Early diagnosis and better rhythm management to improve outcomes in patients with atrial fibrillation: the 8th AFNET/EHRA consensus conference.

Despite marked progress in the management of atrial fibrillation (AF), detecting AF remains difficult and AF-related complications cause unacceptable morbidity and mortality even on optimal current therapy. This document summarizes the key outcomes of the 8th AFNET/EHRA Consensus Conference of the Atrial Fibrillation NETwork (AFNET) and the European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA). Eighty-three international experts met in Hamburg for 2 days in October 2021.

Co-morbidity but not dysglycaemia reduces quality of life in patients with type-2 diabetes treated with oral mono- or dual combination therapy--an analysis of the DiaRegis registry.

Background: Type-2 diabetes mellitus has a major impact on health related quality of life (HRQoL). We aimed to identify patient and treatment related variables having a major impact.

Methods: DiaRegis is a prospective diabetes registry.

Incidence and predictors of hypoglycaemia in type 2 diabetes - an analysis of the prospective DiaRegis registry.

Background: Hypoglycaemia is a serious adverse effect of antidiabetic drug therapy. We aimed to determine incidence rates of hypoglycaemia in type-2 diabetic patients and identify predictors of hypoglycaemia when treatment is intensified.

Methods: DiaRegis is a prospective German registry that follows 3810 patients with type-2 diabetes referred for treatment intensification because of insufficient glycaemic control on one or two oral antidiabetic drugs.

Oral antidiabetic treatment in type-2 diabetes in the elderly: balancing the need for glucose control and the risk of hypoglycemia.

Background: We aimed at identifying variables predicting hypoglycemia in elderly type 2 diabetic patients and the relation to HbA1c values achieved.

Design: Prospective, observational registry in 3810 patients in primary care. Comparison of patients in different age tertiles: with an age < 60 (young, n=1,253), age 60 to < 70 (middle aged, n=1,184) to those ≥ 70 years (elderly, n=1,373).

Antidiabetic pharmacotherapy and anamnestic hypoglycemia in a large cohort of type 2 diabetic patients--an analysis of the DiaRegis registry.

Background: We aimed to identify predictors of anamnestic hypoglycaemia in type-2 diabetic patients on oral mono- or dual oral combination antidiabetic pharmacotherapy.

Methods: DiaRegis is a prospective registry in type-2 diabetic patients in primary care. Odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals were determined from univariate logistic regression.

Hypoglycaemia is more frequent in type 2 diabetic patients with co-morbid vascular disease: an analysis of the DiaRegis registry.

Background: Patients with type-2 diabetes are at risk for treatment- and disease-related complications. Little is known about the interrelation of hypoglycaemia and co-morbid vascular disease (VD), defined as coronary heart disease, stroke and peripheral arterial disease.

Hypothesis: Hypoglycaemia is associated with co-morbid VD in diabetic patients.

Diabetes treatment patterns and goal achievement in primary diabetes care (DiaRegis) - study protocol and patient characteristics at baseline.

Background: Patients with type 2 diabetes are at an increased risk for disease and treatment related complications after the initial approach of oral mono/dual antidiabetic therapy has failed. Data from clinical practice with respect to this patient group are however scarce. Therefore we set up a registry in primary care documenting the course and outcomes of this patient group.

Effect of angiotensin receptor blockade on central haemodynamics in essential hypertension: results of a randomised trial.

Objective: Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors have been shown to lower central augmentation index (cAI), an index of arterial wave reflection, more than beta-blockers. We tested whether this is also true for long-term treatment with an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB).

Methods: One-hundred and fifty-six subjects with essential hypertension were randomised to treatment with either irbesartan or atenolol.

Effect of the angiotensin receptor blocker irbesartan on metabolic parameters in clinical practice: the DO-IT prospective observational study.

Aims: A number of intervention studies have shown that therapy with angiotensin receptor blockers, such as irbesartan, can improve metabolic parameters and reduce the incidence of diabetes mellitus. It is unknown whether this observation also holds true in routine clinical settings.

Methods: We evaluated the effect of irbesartan (150 mg or 300 mg/d) together with or without hydrochlorothiazide (12.

Endothelial Protection, AT1 blockade and Cholesterol-Dependent Oxidative Stress: the EPAS trial.

Background: Statins and angiotensin type 1 (AT1) receptor blockers reduce cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. In the Endothelial Protection, AT1 blockade and Cholesterol-Dependent Oxidative Stress (EPAS) trial, impact of independent or combined statin and AT1 receptor blocker therapy on endothelial expression of anti-atherosclerotic and proatherosclerotic genes and endothelial function in arteries of patients with coronary artery disease were tested.

Methods And Results: Sixty patients with stable coronary artery disease undergoing elective coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery were randomized 4 weeks before surgery to: (A) control without inhibition of renin-angiotensin system or statin; (B) statin (pravastatin 40 mg/d); (C) AT1 blockade (irbesartan 150 mg/d); or (D) combination of statin and AT1 blocker in same dosages.

Trial logistics, implementation, and conduct of the OCTAVE mega study in Germany. Prospective, randomised, double-blind study to compare the efficacy and tolerability of omapatrilat and enalapril.

Using the example of the largest clinical trial so far conducted to obtain marketing approval (OCTAVE--Omapatrilat Cardiovascular Treatment Assessment Versus Enalapril) this paper describes the way the trial was conducted in Germany and the set-up of the trial logistics. OCTAVE was a prospective, randomised, double-blind study in which the efficacy and tolerability of omapatrilat (CAS 167305-00-2) compared to enalapril (CAS 75847-73-3) were studied in 25 302 patients with uncontrolled blood pressure. Patient recruitment was completed on schedule in just under four months in this global study.

Effect of irbesartan versus atenolol on left ventricular mass and voltage: results of the CardioVascular Irbesartan Project.

Regression of hypertensive left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is associated with improved prognosis. The aim of this trial was to compare the effects of irbesartan versus atenolol on LVH in subjects with essential hypertension. Because electrocardiographic and echocardiographic parameters of LVH carry disparate prognostic information, both methods were applied in this trial.