Predictive value of protein-bound uremic toxins for heart failure in patients with chronic kidney disease.

Aims: This retrospective cohort study aimed to be the first to evaluate the association between plasma protein-bound uremic toxins (PBUTs) concentrations, echocardiographic parameters of heart failure (HF), and incident HF events in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) not on dialysis.

Methods And Results: Retrospective, single-centre, cohort study at the Ghent University Hospital, Belgium. Adults with CKD stages G1-G5, not on dialysis, could be included.

[Eructonesius: a little known symptom of myocardial ischaemia].

Background: A timely diagnosis of myocardial ischaemia is important. However, patients frequently present with rather atypical complaints. Eructonesius, or belching, is such an atypical complaint but may be considered an equivalent of angina.

Video-assisted thoracic surgery in critically ill COVID-19 patients on venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

Introduction: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) leads to thoracic complications requiring surgery. This is challenging, particularly in patients supported with venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV-ECMO) due to the need for continuous therapeutic anticoagulation. We aim to share our experience regarding the safety and perioperative management of video-assisted thoracic surgery for this specific population.

The Prognostic Value of Cardiac Biomarkers and Echocardiography in Critical COVID-19.

Early risk stratification is crucial in critically ill COVID-19 patients. Myocardial injury is associated with worse outcome. This study aimed to evaluate cardiac biomarkers and echocardiographic findings in critically ill COVID-19 patients and to assess their association with 30-day mortality in comparison to other biomarkers, risk factors and clinical severity scores.

The use of cardiac troponins and B-type natriuretic peptide in COVID-19.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is still challenging health care systems worldwide. Over time, it has become clear that respiratory disease is not the only important entity as critically ill patients are also more prone to develop complications, such as acute cardiac injury. Despite extensive research, the mainstay of treatment still relies on supportive care and targeted therapy of these complications.

An evaluation of the influence of force- and weight bearing (a)symmetry on patient reported outcomes after total knee arthroplasty.

It has been reported that balance impairments and asymmetrical movement patterns occur in patients after total kne arthroplasty (TKA). The purpose of this study was to evaluate if force- and weight-bearing asymmetry correlate with patient-reported outcomes (PROMs). Twenty patients were prospectively analysed up to 6 months after TKA.

Improved walking distance and range of motion predict patient satisfaction after TKA.

Purposes: The focus in the evaluation of total knee arthroplasty has shifted from objective measures of implant position and knee function, to patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). The relation between these two measures was investigated and the possibility of prediction of the patient satisfaction level was evaluated by defining thresholds for improvement of (1) range of motion (ROM), (2) 6-min walk test (6MWT), (3) sit-to-stand test (STS) and (4) quadriceps force after TKA?

Methods: Fifty-seven patients were prospectively tested at preoperative and 6 months postoperative intervals. The ROM, 6MWT, STS-test and quadriceps force were evaluated.