Preventability of unplanned readmissions within 30 days of discharge. A cross-sectional, single-center study.

Objectives: To identify the preventability, determinants and causes of unplanned hospital readmissions within 30 days of discharge using a multidisciplinary approach and including patients' perspectives.

Design: A prospective cross-sectional single-center study.

Setting: Urban teaching hospital in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

Safety and tolerability of 6-month supplementation with a vitamin D, calcium and leucine-enriched whey protein medical nutrition drink in sarcopenic older adults.

Aims: Safety and tolerability of prolonged supplementation with a vitamin D, calcium and leucine-enriched whey protein medical nutrition drink (WP-MND) was evaluated in sarcopenic older adults.

Methods: A 13-week double-blinded, randomized, isocaloric placebo-controlled trial (PROVIDE study; n = 380) was extended with a voluntary 13-week open-label extension (OLE). OLE participants were randomized to receive daily 1 or 2 servings of WP-MND (21 g protein, 3 g leucine, 10 µg vitD and 500 mg calcium per serving).

A Vitamin D, Calcium and Leucine-Enriched Whey Protein Nutritional Supplement Improves Measures of Bone Health in Sarcopenic Non-Malnourished Older Adults: The PROVIDE Study.

Alterations in musculoskeletal health with advanced age contribute to sarcopenia and decline in bone mineral density (BMD) and bone strength. This decline may be modifiable via dietary supplementation. To test the hypothesis that a specific oral nutritional supplement can result in improvements in measures of bone health.

Thirteen weeks of supplementation of vitamin D and leucine-enriched whey protein nutritional supplement attenuates chronic low-grade inflammation in sarcopenic older adults: the PROVIDE study.

Background: A chronic low-grade inflammatory profile (CLIP) is associated with sarcopenia in older adults. Protein and Vitamin (Vit)D have immune-modulatory potential, but evidence for effects of nutritional supplementation on CLIP is limited.

Aim: To investigate whether 13 weeks of nutritional supplementation of VitD and leucine-enriched whey protein affected CLIP in subjects enrolled in the PROVIDE-study, as a secondary analysis.

Data on differential multivariable risk prediction of appropriate shock vs. competing mortality.

This data article features supplementary figures and tables related to the article "Differential Multivariable risk prediction of appropriate shock vs. competing mortality - a prospective cohort study to estimate benefits from implantable cardioverter defibrillator therapy" (Bergau et al., 2018) [1].

Differential multivariable risk prediction of appropriate shock versus competing mortality - A prospective cohort study to estimate benefits from ICD therapy.

Background And Objective: We prospectively investigated combinations of risk stratifiers including multiple EP diagnostics in a cohort study of ICD patients.

Methods: For 672 enrolled patients, we collected history, LVEF, EP study and T-wave alternans testing, 24-h Holter, NT-proBNP, and the eGFR. All-cause mortality and first appropriate ICD shock were predefined endpoints.

Beat-to-beat variations in activation-recovery interval derived from the right ventricular electrogram can monitor arrhythmic risk under anesthetic and awake conditions in the canine chronic atrioventricular block model.

Background: In the chronic atrioventricular block (CAVB) dog model, beat-to-beat variation of repolarization in the left ventricle (LV) quantified as short-term variability of the left monophasic action potential duration (STV) increases abruptly upon challenge with a proarrhythmic drug. This increase occurs before the first ectopic beat (EB), specifically in subjects who demonstrate subsequent repetitive torsades de pointes arrhythmias (TdP).

Objective: The purpose of this study was to demonstrate that STV is feasible to monitor arrhythmic risk through use of the intracardiac electrogram (EGM) derived from the right ventricular (RV) lead from pacemakers or implantable cardioverter-defibrillators.

Sex differences in outcomes of primary prevention implantable cardioverter-defibrillator therapy: combined registry data from eleven European countries.

Aims: Therapy with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) is established for the prevention of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in high risk patients. We aimed to determine the effectiveness of primary prevention ICD therapy by analysing registry data from 14 centres in 11 European countries compiled between 2002 and 2014, with emphasis on outcomes in women who have been underrepresented in all trials.

Methods And Results: Retrospective data of 14 local registries of primary prevention ICD implantations between 2002 and 2014 were compiled in a central database.

Thermogenic adipocytes promote HDL turnover and reverse cholesterol transport.

Brown and beige adipocytes combust nutrients for thermogenesis and through their metabolic activity decrease pro-atherogenic remnant lipoproteins in hyperlipidemic mice. However, whether the activation of thermogenic adipocytes affects the metabolism and anti-atherogenic properties of high-density lipoproteins (HDL) is unknown. Here, we report a reduction in atherosclerosis in response to pharmacological stimulation of thermogenesis linked to increased HDL levels in APOE*3-Leiden.

Refining success of cardiac resynchronization therapy using a simple score predicting the amount of reverse ventricular remodelling: results from the Markers and Response to CRT (MARC) study.

Aims: Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) reduces morbidity and mortality in systolic heart failure patients with ventricular conduction delay. Variability of individual response to CRT warrants improved patient selection. The Markers and Response to CRT (MARC) study was designed to investigate markers related to response to CRT.

High Prevalence of Physical Frailty Among Community-Dwelling Malnourished Older Adults-A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Malnutrition and frailty are two geriatric syndromes that significantly affect independent living and health in community-dwelling older adults. Although the pathophysiology of malnutrition and physical frailty share common pathways, it is unknown to what extent these syndromes overlap and how they relate to each other.

Methods: A systematic review was performed resulting in a selection of 28 studies that assessed both malnutrition and frailty in community-dwelling older adults.

Electrophysiological measurements that can explain and guide temporary accelerated pacing to avert (re)occurrence of torsade de pointes arrhythmias in the canine chronic atrioventricular block model.

Background: Pacing at higher rates is known to suppress torsade de pointes (TdP) arrhythmias. Nevertheless, exact application and mechanism need further clarification. In the anesthetized canine chronic atrioventricular block model, ventricular remodeling is responsible for a high and reproducible incidence of TdP upon a challenge with dofetilide.

Sufficient levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D and protein intake required to increase muscle mass in sarcopenic older adults - The PROVIDE study.

Background: Inadequate nutritional intake and altered response of aging muscles to anabolic stimuli from nutrients contribute to the development of sarcopenia. Nutritional interventions show inconsistent results in sarcopenic older adults, which might be influenced by their basal nutritional status.

Objective: To test if baseline serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations and dietary protein intake influenced changes in muscle mass and function in older adults who received nutritional intervention.

Gender Differences in Appropriate Shocks and Mortality among Patients with Primary Prophylactic Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillators: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Some but not all prior studies have shown that women receiving a primary prophylactic implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) have a lower risk of death and appropriate shocks than men.

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of gender on the risk of appropriate shock, all-cause mortality and inappropriate shock in contemporary studies of patients receiving a primary prophylactic ICD.

Data Source: PubMed, LIVIVO, Cochrane CENTRAL between 2010 and 2016.

The risk of ventricular arrhythmias in a Dutch CRT population: CRT-defibrillator versus CRT-pacemaker.

Background: Patients eligible for cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT) have an indication for primary prophylactic implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) therapy. However, response to CRT might influence processes involved in arrhythmogenesis and therefore change the necessity of ICD therapy in certain patients.

Method: In 202 CRT-defibrillator patients, the association between baseline variables, 6-month echocardiographic outcome (volume response: left ventricular end-systolic volume decrease < ≥15 % and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤ >35 %) and the risk of first appropriate ICD therapy was analysed retrospectively.

Nutritional status, body composition, and quality of life in community-dwelling sarcopenic and non-sarcopenic older adults: A case-control study.

Background & Aim: Sarcopenia, the age-related decrease in muscle mass, strength, and function, is a main cause of reduced mobility, increased falls, fractures and nursing home admissions. Cross-sectional and prospective studies indicate that sarcopenia may be influenced in part by reversible factors like nutritional intake. The aim of this study was to compare functional and nutritional status, body composition, and quality of life of older adults between age and sex-matched older adults with and without sarcopenia.

Effects of a vitamin D and leucine-enriched whey protein nutritional supplement on measures of sarcopenia in older adults, the PROVIDE study: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Background: Age-related losses of muscle mass, strength, and function (sarcopenia) pose significant threats to physical performance, independence, and quality of life. Nutritional supplementation could positively influence aspects of sarcopenia and thereby prevent mobility disability.

Objective: To test the hypothesis that a specific oral nutritional supplement can result in improvements in measures of sarcopenia.

ECG Patterns In Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy.

Cardiac resynchronization therapy is an established treatment modality in heart failure. Though non-response is a serious issue. To address this issue, a good understanding of the electrical activation during underlying intrinsic ventricular activation, biventricular as well as right- and left ventricular pacing is needed.

Measurements of electrical and mechanical dyssynchrony are both essential to improve prediction of CRT response.

Introduction: Predicting reverse remodeling after cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) remains challenging and different etiologies of heart failure might hamper identification of predictors.

Objective: Assess the incremental value of mechanical dyssynchrony besides electrical dyssynchrony for predicting CRT response.

Methods: 227 patients (51% ischemic) received CRT.

Impaired skeletal muscle mitochondrial function in morbidly obese patients is normalized one year after bariatric surgery.

Background: Obesity and type 2 diabetes are associated with impaired skeletal muscle mitochondrial metabolism. As an intrinsic characteristic of an individual, skeletal muscle mitochondrial dysfunction could be a risk factor for weight gain and obesity-associated co-morbidities, such as type 2 diabetes. On the other hand, impaired skeletal muscle metabolism could be a consequence of obesity.

Implementation of guidelines for implantable cardioverter-defibrillator therapy in clinical practice: Which patients do benefit?

Purpose: Based on multiple large clinical trials conducted over the last decades guidelines for implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) implantations have been evolving. The increase in primary prophylactic ICD implantations challenges us to be critical towards the indications in certain patient populations.

Methods: We retrospectively collected patient characteristics and rates of appropriate and inappropriate ICD therapy, appropriate and inappropriate ICD shock and mortality of all patients who received an ICD in the University Medical Center Utrecht (UMCU) over the years 2006-2011.

Beat-to-beat variability of repolarization as a new biomarker for proarrhythmia in vivo.

Pharmacological safety evaluation of (pro) drugs includes cardiac safety assessment of proarrhythmic liability in healthy tissue with emphasis on the rapid component of the delayed rectifier (I(Kr)). The lack of (1) an arrhythmic end point, (2) tests in remodeled, predisposed tissue, and (3) testing chronic drug influence on channel trafficking impairs on the drawn conclusions of these assays regarding drug safety. Moreover, the currently used human ether-à-go-go-related gene assays, action potential duration, prolongation in multicellular preparations, or the QT interval have significant shortcomings in their prediction of an increased risk for drug-induced torsades de pointes arrhythmia.