The Pivotal Role of an Early Post-Acute Cardiac Rehabilitation as an Evidence-Based Management of Left Ventricular Assist Device Patients.

Background: Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) implantation is an important treatment option for patients with advanced CHF. Referral to an early, intensive cardiac rehabilitation (CR) program in these patients seems still underused. This observational descriptive study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of an early intensive CR program in LVAD recipients, also comparing results with a matched group of advanced HFrEF patients.

25 Hydroxyvitamin D Deficiency and Its Relationship to Autoimmune Thyroid Disease in the Elderly.

Background: Low 25(OH) vitamin D levels have been associated with several autoimmune diseases and recently with autoimmune thyroiditis (AT). The aim of the study was to investigate the association of AT with low 25(OH) vitamin D levels in the elderly.

Methods: One hundred sixty-eight elderly subjects (mean age: 81.