Association between magnesium and vitamin D status in adults with high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency.

Purpose: It has been assumed that magnesium (Mg) status may interact with vitamin D status. We therefore aimed at investigating the association between Mg and vitamin D status in a large cohort of adult individuals with a high prevalence of deficient/insufficient vitamin D and Mg status.

Methods: We used data from the Ludwigshafen Risk and Cardiovascular Health Study (n = 2,286) to analyze differences according to serum Mg status in circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] (primary endpoint), 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [24,25(OH)D], vitamin D metabolite ratio and calcitriol, and odds ratios for deficient or insufficient 25(OH)D (secondary endpoints).

Outcomes after SynCardia® temporary total artificial heart implantation: A 20-year single-center experience in 196 patients.

Background: The SynCardia® temporary total artificial heart (TAH) serves as a mechanical circulatory support device for patients suffering from irreversible biventricular failure.

Methods: This retrospective study analyzed 196 consecutive patients who underwent TAH implantation at our center from 2001 to 2021. We assessed survival rates and all-cause mortality during TAH support, including survival post-heart transplantation.

Randomized feasibility trial for evaluating the impact of primary nursing on delirium duration during intensive care unit stay.

Objective: We tested the feasibility of a randomized controlled trial for comparing primary nursing with standard care.

Research Methodology: Elective cardiac surgical patients were eligible for inclusion. Patients with an intensive care unit stay of ≥ 3 days were followed up until intensive care unit discharge.

Impact of Patient-Prosthesis Mismatch on Long-term Outcomes After Aortic Valve Replacement.

Background: Patient-prosthesis mismatch (PPM) after aortic valve replacement potentially affects the outcome after the operation. This study sought to determine whether PPM has an impact on long-term mortality and reoperation rates.

Methods: We included 645 patients who underwent biologic aortic valve replacement between 2000 and 2007.

Determinants of circulating calcitriol in cardiovascular disease.

Circulating calcitriol may contribute to the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), but its regulation in patients with CVD is poorly characterized. We therefore aimed to assess determinants of circulating calcitriol in these patients. We analyzed 2183 independent samples from a large cohort of patients scheduled for coronary angiography and 1727 independent samples from different other cohorts from patients with a wide range of CVDs, including heart transplant candidates, to quantify the association of different parameters with circulating calcitriol.

Protein intake and cancer: an umbrella review of systematic reviews for the evidence-based guideline of the German Nutrition Society.

Purpose: It has been proposed that a higher habitual protein intake may increase cancer risk, possibly via upregulated insulin-like growth factor signalling. Since a systematic evaluation of human studies on protein intake and cancer risk based on a standardised assessment of systematic reviews (SRs) is lacking, we carried out an umbrella review of SRs on protein intake in relation to risks of different types of cancer.

Methods: Following a pre-specified protocol (PROSPERO: CRD42018082395), we retrieved SRs on protein intake and cancer risk published before January 22th 2024, and assessed the methodological quality and outcome-specific certainty of the evidence using a modified version of AMSTAR 2 and NutriGrade, respectively.

Classification of Vitamin D Status Based on Vitamin D Metabolism: A Randomized Controlled Trial in Hypertensive Patients.

Circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) is the generally accepted indicator of vitamin D status. Since hydroxylation of 25(OH)D to 24-25-dihydroxyvitamin D (24,25(OH)2D) is the first step of its catabolism, it has been suggested that a low 24,25(OH)D level and a low vitamin D metabolite ratio (VMR), i.e.

Early and late outcomes after minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass vs. full sternotomy off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting.

Objectives: Minimally-invasive direct coronary artery bypass (MIDCAB) is a less-invasive alternative to full sternotomy off-pump coronary artery bypass (FS-OPCAB) revascularization of the left anterior descending artery (LAD). Some studies suggested that MIDCAB is associated with a greater risk of graft occlusion and repeat revascularization than FS-OPCAB LIMA-to-LAD grafting. Data comparing MIDCAB to FS-OPCAB with regard to long-term follow-up is scarce.

Dietary protein and blood pressure: an umbrella review of systematic reviews and evaluation of the evidence.

Introduction: This umbrella review aimed to investigate the evidence of an effect of dietary intake of total protein, animal and plant protein on blood pressure (BP), and hypertension (PROSPERO: CRD42018082395).

Methods: PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Database were systematically searched for systematic reviews (SRs) of prospective studies with or without meta-analysis published between 05/2007 and 10/2022. The methodological quality and outcome-specific certainty of evidence were assessed by the AMSTAR 2 and NutriGrade tools, followed by an assessment of the overall certainty of evidence.

Early and Late Results after Surgical Mitral Valve Repair: A High-Volume Center Experience.

Background:  Surgical mitral valve repair is the gold standard treatment of severe primary mitral regurgitation (MR). In the light of rapidly evolving percutaneous technologies, current surgical outcome data are essential to support heart-team-based decision-making.

Methods:  This retrospective, high-volume, single-center study analyzed in 1779 patients with primary MR early morbidity and mortality, postoperative valve function, and long-term survival after mitral valve (MV) repair.

Driveline infection according to driveline positioning in left ventricular assist device implant recipients.

We conducted a prospective, open-labeled, clinical trial, with a two-by-two factorial design, of argon cold plasma application and two different types of driveline positioning for the prevention of driveline infection (DLI) in 80 patients with a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implant. Here, we present the results of intracorporeal loop positioning ( = 40) versus no intracorporeal loop positioning ( = 40). Patients were followed up for 1 year.

Protein intake and body weight, fat mass and waist circumference: an umbrella review of systematic reviews for the evidence-based guideline on protein intake of the German Nutrition Society.

Purpose: This umbrella review aimed to assess whether dietary protein intake with regard to quantitative (higher vs. lower dietary protein intake) and qualitative considerations (total, plant-based or animal-based protein intake) affects body weight (BW), fat mass (FM) and waist circumference (WC).

Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews for systematic reviews (SRs) with and without meta-analyses of prospective studies published between 04 October 2007 and 04 January 2022.

Protein intake and type 2 diabetes mellitus: an umbrella review of systematic reviews for the evidence-based guideline for protein intake of the German Nutrition Society.

Purpose: Protein-rich foods show heterogeneous associations with the risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and it remains unclear whether habitual protein intake is related to T2D risk. We carried out an umbrella review of systematic reviews (SR) of randomised trials and/or cohort studies on protein intake in relation to risks of T2D.

Methods: Following a pre-specified protocol (PROSPERO: CRD42018082395), we retrieved SRs on protein intake and T2D risk published between July 1st 2009 and May 22nd 2022, and assessed the methodological quality and outcome-specific certainty of the evidence using a modified version of AMSTAR 2 and NutriGrade, respectively.

Argon Cold Plasma Use and Driveline Infection in Left Ventricular Assist Device Implant Recipients.

We conducted a prospective open-labeled, clinical trial, with a two-by-two factorial design, of argon cold plasma (ACP) application and two different types of driveline positioning for the prevention of driveline infection (DLI) in patients with a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implant. Here, we present the results of ACP application versus no ACP application. Eighty patients were allocated to the control group (no preventive ACP use; n = 40) or ACP group (preventive ACP use for 30 days post-LVAD implantation; n = 40).

Protein intake and risk of urolithiasis and kidney diseases: an umbrella review of systematic reviews for the evidence-based guideline of the German Nutrition Society.

Purpose: Changes in dietary protein intake metabolically affect kidney functions. However, knowledge on potential adverse consequences of long-term higher protein intake (HPI) for kidney health is lacking. To summarise and evaluate the available evidence for a relation between HPI and kidney diseases, an umbrella review of systematic reviews (SR) was conducted.

Protein intake and bone health: an umbrella review of systematic reviews for the evidence-based guideline of the German Nutrition Society.

This umbrella review aimed at assessing whether a protein intake exceeding the current recommendation for younger (0.8 g/kg body weight [BW]/day) and older (1.0 g/kg BW/day) adults affects bone mineral density and fracture risk.

Patient-related effects of primary nursing : Protocol of a pilot randomized controlled trial.

Background: Since January 2022, a primary nursing system called process-responsible nursing (PP) has substituted the standard room care system in an intensive care unit (ICU) at our institution. The process of the development and implementation of PP is already being evaluated in a separate study as an actual analysis prior to implementation, as well as after 6 and 12 months.

Aim: This pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) aims to test the feasibility of an RCT.

Vitamin D deficiency and driveline infection in patients with a left ventricular assist device implant.

Driveline infection is a frequent complication in recipients of durable left ventricular assist devices (LVAD), but its cause is largely unclear. Since vitamin D supplementation can reduce the risk of infections, we aimed at investigating the association of vitamin D deficiency with driveline infection. In 154 patients with continuous flow LVAD implants, we assessed 2-year risk of driveline infection according to vitamin D status (circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D < 25 nmol/L or ⩾25 nmol/L).

High Efficacy and Low Early Mortality in High-Volume Center Tricuspid Valve Surgery.

Background:  Isolated tricuspid valve surgery has been associated with early mortality rates of up to 10%. With rapidly emerging interventional catheter-based options, the question arises whether current technical and perioperative protocols in cardiac surgery translate into lower than previously expected mortality rates, especially when looking at data from high-volume centers.

Methods:  We performed a retrospective single-center analysis in 369 patients undergoing isolated tricuspid valve repair ( = 256) or replacement ( = 113) between 2009 and 2021.

Long-term supplementation with 3200 to 4000 IU of vitamin D daily and adverse events: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Purpose: The upper tolerable intake level for vitamin D in the general population has been set at 4000 international units (IU) daily, but considerable uncertainty remains. We summarized reported harmful effects of a daily vitamin D supplement of 3200-4000 IU in trials lasting ≥ 6 months.

Methods: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials in several databases and identified 22 trials reporting safety data.

Left Ventricular Unloading in Patients on Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Therapy in Cardiogenic Shock: Prophylactic Versus Bail-Out Strategy.

Background: The benefit of prophylactic left ventricular (LV) unloading during venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) in selected patients at risk of developing LV distension remains unclear.

Methods: We enrolled 136 patients treated with Impella pump decompression during VA-ECMO therapy for refractory cardiogenic shock. Patients were stratified by specific indication for LV unloading in the prophylactic vs.