Publications by authors named "Tine De Backer"

Article Synopsis
  • The study investigates how renal artery stenosis (RAS) affects blood flow and renin release in a pig model, particularly when there is significant stenosis on the opposite kidney side.
  • Researchers measured kidney pressure and blood flow while gradually blocking the renal artery to understand how these changes impact renin secretion.
  • Findings revealed that a 25% reduction in renal perfusion pressure significantly reduced blood flow and increased renin release, especially when there was already significant stenosis in the contralateral kidney.
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Aims: To examine the association of daily PA levels and sedentary behaviour with body composition, estimated insulin sensitivity, and arterial stiffness in adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D).

Methods: Cross-sectional study in adults with T1D (n = 54). PA levels (daily steps, and time in moderate-to-vigorous intensity PA (MVPA)) and sedentary behaviour were measured using accelerometry for 7 days (McRoberts® DynaPort MoveMonitor).

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Arterial hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, and highly prevalent in older age, underscoring the importance of its appropriate management. The population is ageing at an increasing rate, with those aged 80+ years being the fastest growing population characterized by high heterogeneity in terms of functionality and autonomy. The prevalence of hypertension rises with increasing age, due to a significant increase in SBP largely as a result of age-related stiffening of the aorta and other large arteries, affecting almost 80% of those aged 80+ years.

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Aims: The management of patients treated with direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) during hospitalization is a common challenge in clinical practice. Although bridging is generally not recommended, too often DOACs are switched to parenteral therapy with low molecular weight heparins. Our objectives were to update a local guideline for perioperative DOAC management and to develop a guideline for the anticoagulation management in non-surgical patients regarding temporary DOAC discontinuation.

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Article Synopsis
  • - A 2023 survey by the European Society of Hypertension assessed the management of chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients with hypertension across 88 centers in 27 countries, finding that only 28% had preexisting CKD, and 30% exhibited resistant hypertension.
  • - The survey indicated inconsistent rates of recent kidney function tests and varying usage of important medications, showing higher rates of certain drugs when nephrologists were involved in the care team.
  • - Overall, the study highlighted significant gaps in CKD screening and treatment prior to referral for specialized care, suggesting that tailored initiatives could enhance management for patients with hypertension and CKD.
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Article Synopsis
  • Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) can interact with other drugs, increasing the risk of bleeding or blood clots, so proper management of these drug-drug interactions (DDIs) is crucial for patient safety.
  • A study in 201 Belgian community pharmacies screened DOAC users for DDIs and involved pharmacists contacting doctors for management advice, using a specific DDI list for guidance.
  • The study found 875 DDIs among 751 patients, with many resulting in pharmacotherapy changes, showing that active management of DDIs can significantly enhance the safe use of DOACs in at-risk patients.
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Hypertensive disorders in pregnancy (HDP), remain the leading cause of adverse maternal, fetal, and neonatal outcomes. Epidemiological factors, comorbidities, assisted reproduction techniques, placental disorders, and genetic predisposition determine the burden of the disease. The pathophysiological substrate and the clinical presentation of HDP are multifarious.

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Article Synopsis
  • The double-kiss mini-crush (DKMC) technique has been effectively used for treating complex coronary artery lesions, including challenging left main lesions.
  • This case report demonstrates that the DKMC technique can also be applied to complex renal artery lesions, showing its versatility beyond coronary use.
  • Creative thinking and applying coronary stenting procedures in new ways could lead to innovative solutions for tough cases of in-stent restenosis in the renal circulation.
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(1) Background: Left ventricular global longitudinal (LVGLS) and right ventricular free wall strain (RVFWS) demonstrated separate prognostic values in patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS). However, studies evaluating the combined assessment of LVGLS and RVFWS have shown contradictory results. This study explored the prognostic value of combining LVGLS and RVFWS in a large group of severe AS patients referred for transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

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Context: The precise glycemic impact and clinical relevance of postprandial exercise in type 1 diabetes (T1D) has not been clarified yet.

Objective: This work aimed to examine acute, subacute, and late effects of postprandial exercise on blood glucose (BG).

Methods: A randomized, controlled trial comprised 4 laboratory visits, with 24-hour follow-up at home.

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Aims: This retrospective cohort study aimed to be the first to evaluate the association between plasma protein-bound uremic toxins (PBUTs) concentrations, echocardiographic parameters of heart failure (HF), and incident HF events in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) not on dialysis.

Methods And Results: Retrospective, single-centre, cohort study at the Ghent University Hospital, Belgium. Adults with CKD stages G1-G5, not on dialysis, could be included.

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Nocturia has been increasingly recognized as a manifestation of various non-urological conditions including hypertension. In adults, blood pressure (BP) elevation has been identified as a robust correlate of nocturia, but such a relationship has not been studied in pediatric populations where nocturia is often attributed to hormonal, sleep, physiological or psychological disorders. Accordingly, this study aimed to determine the relationship between nocturia and BP elevation in adolescents.

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Article Synopsis
  • - The study investigated how pharmacodynamic drug-drug interactions (PD DDIs) affect bleeding risks in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) being treated with non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) using data from Belgium between 2013-2019.
  • - Results showed that 59.1% of the 193,072 patients had significant PD DDIs, which were linked to increased risks of various types of bleeding, most notably when combined with P2Y inhibitors and corticosteroids.
  • - The findings highlight that PD DDI use, particularly with certain medications like SSRIs/SNRIs and corticosteroids, poses a substantially higher risk of major bleeding events, including intracranial hemorrhages
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Aims: The clinical relevance of common pharmacokinetic interactions with non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) often remains unclear. Therefore, the impact of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and CYP3A4 inhibitors and inducers on clinical outcomes in NOAC-treated patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) was investigated.

Methods And Results: AF patients were included between 2013 and 2019 using Belgian nationwide data.

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Purpose: Poor adherence to non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) may raise thromboembolic risks in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). However, the minimal adherence to maintain the protective effect of NOACs is currently unknown. Therefore, we investigated thresholds of NOAC adherence in association with thromboembolic and mortality risks.

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Background:  Polypharmacy may affect outcomes in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) using non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) or vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) due to interactions or reduced adherence, but comparative data are lacking. Therefore, the impact of polypharmacy on AF-related outcomes and benefit-risk profiles of NOACs in patients with polypharmacy were investigated.

Methods:  AF patients initiating anticoagulation between 2013 and 2019 were included using Belgian nationwide data.

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Background: Data on non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant (NOAC) use in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and a history of falls are limited. Therefore, we investigated the impact of a history of falls on AF-related outcomes, and the benefit-risk profiles of NOACs in patients with a history of falls.

Methods: Using Belgian nationwide data, AF patients initiating anticoagulation between 2013 and 2019 were included.

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People with type 1 diabetes experience challenges in managing blood glucose around exercise. Previous studies have examined glycaemic responses to different exercise modalities but paid little attention to participants' prandial state, although this is an important consideration and will enhance our understanding of the effects of exercise in order to improve blood glucose management around activity. This review summarises available data on the glycaemic effects of postprandial exercise (i.

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Aims: Data on non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) use in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and frailty are scarce. Therefore, the impact of frailty on AF-related outcomes and benefit-risk profiles of NOACs in patients with frailty were investigated.

Methods And Results: AF patients initiating anticoagulation between 2013 and 2019 were included using Belgian nationwide data.

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Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with cognitive decline, with anticoagulated subjects potentially having a reduced risk compared with non-anticoagulated subjects. However, whether non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) may reduce the risk of dementia compared with vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) is unclear yet. Therefore, the risk of dementia was compared between AF subjects on NOACs versus VKAs.

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