Differing Impact of Preterm Birth on the Right and Left Atria in Adulthood.

Background Preterm birth affects 10% of live births and is associated with an altered left ventricular and right ventricular phenotype and increased cardiovascular disease risk in young adulthood. Because left atrial (LA) and right atrial (RA) volume and function are known independent predictors of cardiovascular outcomes, we investigated whether these were altered in preterm-born young adults. Methods and Results Preterm-born (n=200) and term-born (n=266) adults aged 18 to 39 years underwent cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging.

Right ventricular function declines prior to left ventricular ejection fraction in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Background: The right ventricle (RV) in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) tends to be neglected, as previous efforts have predominantly focused on examining the prognostic value of left ventricular (LV) abnormalities. The objectives of this study were to assess RV function in HCM, changes over time, and association with clinical outcomes.

Methods: Two hundred and ninety HCM patients with preserved LV ejection fraction (LVEF ≥ 55%) and 30 age- and sex-matched controls underwent cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR).

Where are all the surgeons in clinical academia?

Introduction: High-quality research into surgical disease will benefit surgical patients. Whereas nearly one-fifth of National Health Service (NHS) England consultants are surgeons, less than 5% of the government's health research funding supports surgical research.

Methods: Using an observational study, we identified surgeons in active research fellowships and on selection panels for the three largest pan-specialty medical funding bodies in the UK.

Replication of epidemiological associations of carpal tunnel syndrome in a UK population-based cohort of over 400,000 people.

Introduction: Several phenotypic factors are associated in the literature with an increased risk of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Along with female sex and older age, certain systemic diseases show an association with CTS, with varying degrees of evidence.

Methods: This study was performed using the UK Biobank resource - a cohort study of over 500,000 participants who have allowed linkage of phenotypic data with their medical records.