Vitamin D deficiency and secondary hyperparathyroidism in adult Fontan patients.

Background: The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and secondary hyperparathyroidism (sHPT) in adult Fontan patients remains unstudied, and the role of vitamin D and parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels in assessing heart and circulatory failure in these patients is unclear.

Methods: We compared vitamin D deficiency and sHPT prevalence in adult Fontan patients (n = 35; mean age 33 ± 7.5 years) to adults with mild congenital heart disease (ACHD, n = 14).

Remission from depression is associated with improved quality of life and preserved exercise capacity in adults with congenital heart disease.

Aims: Improved long-term survival has widened the treatment goals for adults with congenital heart disease (ACHD) by addressing parameters that impact mental well-being and exercise capacity. Depression, a frequent co-morbidity in ACHD, is linked to both. Whether successful treatment of depression also affects cardiac parameters is a matter of debate.

Doppler-derived pulmonary pulse transit time measurements in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: Reproducibility and cardiopulmonary function.

Introduction: Doppler-derived pulmonary pulse transit time (pPTT) is an auspicious hemodynamic marker in chronic pulmonary diseases. The aim is to compare four distinct pPTT measurements and its relation to right cardiac and pulmonary function.

Methods: Prospectively, 25 chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients (four patients excluded) and 32 healthy subjects underwent repeated distinct pPTT measurements, standard echocardiography, and pulmonary function testing on the same day.

Impact of congenital heart disease on personality disorders in adulthood.

Aims: Adults with congenital heart disease (ACHD) constitute an ever-growing patient population characterized by high risks for cardiovascular- and mental disorders. Personality disorders (PDs) are associated with adverse physical and mental health. Studies assessing PD prevalence in ACHD are lacking.

Impact of relationship status on psychological parameters in adults with congenital heart disease.

Objective: Adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) is a growing disease entity, posing questions concerning psychosocial outcomes across the lifespan. Spousal relationships were shown to benefit cardiovascular and mental health in the general population. We assessed the association of relationship status with anxiety and depression in ACHD patients and determined whether patients considered disease-related concerns potential mediators of relationship problems.

Behavioral pathway to a broken heart: The link between adverse childhood experiences, depression, physical exercise and cardiovascular health.

Background And Aim: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are a major risk factor for unfavorable behavioral, mental and health outcomes later in life. However, the precise pathway which ACEs convey these risks, in particular regarding health outcomes such as cardiovascular disease, remains unknown. Here, we combined psychiatric and cardiac methods to investigate the pathway which childhood adversities may lead to adult adverse cardiovascular health, with a focus on epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) as a risk marker.

Altered compositions of monocyte, T lymphocyte and NK cell subsets in heart failure of adult congenital heart disease.

Background: Adults with congenital heart disease (ACHD) display changes in adaptive immunity related to early open-heart surgery and subsequent incidental thymectomy. In acquired heart failure (HF) systemic inflammation, innate and adaptive immune cells play an important role. However, cellular immune alterations of monocyte, T lymphocyte and natural killer (NK) cell subsets have not been related to HF in ACHD.

Impact of fasting on stress systems and depressive symptoms in patients with major depressive disorder: a cross-sectional study.

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is frequently associated with poor response to treatment. Common antidepressants target neurotransmission and neuronal plasticity, which require adequate energy supply. As imaging studies indicate disturbances in central energy metabolism, and caloric restriction improves neuroplasticity and impacts mood and cognition, correction of energy status might increase the effectiveness of antidepressant treatments and reduce the psychopathological symptoms of depression.

Metacognitive Short-Term Intervention in Patients With Mental Disorders Following Cardiovascular Events.

Background: Mental disorders are common among patients with severe cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Yet, there is a lack of easily accessible evidence-based treatments. Recent research indicates elevated prevalence of dysfunctional metacognitions in patients with mental disorders following cardiovascular events.

Impact of COVID-19 on Medical Supply in Adults With Congenital Heart Disease.

Introduction: In March 2020, the World Health organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic. One year later, the direct and indirect burden of the COVID-19 pandemic become more visible. In this context, there is concern about the allocation of medical resources and medical treatment of other diseases than COVID-19.

Thromboembolic characteristics and role of anticoagulation in long-standing Fontan circulation.

Introduction: The risk of thromboembolism increases with duration of Fontan circulation. Preventive drug strategies are still discussed controversially. We aimed to characterize clinical relevant thromboembolism in long-standing Fontan circulation and to analyse the protective effect of Acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) and Vitamin K Antagonists (VKA).

Factors That Influence Adherence to Medication in Adults With Congenital Heart Disease (ACHD).

Innovative operative and interventional procedures have improved survival in congenital heart disease (CHD), and today more than 90% of these children reach adulthood. Consequently, adherence and psychosocial issues are becoming increasingly important because non-adherence to treatment recommendations worsens morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to identify factors modifying adherence to medication in adult congenital heart disease (ACHD).

Validation of Phase-Resolved Functional Lung (PREFUL) Magnetic Resonance Imaging Pulse Wave Transit Time Compared to Echocardiography in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Background: Phase-resolved functional lung (PREFUL) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) pulmonary pulse wave transit time (pPTT) is a contrast agent free, vascular imaging biomarker, but has not been validated in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Purpose: To validate PREFUL with echocardiographic pPTT as a reference standard and to compare arterial/venous pPTT mapping with spirometry and clinical parameters.

Study Type: Prospective.

Prevalence of Child Maltreatment in Adults With Congenital Heart Disease and Its Relationship With Psychological Well-Being, Health Behavior, and Current Cardiac Function.

The prevalence of child maltreatment in adults with congenital heart disease (ACHD) has not been assessed so far. Child maltreatment is a major risk factor for unfavorable behavioral, mental, and physical health outcomes and has been associated with decreased quality of life. Given the increased survival time of ACHD, it is essential to assess factors that may worsen the quality of life and interact with classical cardiovascular risk factors and mental well-being.

Valve-sparing aortic root replacement in adult patients with congenital heart disease.

Objectives: Aortic root dilatation is frequently observed in patients with congenital heart defects (CHD), but has received little attention in terms of developing a best practice approach for treatment. In this study, we analysed our experience with aortic valve-sparing root replacement in patients following previous operations to repair CHD.

Methods: In this study, we included 7 patients with a history of previous surgery for CHD who underwent aortic valve-sparing operations.

Depression Associated with Reduced Heart Rate Variability Predicts Outcome in Adult Congenital Heart Disease.

In adult congenital heart disease (ACHD), major depressive disorder (MDD) represents a frequent comorbidity. In non-CHD, adverse outcome is predicted by MDD and heart rate variability (HRV), whereas in ACHD their prognostic relevance is unknown. We prospectively evaluated 171 patients (age 35.

Eligibility for subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator in adults with congenital heart disease.

Aims: Patients with adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) carry an increased risk for sudden cardiac death. Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) therapy may be challenging in these patients due to anatomical barriers, repeated cardiac surgery, or complicated transvenous access. Thus, the subcutaneous ICD (S-ICD) can be a promising alternative in this patient population.

Social inequalities in mild and severe myocardial infarction: how large is the gap in health expectancies?

Background: Acute myocardial infarction (MI) remains a frequent health event and a major contributor to long-term impairments globally. So far, research on social inequalities in MI incidence and mortality with respect to MI severity is limited. Furthermore, evidence is lacking on disparities in the length of life affected by MI.

Increased epicardial adipose tissue in young adults with congenital heart disease comorbid with major depressive disorder.

Objective: Congenital heart disease is the most common congenital malformation. In adult congenital heart disease (ACHD), the prevalence of major depressive disorder (MDD) is increased. Beyond its immanent health risks, increased epi‑ and paracardial adipose tissue has been described in MDD.

Diagnostic evaluation of the hospital depression scale (HADS) and the Beck depression inventory II (BDI-II) in adults with congenital heart disease using a structured clinical interview: Impact of depression severity.

Objective: The purpose of this study was the diagnostic evaluation of the hospital anxiety and depression scale total score, its depression subscale and the Beck depression inventory II in adults with congenital heart disease.

Methods: This cross-sectional study evaluated 206 patients with congenital heart disease (mean age 35.3 ± 11.

Prediction of heart failure and death in an adult population of Fontan patients.

Background: Late Fontan survivors are at high risk to experience heart failure and death. Therefore, the current study sought to investigate the role of non-invasive diagnostics as prognostic markers for failure of the systemic ventricle following Fontan procedure.

Methods: This monocentric, longitudinal observational study included 60 patients with a median age of 24.