI versus transfemoral PCI in the context of treating patients suffering acute myocardial infarction with STEMI.

Methods: Randomized, case-control, and cohort studies comparing access-related complications were analyzed.

Prolactin-releasing peptide regulates cardiac contractility.

High levels of specific prolactin-releasing peptide (PrRP) binding sites have been found in the myocardium; however, the functional importance of PrRP in the regulation of cardiac function is unknown. In isolated perfused rat hearts, infusion of PrRP (1-100 nM) induced a dose-dependent positive inotropic effect. Inhibition of cAMP catabolism by IBMX, a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, failed to augment the contractile effect of PrRP.

Functionally opposing roles of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase in the regulation of cardiac contractility.

Background: Extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38-MAPK) have been shown to regulate various cellular processes, including cell growth, proliferation, and apoptosis in the heart. However, the function of these signaling pathways in the control of cardiac contractility is unclear. Here, we characterized the contribution of ERK1/2 and p38-MAPK to the inotropic effect of endothelin-1 (ET-1).

Thienopyridine therapy influences late outcome after coronary stent implantation.

Clinical significance of resistance to aspirin and thienopyridine therapy is poorly defined. The authors aimed to evaluate whether more effective antiplatelet therapy is associated with better outcome in patients on dual-antiplatelet treatment. Using optical aggregometer, maximal platelet aggregation values were measured with induction of adenosine diphosphate, collagen, and adrenaline 30 +/- 5 days after coronary stent implantation in 134 patients.