Gender disparities in patients undergoing extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Introduction: The use of venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) in extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (eCPR) has emerged as a treatment option for selected patients who are experiencing refractory cardiac arrest (CA). In the light of increasing availability, the analyses of outcome-relevant predisposing characteristics are of growing importance. We evaluated the prognostic influence of gender in patients presenting with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) treated with eCPR.

Prognostic influence of mechanical cardiopulmonary resuscitation on survival in patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest undergoing ECPR on VA-ECMO.

Introduction: The use of venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) in extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) in selected patients after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is an established method if return of spontaneous circulation cannot be achieved. Automated chest compression devices (ACCD) facilitate transportation of patients under ongoing CPR and might improve outcome. We thus sought to evaluate prognostic influence of mechanical CPR using ACCD in patients presenting with OHCA treated with ECPR including VA-ECMO.

Outcomes of an HCV elimination program targeting the Viennese MSM population.

Background And Aims: Recent reports suggest an increasing incidence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections among MSM (men-who-have-sex-with-men). Early treatment with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) achieves high cure rates and prevents further HCV transmission. We offered barrier-free HCV screening in the Viennese MSM population and immediate access to DAA treatment.

Short-term use of "ECMELLA" in the context of fulminant eosinophilic myocarditis with cardiogenic shock.

Background: Eosinophilic myocarditis (EM) is a rare form of myocarditis. Clinical presentation is various, includes cardiogenic shock and can often be fatal. Diagnosis is based on myocardial eosinophilic infiltration in endomyocardial biopsy.

Cardiac Arrest and Successful Extracorporeal Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation as a Result of a Refeeding Syndrome in a Young Female with Anorexia Nervosa.

Anorexia nervosa is a potentially life-threatening eating disorder, characterized by an abnormally low body weight. This case report illustrates a 22-year old female with cardiac arrest due to a refeeding syndrome in a patient with anorexia nervosa. It features the successful use of extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation in a case of severe left ventricular dysfunction resulting in a favorable outcome.

Substantial underdiagnosis of lymphogranuloma venereum in men who have sex with men in Europe: preliminary findings from a multicentre surveillance pilot.

Objectives: Understanding the public health impact of lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) in Europe is hampered by inadequate diagnostics and surveillance systems in many European countries. We developed and piloted LGV surveillance in three European countries without existing systems and performed a preliminary investigation of LGV epidemiology, where little evidence currently exists.

Methods: We recruited STI or dermatovenereology clinics and associated laboratories serving men who have sex with men (MSM) in Austria, Croatia and Slovenia, using the UK for comparison.

Prevalence and Associations of Illicit Drug and Polydrug Use in People Living with HIV in Vienna.

We aimed to determine the prevalence of drug and polydrug use in people living with HIV in Austria for the first time for which a two center cross-sectional study was performed. Participants were recruited from consecutive patients during their regularly scheduled visits. In total 438 participants were included in the analysis.

Health related quality of life after extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation in refractory cardiac arrest.

Background: Recent data identifies extracorporeal cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (eCPR) as a potential addendum of conventional cardiopulmonary-resuscitation (cCPR) in highly specified circumstances and selected patients. However, consented criteria indicating eCPR are lacking. Therefore we provide first insights into the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) outcomes of patients treated with eCPR in a real world setting.

[Cardiac arrest in a fitness trainer with apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy associated with cor triatriatum sinister].

We report on a 49-year-old fitness trainer, who was admitted to our hospital after cardiac arrest due to ventricular fibrillation. Return of spontaneous circulation was achieved after immediate cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Coronary angiography could exclude coronary artery disease.

Clinical setting-based smoking cessation programme and the quality of life in people living with HIV in Austria and Germany.

Purpose: To report on the global quality of life (QOL) in people living with HIV (PLWHIV) and how a smoking cessation intervention influences the changes in QOL.

Methods: Participants were asked to fill out a questionnaire during visits to their HIV outpatient clinic consisting of sociodemographic information, general health data and the WHOQOL HIV-Bref. Exhaled carbon monoxide measurements were used to confirm the smoking status, based on which participants classified as smokers received a short 5 min structured intervention and were offered participation in a full smoking cessation programme consisting of five sessions.

Prevalence and Correlates of Smoking and Readiness to Quit Smoking in People Living with HIV in Austria and Germany.

We aimed to investigate the prevalence and correlates of smoking in people living with HIV (PLWHIV) in Germany and Austria and their readiness to quit. A total of 447 consecutive patients with confirmed positive HIV status who were treated in different outpatient HIV centres in Austria and Germany were included. Nicotine dependence and stages of change were assessed by standardized questionnaires, and this was confirmed by measuring exhaled carbon monoxide.

Impaired lipid profile and insulin resistance in a cohort of Austrian HIV patients.

Introduction: Traditional risk factors for cardiovascular diseases have been shown to have an even higher impact in the HIV infected population. Cardiovascular risk factors amongst people living with HIV treated in doctor's offices in Austria have not been documented before. Our study aimed to close this gap, focusing on dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus and diabetes risk.

Corrective Operation in an Intramyocardial Dissecting Hemorrhage After Subacute Anterior Myocardial Infarction.

Intramyocardial dissecting hemorrhage is a very rare and potentially lethal complication of myocardial infarction. The diagnosis is typically made by echocardiography, by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, at operation, or during postmortem examination. Medical treatment is most often associated with high mortality, and surgical treatment is required.

MitraClip implantation after acute ischemic papillary muscle rupture in a patient with prolonged cardiogenic shock.

Papillary muscle rupture is a rare but potentially lethal complication of acute myocardial infarction. We report a 77-year-old man who presented to the emergency department with dyspnea and nausea and acute onset of severe back pain 3 days earlier. Owing to rapid deterioration of his hemodynamic and respiratory situation, the patient was immediately transferred to the intensive care unit.

Smoking prevalence, readiness to quit and smoking cessation in HIV+ patients in Germany and Austria.

Introduction: Due to the interaction between smoking and the virus and the antiretroviral therapy, the excess health hazard due to smoking is higher in HIV+ patients than in the general population. International studies suggest a higher prevalence of smoking in HIV+ subjects compared to the general population. It was the aim of the study to assess prevalence of smoking, to analyze determinants of smoking, and to evaluate readiness to quit in HIV+ patients in Germany and Austria.

Differential diagnosis of a fulminant myocarditis: the pheochromocytoma crisis.

Concurring left ventricular dysfunction, pulmonary edema and febrile temperature in otherwise healthy young individuals often constitutes the clinical presentation of a fulminant myocarditis. Nevertheless, the pheochromocytoma crisis (PCC) can mimic this very cluster of symptoms, camouflaging its disclosure. We describe a dramatic case of pheochromocytoma crisis mimicking fulminant myocarditis.

[Paraquat poisoning. Case report and overview].

Paraquat poisoning in Germany is rare. Because plasma levels do not necessarily match the ingested amount of paraquat, repeated measurement of plasma levels is imperative. There is a large potential in the prehospital phase to improve prognosis: further resorption must be terminated by rigorous charcoal administration and early tracheal intubation if necessary.

Treatment during primary HIV infection does not lower viral set point but improves CD4 lymphocytes in an observational cohort.

Objective: To investigate if early treatment of primary HIV-1 infection (PHI) reduces viral set point and/or increases CD4 lymphocytes.

Methods: Analysis of two prospective multi-centre PHI cohorts. HIV-1 RNA and CD4 lymphocytes in patients with transient treatment were compared to those in untreated patients.

Electrical storm in Brugada syndrome successfully treated with orciprenaline; effect of low-dose quinidine on the electrocardiogram.

We report a case of an electrical storm occurring in a patient implanted with a cardioverter defibrillator for symptomatic Brugada syndrome. Recurrent ventricular fibrillation was initiated by short-coupled premature ventricular beats of right ventricular origin, associated with a fixed Brugada type 2 electrocardiographic pattern. Low-dose orciprenaline application as an intravenous bolus followed by an infusion inhibited the recurrence of ventricular fibrillation and normalized the electrocardiographic pattern.

Cardiac arrest and successful resuscitation in a patient with Tako-Tsubo Cardiomyopathy.

Tako-Tsubo Cardiomyopathy (TTC) is described as transient left ventricular (LV) dysfunction without coronary artery stenoses. Typically the onset of TTC-syndrome is following emotional or physical stress. As an acute cardiac syndrome it is mimicking ST-elevation myocardial infarction.