[Cardiac rehabilitation in patients with atrial fibrillation].

The course of cardiac rehabilitation is often altered due to episodes of paroxysmal, predominantly postoperative atrial fibrillation. In symptomatic patients, a TEE-guided cardioversion - preferential DC shock - is indicated. In patients with persistent / permanent atrial fibrillation, a heart rate up to 110 / min and 170 / min at rest and during physical activity should, respectively, be tolerated.

Target organ damage and control of cardiovascular risk factors in hypertensive patients. Evidence from the multicenter ESTher registry.

Aims: This study investigated the incidence of hypertensive target organ damage (TOD), control of cardiovascular risk factors, and the short-term prognosis in hypertensive patients under contemporary guideline-oriented therapy.

Patients And Methods: A total of 1,377 consecutive patients (mean age 58.2 ± 9.

Risk factors for, and prevalence of, sleep apnoea in cardiac rehabilitation facilities in Germany: The Reha-Sleep registry.

Aim: To determine the prevalence of, and the risk factors for, sleep apnoea in cardiac rehabilitation (CR) facilities in Germany.

Methods: 1152 patients presenting for CR were screened for sleep-disordered breathing with 2-channel polygraphy (ApneaLink™; ResMed). Parameters recorded included the apnoea-hypopnoea index (AHI), number of desaturations per hour of recording (ODI), mean and minimum nocturnal oxygen saturation and number of snoring episodes.

Differential interaction of clinical characteristics with key functional parameters in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction--results of the Aldo-DHF trial.

Background: To investigate the interaction of clinical characteristics with disease characterising parameters in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Methods and results In the multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded, Aldo-DHF trial investigating the effects of spironolactone on exercise capacity (peakVO2) and diastolic function (E/e') n=422 patients with HFpEF (age 67 ± 8 years, 52% females, LVEF 67 ± 8%) were included. After multiple adjustment, higher age was significantly related to reduced peakVO2, and to increased E/e', NT-proBNP, LAVI as well as LVMI (all p<0.

Effect of spironolactone on diastolic function and exercise capacity in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: the Aldo-DHF randomized controlled trial.

Importance: Diastolic heart failure (ie, heart failure with preserved ejection fraction) is a common condition without established therapy, and aldosterone stimulation may contribute to its progression.

Objective: To assess the efficacy and safety of long-term aldosterone receptor blockade in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. The primary objective was to determine whether spironolactone is superior to placebo in improving diastolic function and maximal exercise capacity in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.