Statistical analysis plan for a randomized controlled trial examining pedometer-based walking intervention in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction: the WATCHFUL trial.

Background: Physical activity is an effective management strategy for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, but patients' compliance is challenging. Walking is a suitable form of physical activity due to its convenience and sustainability, and it can potentially improve functional capacity in heart failure patients.

Objectives: The WATCHFUL trial aims to determine whether a pedometer-based walking intervention combined with face-to-face sessions and regular telephone contact improves functional capacity in heart failure patients.

Cardiac device-related infective endocarditis in the Czech Republic: Prospective data from the ESC EORP EURO-ENDO registry.

Aim: Understanding cardiac electronic device infective endocarditis epidemiology is essential for the management of this serious complication. Only monocentric and limited data have been published regarding patients in the Czech republic so far. The aim of this study was to describe the current profile, microbiology and clinical characteristics of this population.

The detrimental effect of COVID-19 nationwide quarantine on accelerometer-assessed physical activity of heart failure patients.

Aims: A reduction of habitual physical activity due to prolonged COVID-19 quarantine can have serious consequences for patients with cardiovascular diseases, such as heart failure. This study aimed to explore the effect of COVID-19 nationwide quarantine on accelerometer-assessed physical activity of heart failure patients.

Methods And Results: We analysed the daily number of steps in 26 heart failure patients during a 6-week period that included 3 weeks immediately preceding the onset of the quarantine and the first 3 weeks of the quarantine.

The Assessment of Serum Drug Levels to Diagnose Non-Adherence in Stable Chronic Heart Failure Patients.

Background: The aim of our study was to evaluate the prevalence of drug non-adherence in stable chronic heart failure (CHF) patients using serum drug levels (SDL) assessment.

Methods: CHF patients were prospectively enrolled during scheduled outpatient visit. Except standard procedures an unanticipated blood sampling for the SDL assessment was obtained.

Effect of a 6-month pedometer-based walking intervention on functional capacity in patients with chronic heart failure with reduced (HFrEF) and with preserved (HFpEF) ejection fraction: study protocol for two multicenter randomized controlled trials.

Background: Regular physical activity is recommended for patients with chronic heart failure to improve their functional capacity, and walking is a popular, effective, and safe form of physical activity. Pedometers have shown potential to increase the amount of walking across a range of chronic diseases, but it is unknown whether a pedometer-based intervention improves functional capacity and neurohumoral modulation in heart failure patients.

Methods: Two multicenter randomized controlled trials will be conducted in parallel: one in patients with chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), the other in patients with chronic heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF).

Serum drug levels to diagnose non-adherence in acute decompensated heart failure.

Background: The aim of this study was to analyze medication non-adherence by measuring serum drug levels (SDL) in patients presenting with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF).

Methods: Included in the study were chronic heart failure patients presenting with signs of acute decompensation. Blood sampling for the measurement of SDL was performed shortly after presentation.

Clinical manifestations of infective endocarditis in relation to infectious agents: An 8-year retrospective study.

Aim: To compare clinical complications and outcomes of infective endocarditis (IE) episodes caused by Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and other most frequent aetiological agents (streptococci, enterococci, coagulase-negative staphylococci, and culture-negative IE).

Methods: A total of 117 IE episodes assessed by all internal medicine services of a major teaching institution in the Czech Republic over an eight-year period were identified.

Confirmatory testing in primary aldosteronism: extensive medication switching is not needed in all patients.

Objective: Confirmatory testing of suspected primary aldosteronism (PA) requires an extensive medication switch that can be difficult for patients with severe complicated hypertension and/or refractory hypokalemia. For this reason, we investigated the effect of chronic antihypertensive medication on confirmatory testing results. To allow the results to be interpreted, the reproducibility of confirmatory testing was also evaluated.

Difficult-to-control arterial hypertension or uncooperative patients? The assessment of serum antihypertensive drug levels to differentiate non-responsiveness from non-adherence to recommended therapy.

Difficult-to-control arterial hypertension is a common medical problem that may result from severe hypertensive disease or from poor adherence to the recommended medical treatment. The identification of non-adherent patients is challenging, especially when non-adherence is intentional. The current report describes the use of serum levels of prescribed antihypertensive drugs to evaluate the adherence in individuals with difficult-to-control arterial hypertension.

Infective endocarditis in the Czech Republic: eight years of experience at one of the country's largest medical centers.

Background And Aim Of The Study: Limited data have been reported that characterize infective endocarditis (IE) in the Czech Republic. Hence, some local cases of IE were examined to provide a current profile of the disease in Central Europe.

Methods: A descriptive case series of IE patients seen on all internal medicine services of a major teaching institution in the Czech Republic over an eight-year period was developed.