The volume-outcome relation for pulmonary endarterectomy in chronic thrombo-embolic pulmonary hypertension.

Background: We conducted a volume-outcome (V-O) meta-analysis of PEA procedures for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH), to objectively determine the minimum required annual case load that can define a high-volume centre.

Methods: Three electronic databases were systematically queried until May 1st, 2024. Centres were divided in volume tertiles (Ts).

Association between coagulation activity and clinical and imaging outcomes in acute ischemic stroke patients - A sub-study of the MR CLEAN NO-IV trial.

Background: The MR CLEAN NO-IV trial showed neither superiority nor noninferiority of endovascular treatment (EVT) alone compared to intravenous thrombolysis (IVT; Alteplase) before EVT in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients with large vessel occlusion of the anterior circulation. Although the treatment effect is largely attributable to EVT, IVT may affect hypercoagulability during AIS.

Aims: To investigate the association between activated coagulation and final infarct volume and clinical outcomes (modified Rankin Scale 3-6 and mortality 90 days post-EVT), and whether this effect is modified by IVT administration.

Health-Related Quality of Life and Experiences of Minor Children With Parental Cancer-A Family-Based Multilevel Analysis of Determinants.

Objective: Children in families with parental cancer may experience emotional, social or physical problems. The aims are to analyze child, parent and family-based determinants of children's health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and their experiences of parental cancer.

Methods: As part of a mixed-methods, multicenter, prospective, interventional non-randomized study "Family-SCOUT," a family-centered intervention in the form of care and case management was developed.

Attachment promoting compounds significantly enhance cell proliferation and purity of bovine satellite cells grown on microcarriers in the absence of serum.

Introduction: To bring cultivated beef to the market, a scalable system that can support growth of bovine satellite cells (bSCs) in a serum-free and preferably also animal-free medium is of utmost importance. The use of microcarriers (MCs) is, at the moment, one of the most promising technologies for scaling up. MCs offer a large surface to volume ratio, they can be used in scalable stirred tank bioreactors, where the culture conditions can be tightly controlled to meet the cells' requirements (temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen).

Cardiogenic shock.

Cardiogenic shock is a complex syndrome defined by systemic hypoperfusion and inadequate cardiac output arising from a wide array of underlying causes. Although the understanding of cardiogenic shock epidemiology, specific subphenotypes, haemodynamics, and cardiogenic shock severity staging has evolved, few therapeutic interventions have shown survival benefit. Results from seminal randomised controlled trials support early revascularisation of the culprit vessel in infarct-related cardiogenic shock and provide evidence of improved survival with the use of temporary circulatory support in selected patients.

Angiographic reconstructions of CT perfusion for occlusion detection in ischemic stroke.

Background: Both CT angiography and CT perfusion involve the administration and tracking of a contrast medium bolus for different purposes. In this study, we aim to compare the diagnostic accuracy and subjective image quality of CTP-angiographic reconstructions with conventional CTA for occlusion detection in ischemic stroke patients.

Methods: In this retrospective study, patients with a final diagnosis of ischemic stroke and who underwent both CTA and CTP from September 2020 up to and including September 2021 were included.

The definition of predictor and outcome variables in mortality prediction models: a scoping review and quality of reporting study.

Background And Objectives: Mortality prediction models are promising tools for guiding clinical decision-making and resource allocation in intensive care units (ICUs). Clearly specified predictor and outcome variables are necessary to enable external validation and safe clinical application of prediction models. The objective of this study was to identify the predictor and outcome variables used in different mortality prediction models in the ICU and investigate their reporting.

Vital Exhaustion and Biomarkers Associated With Cardiovascular Risk: The ARIC Study.

Background: Vital exhaustion, defined as excessive fatigue, demoralization, and irritability due to chronic stress, is independently associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine the association of vital exhaustion with biomarkers associated with CVD risk in the ARIC (Atherosclerosis Risk In Communities) study.

Methods: We examined the cross-sectional association of vital exhaustion (assessed using the Maastricht Vital Exhaustion Questionnaire [MVEQ]) with cardiac biomarker (high-sensitivity troponin T [hs-TnT], N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide [NT-proBNP]) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels in 11,542 ARIC study participants without CVD at ARIC visit 2 using multivariable logistic and linear regression models.

Cost-effectiveness of Implementing a Genotype-Guided De-Escalation Strategy in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome.

Aims: A genotype-guided P2Y12-inhibitor de-escalation strategy, switching acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients without a CYP2C19 loss-of-function allele from ticagrelor or prasugrel to clopidogrel, has shown to reduce bleeding risk without affecting effectivity of therapy by increasing ischemic risk. We estimated the cost-effectiveness of this personalized approach compared to standard dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT; aspirin plus ticagrelor/prasugrel) in the Netherlands.

Methods And Results: We developed a one-year decision tree based on results of the FORCE-ACS registry, comparing a cohort of ACS patients who underwent genotyping with a cohort of ACS patients treated with standard DAPT.

Proteome-Wide Genetic Investigation of Large Artery Stiffness.

The molecular mechanisms contributing to large artery stiffness (LAS) are not fully understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between circulating plasma proteins and LAS using complementary proteomic and genomic analyses. A total of 106 proteins associated with carotid-femoral pulse-wave velocity, a noninvasive measure of LAS, were identified in 1,178 individuals from the Asklepios study cohort.

miR-24-3p secreted as extracellular vesicle cargo by cardiomyocytes inhibits fibrosis in human cardiac microtissues.

Background And Aims: Cardiac fibrosis in response to injury leads to myocardial stiffness and heart failure. At the cellular level, fibrosis is triggered by the conversion of cardiac fibroblasts (CF) into extracellular matrix-producing myofibroblasts. miR-24-3p regulates this process in animal models.

Preventive catheter ablation for ventricular arrhythmias in patients with end-stage heart failure referred for heart transplantation evaluation: Rationale for and design of the CASTLE-VT trial.

Aims: Timely referrals for transplantation and left ventricular assist device (LVAD) play a key role in favourable outcomes in patients with advanced heart failure (HF). Cardiovascular mortality, driven by sudden cardiac death, is the main reason for dying while waiting for heart transplantation (HTx). The purpose of the Preventive Catheter Ablation for ventricular arrhythmiaS in patients with end-sTage heart faiLure rEferred for heart transplantation eValuaTion (CASTLE-VT) trial is to test the hypothesis that prophylactic catheter ablation of arrhythmogenic ventricular scar tissue will reduce mortality, need for LVAD implantation, and urgent HTx in patients with end-stage HF related to ischaemic cardiomyopathy (ICM).