bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Right atrial function in veteran endurance athletes with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation
Authors: Sorensen E , Myrstad M , Oie E , Tveit A , Solberg MG , Aaronaes M 
Published: May 2022

Abstract

Funding Acknowledgements
Type of funding sources: Foundation. Main funding source(s): A PhD grant from the DAM foundation and a grant from the Raagholt foundation

Background
Prolonged endurance exercise increases the risk of atrial fibrillation (AF) in middle-aged and older men, but the pathophysiology of AF in otherwise healthy athletes remains elusive. High-intensity endurance exercise puts an extreme load on the right side of the heart and has been associated with a reduction in right atrial (RA) function immediately following exertion. Prolonged endurance exercise impacts long-term remodeling of the RA and might favor the development of arrhythmias. Despite this fact, data regarding RA structure and function in older veteran athletes with prolonged exposure to endurance exercise is scarce.

Purpose
To describe RA volumes and function assessed by strain in a large cohort of male veteran cross-country skiers with and without AF, compared with age-matched controls with and without AF.

Methods
A total of 302 study participants, veteran skiers with paroxysmal AF (n=62), veteran skiers without AF (n=89), and controls from a non-athletic population with (n=62) and without paroxysmal AF (n=89), underwent an echocardiographic examination in sinus rhythm to evaluate RA structure and function. The skiers were former participants in the annual 54-kilometer cross-country ski race Birkebeinerrennet regarded as one of the most challenging cross-country ski-races globally. We conducted a two-way between-groups analysis of variance to explore the main effects of athletic status, AF status, and the interaction between AF status and athletic status in echocardiographic parameters.

Results
The athletes (mean age 70.8±6.7 years) reported an average of 16 completed annual Birkebeinerrennet races and 40-50 years of regular endurance exercise. RA and right ventricular volumes were considerably larger in athletes. RA and right ventricular function assessed by right ventricular free wall longitudinal strain, RA reservoir, conduit, and contractile strain were similar between athletes and non-athletes. Both AF groups had larger RA volumes and lower RA strain values regardless of athletic status.

Conclusion
RA function was similar in veteran cross-country skiers and controls despite prolonged exposure to endurance exercise with significantly larger RA volumes among athletes. Individuals with AF had lower RA strain parameters than those without AF, regardless of athletic status. RA volumes were associated with both athletic and AF status, and cardiorespiratory fitness needs to be considered when evaluating RA volumes. These findings suggest RA strain to be more closely linked to AF than RA volumes in male veteran endurance athletes.
Structure, organization, and practical functioning of the sports cardiology center of the Nemocnice Agel Trinec Podlesi
Authors: Jiravska Godula B , Jiravsky O , Pesova P , Krausova D , Spacek R , Pleva M , Pirchala M , Taborska A , Zajicek P , Rulkova L , Sknouril L , Sovova E 
Published: May 2022

Abstract

Funding Acknowledgements
Type of funding sources: None.

Introduction
Cardiological care of athletes worldwide is focused on prevention of cardiovascular disease, diagnosis, and follow-up of abnormalities in preventive screening, and subsequent therapy of detected pathologies with risk assessment for sport. The Czech Society of Sports Medicine and the Czech Cardiology Society responded to this process by establishing sports cardiology centers in the early 2020s. The centers were established in Olomouc, with two centers in Prague and Trinec.
Structure and organization
The Trinec Centre of Sports Cardiology (CSK) is organized based on tribal doctors of the Cardiocentre of the Agel Třinec-Podlesí Hospital and external cardiological collaborators from Silesia and Moravia. These doctors are trained in sports cardiology.
The practical functioning of the center is based on gradual steps: A) The patient logs in to our way through the web interface, where the essential information and previous examinations are given. B) The center's coordinator will incorporate these input data, will ensure communication with the client, other necessary information or examination, and after consultation with cardiologists, who subspecialize in the subunits, will establish a treatment plan. C) The CSK nurse ensures the organizational aspects of the established procedure. D) After the follow-up examination, the client has a final consultation with the sports cardiologist, where the suitability or limitations for sport and other recommendations for dispensation are always indicated. See Figure 1.
Cohort of athletes
Retrospective analysis of athletes from 1/2020 - 10/2021: 71 athletes, 26.0 +/- 1.5 years (15-61), 10 females (16%)/61 males: sport type: Endurance 31%, Mixed 66%. Most common indication: 46% coming in for abnormal preparticipation screening. At the conclusion of the investigation, only two were ineligible for sport, 32 eligible with condition

Conclusion
Structured, well-organized, and high-quality cardiac care for athletes is the main focus of the centers' work. In addition, the vision of our center is to provide tertiary cardiac care for athletes to reduce the risk of health complications in athletes. Therefore, our department is targeting EAPC accreditation for a sports cardiology center.
Positive CMR findings are associated with polymorphic ventricle arrhythmias and ECG repolarization changes but not with exercises induced arrhythmias in competitive and non-competitive athletes
Authors: Penza M , Filomena D , Monosilio S , Birtolo L , Serdoz A , Lemme E , Squeo M , Mango R , Di Gioia G , Fedele F , Gualdi G , Spataro A , Pelliccia A , Di Giacinto B , Maestrini V 
Published: May 2022

Abstract

Funding Acknowledgements
Type of funding sources: None.

Background
Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) provides an effective contribution for the prevention of sudden cardiac death with its ability to provide accurate information on morpho-functional abnormalities and on myocardial tissue characterization. However, data on its utility in clinical scenario in the competitive athletes are limited to selected cohort of patients with complex arrhythmias.

Objective
To retrospectively analyze all the CMR performed at our center for evaluating the predictors of positive CMR findings in a large cohort of competitive and non-competitive athletes presenting with different clinical indications.

Methods
Over a period of 30 months all the CMR performed on athletes aged &gt; 14 years and training for at least 5 hours per week at our Institutes were retrospectively recruited. The following data were also collected: medical history, ECG, echocardiography, exercise testing. CMR were categorized as "positive" or "negative" based on the presence or absence of late gadolinium enhancement (LGE, excluding RV insertion point) and/or morphological and/or functional abnormalities. Predictors of "positive" CMR were explored.

Results
503 CMR were recruited and the most frequent indications for CMR were: ventricular arrythmias (n= 213, 42%), ECG abnormalities (n= 140, 28%) followed by echocardiogram abnormalities, symptoms and family history (Figure A). 308 (61%) CMR were "negative" and 195 (39%) "positive" (Figure B). Uncommon ventricular arrythmias did not result associated with positive CMR (p= 0.43), while polymorphic ventricular beats are associated with positive CMR (p= 0.02). Among ECG abnormalities only T-waves inversion, particularly on lateral and infero-lateral leads, were associated with positive CMR (p= 0.04).

Conclusion
Ventricular arrhythmias represented the most common indication for require a CMR but in almost half the cases, the CMR was negative. Excises induced ventricular arrhythmias is not significantly associated with pathological findings on CMR, while the polymorphic morphology of arrhythmias and the presence of lateral and infero-lateral repolarization abnormalities on ECG were associated with positive CMR.
Gender bias in the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease
Authors: Kang H , Tillmann T , Morrison J 
Published: May 2022

Abstract

Funding Acknowledgements
Type of funding sources: None.

Background/introduction
Women receive less aggressive treatment for cardiovascular disease (CVD), partly due to a delayed or incorrect diagnosis. However, there is little research into whether this gender bias extends to primary prevention of CVD (i.e. prevention of CVD in those individuals with no prior CVD events), and the reasons behind this bias.

Purpose
This study analysed gender differences in the primary prevention of CVD in the USA, using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) for the years 2015-2018. It also explored the drivers behind these differences. The hypothesis was that the known gender bias in CVD treatment also extends to primary prevention.

Methods
The risk of developing CVD over the next ten years was calculated using the Pooled Cohort Equations (PCEs) for 9,623 healthy men and women aged 40 to 79 years. 3,035 participants were found to be at higher CVD risk (ASCVD score above 7.5%) and potentially eligible for statins. Individuals with prior diagnosis of CVD were excluded from this study. Multivariable logistic regression was used to calculate adjusted odds ratios (AOR) in the usage of preventive treatment between genders.

Results
The results showed that men were 21% more likely to be prescribed statins than women whilst women were 20-37% more likely to be told to make behaviour modifications than men (Table 1). An interdisciplinary literature review showed that lower CVD risk perception in women is a likely driver of this gender difference.

Conclusion
The well-known gender bias in the treatment of CVD also appears to take place in the primary prevention of CVD with statin therapy. These findings have highlighted the gender bias in primary prevention of CVD, supporting the scarce existing literature on this topic and providing more recent evidence in line with the updated CVD prevention guidance. This has implications in developing interventions based in the health system and community context to improve the treatment and survival outcomes for women with CVD.
Cardiovascular disease after COVID-19 infection in elderly patients. Results of annual follow-up of a cohort of survivors
Authors: Aguila Gordo D , Piqueras Flores J , Martinez Del Rio J , Negreira Caamano M , Mateo Gomez C , Soto Perez M , Cubides Novoa AF , Moron Alguacil A , Munoz Garcia M , Blanco Lopez E , Soto Martin P , Salas Bravo D , Arizon Munoz JM 
Published: May 2022

Abstract

Funding Acknowledgements
Type of funding sources: None.

Introduction
Although the effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection on the cardiovascular system are well known in the acute phase, the cardiovascular impact in the elderly population surviving respiratory COVID-19 infection after 1-year follow-up has not been sufficiently studied.

Methods
Observational registry of 240 elderly patients (75 years or older) consecutively admitted for and surviving COVID-19 respiratory infection between March 1 and April 30, 2020. The incidence of major cardiovascular events [MACE] (cardiovascular death [CD], acute coronary syndrome [ACS], cerebrovascular disease [CVD], venous thromboembolic disease [VTE], and heart failure [HF]) was prospectively analyzed.

Results
The mean age was 83.8 ± 5.6 years (range 75-103 years). A total of 54.2% were women. Most patients had a personal history of cardiovascular risk factors: hypertension (83.3%), diabetes mellitus (27.9%), dyslipidemia (43.8%). Among the main cardiological comorbidities, a history of atrial fibrillation was the most frequent (18.8%). Of note was the high percentage of institutionalized patients (37.1%) and those with moderate-severe dementia (16.7%). After a mean follow-up of 352.2±70.4 days, 13.8% of patients died and 9.6% had MACE, the most frequent being heart failure (7.5%), with no differences in the severity or overall evolution of the acute disease. Of the 33 patients who developed HF, only 3 died of cardiovascular causes. Only 2 patients suffered a stroke, in both cases without a history of AF or anticoagulants. Only 2 patients had a thromboembolic event (0.8%). The low incidence of thrombotic events may be due in part to the high rate of anticoagulation and chronic antiplatelet therapy and the high percentage of prophylactic heparin prescription at discharge, as well as the fact that only cases with clinical repercussions. COPD, CKD, institutionalization and moderate-severe dementia are associated with an increased risk of MACE, although only COPD and prescription of loop diuretics were identified as independent risk markers in the multivariate analysis.

Conclusions
In elderly COVID-19 survivors, the incidence of MACE after one year of follow-up is high, the main manifestation being heart failure. COPD and the prescription of loop diuretics were identified as independent risk markers for the development of MACE in the multivariate analysis.
Impact of a new and remote diagnosis of heart disease on exercise behavior in older adults
Authors: Cahalin L , Garber C , Burr J , Caro F 
Published: May 2022

Abstract

Funding Acknowledgements
Type of funding sources: None.

Background/Introduction
Exercise is an important factor in the primary and secondary prevention of heart disease. However, few data are available on predictors of exercise in older adults, especially the impact of a new and remote diagnosis of heart disease (NHDD and RHDD, respectively) on exercise behavior. It is possible that the motivational impact of a NHDD may be more powerful than a RHDD in promoting exercise in older persons.

Purpose
The purpose of this study was to examine predictors of exercise in older adults using the Health and Retirement Survey (HRS), a prospective, nationally representative household survey examining retirement and health among older persons in the United States that is repeated every two years. We hypothesized that older persons with a NHDD and RHDD will be more likely to exercise.

Methods
Data from respondents who were age 55 or older in 1998 were grouped using three waves of the HRS (1998, 2000, and 2002) which provided three distinct person-wave observations for each respondent, yielding 38,634 respondent person-wave observations (9,629 with RHDD and 1,689 with NHDD) with a mean age of 70±9 years (55% female). Logistic regression models were developed to examine the predictors of exercise while controlling for a variety of demographic and health related variables.

Results
A NHDD was the strongest positive predictor (odds ratio=1.195, p&lt;0.01; 95% CI=1.054-1.355) while a RHDD was not a significant predictor of exercise in older adults (odds ratio=1.034, p=0.31; 95% CI=.969-1.105). No significant difference in demographic, co-morbid conditions, or perceived health was observed between older adults with a NHDD and RHDD.

Conclusions
A NHDD was a strong positive predictor of exercise in older adults. A RHDD was not a significant predictor of exercise, suggesting that the motivation impact of a heart disease diagnosis lessens over time and secondary prevention efforts such as cardiac rehabilitation continue to be of importance. Long-term programming for maintenance of exercise in older persons with a RHDD appears to be particularly important and requires further investigation.
Very acute benefits on physical performance in elderly patients who undergone TAVI
Authors: Cunha NPD , Alves Da Silva P , Garcia B , Pinto R , Gregorio C , Fonseca J , Brito J , Pinto F J , Abreu A 
Published: May 2022

Abstract

Funding Acknowledgements
Type of funding sources: None.

Introduction
Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) emerged as a safe and efficient procedure in patients with high or prohibitive surgical risk or in older patients. The prevalence of severe aortic stenosis is growing up, given de aging of population. These patients are much often frailty and experience low levels of physical activity and functional capacity as a result of their aortic valve disease and comorbidities. When untreated severe aortic stenosis has a poor prognosis so it is of utmost importance to restore the normal hemodynamic condition and consequently to improve functional capacity.

Aim
To assess the acute benefits (in 1 moth) of TAVI on functional capacity and physical performance.

Methods
Single center prospective study of patients submitted to TAVi between April 2021 and September 2021. Patients were evaluated at baseline (before TAVI) and one month after the procedure. To assess physical activity and functional capacity it was used the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and the short physical performance battery (SPPB) which is a group of measures that combines the results of the gait speed (two timed trials of a 4-m walk – fastest recorded), chair stand (time to raise for a chair 5 times) and balance tests (ability to stand for 10 seconds with feet in 3 different positions). Additionally, patients were submitted to handgrip strength test. Paired sample t-test and Wilcoxon test were used to statistical analysis.

Results
We included 20 patients, with a mean age of 85±5,86 years, 40% (8) male. 19 patients undergone TAVI due severe native aortic stenosis and 1 due to bioprosthetic aortic valve dysfunction. The vascular access site was transfemoral in 19 patients and transapical in 1 patient.
No patient had vigorous physical activity either before or after TAVI, but the daily sitting time was lower after the procedure (mean time: 634 versus 570 minutes), however not statistically significant. Regarding the results of SPPB patients experience improvements in balance (p=0,035) and chair stand (time to raise for a chair 5 times: 19,04 versus 17,05 seconds), p=0,01.
Patients tended to be faster in 4m velocity test, however with no statistical difference (8,49 versus 6,6 seconds). No statistical differences were also observed in handgrip strength test.

Conclusion
In an elderly population, TAVI appears to have an early and beneficial effect (in 1 moth) on some domains oh physical activity and functional capacity.
L-carnitine supplementation decreases insulin resistance, c-reactive protein in patients with chronic coronary artery disease and prostate adenocarcinoma
Authors: Sirenko O , Ossenyi I , Krasnov V 
Published: May 2022

Abstract

Funding Acknowledgements
Type of funding sources: None.
The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of L-Carnitine on the inflammation, insulin resistance (IR) in the complex therapy of patients with coronary heart disease end prostate adenocarcinoma.

Materials and methods
42 men with prostate adenocarcinoma and chronic coronary heart disease (CAD) were enrolled. The patients were randomly and blindly divided into 2 groups: Group I patients were treated with L-Carnitine in addition to standard treatment; Group II patients received only conventional treatment. Standard laboratory blood tests, lipid profile, glucose, renal and liver function tests, serum C-reactive protein (CRP), insulin, echocardiographic examination were performed for all patients as baseline and after 10 days of treatment.

Results
IR was established in 54.8% patients of Group I and 40% patients of control group (p&lt;0.05). In the Group I median level of HOMA index was 3.1 [1.9; 4.8] mg/ml, CRP - 10.3 [5.2; 11.1] mg/ml and decreased by 15.4% (p = 0.001) and 19.2% (p = 0.003), respectively. The supplementation of L-Carnitine in standard therapy contributed to a significant decrease in serum creatinine level and an increase in the level of GFR in Group I patients (p &lt;0.05).

Conclusion
The supplementatiıon of L-Carnitine in patients with chronic coronary artery disease and prostate adenocarcinoma contributes to a significant decrease in insulin resistance, C-reactive protein level.
Accuracy of photoplethysmography-based measurement of blood pressure
Authors: Falter M , Driesen K , Scherrenberg M , Pieters Z , Kaihara T , Dendale P 
Published: May 2022

Abstract

Funding Acknowledgements
Type of funding sources: None.

Introduction
Photoplethysmography (PPG)-based blood pressure (BP) measurements are available in the latest smartwatches and are thus available for patients in the consumer market. While the devices typically comply with the medical device regulation, accuracy is often not known and data on validation are not publicly available.

Purpose
To investigate the accuracy and precision of the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 PPG-based BP measurement as compared to conventional BP measurement and to investigate clinical applicability.

Methods
31 patients scheduled for ambulatory 24-hour BP measurement were included in the study. 24-hour BP devices were attached to the non-dominant arm, smartwatches were attached to the opposite arm. Calibration was performed as instructed by the manufacturer. The smartwatch was used to register BP intermittently for 24 hours. Results from both devices were compared using the Taffé method.

Results and discussion
Mean age was 59 years. 17 patients (55%) were male. Comparison of the two methods is demonstrated in Figure 1. The smartwatch overestimates the systolic BP up to approximately 132 mm Hg and then underestimates the systolic BP, illustrating the presence of proportional (0.48) and differential (69.0) bias. Precision for the gold standard method was higher compared to the smartwatch measurements. For increasing values of systolic BP, the precision of the smartwatch decreases. For diastolic BP, differential (31.4) and proportional bias (0.68) are present, resulting in an overestimation of the diastolic BP at lower values (&lt;100 mmHg). Precision for the gold standard method was higher at lower BP values, while precision for smartwatch measurements was higher at higher BP values (i.e. there was a lower standard deviation of measurement error).
Figure 1
Bias and precision plots for systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP).
In each figure the x-axis indicates the best linear unbiased prediction (BLUP) or true value of BP. Panel A and B indicate the bias plots. Smartwatch measurements (blue dashed lines) are compared to reference measurements (solid black line); both values are read from the leftmost y-axis. The bias (difference of smartwatch measurement compared to the reference method) is depicted as a solid red line; the value of bias is read from the rightmost y-axis. Panel C and D indicate the precision plots, indicating the standard deviation of measurement errors for both measurement methods. The reference method is depicted in black; the smartwatch method is depicted in blue.

Conclusion
There is a differential and proportional bias in PPG-based BP measurement of systolic and diastolic BP measurement. The systolic BP is overestimated at lower values and underestimated at higher values. This might indicate potential for application as a screening tool for hypertension. Further research is needed to investigate clinical applicability.