Discovering Distinct Phenotypical Clusters in Heart Failure Across the Ejection Fraction Spectrum: a Systematic Review.

Review Purpose: This systematic review aims to summarise clustering studies in heart failure (HF) and guide future clinical trial design and implementation in routine clinical practice.

Findings: 34 studies were identified (n = 19 in HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF)). There was significant heterogeneity invariables and techniques used.

Identifying distinct clinical clusters in heart failure with mildly reduced ejection fraction.

Introduction: Heart failure (HF) is a heterogeneous syndrome, and the specific sub-category HF with mildly reduced ejection fraction (EF) range (HFmrEF; 41-49% EF) is only recently recognised as a distinct entity. Cluster analysis can characterise heterogeneous patient populations and could serve as a stratification tool in clinical trials and for prognostication. The aim of this study was to identify clusters in HFmrEF and compare cluster prognosis.

Are on-scene blood transfusions by a helicopter emergency medical service useful and safe? A multicentre case-control study.

Introduction: In the prehospital setting, crystalloid fluids are frequently used, but only erythrocytes are capable of transporting oxygen to tissues. The aim of this study was to establish the efficacy and safety of the prehospital use of uncross matched type O rhesus-negative packed red blood cells (URBC) by the Dutch physician-staffed helicopter emergency medical service. We hypothesized that prehospital URBC transfusions are safe and more effective with respect to survival than resuscitations with crystalloids.

Talar Fractures in Children: A Possible Injury After Go-Karting Accidents.

Go-karting is an increasingly popular high-energy sport enjoyed by both children and adults. Because of the speeds involved, accidents involving go-karts can lead to serious injury. We describe 6 talar fractures in 4 patients that resulted from go-karting accidents.

Factors contributing to improved local control after mastectomy in patients with breast cancer aged 40 years or younger.

Long-term local control rates were studied in a series of 659 patients with invasive breast cancer aged 40 years or younger, who underwent mastectomy in general hospitals in the southern part of the Netherlands between 1988 and 2005. During a median follow-up time of 6.0 years, 34 patients developed a local recurrence in the chest wall without previous or simultaneous evidence of distant disease.