Cardio-microcurrent device for chronic heart failure: first-in-human clinical study.

Aims: Most devices for treating ambulatory Class II and III heart failure are linked to electrical pulses. However, a steady electric potential gradient is also necessary for appropriate myocardial performance and may be disturbed by structural heart diseases. We investigated whether chronic application of electrical microcurrent to the heart is feasible and safe and improves cardiac performance.

Functional autoantibody diseases: Basics and treatment related to cardiomyopathies.

In the 1970s, autoantibodies directed against G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCR, GPCR-AAB) were discovered. After receptor binding, GPCR-AAB trigger uncontrolled receptor mediated signal cascades, thus producing pathologies. Diseases associated with such functionally active autoantibody type (functional autoantibodies) can be called "functional autoantibody diseases".

Bioelectrical signals improve cardiac function and modify gene expression of extracellular matrix components.

Aims: Beyond the influence of stimulating devices on cardiac excitation, their use in treating patients with heart failure has positive effects on the myocardium at the molecular level. Electrical signals can induce a wide spectrum of effects in living tissue. Therefore, we sought to determine whether applying electrical microcurrent directly to failing hearts leads to functional improvement.