Influence of irregular heart rhythm on radiation exposure, image quality and diagnostic impact of cardiac computed tomography angiography in 4,339 patients. Data from the German Cardiac Computed Tomography Registry.

Background: Coronary computed tomography angiography (coronary CTA) provides non-invasive evaluation of the coronary arteries with high precision for the detection of significant coronary artery disease (CAD).

Aim: To investigate whether irregular heart rhythm including atrial fibrillation and premature beats during data acquisition influences (i) radiation and contrast media exposure, (ii) number of non-evaluable coronary segments and (iii) diagnostic impact of coronary CTA.

Methods: Twelve tertiary care centers with ≥64 slice CT scanners and ≥5 years of experience with cardiovascular imaging participated in this registry.

Interdisciplinary treatment of diabetic foot wounds in the elderly: Low risk of amputations and mortality and good chance of being mobile with good quality of life.

Aims: A major proportion of patients with diabetic foot syndrome are older than 65 years. Little is known about outcomes of these elderly patients.

Methods: We analysed 245 treatment cases in an observational single-centre study for comorbidities and outcomes over a 6-month period.

ADP receptor antagonists in patients with acute myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock: a post hoc IABP-SHOCK II trial subgroup analysis.

Aims: The aim of this post hoc subgroup analysis of the Intraaortic Balloon Pump in Cardiogenic Shock II trial was to compare the clinical outcome of patients treated with either clopidogrel or the newer, more potent P2Y12 receptor inhibitors prasugrel or ticagrelor.

Methods And Results: The primary endpoint was one-year mortality with respect to different P2Y12 receptor inhibitors. Secondary safety endpoints were GUSTO bleedings until hospital discharge.

Evaluation of the short- and long-term safety and therapy outcomes of the everolimus-eluting bioresorbable vascular scaffold system in patients with coronary artery stenosis: Rationale and design of the German-Austrian ABSORB RegIstRy (GABI-R).

Background: Third-generation drug-eluting metal stents are the gold standard for treatment of coronary artery disease. The permanent metallic caging of the vessel, however, can result in limited vasomotion, chronic inflammation, and late expansive remodeling, conditions that can lead to late and very late stent thrombosis. The development of bioresorbable scaffolds (BRSs) promises advantages over metal stents due to complete biodegradation within 2-4years.

Use of vitamin K antagonists for secondary stroke prevention depends on the treating healthcare provider in Germany - results from the German AFNET registry.

Background: Anticoagulation using vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) significantly reduces the risk of recurrent stroke in stroke patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and is recommended by guidelines.

Methods: The German Competence NETwork on Atrial Fibrillation established a nationwide prospective registry including 9,574 AF patients, providing the opportunity to analyse AF management according to German healthcare providers.

Results: On enrolment, 896 (9.

Morbidity and treatment in patients with atrial fibrillation and chronic kidney disease.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality but there are few studies available about atrial fibrillation, the most frequent arrhythmia in CKD, and the applied treatment. Based on the prospective German Competence NETwork on Atrial Fibrillation, data of 3138 patients with atrial fibrillation were analyzed and categorized by their estimated glomerular filtration rate (stages 1-3 and 4 plus 5). With advanced CKD, significantly more patients suffered from a more severe form of atrial fibrillation.

Depression in paroxysmal and persistent atrial fibrillation patients: a cross-sectional comparison of patients enroled in two large clinical trials.

Aims: Despite its high clinical relevance, few studies have investigated depression in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). We aimed to assess whether depressed mood was more common in persistent or paroxysmal AF patients in controlled models and report frequencies of major depressive disorder.

Methods And Results: Cross-sectional data from two contemporary clinical trials were used to compare paroxysmal (n = 310) and persistent (n = 392) AF patients' depressed mood severity (measured by the Major Depression Inventory) with each trial including only one patient type.

Predictors of discordance between physicians' and patients' appraisals of health-related quality of life in atrial fibrillation patients: findings from the Angiotensin II Antagonist in Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation Trial.

Background: Assessing health status is fundamental when weighing treatment options for atrial fibrillation (AF) patients. Most health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL) data stem from self-ratings, whereas treatment decisions are based upon physicians' estimations.

Methods: The degree of congruence between patients' and physicians' assessments of the patients' subjective health status was used as an indicator of good communication and shared understanding.

Opposite differential allocation by males and females of the same species.

Differential allocation (DA)-the adjustment of an individual's parental investment in relation to its mate's attractiveness-is increasingly recognized as an important component of sexual selection. However, although DA is expected by both sexes of parents in species with biparental care, DA by males has rarely been investigated. We have previously demonstrated a decrease in the feeding rates of female blue tits Cyanistes caeruleus when their mate's UV coloration was experimentally reduced (i.

The European CRT Survey: 1 year (9-15 months) follow-up results.

Aims: The European CRT Survey is a joint initiative of the Heart Failure Association (HFA) and the European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) of the European Society of Cardiology evaluating the contemporary implantation practice of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) in Europe.

Methods And Results: Patients who had a successful CRT implantation were enrolled from 141 centres in 13 countries between November 2008 and June 2009. Baseline demographics, clinical and implantation data were collected, with a follow-up of ∼1 year (9-15 months).

The European Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Survey: comparison of outcomes between de novo cardiac resynchronization therapy implantations and upgrades.

Aims: Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is an effective treatment for a subset of patients with chronic heart failure. Data on the benefit of CRT in heart failure patients with previous right ventricular pacemakers or standard defibrillators are sparse.

Methods And Results: The European (HFA, Heart Failure Association/EHRA, European Heart Rhythm Association) CRT Survey enrolled patients from 141 centres in 13 countries in Europe collecting baseline demographic, echocardiographic, clinical, and implant data, with follow-up at ∼1 year.

Impact of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) on cardiovascular outcomes in patients with stable atherothrombosis or multiple risk factors.

Background: We aimed to assess whether the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular (CV) events in stable patients with established atherothrombosis or multiple risk factors.

Methods: We analysed the 23,728 European patients of the REACH Registry; 20,588 (86.8%) had established atherothrombotic disease and 3140 (13.

Effects of adherence to guidelines for the control of major cardiovascular risk factors on outcomes in the REduction of Atherothrombosis for Continued Health (REACH) Registry Europe.

Objectives: To examine the impact of cardiovascular risk factor control on 3-year cardiovascular event rates in patients with stable symptomatic atherothrombotic disease in Europe.

Methods: The REduction of Atherothrombosis for Continued Health (REACH) Registry recruited patients aged ≥45 years with established atherothrombotic disease or three or more risk factors, of whom 20 588 symptomatic patients from 18 European countries were analysed in this study at baseline and 12, 24 and 36 months. 'Good control' of cardiovascular risk factors was defined as three to five risk factors at target values of international guideline recommendations (systolic blood pressure <140 mm Hg, diastolic blood pressure <90 mm Hg, fasting glycaemia <110 mg/dl, total cholesterol <200 mg/dl, non-smoking).

Influence of polyvascular disease on cardiovascular event rates. Insights from the REACH Registry.

Cardiovascular event rates have been shown to increase substantially with the number of symptomatic disease locations. We sought to assess the risk profile, management and subsequent event rates of polyvascular disease patients. Consecutive outpatients were assessed for atherosclerotic risk factors and medications in the REACH Registry.

Differences in management and outcomes between male and female patients with atherothrombotic disease: results from the REACH Registry in Europe.

Background: Although guidelines recommend similar evaluation and treatment for both sexes, differences in approach and outcomes have been reported.

Design: Prospective, observational registry.

Methods: Consecutive patients at high cardiovascular risk were assessed for risk factors and management at baseline,and followed-up for 2 years.

The European cardiac resynchronization therapy survey.

Aims: The European cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) survey is a joint initiative taken by the Heart Failure Association and the European Heart Rhythm Association of the European Society of Cardiology. The primary aim of this survey is to describe current European practice associated with CRT implantations.

Methods And Results: A total of 140 centres from 13 European countries contributed data from consecutive patients successfully implanted with a CRT device with or without an ICD between November 2008 and June 2009.

Risk factor profile, management and prognosis of patients with peripheral arterial disease with or without coronary artery disease: results of the prospective German REACH registry cohort.

Aims: Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and coronary artery disease (CAD) are manifestations of the same underlying condition, atherothrombosis. We compared patients with PAD only with those having PAD and concomitant documented CAD in terms of characteristics, risk factors, treatment and prognosis.

Methods And Results: This is a subgroup analysis of the German cohort of the Reduction of Atherothrombosis for Continued Health (REACH) Registry.

The Registry of the German Competence NETwork on Atrial Fibrillation: patient characteristics and initial management.

Aims: The aim of this study was to describe the characteristics of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) enrolled in the Central Registry of the German Competence NETwork on Atrial Fibrillation (AFNET) and to assess current medical practice in patients treated at various levels of medical care in Germany.

Methods And Results: From February 2004 to March 2006, 9582 ambulatory and hospitalized patients with ECG-documented AF were enrolled by 194 participating study centres from all levels of medical care in Germany. Clinical type of AF was reported as paroxysmal in 2893, persistent in 1873, and permanent in 3134 patients or classified as a first episode in 1035 patients.

Female blue tits adjust parental effort to manipulated male UV attractiveness.

The differential allocation hypothesis predicts that parents should adjust their current investment in relation to perceived mate attractiveness if this affects offspring fitness. It should be selectively advantageous to risk more of their future reproductive success by investing heavily in current offspring of high reproductive value but to decrease investment if offspring value is low. If the benefits of mate attractiveness are limited to a particular offspring sex we would instead expect relative investment in male versus female offspring to vary with mate attractiveness, referred to as 'differential sex allocation'.