A case series of severe breakthrough infections observed in nine patients with COVID-19 in a southwestern German university hospital.

Purpose: Vaccination is the key element for protection against COVID-19. Increased vaccination breakthroughs raise the question of whether additional prevention is necessary in case of individual risk factors for a severe course with hospitalization or death despite vaccination.

Methods: Since July 13, 2021, there is an extended reporting requirement by German law.

Discriminating factors excluding patients from a catheter-based left atrial appendage closure and an outcome analysis of non-intervened and intervened patients.

Introduction: The catheter-based left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) has evolved as an alternative to oral anticoagulation (OAC) among non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF) patients in whom long-term OAC is contraindicated. In daily practice, however, a sizeable number of patients who have been referred for an LAAC do not receive this intervention. This study aimed primarily to investigate the factors deterring the practice of an LAAC in referred AF patients, and secondarily to compare the complication rates of intervened patients with those who had refused the intervention within 1 year.

Bedside implantation of a new temporary vena cava inferior filter - Safety and efficacy results of the European ANGEL-Registry.

Purpose: Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a frequently occurring complication in critically ill patients. Simultaneous occurrence of PE and life-threatening bleeding, may render medical anticoagulation impossible. For these patients, inferior vena cava filters (IVCF) present a valuable therapeutic alternative.

Liver and cholestatic parameters as prognostic biomarkers of in-hospital MACE in patients with STEMI.

Background: Liver and cholestatic parameters are increased in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). The aim of the present study was to evaluate the prognostic value of these parameters to predict in-hospital major adverse cardiac events (MACE) in patients after STEMI.

Materials And Methods: Blood samples of patients with STEMI, who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and stent implantation, were retrospectively analysed and correlated with in-hospital events.

Comparison of Serum Uric Acid, Bilirubin, and C-Reactive Protein as Prognostic Biomarkers of In-Hospital MACE Between Women and Men With ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

Levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), uric acid (UA), and total bilirubin (TB) are associated with coronary artery disease and major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). We retrospectively included 1167 patients with STEMI who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention and routine blood sampling. The study cohort consisted of 803 patients (73.

Myocardial scar detected by cardiovascular magnetic resonance in a competitive bodybuilder with longstanding abuse of anabolic steroids.

Introduction: The self-administration intake of anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) is a widespread practice in competitive bodybuilders. Structural changes within the myocardium following AAS abuse including hypertrophy, restricted diastolic function as well as systolic dysfunction and impaired ventricular inflow have been reported.

Case Presentation: We present the case of a 39-year-old bodybuilder with a more than 20-year history of anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) abuse presenting with increasing exertional dyspnoea and fatigue.