Novel Biomarkers as Potential Predictors of Decompensated Advanced Chronic Heart Failure-Single Center Study.

Heart failure (HF) remains a major therapeutic and diagnostic challenge nowadays. Albeit, acute decompensated HF is associated with several clinical signs such as dyspnea or edema, it remains a challenge to use easy accessible and suitable tools, such as biomarkers, to distinguish between patients at risk for an acute decompensation of their heart failure and compensated, stable HF patients. Existing biomarkers, such as natriuretic peptides or troponin, are not specific and can be elevated due to several other disease conditions, such as myocardial infarction, atrial fibrillation, or valve diseases.

Tricuspid Valve Reconstruction in Patients with Right Heart Decompensation Due to Severe Tricuspid Regurgitation on LVAD Support.

: Right ventricular (RV) dysfunction after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation is associated with reduced survival and affects duration of hospitalization. Some patients with RV dysfunction on LVAD have significant tricuspid valve regurgitation (TR) with concomitant signs of RV failure. In these cases, tricuspid valve repair (TVR) may minimize clinical signs of RV failure.

Economic aspects of long-term left ventricular assist device treatment for chronic heart failure.

Aims: Technological advances and the current shortage of donor organs have contributed to an increase in the number of left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantations in patients with end-stage heart failure. Demographic change and medical progress might raise the number of these patients, resulting in a further increase in the number of LVAD implantations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term costs of LVAD therapy and identify diagnoses resulting in expensive stays.

BMI-Stratified Exploration of the 'Obesity Paradox': Heart Failure Perspectives from a Large German Insurance Database.

The global rise of obesity and its association with cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF) have highlighted its connection to chronic heart failure (CHF). Paradoxically, obese CHF patients often experience better outcomes, a phenomenon known as the 'obesity paradox'. This study evaluated the 'obesity paradox' within a large cohort in Germany and explored how varying degrees of obesity affect HF outcome.

Impact of enzyme replacement therapy and migalastat on left atrial strain and cardiomyopathy in patients with Fabry disease.

Aims: Cardiomyopathy in Fabry disease (FD) is a major determinant of morbidity and mortality. This study investigates the effects of FD-specific treatment using enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) and chaperone therapy on left atrial (LA) function using two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2DSTE).

Methods And Results: In this prospective observational single-center study, 20 FD patients [10 (50%) females] treated with migalastat, 48 FD patients [24 (50%) females] treated with ERT (agalsidase-alfa and agalsidase-beta), and 30 untreated FD patients (all females) as controls were analyzed.