Combined endurance and resistance exercise training in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: a randomized controlled trial.

Endurance exercise training (ET) is an effective treatment in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), but the efficacy of resistance training in this patient population has been only scarcely evaluated. In this multicenter, randomized trial, we evaluated the effects of combined endurance and resistance training over 12 months in patients with HFpEF. The primary endpoint was a modified Packer score, including all-cause mortality, hospitalizations classified as potentially related to heart failure or exercise and changes in peak oxygen consumption ( ), diastolic function (E/e'), New York Heart Association (NYHA) class and global self-assessment (GSA).

One-year outcome and durability of pulmonary vein isolation after prospective use of ablation index for catheter ablation in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation.

Background: Radiofrequency (RF) catheter ablation for persistent atrial fibrillation (peAF) is associated with less favorable outcomes than for paroxysmal AF (PAF). Recent studies have shown improved clinical outcomes with use of ablation index (AI) targets for pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) in PAF. AI is a novel ablation quality marker that incorporates contact force (CF), time, and power in a weighted formula.

Outcome assessment using estimation of left ventricular filling pressure in asymptomatic patients at risk for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

Aims: High prevalence and lack of pharmacological treatment are making heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) a growing public health problem. No algorithm for the screening of asymptomatic patients with risk for HFpEF exists to date. We assessed whether HFA/ESC 2007 diagnostic criteria for HFpEF are helpful to investigate the cardiovascular outcome in asymptomatic patients.

Economic impact of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: insights from the ALDO-DHF trial.

Aims: Although heart failure (HF) with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a leading cause for hospitalization, its overall costs remain unclear. Therefore, we assessed the health care-related costs of ambulatory HFpEF patients and the effect of spironolactone.

Methods And Results: The aldosterone receptor blockade in diastolic HF trial is a multicentre, prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial conducted between March 2007 and April 2011 at 10 sites in Germany and Austria that included 422 ambulatory patients [mean age: 67 years (standard deviation: 8); 52% women].

Morbidity and mortality in patients with cardiovascular risk factors and obstructive sleep apnoea: results from the DIAST-CHF cohort.

Study Objectives: Aim of the study was to investigate the association between obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in a cohort of patients with cardiovascular risk factors.

Methods: In this prospective study, 378 patients of the DIAST-CHF cohort were screened for OSA by home polygraphy. Inclusion criteria were risk factors for diastolic heart failure, such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, atherosclerotic disease, or history of chronic heart failure.

Vitamin D deficiency in patients with diastolic dysfunction or heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

Aims: Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent in heart failure (HF), but its relevance in early stages of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is unknown. We tested the association of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] serum levels with mortality, hospitalizations, cardiovascular risk factors, and echocardiographic parameters in patients with asymptomatic diastolic dysfunction (DD) or newly diagnosed HFpEF.

Methods And Results: We measured 25(OH)D serum levels in outpatients with risk factors for DD or history of HF derived from the DIAST-CHF study.

Gut Microbiota in Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Individuals Linked to Coronary Heart Disease.

Background: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is an independent risk factor for coronary heart disease (CHD) and is associated with perturbation of the gut microbiota.

Methods: We analyzed gut microbiota in 30 HIV-infected individuals with CHD (CHD+) and 30 without CHD (CHD-) of the HIV-HEART study group.

Results: Gut microbiota linked to CHD was associated with lower α-diversity.

Galectin-3 as a Predictor of Left Ventricular Reverse Remodeling in Recent-Onset Dilated Cardiomyopathy.

Objectives: Studies have evaluated the association of galectin-3 and outcome in patients with heart failure. However, there is still scarce evidence concerning the clinical usefulness and predictive value of galectin-3 for left ventricular reverse remodeling (LVRR) in patients with recent-onset dilated cardiomyopathy (RODCM).

Patients And Methods: Baseline galectin-3 was measured in 57 patients with RODCM.

Clinical predictors of outcome in patients with inflammatory dilated cardiomyopathy.

Objectives: The study objectives were to identify predictors of outcome in patients with inflammatory dilated cardiomyopathy (DCMi).

Methods: From 2004 to 2008, 55 patients with biopsy-proven DCMi were identified and followed up for 58.2±19.

Prolongation of the QTc interval in HIV-infected individuals compared to the general population.

Objectives: Prolonged QT interval is associated with arrhythmias and sudden death. An increased prevalence of QT interval prolongation in human immunodeficiency virus-infected (HIV) subjects was previously described. The impact of different medications and HIV infection itself on the QT interval is rarely investigated in large HIV+ cohorts.

Ghrelin and hormonal markers under exercise training in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: results from the Ex-DHF pilot study.

Background: Over 50% of patients with symptomatic heart failure (HF) experience HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) Exercise training (ET) is effective in improving cardiorespiratory fitness and dimensions of quality of life in patients with HFpEF. A systemic pro-inflammatory state induced by comorbidities as the cause of myocardial structural and functional alterations has been proposed in HFpEF. ET modifies myocardial structure and has been related to inflammatory state.

Long-term outcome and predictors of outcome in patients with non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy.

Background: The study objectives were to identify predictors of outcome and to assess the long-term outcome in patients with non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM).

Methods And Results: From 2004 to 2008, 206 consecutive patients (age 52.1±12.

The LIFE-Adult-Study: objectives and design of a population-based cohort study with 10,000 deeply phenotyped adults in Germany.

Background: The LIFE-Adult-Study is a population-based cohort study, which has recently completed the baseline examination of 10,000 randomly selected participants from Leipzig, a major city with 550,000 inhabitants in the east of Germany. It is the first study of this kind and size in an urban population in the eastern part of Germany. The study is conducted by the Leipzig Research Centre for Civilization Diseases (LIFE).

Galectin-3 in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: results from the Aldo-DHF trial.

Aims: Galectin-3 is a marker of myocardial fibrosis and mediates aldosterone-induced cardiovascular inflammation and fibrosis. Characteristics of galectin-3 and its response to spironolactone have not been evaluated in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). The aim of this study was to determine the association between galectin-3 levels and patient characteristics in HFpEF; to evaluate the interaction between spironolactone and galectin-3 levels; and to assess the association between galectin-3 and clinical outcomes.

Rates of cardiovascular events and deaths are associated with advanced stages of HIV-infection: results of the HIV HEART study 7, 5 year follow-up.

Introduction: Cardiovascular diseases are increasing in aging HIV-positive patients (HIV+). Impact of traditional cardiovascular risk factors, HIV-specific parameters and antiretroviral therapy (ART) on the incidence of cardiovascular events (CVE) and on the mortality rate are investigated in different HIV+ cohorts.

Methods: The HIV HEART (HIVH) study is an ongoing prospective observational cohort study in the German Ruhr area to assess the frequency and clinical course of cardiac disorders in 1481 HIV+ by standardized non-invasive cardiovascular screening.

Feasibility of VECOPA, a dose-intensive chemotherapy regimen for children and adolescents with intermediate and advanced stage Hodgkin lymphoma: results of the GPOH-HD-2002/VECOPA pilot trial.

The GPOH-HD (Gesellschaft für Pädiatrische Onkologie und Hämatologie-Hodgkin Disease) strategy for children and adolescents with intermediate and advanced stage Hodgkin lymphoma is based on two induction cycles of OEPA (vincristine, etoposide, prednisone, doxorubicin) followed by COPP (cyclophosphamide, vincristine, procarbazine, prednisone) or COPDAC (cyclophosphamide, vincristine, prednisone, dacarbazine) consolidation. The feasibility and efficacy of an intensified procarbazine-free consolidation regimen VECOPA (vinblastine, etoposide, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, prednisone, doxorubicin) were investigated. Following two OEPA and one or two VECOPA cycles, involved field radiotherapy was applied.

Impact of obstructive sleep apnoea on diastolic function.

We investigated whether obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) independently affects diastolic function in a primary care cohort of patients with cardiovascular risk factors. 378 study participants with risk factors for diastolic dysfunction were prospectively included and a polygraphy was performed in all patients. Diastolic dysfunction was assessed by comprehensive echocardiography including tissue Doppler.