Association of blood-based biomarkers with radiologic markers and cognitive decline in atrial fibrillation patients.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) has been associated with an increased risk of silent brain infarcts (SBI) and cognitive impairment, even in patients with low embolic risk. We aimed to test the association between 11 blood-biomarkers representing different AF-related pathways, and SBI, white matter hyperintensities (WMH), and cognitive decline in patients with AF and low embolic risk.

Methods: The present study followed a cross-sectional design.

Factors associated with non-participation in and dropout from cardiac rehabilitation programmes: a systematic review of prospective cohort studies.

Background: Although evidence exists for the efficacy of cardiac rehabilitation programmes to reduce morbidity and mortality among patients with cardiovascular disease, cardiac rehabilitation programmes are underused. We aimed systematically to review the evidence from prospective cohort studies on factors associated with non-participation in and/or dropping out from cardiac rehabilitation programmes.

Methods: MedLine, Embase, Scopus, Open Grey and Cochrane Database were searched for relevant publications from inception to February 2018.