European journal of clinical investigation
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Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · Sep 2021
Building a competitive infrastructure to support clinical research in healthcare institution.
Clinical research is becoming increasingly popular in Europe at a growth rate much higher than expected, especially in Benelux. Although traditionally thought to be the purview of academic health centres, clinical research to evaluate new drugs, devices and medical practices is being done more and more in healthcare organizations with little or no academic affiliation. ⋯ Some infrastructure challenges (insufficient engagement, regulatory and administrative barriers) and possible courses of action (standardized procedures, training and centralization) will be discussed.
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Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · Sep 2021
The use of semi-compliant versus non-compliant balloon systems for predilatation during the implantation of self-expandable transcatheter aortic valves: Data from the VIenna CardioThOracic Aortic Valve RegistrY (VICTORY).
This study aimed to evaluate the differences in outcome arising from the use of semi-compliant (SCB) versus non-compliant balloon (NCB) systems for predilatation during self-expanding transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). ⋯ While the balloon compliance did not affect the procedural mortality, device success or the rate of paravalvular leakage, the use of semi-compliant balloons for predilatation during TAVR should be investigated in larger randomized trials in the light of the lower rates of postdilatation and conversion to open surgery compared to their non-compliant counterparts.
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Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · Sep 2021
Characteristics of gestational diabetes subtypes classified by oral glucose tolerance test values.
In clinical practice, gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is treated as a homogenous disease but emerging evidence suggests that the diagnosis of GDM possibly comprises different metabolic entities. In this study, we aimed to assess early pregnancy characteristics of gestational diabetes mellitus entities classified according to the presence of fasting and/or post-load hyperglycaemia in the diagnostic oral glucose tolerance test performed at mid-gestation. ⋯ Women with fasting hyperglycaemia, especially those with combined hyperglycaemia, showed an unfavourable metabolic phenotype already at early gestation. Therefore, categorization based on abnormal oral glucose tolerance test values provides a practicable basis for clinical risk stratification.
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Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · Sep 2021
Ethnic similarities in genetic polymorphisms associated with atrial fibrillation: Far East Asian vs European populations.
In European ancestry, 111 genetic loci were identified as associated with atrial fibrillation (AF). We explored the reproducibility of those single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in a genome-wide association study (GWAS) meta-analysis of Far East Asian populations. ⋯ We newly replicated 19 AF-associated genetic loci in the European descent among the Far East Asian populations. It highlights the extensive sharing of AF genetic risks across Far East Asian populations.