Variable clinical expression of a Belgian founder variant suggests the presence of a genetic modifier.

variants cause Loeys-Dietz syndrome type 5, a syndromic form of thoracic aortic aneurysm and dissection. The exact disease phenotype is hard to delineate because of few identified cases and highly variable clinical representation. We provide the results of a haplotype analysis and a medical record review of clinical features of 27 individuals from 5 different families, originating from the Campine region in Flanders, carrying the NM_003239.

The clicking chest: what exactly did Hamman hear? A case report of a left-sided pneumothorax.

Background: Hamman's sign is a rare phenomenon. Louis Hamman described this pathognomonic clicking chest noise in association with pneumomediastinum in 1937. This typical noise can also be present in left-sided pneumothorax.

Exercise training intensity determination in cardiovascular rehabilitation: Should the guidelines be reconsidered?

Aims: In the rehabilitation of cardiovascular disease patients a correct determination of the endurance-type exercise intensity is important to generate health benefits and preserve medical safety. It remains to be assessed whether the guideline-based exercise intensity domains are internally consistent and agree with physiological responses to exercise in cardiovascular disease patients.

Methods: A total of 272 cardiovascular disease patients without pacemaker executed a maximal cardiopulmonary exercise test on bike (peak respiratory gas exchange ratio >1.