Influence of leg axis alignment on MRI T2* mapping of the knee in young professional soccer players.

Background: Investigation of the association between leg axis alignment and biochemical MRI in young professional soccer players in order to identify a potential influence of the leg axis on cartilage regions at risk.

Methods: Sixteen professional soccer players (21 ± 3 years) underwent static and dynamic leg axis analysis via radiation free DIERS formetric 4 D as well as 3-T MRI examination of both knees. Quantitative T2* mapping of the knee cartilage was performed and T2* values were evaluated as 144 regions of interest.

Conservative versus operative treatment of FFP II fractures in a geriatric cohort: a prospective randomized pilot trial.

A clear recommendation regarding treatment strategy of fragility fractures of the pelvic ring is missing. The most typical fracture pattern is a lateral compression type injury with non-displaced fractures of the anterior pubic rami and a unilateral os sacrum fracture (FFP II). We hypothesized that operative treatment would be superior to conservative treatment.

Operative versus conservative treatment in pelvic ring fractures with sacral involvement.

Background: To evaluate the performance in activities of daily living (ADL), level of pain, mortality and rate of complications in patients with a pelvic ring fracture with sacral involvement who were treated conservatively compared to a surgically treated patient collective using percutaneous iliosacral screw fixation.

Hypothesis: Conservative treatment does not result in inferior clinical outcome compared to operative treatment.

Patients And Methods: A retrospective study of 112 conservatively (n=46) or operatively (n=66) treated patients with an isolated posterior or a combined posterior and anterior pelvic ring fracture was performed.

Appraising the Methodological Quality of Sports Injury Video Analysis Studies: The QA-SIVAS Scale.

Background: Video analysis (VA) is commonly used in the assessment of sports injuries and has received considerable research interest. Until now, no tool has been available for the assessment of study quality. Therefore, the objective of this study was to develop and evaluate a valid instrument that reliably assesses the methodological quality of VA studies.

Myocardial structural and functional changes in cardiac amyloidosis: insights from a prospective observational patient registry.

Aims: The pathophysiological hallmark of cardiac amyloidosis (CA) is the deposition of amyloid within the myocardium. Consequently, extracellular volume (ECV) of affected patients increases. However, studies on ECV progression over time are lacking.

Monitoring tafamidis treatment with quantitative SPECT/CT in transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy.

Aims: Tafamidis treatment positively affects left ventricular (LV) structure and function and improves outcomes in patients with transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM). We aimed to investigate the relationship between treatment response and cardiac amyloid burden identified by serial quantitative 99mTc-DPD SPECT/CT. We furthermore aimed to identify nuclear imaging biomarkers that could be used to quantify and monitor response to tafamidis therapy.

Cardiac amyloidosis: a significant blind spot of the H2FPEF score.

Background: Cardiac amyloidosis (CA) often mimics heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Due to very different treatment strategies, an exact diagnosis and differentiation between pure HFpEF and CA-related heart failure (HF) is important. In the present study, we assessed the recently published H2FPEF score in patients with pure HFpEF, transthyretin (ATTR), as well as light chain (AL) amyloidosis-related HFpEF and tested whether it differentiates between these entities.

Risk factors and injury patterns of e-scooter associated injuries in Germany.

Since the introduction of widely available e-scooter rentals in Hamburg, Germany in June of 2019, our emergency department has seen a sharp increase in the amount of e-scooter related injuries. Despite a rising number of studies certain aspects of e-scooter mobility remain unclear. This study examines the various aspects of e-scooter associated injuries with one of the largest cohorts to date.

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: Calculating the risk of future heart failure events and death.

Objective: We sought to develop a clinical model to identify heart failure patients with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) at highest risk for acute HF events or death.

Methods And Results: Between 2010 and 2019, 422 patients with HFpEF were followed. Acute HF events occurred in 190 patients (45%), including 110 (58%) with recurrent hospitalizations.

Impact of tafamidis on myocardial strain in transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy.

Aims: The impact of tafamidis on myocardial strain in patients with transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM) have been barely investigated. We aimed to determine tafamidis-induced changes using serial speckle tracking echocardiography and to identify imaging parameters for specific therapy monitoring.

Methods And Results: ATTR-CM patients underwent serial TTE with two-dimensional (2 D) speckle tracking imaging.

Preoperative joint line convergence angle correction is a key factor in optimising accuracy in varus knee correction osteotomy.

Purpose: This study aimed to identify and prevent preoperative factors that can be influenced in preoperative planning to reduce postoperative malcorrections.

Methods: The method used in this study was a retrospective two-centre analysis of 78 pre and postoperative fully weight-bearing radiographs of patients who underwent valgus osteotomy correction due to symptomatic medial compartment osteoarthritis. A computer software (TraumaCad) was used to aim for an intersection point of the mechanical tibiofemoral axis (mTFA) with the tibia plateau at 55-60% (medial = 0%, lateral = 100%).

Riociguat in pulmonary hypertension and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: the haemoDYNAMIC trial.

Aims: The presence of pulmonary hypertension (PH) severely aggravates the clinical course of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). To date, neither established heart failure therapies nor pulmonary vasodilators proved beneficial. This study investigated the efficacy of chronic treatment with the oral soluble guanylate cyclase stimulator riociguat in patients with PH-HFpEF.

Impact of Tafamidis and Optimal Background Treatment on Physical Performance in Patients With Transthyretin Amyloid Cardiomyopathy.

Background: In patients with transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy, tafamidis was shown to slow the decline in 6-minute walking distance as compared with placebo. We aimed to define the impact of tafamidis and optimal background treatment on functional capacity as determined by cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET).

Methods: Seventy-eight consecutive patients were enrolled in the study.

The impact of left atrial mechanics on adverse events and clinical outcome after cardiac surgery.

Objectives: Postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) represents a common complication after cardiac surgery that is associated with unfavourable clinical outcome. Identifying patients at risk for POAF is crucial but challenging. This study aimed to investigate the prognostic potential of speckle-tracking echocardiography on POAF and fatal adverse events from a long-term perspective.

Cardiac remodeling in ambitious endurance-trained amateur athletes older than 50 years-an observational study.

Background: Data on cardiac remodeling in veteran athletes are conflicting but of clinical importance.

Methods: Sixty-nine clinically stable and healthy individuals >50 years were identified (median 55 (IQR 52-64), 26% female). Echocardiographic features were identified in individuals, who have performed endurance sports at 70% of their maximum heart rate for at least 1 hour 3 times/ week over the previous 5 years.

Acromioclavicular joint suture button repair leads to coracoclavicular tunnel widening.

Purpose: Biomechanical evaluation of three different suture button devices used in acromioclavicular joint repair and analysis of their effect on post-testing tunnel widening.

Methods: Eighteen human shoulder girdles were assigned into three groups with a similar mean bone mineral density. Three different single-tunnel acromioclavicular repair devices were tested: (1) AC TightRope with FiberWire; (2) AC Dog Bone Button with FiberTape; (3) Low Profile AC Repair System.

Tafamidis treatment delays structural and functional changes of the left ventricle in patients with transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy.

Aims: Tafamidis improves outcomes in patients with transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM). However, it is not yet known whether tafamidis affects cardiac amyloid deposition and structural changes in the myocardium. We aimed to determine disease-modifying effects on myocardial amyloid progression and to identify imaging parameters that could be applied for specific therapy monitoring.

Machine learning-derived electrocardiographic algorithm for the detection of cardiac amyloidosis.

Background: Diagnosis of cardiac amyloidosis (CA) requires advanced imaging techniques. Typical surface ECG patterns have been described, but their diagnostic abilities are limited.

Objective: The aim was to perform a thorough electrophysiological characterisation of patients with CA and derive an easy-to-use tool for diagnosis.

Twiddler's syndrome after implantation of baroreflex activation therapy: a case report.

Background: Twiddler's syndrome is a rare complication after implantation of cardiac pacemakers or cardioverter-defibrillators that usually occurs within the first year after the procedure. However, it has not yet been described following implantation of baroreflex activation therapy (BAT).

Case Summary: A 61-year-old female patient was referred to the cardiology outpatient clinic due to uncontrolled arterial hypertension despite maximal doses of several established drugs.

Renin Feedback Is an Independent Predictor of Outcome in HFpEF.

Drugs which interact with the renin angiotensin aldosterone system (RAAS) aim to reduce the negative effects of angiotensin (Ang) II. Treatment with these drugs anticipate a compensatory up-regulation of renin; however, it has been shown that there is a large variability in circulating plasma renin (PRA), even in patients with optimal medical therapy in patients with heart failure (HF) with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Our aim was to measure plasma renin activity (PRA-S), its response to RAAS inhibitor (RAASi) therapies and its effects on outcome in patients with HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF).

Death is associated to the type of drug-eluting stent in patients with left ventricular dysfunction and elevated natriuretic peptide levels.

As advanced heart failure (HF) with elevated NT-proBNP is characterized by an activated coagulation system, coronary events clinically noticed as sudden or HF death may be more common after treatment with first- compared to newer-generation DES. Our study evaluates (1) if patients with left ventricular dysfunction (LVSD) who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention have a better survival with first- or newer-generation DES, and (2) if the survival benefit is predicted by NT-proBNP. Our observational study evaluated patients with LVSD who were registered in the coronary catheter laboratory database of the Medical University of Vienna.

Machine Learning Enables Prediction of Cardiac Amyloidosis by Routine Laboratory Parameters: A Proof-of-Concept Study.

(1) Background: Cardiac amyloidosis (CA) is a rare and complex condition with poor prognosis. While novel therapies improve outcomes, many affected individuals remain undiagnosed due to a lack of awareness among clinicians. This study was undertaken to develop an expert-independent machine learning (ML) prediction model for CA relying on routinely determined laboratory parameters.

Serum levels of gamma-glutamyltransferase predict outcome in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

Previous studies suggested an association between heart failure (HF) and hepatic disorders. Liver function parameters have been shown to predict outcome in HF with reduced ejection fraction, but their impact in HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) has not yet been investigated. Between January 2011 and February 2017, 274 patients with confirmed HFpEF were enrolled (age 71.