Clinical research in cardiology : official journal of the German Cardiac Society
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Infective endocarditis (IE) is still associated with high morbidity and mortality. The impact of pre-operative stroke on mortality and long-term survival is controversial. In addition, data on the severity of neurological disability due to pre-operative stroke are scarce. We analysed the impact of pre-operative stroke and the severity of its related neurological disability on short- and long-term outcome. ⋯ Pre-operative stroke and the severity of neurological disability do not independently affect short- and long-term mortality in patients with infective endocarditis. It appears that patients with pre-operative stroke present with a generally higher risk profile. This information may substantially affect decision-making.
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Assumption of different substrates is the basis for different ablation strategies in patients with paroxysmal and persistent atrial fibrillation (AF). We aimed to investigate pulmonary vein reconnection and influence on progression of initial paroxysmal (pAF) versus persistent atrial fibrillation (perAF). ⋯ Most patients with recurrent AF after PVI showed at least one reconnected vein during redo procedures. Reconnection was identified irrespective of the underlying AF type. Progression from pAF to perAF and vice versa was observed irrespective of the initial AF type.
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Sleep apnea (SA) is associated with sudden cardiac death. Compared to central apneas, obstructive apneas are associated with negative intrathoracic pressure swings inducing autonomic imbalance, which may disturb ventricular repolarisation resulting in arrhythmias. ⋯ Intrathoracic pressure swings during obstructive apneas contribute to changes in ventricular repolarisation, which are not observed with central apneas. These changes are mainly driven by sympathetic activation and may represent mechanisms for increased occurrence of sudden cardiac death in obstructive SA.
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Intravenous inotropic therapy may be necessary to achieve short-term survival in end-stage heart failure patients with cardiogenic shock or extreme low output and severe organ hypoperfusion. However, mid- or long-term intravenous inotropic therapy is associated with an increased mortality in advanced stage D heart failure patients using β-adrenoceptor agonists (dobutamine) or PDE-3-inhibitors (milrinone). Intermittent levosimendan may evolve as a reasonable therapeutic option. ⋯ In addition, it might create a disincentive to achieve the HU status as well as keeping it, thereby potentially exposing the patient to an unnecessary additional risk. Upcoming new allocation algorithms may possibly help to improve the inadequate present situation. There is need for both, a better definition and a better treatment of high risk terminal heart failure requiring high urgent transplant listing.