European journal of heart failure
-
Eur. J. Heart Fail. · Aug 2017
ReviewExercise training in Diastolic Heart Failure (Ex-DHF): rationale and design of a multicentre, prospective, randomized, controlled, parallel group trial.
Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a common disease with high incidence and increasing prevalence. Patients suffer from functional limitation, poor health-related quality of life, and reduced prognosis. A pilot study in a smaller group of HFpEF patients showed that structured, supervised exercise training (ET) improves maximal exercise capacity, diastolic function, and physical quality of life. ⋯ Blood samples are collected to examine various biomarkers. Overall physical activity, training sessions, and adherence are monitored and documented throughout the study using patient diaries, heart rate monitors, and accelerometers. The Ex-DHF trial is the first multicentre trial to assess the long-term effects of a supervised ET programme on different outcome measures in patients with HFpEF.
-
Eur. J. Heart Fail. · Aug 2017
Randomized Controlled TrialA novel clinical score (InterTAK Diagnostic Score) to differentiate takotsubo syndrome from acute coronary syndrome: results from the International Takotsubo Registry.
Clinical presentation of takotsubo syndrome (TTS) mimics acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and does not allow differentiation. We aimed to develop a clinical score to estimate the probability of TTS and to distinguish TTS from ACS in the acute stage. ⋯ The InterTAK Diagnostic Score estimates the probability of the presence of TTS and is able to distinguish TTS from ACS with a high sensitivity and specificity.