Publications by authors named "Kies P"

Background And Objective: The standard first-line treatment for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) harbouring epidermal growth factor receptor () mutations or anaplastic lymphoma kinase () fusions is targeted therapy using tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). However, data are still lacking on the use of TKIs as a neoadjuvant or induction approach. Therefore, this narrative review aims to summarize the current knowledge on resectable -mutant and -fused NSCLC regarding available perioperative treatment regimens and off-label neoadjuvant use of targeted therapy.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

We have developed electrochemical bandage (e-bandage) prototypes that generate the reactive oxygen species hypochlorous acid (HOCl) or hydrogen peroxide (HO) for potential use to treat biofilm-infected wounds in humans. We have shown that both e-bandage-generated HOCl and HO kill biofilms in vitro and in infected wounds on mice, with the former being more active in vitro. The HO-generating e-bandage, more so than the HOCl-generating e-bandage, was associated with improved healing of infected wounds.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • The study examines the use of fractional flow reserve (FFR), instantaneous wave-free ratio (iFR), and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) to assess risk of myocardial ischemia in patients with anomalous aortic origin of the right coronary artery (AAORCA).
  • Eight adult patients with AAORCA were evaluated, revealing high-risk anatomy, but only one showed evidence of ischemia linked to atherosclerosis.
  • Over a follow-up period, most patients experienced symptom relief without adverse cardiac events, suggesting that non-invasive assessment tools could help guide treatment in AAORCA cases.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: After the arterial switch operation (ASO) for transposition of the great arteries (TGA), neo-aortic dilatation and coronary arterial anomalies, especially an interarterial course and acute coronary artery take-off angle, are commonly found. Long-term follow-up data after ASO is scarce. Aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of neo-aortic dilatation and coronary abnormalities, with special emphasis on acute coronary take-off angle, in adult TGA-ASO patients.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: The Fontan operation resulted in improved survival of patients with congenital heart defects not equipped to sustain biventricular circulation. Long-term complications are common, such as veno-venous collaterals (VVC). The aim of this study was to evaluate patient characteristics, percutaneous treatment strategy and (short-term) outcomes in adult Fontan patients with VVC, and review literature to date.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • Increasing survival rates in adults with congenital heart disease (ACHD) lead to complications like arrhythmias and heart failure; therefore, transcatheter valve interventions are emerging as a viable treatment option.
  • A study at the Center of Congenital Heart Disease Amsterdam-Leiden analyzed ACHD patients with severe atrioventricular (AV) valve regurgitation who underwent various transcatheter procedures from 2020 to 2022, noting improvements in condition without complications.
  • The findings suggest that while transcatheter valve repair can be safe and effective for complex ACHD patients, ongoing collaboration and individualized treatment strategies from a dedicated heart team are crucial for optimizing outcomes and future evaluations are needed to assess long-term results.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Aims: Given the compelling evidence on the effectiveness of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) in the conventional heart failure population, SGLT2i deserve exploration in systemic right ventricular (sRV) failure. The initial experience with dapagliflozin in sRV failure patients is described, with a focus on tolerability and short-term effects on clinical outcomes.

Methods And Results: Ten patients (70% female, median age 50 years [46.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Sulfur is an indispensable element for bacterial proliferation. Prior studies demonstrated that the human pathogen Staphylococcus aureus utilizes glutathione (GSH) as a source of nutrient sulfur; however, mechanisms of GSH acquisition are not defined. Here, we identify a five-gene locus comprising a putative ABC-transporter and predicted γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (ggt) that promotes S.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

We aimed to evaluate the predictive and prognostic value of baseline F-FDG-PET-CT (PET-CT) radiomic features (RFs) for immune checkpoint-inhibitor (CKI)-based first-line therapy in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. In this retrospective study 44 patients were included. Patients were treated with either CKI-monotherapy or combined CKI-based immunotherapy-chemotherapy as first-line treatment.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Objective: Patients with a systemic right ventricle (sRV) in the context of transposition of the great arteries (TGA) after atrial switch or congenitally corrected TGA (ccTGA) are prone to sRV dysfunction. Pharmacological options for sRV failure remain poorly defined. This study aims to investigate the tolerability and effects of sacubitril/valsartan on sRV failure in adult patients with sRV.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • The study examined the presence of fibrosis and nerve innervation in hearts of individuals with transposition of the great arteries (TGA), utilizing 22 postmortem specimens across different treatment stages.
  • Newborn TGA hearts showed significantly higher levels of interstitial fibrosis compared to healthy hearts, indicating early structural changes due to altered oxygen saturation.
  • Following surgical interventions like Mustard/Senning and arterial switch operations, further increases in fibrosis were observed, particularly in the left ventricle, along with a decrease in nerve innervation, suggesting potential impacts on heart function post-surgery.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Since 2009, Dutch patients with a confirmed diagnosis/suspicion of systemic sclerosis (SSc) can be referred to the Leiden Combined Care in Systemic Sclerosis (CCISS) cohort. This study evaluated whether early recognition of SSc has improved over time and whether disease characteristics and survival has changed over time.

Methods: 643 SSc patients fulfilling American College of Rheumatology/European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology 2013 SSc criteria were included and categorised into three groups based on cohort-entry year: (1) 2010-2013 (n=229 (36%)), (2) 2014-2017 (n=207 (32%)) and (3) 2018-2021 (n=207 (32%)).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Baffle leaks are a frequently encountered and often overlooked complication after the atrial switch procedure for transposition of the great arteries. Baffle leaks are present in up to 50% of non-selected patients, and while they initially may not cause clear symptoms, they can complicate the hemodynamic course and influence the prognosis in this complex patient group. A shunt from the pulmonary venous atrium (PVA) to the systemic venous atrium (SVA) can lead to pulmonary overflow and subpulmonary left ventricular (LV) volume overload, while a shunt from the SVA to the PVA can result in (exercise-associated) cyanosis and paradoxical embolism.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Coarctation of the aorta (CoA) is a congenital heart defect that is associated with a bicuspid aortic valve (BAV), ascending aorta dilatation, intracerebral aneurysms, and premature atherosclerotic disease. The first presentation during late adulthood is rare and is frequently driven by late sequelae. Hypertrophic collateral arteries can develop aneurysms which are at risk for spontaneous rupture, however, treatment recommendations for these aneurysms are scarce.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • The study investigates high-risk characteristics of anomalous coronary arteries originating from the opposite sinus of Valsalva (ACAOS) using computed tomography angiography (CTA) to identify features linked to sudden cardiac death.
  • Researchers evaluated 25 patients to develop a new CTA measurement, called interluminal space (ILS), to distinguish an intramural segment of ACAOS.
  • Results showed that an ILS of less than 0.95 mm is a strong indicator of an intramural segment, achieving 100% sensitivity and 84% specificity for diagnosis.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • * An observational study followed 28 patients between 1989 and 2020, finding that 41% developed a need for chronic ventricular pacing after their surgery, with many experiencing complications within two years post-op.
  • * Patients with chronic pacing showed worse heart function as indicated by higher QRS duration and NT-pro-BNP levels, and 75% faced progressive heart failure outcomes, contrasting with a much lower percentage among those with
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: In this study we investigated current Dutch practice of low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) treatment in pregnant women with mechanical prosthetic heart valves (MPHV) in order to evaluate how management can be optimized.

Methods: Between December 2020 and February 2021, we conducted a survey among Dutch congenital cardiologists of tertiary centers in the Netherlands. We collected and analyzed written, unstructured, open questionnaires that were send to all 8 specialized pregnancy heart teams.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

In congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries, the morphological right ventricle supports the systemic circulation. This chronic exposure to pressure overload ultimately leads to systemic right ventricular (sRV) dysfunction and heart failure. Pharmacological options for the treatment of sRV failure are poorly defined and no solid recommendations are made in the most recent guidelines.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Sulfur is a requirement for life. Therefore, both the host and colonizing bacteria must regulate sulfur metabolism in a coordinated fashion to meet cellular demands. The host environment is a rich source of organic and inorganic sulfur metabolites that are utilized in critical physiological processes such as redox homeostasis and cellular signaling.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • * The Fontan procedure connects the inferior vena cava to the pulmonary circulation, allowing passive blood flow without a functional second ventricle, which leads to long-term health challenges for patients.
  • * A multidisciplinary team approach is essential for monitoring and managing these patients post-surgery, in order to detect complications early and enhance their quality of life.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Cardiac involvement in patients with Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD) is an important predictor of mortality. The cardiac phenotype of BMD patients is characterized by slowly progressive myocardial fibrosis that starts in the left ventricular (LV) free wall segments and extends into the septal wall during the disease course.

Purpose: Since the reason for this characteristic cardiac phenotype is unknown and comprehensive approaches using e.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The cardiac autonomic nervous system (cANS) regulates cardiac adaptation to different demands. The heart is an asymmetrical organ, and in the selection of adequate treatment of cardiac diseases it may be relevant to take into account that the cANS also has sidedness as well as regional differences in anatomical, functional, and molecular characteristics. The left and right ventricles respond differently to adrenergic stimulation.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • The study reviews the long-term coronary artery status of adults who underwent arterial switch operation (ASO) and assesses the need for routine coronary imaging based on complications observed.
  • Data from 993 adult patients showed low rates of myocardial ischemia (8.9%), coronary interventions (0.4%), and coronary-related deaths (0.4%), but indicated potential issues with cardiac nerve function post-ASO.
  • Current guidelines suggest that while routine screening for coronary pathologies might not be necessary, a baseline assessment is recommended for ASO adults, followed by personalized follow-ups.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF