Endothelial dysfunction and altered endothelial biomarkers in patients with post-COVID-19 syndrome and chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS).

Background: Fatigue, exertion intolerance and post-exertional malaise are among the most frequent symptoms of Post-COVID Syndrome (PCS), with a subset of patients fulfilling criteria for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS). As SARS-CoV-2 infects endothelial cells, causing endotheliitis and damaging the endothelium, we investigated endothelial dysfunction (ED) and endothelial biomarkers in patients with PCS.

Methods: We studied the endothelial function in 30 PCS patients with persistent fatigue and exertion intolerance as well as in 15 age- and sex matched seronegative healthy controls (HCs).

Iron deficiency is related to low functional outcome in patients at early rehabilitation after acute stroke.

Background: Iron deficiency (ID) is a common co-morbidity in patients with cardiovascular disease and contributes to impaired functional capacity. The relevance of ID in patients in recovery after acute stroke is not known. We assessed the prevalence of ID and anaemia in relation to functional capacity and to recovery during early rehabilitation after stroke.

Iron Deficiency and Reduced Muscle Strength in Patients with Acute and Chronic Ischemic Stroke.

(1) Introduction: Iron deficiency (ID) contributes to impaired functional performance and reduced quality of life in patients with chronic illnesses. The role of ID in stroke is unclear. The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the prevalence of ID and to evaluate its association with long-term functional outcome in patients with ischemic stroke.

Tolerability and Efficacy of s.c. IgG Self-Treatment in ME/CFS Patients with IgG/IgG Subclass Deficiency: A Proof-of-Concept Study.

Background: Chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a complex disease frequently triggered by infections. IgG substitution may have therapeutic effect both by ameliorating susceptibility to infections and due to immunomodulatory effects.

Methods: We conducted a proof of concept open trial with s.

Hand grip strength and fatigability: correlation with clinical parameters and diagnostic suitability in ME/CFS.

Background: Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) is a complex and debilitating disease accompanied by muscular fatigue and pain. A functional measure to assess muscle fatigability of ME/CFS patients is, however, not established in clinical routine. The aim of this study is to evaluate by assessing repeat maximum handgrip strength (HGS), muscle fatigability as a diagnostic tool and its correlation with clinical parameters.

Ischemic Stroke and Heart Failure: Facts and Numbers. An Update.

Heart failure (HF) is a severe clinical syndrome accompanied by a number of comorbidities. Ischemic stroke occurs frequently in patients with HF as a complication of the disease. In the present review, we aimed to summarize the current state of research on the role of cardio-cerebral interactions in the prevalence, etiology, and prognosis of both diseases.

Early rehabilitation after stroke: relationship between the heart rate variability and functional outcome.

Aims: Impaired autonomic nervous system regulation is frequently observed in patients with stroke. The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the impact of cardiac autonomic tone on functional outcome after the early post-stroke rehabilitation.

Methods And Results: One hundred and three consecutive patients (67 ± 11 years, body mass index (BMI) 27.

Acute effects of oral triglyceride load on dynamic changes in peripheral endothelial function in heart failure patients with reduced ejection fraction and healthy controls.

Bachground: Postprandial hyperlipaemia impairs endothelial function, possibly via oxidative-stress-mediated mechanisms. The aim of this study was to evaluate the acute effects of an oral triglyceride load (OTGL) on peripheral endothelial function in heart failure patients with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) compared to healthy controls.

Design: Prospective cross-sectional.

Peripheral endothelial dysfunction in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.

Aims: Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a complex multisystem disease. Evidence for disturbed vascular regulation comes from various studies showing cerebral hypoperfusion and orthostatic intolerance. The peripheral endothelial dysfunction (ED) has not been sufficiently investigated in patients with ME/CFS.

Body weight changes and incidence of cachexia after stroke.

Background: Body weight loss is a frequent complication after stroke, and its adverse effect on clinical outcome has been shown in several clinical trials. The purpose of this prospective longitudinal single-centre observational study was to investigate dynamical changes of body composition and body weight after ischemic stroke and an association with functional outcome.

Methods: Sixty-seven consecutive patients (age 69 ± 11 years, body mass index 27.

Heart-brain Interactions in Heart Failure.

Heart failure (HF) is a complex disease with a growing incidence worldwide. HF is accompanied by a wide range of conditions which affect disease progression, functional performance and contribute to growing healthcare costs. The interactions between a failing myocardium and altered cerebral functions contribute to the symptoms experienced by patients with HF, affecting many comorbidities and causing a poor prognosis.

Immunoadsorption to remove ß2 adrenergic receptor antibodies in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome CFS/ME.

Introduction: Infection-triggered disease onset, chronic immune activation and autonomic dysregulation in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) point to an autoimmune disease directed against neurotransmitter receptors. We had observed elevated autoantibodies against ß2 adrenergic receptors, and muscarinic 3 and 4 acetylcholine receptors in a subset of patients. Immunoadsorption (IA) was shown to be effective in removing autoantibodies and improve outcome in various autoimmune diseases.

Cardiac muscle wasting in individuals with cancer cachexia.

Aims: Cachexia is a severe complication of cancer that adversely affects the course of the disease and is associated with high rates of mortality. Patients with cancer manifest symptoms, such as fatigue, shortness of breath, and impaired exercise tolerance, which are clinical signs of chronic heart failure. The aim of this study was to evaluate cardiac muscle wasting in cancer individuals.

Sleep-Disordered Breathing in Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Mechanistic Link to Peripheral Endothelial Dysfunction.

Background: Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) after acute ischemic stroke is frequent and may be linked to stroke-induced autonomic imbalance. In the present study, the interaction between SDB and peripheral endothelial dysfunction (ED) was investigated in patients with acute ischemic stroke and at 1-year follow-up.

Methods And Results: SDB was assessed by transthoracic impedance records in 101 patients with acute ischemic stroke (mean age, 69 years; 61% men; median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, 4) while being on the stroke unit.

Longer-term impact of hemiparetic stroke on skeletal muscle metabolism-A pilot study.

Background: Hemiparetic stroke leads to structural and metabolic alterations of skeletal muscle tissue, thereby contributing to functional impairment associated with stroke. In situ metabolic processes at tissue level in skeletal muscle have not been investigated. We hypothesize that muscular metabolic capacity is limited after hemiparetic stroke, and that changes affect rather the paretic than non-paretic limb.

Evaluation of C-terminal Agrin Fragment as a marker of muscle wasting in patients after acute stroke during early rehabilitation.

Background: C-terminal Agrin Fragment (CAF) has been proposed as a novel biomarker for sarcopenia originating from the degeneration of the neuromuscular junctions. In patients with stroke muscle wasting is a common observation that predicts functional outcome. We aimed to evaluate agrin sub-fragment CAF22 as a marker of decreased muscle mass and physical performance in the early phase after acute stroke.

Intestinal congestion and right ventricular dysfunction: a link with appetite loss, inflammation, and cachexia in chronic heart failure.

Aims: Mechanisms leading to cachexia in heart failure (HF) are not fully understood. We evaluated signs of intestinal congestion in patients with chronic HF and their relationship with cachexia.

Methods And Results: Of the 165 prospectively enrolled outpatients with left ventricular ejection fraction ≤40%, 29 (18%) were cachectic.

Influence of essential amino acids on muscle mass and muscle strength in patients with cerebral stroke during early rehabilitation: protocol and rationale of a randomized clinical trial (AMINO-Stroke Study).

Background: Patients with stroke are at a high risk for long-term handicap and disability. In the first weeks after stroke muscle wasting is observed frequently. Early post-stroke rehabilitation programs are directed to improve functional independence and physical performance.

The impact of iron deficiency and anaemia on exercise capacity and outcomes in patients with chronic heart failure. Results from the Studies Investigating Co-morbidities Aggravating Heart Failure.

Unlabelled: Anaemia and iron deficiency (ID) are important co-morbidities in patients with chronic heart failure (HF) and both may lead to reduced exercise capacity.

Methods: We enrolled 331 out-patients with stable chronic HF (mean age: 64 ± 11 years, 17% female, left ventricular ejection fraction [LVEF] 35 ± 13%, body mass index [BMI] 28.5 ± 5.

Detection of muscle wasting in patients with chronic heart failure using C-terminal agrin fragment: results from the Studies Investigating Co-morbidities Aggravating Heart Failure (SICA-HF).

Aims: Skeletal muscle wasting affects 20% of patients with chronic heart failure and has serious implications for their activities of daily living. Assessment of muscle wasting is technically challenging. C-terminal agrin-fragment (CAF), a breakdown product of the synaptically located protein agrin, has shown early promise as biomarker of muscle wasting.