Predictors and long-term outcome of super-responders to cardiac resynchronization therapy.

Background: The level of improvement in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in super-responders to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is exceptional. However, the long-term prognosis remains unknown in a large population.

Hypothesis: Whether super-responders haven good long-term outcomes.

Shock Index More Sensitive Than Cardiogenic Shock in ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction Treated by Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

Background: Cardiogenic shock (CS) is a strong predictor of mortality in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), but there is evidence that shock index (SI), taking into account both blood pressure and heart rate, is a more sensitive and powerful predictor. We investigated the independent impact of SI and CS on 30-day and 1-year mortality in patients with STEMI, treated by primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).Methods and Results:In 7,412 consecutive patients with STEMI treated with primary PCI, the predictive value of either SI or CS on 1-year mortality was assessed.

Randomised comparison of drug-eluting versus bare-metal stenting in patients with non-ST elevation myocardial infarction.

Objective: The superiority of drug-eluting stents (DES) over bare-metal stents (BMS) in patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is well studied; however, randomised data in patients with non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) are lacking. The objective of this study was to investigate whether stenting with everolimus-eluting stents (EES) safely reduces restenosis in patients with NSTEMI as compared to BMS.

Methods: ELISA-3 patients were asked to participate in the angiographic substudy and were randomised to DE (Xience V) or BM (Vision) stenting (ELISA-3 group).

Predictive value of NT-proBNP for 30-day mortality in patients with non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndromes: a comparison with the GRACE and TIMI risk scores.

Background: The biomarker N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) predicts outcome in patients with non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTE-ACS). Whether NT-proBNP has incremental prognostic value beyond established risk strategies is still questionable.

Purpose: To evaluate the predictive value of NT-proBNP for 30-day mortality over and beyond the Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) and Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) risk scores in patients with NSTE-ACS.

A EUropean study on effectiveness and sustainability of current Cardiac Rehabilitation programmes in the Elderly: Design of the EU-CaRE randomised controlled trial.

Background: Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is an evidence-based intervention to increase survival and quality of life. Yet studies consistently show that elderly patients are less frequently referred to CR, show less uptake and more often drop out of CR programmes.

Design: The European study on effectiveness and sustainability of current cardiac rehabilitation programmes in the elderly (EU-CaRE) project consists of an observational study and an open prospective, investigator-initiated multicentre randomised controlled trial (RCT) involving mobile telemonitoring guided CR (mCR).

Cardiogenic Shock Predicts Long-term Mortality in Hospital Survivors of STEMI Treated With Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

Background: ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) complicated by cardiogenic shock (CS) has a poor prognosis. Recently published data suggested, however, that CS does not affect long-term mortality in hospital survivors of STEMI. We investigated whether this could be confirmed in a larger cohort.

Rationale and design of a randomised clinical trial for an extended cardiac rehabilitation programme using telemonitoring: the TeleCaRe study.

Background: Despite the known positive effects of cardiac rehabilitation and an active lifestyle, evidence is emerging that it is difficult to attain and sustain the minimum recommendations of leisure time physical activity. The long-term benefits are often disappointing due to lack of adherence to the changes in life style. Qualitative research on patients' perspectives suggests that motivation for lifestyle change tends to diminish around 3 months after the index-event.

Success and complication rates of lead extraction with the first- vs. the second-generation Evolution mechanical sheath.

Aims: The Evolution sheath (Cook Medical, USA) is a power sheath frequently used for chronic lead extraction. In 2013, a novel type (bidirectional) of Evolution sheath (the RL type) was introduced. We evaluated differences in success and complication rates of the two types.