Reduced antioxidant high-density lipoprotein function in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

Background: Heart failure (HF) is a heterogeneous clinical syndrome affecting a growing global population. Due to the high incidence of cardiovascular risk factors, a large proportion of the Western population is at risk for heart failure. Oxidative stress and inflammation play a crucial role in the pathophysiology of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF).

The role of NETosis in heart failure.

The hallmark of heart failure (HF) is structural myocardial remodeling including cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, fibrosis, cardiomyocyte cell death, and a low-grade aseptic inflammation. The initiation and maintenance of persistent chronic low-grade inflammation in HF are not fully understood. Oxidative stress-mediated neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are the main immune defense mechanism against external bacterial infections.

Association of endothelial function and lower extremity perfusion in peripheral artery disease.

The current study aims to investigate the association between endothelial function and lower extremity perfusion in patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD). : In total 229 patients with PAD (Rutherford stage 0-3) were enrolled in the current study. Endothelial function was assessed by measuring flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and endothelial cell proliferation capacity (ECPC).

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on hospital admission rates for arterial hypertension and coronary heart disease: a German database study.

Background: During the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic it was speculated that the virus might be associated with a persistent increase of cardiovascular risk. The present study compares pre- and post-pandemic hospital admission rates for hypertension and coronary artery disease.

Methods: Systematic multicentric retrospective cohort analysis of 57.

Atrial fibrillation in human patients is associated with increased collagen type V and TGFbeta1.

Background And Aim: Atrial fibrosis is an important factor in initiating and maintaining atrial fibrillation (AF). Collagen V belongs to fibrillar collagens. There are, however no data on collagen V in AF.

Coronary microthrombi in the failing human heart: the role of von Willebrand factor and PECAM-1.

The recognition of microthrombi in the heart microcirculation has recently emerged from studies in COVID-19 decedents. The present study investigated the ultrastructure of coronary microthrombi in heart failure (HF) due to cardiomyopathies that are unrelated to COVID-19 infection. In addition, we have investigated the role of von Willebrand factor (VWF) and PECAM-1 in microthrombus formation.

Oxidized high-density lipoprotein associates with atrial fibrillation.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common heart arrhythmia and considered to be a progressive chronic disease associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Recent data suggest a link between inflammation, oxidative stress, and AF, although the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. Because oxidized lipoproteins cause structural damage and electrophysiologic changes in cardiomyocytes, it is feasible that the transformation of atheroprotective high-density lipoprotein (HDL) into dysfunctional HDL contributes to the development of AF.

Dysfunctional high-density lipoprotein in chronic inflammatory rheumatic diseases.

Background: The mechanism explaining low cholesterol concentrations in chronic inflammatory rheumatic disease (CIRD) is incompletely understood. We hypothesized that chronic inflammation impairs the functionality of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), for example, by oxidative processes.

Objectives: Assessment of oxidized HDL (HDL), a marker of dysfunctional HDL, in newly diagnosed patients with CIRD before and after initiation of immunosuppressive therapy and comparison of HDL values of patients with CIRD to non-CIRD controls.

Defibrillator exchange in the elderly.

Background: Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) therapy in elderly patients is controversial because survival benefits might be attenuated by nonarrhythmic causes of death.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the outcome of septuagenarians and octogenarians after ICD generator exchange (GE).

Methods: A total of 506 patients undergoing elective GE were analyzed to determine the incidence of ICD shocks and/or survival after GE.

Leukocyte telomere length and mitochondrial DNA copy number associate with endothelial function in aging-related cardiovascular disease.

Background: We investigated the association between leukocyte telomere length, mitochondrial DNA copy number, and endothelial function in patients with aging-related cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Methods: In total 430 patients with CVD and healthy persons were enrolled in the current study. Peripheral blood was drawn by routine venipuncture procedure.

Association of plasma propionate concentration with coronary artery disease in a large cross-sectional study.

Background: Microbiome has been linked to the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease (CAD) but data providing direct evidence for an association of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) with CAD are lacking. This study aimed to evaluate the role of propionate, the most important SCFA in patients with CAD.

Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study enrolling patients admitted for invasive coronary angiography in two university hospitals in Germany.

Impact of the Educational Level on Non-Fatal Health Outcomes following Myocardial Infarction.

Notwithstanding a decrease in the incidence and mortality of cardiovascular diseases during the last decades, notable disparities in health outcomes depending on a patient´s socioeconomic position persist and are most visible in acute myocardial infarction and ischemic heart disease. Education is a pivotal indicator of the socioeconomic position. Effects of the social determinants of health on the incidence, prevalence and mortality of cardiovascular diseases were previously effectually investigated and shown to be inversely associated but evidence on non-fatal health outcomes such as heart failure, ability to return to work or rehospitalizations still remain insufficiently examined.

Understanding the importance of social determinants and rurality for the long-term outcome after acute myocardial infarction: study protocol for a single-centre cohort study.

Introduction: Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a major public health issue in Germany with considerable regional differences in morbidity and mortality. Possible reasons for regional differences include a higher prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors, infrastructural deficits, different levels of healthcare quality or social determinants. We aim to study associations of social determinants and of rural infrastructure with the quality of medical care (eg, time to reperfusion or medication adherence) and on the long-term outcome after myocardial infarction.

Contextualising the association of socioeconomic deprivation with hospitalisation rates of myocardial infarction in a rural area in eastern Germany.

Introduction: Evidence on the association of socioeconomic deprivation with occurrence of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is available from international studies and urban settings in western Germany. This study aimed to assess this association based on small geographical areas in a rural setting in eastern Germany.

Methods: This study used routine data of all patients with AMI who were treated in the Hospital Brandenburg in the city of Brandenburg, Germany, between May 2019 and May 2020.

Feasibility of non-invasive measurement of central blood pressure and arterial stiffness in shock.

Background: Patients in haemodynamic shock are in need for an intensive care treatment. Invasive haemodynamic monitoring is state of the art for these patients. However, evolved, non-invasive blood pressure monitoring devices offer advanced functions like the assessment of central blood pressure and arterial stiffness.

Effective treatment of electrical storm by a wearable cardioverter defibrillator in a patient with severely impaired left ventricular function after myocardial infarction: a case report.

Background: The implantation of cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) is an established therapy in the prevention of sudden cardiac death in patients with systolic dysfunction after myocardial infarction. To avoid immediate implantation of an ICD, wearable cardioverter defibrillator vests (WCD) can be used to protect patients against malignant rhythm disorders, while at the same time drug-based heart failure therapy has to be initiated. This drug therapy can improve left ventricular ejection fraction and primary prophylactic cardioverter defibrillator implantation may not be necessary.

Secondary Prevention of Potentially Life-Threatening Arrhythmia Using Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators in Patients with Biopsy-Proven Viral Myocarditis and Preserved Ejection Fraction.

Background: Arrhythmia and sudden cardiac death (SCD) are known complications of acute viral myocarditis, regardless of ejection fraction (EF) at presentation. Whether such complications confer long-term risk is unknown, especially in those who present with preserved left ventricular (LV) function. No guidelines exist to the long-term reduction of arrhythmic death in such patients.

The differential impact of aerobic and isometric handgrip exercise on blood pressure variability and central aortic blood pressure.

Background: Blood pressure variability and central SBP are independent markers of cardiovascular risk. Data on lifestyle-interventions to reduce these parameters are sparse. The present work reports the differential effects of aerobic vs.

Dickkopf-3 in the prediction of contrast media induced acute kidney injury.

Background: Dickkopf-3 (DKK3) has recently been discovered as a urinary biomarker for the prediction of acute kidney injury (AKI) after cardiac surgery. This finding needs to be confirmed for AKI in other clinical settings. The present study investigates whether DKK3 can predict contrast-induced AKI (CI-AKI).

Biomarkers in the prediction of contrast media induced nephropathy - the BITCOIN study.

Background: Subjects with chronic kidney disease are at increased risk for contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI). Risk stratification is traditionally based on glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and proteinuria. The present trial examines, whether tubular and inflammatory biomarkers are able to identify subjects at increased risk as well.