Study on mitogenic activity of serum from patients with total coronary occlusions: relation to duration of occlusion.

In contrast to the extensive evidence from animal studies, only few human data are available on the relation of vascular growth factors and collateral function as well as on the conditions which may modify their release or function. In 31 patients with total coronary occlusion (TCOs) blood was collected from distal to the occlusion site (collateral circulation) and from the aortic root (systemic circulation). Serum was used to assess its mitogenic potential in [H]-thymidine incorporation assay on human umbilical vein endothelial cells.

Neurological Monitoring and Management for Adult Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Patients: Extracorporeal Life Support Organization Consensus Guidelines.

Background: Critical care of patients on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) with acute brain injury (ABI) is notable for a lack of high-quality clinical evidence. Here, we offer guidelines for neurological care (neurological monitoring and management) of adults during and after ECMO support.

Methods: These guidelines are based on clinical practice consensus recommendations and scientific statements.

Forns index and fatty liver index, but not FIB-4, are associated with indices of glycaemia, pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes: analysis of The Maastricht Study.

Objective: Glucose metabolism status (GMS) is linked to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Higher levels of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are observed in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and NAFLD. We examined the association between GMS, non-invasive tests and AGEs, with liver steatosis and fibrosis.

CTGAN-driven synthetic data generation: A multidisciplinary, expert-guided approach (TIMA).

Objective: We generated synthetic data starting from a population of two hundred thirty-eight adults SARS-CoV-2 positive patients admitted to the University Hospital of Brussels, Belgium, in 2020, utilizing a Conditional Tabular Generative Adversarial Network (CTGAN)-based technique with the aim of testing the performance, representativeness, realism, novelty, and diversity of synthetic data generated from a small patient sample. A Multidisciplinary Approach (TIMA) incorporates active participation from a medical team throughout the various stages of this process.

Methods: The TIMA committee scrutinized data for inconsistencies, implementing stringent rules for variables unlearned by the system.

Abbreviated or Standard Antiplatelet Therapy After PCI in Diabetic Patients at High Bleeding Risk.

Background: Abbreviated antiplatelet therapy (APT) reduces bleeding without increasing ischemic events in largely unselected high bleeding risk (HBR) patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Diabetes mellitus (DM) is associated with higher ischemic risk, and its impact on the safety and effectiveness of abbreviated APT in HBR PCI patients remains unknown.

Objectives: This study sought to investigate the comparative effectiveness of abbreviated (1 month) vs standard (≥3 months) APT in HBR patients with and without DM after biodegradable polymer sirolimus-eluting coronary stent implantation.

International Consensus Statement on Platelet Function and Genetic Testing in Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: 2024 Update.

Current evidence indicates that dual antiplatelet therapy with aspirin plus a P2Y inhibitor is essential for the prevention of thrombotic events after percutaneous coronary interventions. However, dual antiplatelet therapy is associated with increased bleeding which may outweigh the benefits. This has set the foundations for customizing antiplatelet treatments to the individual patient.

The factor structure of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 in stroke: A comparison with a non-stroke population.

Background: It is unclear if certain post-stroke somatic symptoms load onto items of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), a self-report depression questionnaire. We investigated these concerns in a stroke sample using factor analysis, benchmarked against a non-stroke comparison group.

Methods: The secondary dataset constituted 787 stroke and 12,016 non-stroke participants.

Plasma triacylglycerol length and saturation level mark healthy aging groups in humans.

Complex lipids, essential components in biological processes, exhibit conserved age-related changes that alter membrane properties and cellular functions and are implicated as biomarkers and contributors to longevity and age-related diseases. While physical activity alleviates age-related comorbidities and physical impairments, comprehensive exploration of the underlying biological mechanisms, particularly at the level of complex lipids, remains limited. However, clinical studies suggest that physical activity may counteract these age-related lipidomic changes, presenting a promising avenue for intervention.

An economic evaluation of first-line cryoballoon ablation versus antiarrhythmic drug therapy for the treatment of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation from a German healthcare payer perspective.

Background: Three recent randomized controlled trials demonstrated that, in patients with symptomatic paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF), first-line pulmonary vein isolation with cryoballoon catheter ablation reduces atrial arrhythmia recurrence compared to initial antiarrhythmic drug (AAD) therapy. This study aimed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of first-line cryoablation compared to first-line AADs from a German healthcare payer perspective.

Methods: Individual patient-level data from 703 participants with untreated PAF enrolled into three randomized clinical trials (Cryo-FIRST, STOP AF First and EARLY-AF) were used to derive parameters for the cost-effectiveness model (CEM).

Accelerated atrial pacing reduces left-heart filling pressure: a combined clinical-computational study.

Background And Aims: Accelerated atrial pacing offers potential benefits for patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and atrial fibrillation (AF), compared with standard lower-rate pacing. The study investigates the relationship between atrial pacing rate and left-heart filling pressure.

Methods: Seventy-five consecutive patients undergoing catheter ablation for AF underwent assessment of mean left atrial pressure (mLAP) and atrioventricular (AV) conduction delay (PR interval) in sinus rhythm and accelerated atrial pacing with 10 bpm increments up to Wenckebach block.

Physician Preferences in Using Novel Digital Devices for the Management of Atrial Fibrillation-A DAS-CAM III Survey.

Aim: A recent European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) practical guide provides guidance on the use of novel digital devices for heart rhythm analysis using either electrocardiogram (ECG) or photoplethysmography (PPG) technology for the diagnosis of atrial fibrillation (AF). This survey assesses physicians' preferences to use digital devices in patients with possible AF and their impact on clinical decision-making.

Methods And Results: Participants of the DAS-CAM III initiated and distributed an online survey assessing physician preferences in using digital devices for the management of AF in different clinical scenarios.

Metabolomics profiling of Type D personality traits.

Objective: Type D (Distressed) personality combines negative affectivity (NA) and social inhibition (SI) and is associated with an increased risk of cardiometabolic diseases. Here, we examined the association of Type D traits with 230 (predominantly) lipid metabolites and metabolite ratios.

Methods: Four Dutch cohorts were included, comprising 10,834 individuals.