Search results for "ARTICLES"
showing 10 items of 9626 documents
Emerging aspects of mobile phone use
2009
The mobile phone is a modern-day invention, which has managed to reach many parts of the world enabling telecommunications across areas where it was not possible before. Although these devices have proved to be life saving in certain circumstances (e.g., after accidents) and helped improve the quality of life in some sectors, concerns continue to be raised about potential adverse health impacts associated with their use. These range from cancer and cognitive deficiencies to subjective effects, such as a feeling of warmth around the ear used, headache and fatigue. We provide an overview of the concerns raised and summarise what is known about them. We conducted a literature search in Pubmed/…
Statins stimulate the production of a soluble form of the receptor for advanced glycation end products
2013
The beneficial effects of statin therapy in the reduction of cardiovascular pathogenesis, atherosclerosis, and diabetic complications are well known. The receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) plays an important role in the progression of these diseases. In contrast, soluble forms of RAGE act as decoys for RAGE ligands and may prevent the development of RAGE-mediated disorders. Soluble forms of RAGE are either produced by alternative splicing [endogenous secretory RAGE (esRAGE)] or by proteolytic shedding mediated by metalloproteinases [shed RAGE (sRAGE)]. Therefore we analyzed whether statins influence the production of soluble RAGE. Lovastatin treatment of either mouse alveol…
Cardiovascular outcomes after cardiac resynchronization therapy in cardiac amyloidosis
2021
Abstract Aims Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is highly effective in dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) patients with impaired left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and left bundle block branch. In cardiac amyloidosis (CA) patients, left ventricular dysfunction and conduction defects are common, but the potential of CRT to improve cardiac remodelling and survival in this particular setting remains undefined. We investigated cardiovascular outcomes in CA patients after CRT implantation in terms of CRT echocardiographic response and major cardiovascular events (MACEs). Methods and results Our retrospective study included 47 CA patients implanted with CRT devices from January 2012 to Feb…
Rehospitalization burden and morbidity risk in patients with heart failure with mid-range ejection fraction
2020
Aims Heart failure with mid-range ejection fraction (HFmrEF) has been proposed as a distinct HF phenotype, but whether patients on this category fare worse, similarly, or better than those with HF with reduced EF (HFrEF) or preserved EF (HFpEF) in terms of rehospitalization risks over time remains unclear. Methods and results We prospectively included 2961 consecutive patients admitted for acute HF (AHF) in our institution. Of them, 158 patients died during the index admission, leaving the sample size to be 2803 patients. Patients were categorized according to their EF: HFrEF if EF ≤ 40% (n = 908, 32.4%); HFmrEF if EF = 41–49% (n = 449, 16.0%); and HFpEF if EF ≥ 50% (n = 1446, 51.6%). Covar…
Transcatheter indirect mitral annuloplasty induces annular and left atrial remodelling in secondary mitral regurgitation
2020
Abstract Aims Mitral annuloplasty using the Carillon Mitral Contour System (CMCS) reduces secondary mitral regurgitation (SMR) and leads to reverse left ventricular remodelling. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the CMCS on the mitral valve annulus (MA) and left atrial volume (LAV). Methods and results We retrospectively evaluated the data of all patients treated with the CMCS at our centre. Using transthoracic echocardiography, MA diameters were assessed by measuring the anterolateral to posteromedial extend (ALPM) and the anterior to posterior (AP) dimensions, respectively. Also, LAV and left ventricular end‐diastolic volume (LVEDV) were assessed. Patients were examined …
Stability of a Parenteral Formulation of Betamethasone and Levobupivacaine
2014
Background: The therapeutic management of syndromes presenting simultaneously pain and inflammation often requires the administration of anesthetic and corticosteroid drugs by epidural administration. In this article, we studied a mixture that combines betamethasone and levobupivacaine, which demonstrates prolonged analgesic effects. To our knowledge, the stability of such a mixture in epidural solution has not been examined. Objective: To evaluate the chemical, physical, and microbiological stability of an extemporaneously prepared mixture. Methods: A solution of betamethasone acetate 1 mg/mL, betamethasone phosphate 1 mg/mL, and levobupivacaine hydrochloride 0.83 mg/mL was prepared in sa…
Measurement of coagulation factors during rivaroxaban and apixaban treatment: Results from two crossover trials
2018
Abstract Background Prediction models for venous thromboembolism recurrence will likely be improved by adding levels of coagulation factors. Risk assessment is ideally performed during anticoagulant treatment, however, the influence of direct oral anticoagulants on coagulation factors is uncertain. Objective To assess the influence of rivaroxaban and apixaban on several coagulation factor levels. Methods In two crossover trials we assessed the influence of rivaroxaban and apixaban intake on factor (F)VIII, FXI and FXII‐activity and fibrinogen, von Willebrand factor (VWF:Ag), and d‐dimer levels. At three sessions with a washout period in between, blood was taken from 12 healthy male individu…
Effect of insulin on readmission for heart failure following a hospitalization for acute heart failure
2020
AIMS: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is common in patients with heart failure (HF) and is related with worse outcomes. Insulin treatment is associated with sodium and water retention, weight gain, and hypoglycaemia-all pathophysiological mechanisms related to HF decompensation. This study aimed to evaluate the association between insulin treatment and the risk of 1year readmission for HF in patients discharged for acute HF.; METHODS AND RESULTS: We prospectively included 2895 consecutive patients discharged after an episode of acute HF in a single tertiary hospital. Multivariable Cox regression, adapted for competing events, was used to assess the association between insulin treatment and …
Association of transcatheter direct mitral annuloplasty with acute anatomic, haemodynamic, and clinical outcomes in severe mitral valve regurgitation.
2020
Abstract Aims Several approaches for transcatheter mitral valve repair for functional mitral valve regurgitation are established. Interventional direct annuloplasty is a novel trans‐venous, trans‐septal approach. While feasibility was proven recently, knowledge on its influence on cardiac dimensions, pressures, biomarkers, and clinical outcomes is sparse. Methods and results Patients consecutively treated with direct annuloplasty‐only procedures between December 2015 and April 2018 were included in this monocentric analysis. Echocardiographic measurements, biomarker levels, clinical status [New York Heart Association (NYHA) class and 6 min walk test] were assessed at baseline, at discharge,…
Managing Persistent Hypoxemia: what is new?
2017
Mechanical ventilation is the standard life-support technique for patients with severe acute respiratory failure. However, some patients develop persistent and refractory hypoxemia because their lungs are so severely damaged that they are unable to respond to the application of high inspired oxygen concentration and high levels of positive end-expiratory pressure. In this article, we review current knowledge on managing persistent hypoxemia in patients with injured lungs.