Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

J Clin Nurs 2020 Jul 3. Epub 2020 Jul 3.

School of Human and Health Sciences, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield, UK.

Aims And Objectives: To explore South Asians' experience of choosing and prioritising lifestyle changes during their recovery from first myocardial infarction.

Background: Coronary heart disease continues to be a leading cause of premature death globally. South Asians' suffer increased risk of coronary heart disease and have poorer outcomes following myocardial infarction compared to other ethnic groups. Read More

ESC Heart Fail 2020 Jul 2. Epub 2020 Jul 2.

Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.

Aims: Current studies indicate that melatonin can counteract renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system and sympathetic over activity in heart failure (HF) and might have a protective and repairing effect on cardiovascular injuries, skeletal muscle weakness, and metabolic abnormalities, which are common pathological processes in patients with HF. The MeHR trial (Melatonin for Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction) aims to evaluate the effect of oral melatonin on myocardial, skeletal muscle, and metabolic dysfunctions in HF, which leads to lower quality of life and increased morbidity and mortality in these patients.

Methods And Results: This is a double-blind randomized clinical trial with two parallel arms of 1:1 allocation, which recruits 90 outpatients with HF with reduced ejection fraction. Read More

Cureus 2020 May 30;12(5):e8361. Epub 2020 May 30.

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Memorial Regional Hospital / Nova Southeastern University-Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine (KPCOM), Hollywood, USA.

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a common diagnosis with a low associated mortality rate. More critical variants, such as massive PE, also known as fulminant PE, are characterized by severe hemodynamic instability and have a markedly higher mortality rate. These variants can later develop in previously low to intermediate-risk patients and precipitate cardiac arrest within hours of symptom onset. Read More

Sci Rep 2020 Jul 2;10(1):10924. Epub 2020 Jul 2.

Department of Speech, Hearing and Language Pathology, UNESP, Marilia, Brazil.

Considering that neurogenic oropharyngeal dysphagia is a prevalent condition with or without cardiac disease we should contemplate issues surrounding cardiovascular difficulties during rehabilitation. This study aims to evaluate the effects of effortful swallowing maneuver (ESM) on heart rate variability (HRV) in subjects with neurogenic oropharyngeal dysphagia. We studied 22 individuals [8 Stroke and 14 Parkinson Disease (PD) subjects aged between 41 and 75 years old] with neurogenic oropharyngeal dysphagia regardless of gender. Read More

Eur J Prev Cardiol 2020 Jul 2:2047487320939671. Epub 2020 Jul 2.

Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, UHasselt - Hasselt University, Belgium.

The role of comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation is well established in the secondary prevention of cardiovascular diseases such as coronary artery disease and heart failure. Numerous trials have demonstrated both the effectiveness as well as the cost-effectiveness of comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation in improving exercise capacity and quality of life, and in reducing cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. However, the current COVID-19 pandemic has led to closure of many cardiac rehabilitation centres in Europe resulting in many eligible patients unable to participate in the optimisation of secondary prevention and physical performance. Read More

Can J Cardiol 2020 Jun 29. Epub 2020 Jun 29.

Division of Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Toronto, Labatt Family Heart Centre, The Hospital for Sick Children, , Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Electronic address:

Background: Up to 25% of children with congenital heart disease are obese, which may have negative physiologic consequences for patients with repaired tetralogy of Fallot (rTOF).

Methods: Patients with rTOF who underwent cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) and cardiopulmonary exercise testing from 2007-2018 were reviewed. Complex rTOF patients were excluded. Read More

PLoS One 2020 2;15(7):e0235570. Epub 2020 Jul 2.

Psychology Unit, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri, IRCCS, Montescano Institute, Pavia, Italy.

Background: The association among psychological, neuropsychological dysfunctions and functional/clinical variables in Chronic Heart Failure (CHF) has been extensively addressed in literature. However, only a few studies investigated those associations in the older population.

Purpose: To evaluate the psychological/neuropsychological profile of older CHF patients, to explore the interrelation with clinical/functional variables and to identify potential independent predictors of patients' functional status. Read More

G Ital Med Lav Ergon 2020 Jun;42(2):121-123

IRCCS, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri, Milano, Italy.

Summary: Orthostatic hypotension (OH) is a disabling condition accompanying several diseases. It has increased morbidity and mortality, and limited chances of treatment. We report a case of a patient with stable ischemic heart disease and severe OH unresponsive to usual care. Read More

J Cardiovasc Transl Res 2020 Jul 1. Epub 2020 Jul 1.

Cardiac Rehabilitation Program, Shanghai Xuhui Central Hospital/Zhongshan-Xuhui Hospital, Fudan University/Shanghai Clinical Research Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 966 Middle Huaihai Road, Shanghai, 200031, China.

Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) plays an important role in cardiovascular disease prevention. Understanding the key component of CR such as training intensity and biomarkers reflecting cardiopulmonary functions may help to better target the rehabilitation program. Thirty-four consecutive patients with coronary artery disease after percutaneous coronary intervention participated in the CR program. Read More

NPJ Digit Med 2020 26;3:90. Epub 2020 Jun 26.

Department of Psychology, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR USA.

Researchers have increasingly begun to use consumer wearables or wrist-worn smartwatches and fitness monitors for measurement of cardiovascular psychophysiological processes related to mental and physical health outcomes. These devices have strong appeal because they allow for continuous, scalable, unobtrusive, and ecologically valid data collection of cardiac activity in "big data" studies. However, replicability and reproducibility may be hampered moving forward due to the lack of standardization of data collection and processing procedures, and inconsistent reporting of technological factors (e. Read More

BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil 2020 29;12:38. Epub 2020 Jun 29.

Exercise Physiology and Cardiovascular Health Lab, Division of Cardiac Prevention and Rehabilitation, University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa, Canada.

Background: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide. Notwithstanding the well-known benefits of cardiac rehabilitation (CR), adherence to CR remains low, particularly in women. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) has received specific attention as an emerging exercise-training paradigm that addresses frequently cited barriers to CR (i. Read More

SAGE Open Med 2020 20;8:2050312120933804. Epub 2020 Jun 20.

Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, Institute for Advanced Biomedical Technologies, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti and Pescara, Chieti, Italy.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is increasingly recognized as a major global health problem. Intertwined with diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and obesity, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease embraces a spectrum of liver conditions spanning from steatosis to inflammation, fibrosis, and liver failure. Compared with the general population, the prevalence of cardiovascular disease is higher among nonalcoholic fatty liver disease patients, in whom comprehensive cardiovascular risk assessment is highly desirable. Read More

Ann Med Surg (Lond) 2020 Aug 12;56:72-76. Epub 2020 Jun 12.

Heart and Vascular Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA.

Background: Postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is a complex syndrome of orthostatic intolerance that significantly affects quality of life. The relationship between functional capacity, quality of life, and age remains poorly understood in this patient population. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to assess the clinical and exercise characteristics of patients with POTS who underwent exercise stress testing as part of cardiac rehabilitation, and to evaluate the relationships between functional capacity with age and sex, as well as the relationship between functional capacity and quality of life. Read More

Int J Cardiol 2020 Apr 11. Epub 2020 Apr 11.

Heart Failure Unit, Cardiology Department, Polichirurgico Hospital G. Da Saliceto, Piacenza, Italy.

Background: The advent of beta-blockers (BBs) has revolutionized the treatment of heart failure due to left ventricular dysfunction (HFrEF), as these drugs increase survival and reduce hospitalization without a significant impact on exercise tolerance. In this new prognostic scenario, the predictive role of cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) has been questioned.

Aim: To evaluate the predictive value of CPET and "traditional" derived and calculated risk parameters in HFrEF patients on BBs. Read More

Trials 2020 Jul 1;21(1):602. Epub 2020 Jul 1.

Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China.

Background: At present, China has more than 11 million patients with stable coronary heart disease and this is becoming a major public health problem. The pathological changes of coronary heart disease can lead to dysfunction of the cardiac autonomic nervous system, which increases the risk of complications such as malignant arrhythmia (ventricular flutter, ventricular fibrillation, etc.), heart rate, systolic blood pressure, and rate-pressure product (RPP), which is highly correlated with myocardial oxygen consumption and indirectly reflects myocardial blood supply and oxygen consumption. Read More

J Altern Complement Med 2020 Jun 29. Epub 2020 Jun 29.

School of Basic and Applied Sciences, Dayananda Sagar University, Bangalore, India.

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a detrimental noncommunicable disease, which is increasing due to sedentary lifestyle and urbanization in the young population. It is further elevated with risk factors such as stress, anxiety, depression, an increase in triglycerides, dyslipidemia, hyperglycemia, hypertension, and so on, which manifests as atherosclerotic disease. Yoga-based lifestyle intervention is a noninvasive effective treatment method to control and prevent cardiac risk factors in CAD patients. Read More

Cardiovasc Drugs Ther 2020 Jun 30. Epub 2020 Jun 30.

Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, No.300 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing, 210029, China.

Background: Acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is associated with a high incidence of complications as well as a considerable hospitalization rate and economic burden. Preliminary evidence suggests that remote ischemic conditioning (RIC) is a promising non-invasive intervention that may effectively and safely reduce myocardial infarct size, subsequent cardiac events and complications, and mortality. However, RIC's cardio-protective effect remains under debate, especially for single timepoint RIC programs. Read More

Clin Interv Aging 2020 22;15:927-935. Epub 2020 Jun 22.

Clinic of Audiology and ENT, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.

Purpose: The objective of the study was to identify subjects presenting hearing deficits, specifically age-related hearing losses (ARHL), via objective assessment methodologies.

Materials And Methods: Initially, 259 subjects (165 men, 94 women) were enrolled in the study. After the application of inclusion criteria, the final number was reduced to 88 subjects (49. Read More

Eur J Prev Cardiol 2020 Jun 30:2047487320936021. Epub 2020 Jun 30.

College of Kinesiology, Shenyang Sport University, China.

Diagnostics (Basel) 2020 Jun 27;10(7). Epub 2020 Jun 27.

Unit for Screening Studies in Inherited Cardiovascular Diseases, National Institute of Cardiology, 04-628 Warsaw, Poland.

Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) is one of causes of sudden cardiac death in the young, especially in athletes. Diagnosis of CPVT may be difficult since all cardiological examinations performed at rest are usually normal, and exercise stress test-induced ventricular tachycardia is not commonly present. The identification of a pathogenic mutation in or is diagnostic in CPVT. Read More

Sensors (Basel) 2020 Jun 26;20(12). Epub 2020 Jun 26.

Mobile Health Unit, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, 3500 Hasselt, Belgium.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are often characterized by their multifactorial complexity. This makes remote monitoring and ambulatory cardiac rehabilitation (CR) therapy challenging. Current wearable multimodal devices enable remote monitoring. Read More

J Cardiopulm Rehabil Prev 2020 Jul;40(4):280-283

UNC Cardiac Rehabilitation Program, Chapel Hill, North Carolina (Ms Hinderliter); Memorial Hermann Hospital-Texas Medical Center, Houston (Ms Smalling); Department of Nutrition, Simmons University, Boston, Massachusetts (Dr Fung); Department of Nutrition, T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts (Dr Fung); UNC Department of Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health (Dr Ammerman), and Department of Medicine, School of Medicine (Dr Keyserling), UNC Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention (Dr Gizlice and Mr Johnston), Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Ms Aberegg is a consultant, Westerville, Ohio. Ms Collins is a consultant, Jamestown, New York.

Purpose: Dietary assessment is vital to inform individualized nutrition care and to evaluate the success of interventions aimed at improving diet for participants in cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programs. The purpose of this study was to assess the validity and reliability of an instrument developed to reflect current evidence-informed dietary recommendations advocated to reduce cardiovascular risk.

Methods: This study was conducted at a single CR program at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Read More

J Cardiopulm Rehabil Prev 2020 Jul;40(4):276-279

Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor (Messrs Bard and Bryant, Drs Rubenfire and Brook, and Ms Fink); Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (Dr Wang and Mss Speth and Zhou); and Department of Family Medicine, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing (Dr Morishita).

Purpose: Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) air pollution is a leading risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Even low levels common to millions of Americans pose health risks. Read More

J Cardiopulm Rehabil Prev 2020 Jul;40(4):263-267

Department of Physiotherapy in Internal Medicine, Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education, Katowice, Poland.

Purpose: The purpose of the present study was to assess the effect of hatha yoga training that was added to the standard cardiac rehabilitation (CR) program on the cardiac hemodynamic parameters and physical capacity of patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

Methods: The study included 70 male patients aged 45-65 yr with STEMI who were treated by angioplasty. Patients were randomized to standard CR (control group) versus standard CR plus hatha yoga (experimental group). Read More

J Cardiopulm Rehabil Prev 2020 Jul;40(4):249-254

Australian Centre for Heart Health, Melbourne, Australia (Drs Beauchamp and Jackson); Department of Medicine-Western Health, University of Melbourne, Australia (Dr Beauchamp); Australian Institute for Musculoskeletal Science, Melbourne, Australia (Dr Beauchamp); Monash University School of Rural Health, Warragul, Australia (Dr Beauchamp); Cardiac Rehabilitation Unit, Caulfield Hospital, Australia (Ms Sheppard and Dr Wise); Epworth Monash Rehabilitation Medicine Unit, Monash University, Australia (Dr Wise); Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia (Dr Jackson); and Centre on Behavioural Health, University of Hong Kong, China (Dr Jackson).

Purpose: Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is effective at reducing further cardiac events. However, dropout rates are high, and maintenance of behavioral change post-CR is challenging. Health literacy (HL) may influence self-management of cardiac risk, yet few studies have explored this association. Read More

J Cardiopulm Rehabil Prev 2020 Jul;40(4):224-244

Universidad de Santander, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Grupo de Investigación Fisioterapia Integral, Bucaramanga, Santander, Colombia (Drs Sánchez-Delgado and Angarita-Fonseca and Mss Camargo Sepulveda, Cardona Zapata, Franco Pico, Santos Blanco, and Jácome Hortúa); and Laboratory of Cardiology Physiology and Physical Therapy, Ribeirão Preto Medical School University of São Paulo, Brazil (Drs Sánchez-Delgado and Dutra de Souza).

Purpose: Maintenance cardiac rehabilitation (M-CR) programs aim to preserve the health benefits achieved during phase II cardiac rehabilitation (CR). The aim of this study was to establish the effects of M-CR on functional capacity, quality of life, risk factors, costs, mortality, and morbidity, among other outcomes.

Methods: Scopus, ISI Web of Science, PubMed, Embase & Embase classic OVID, and Lilacs were searched. Read More

J Cardiopulm Rehabil Prev 2020 Jul;40(4):215-223

Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, Michigan (Drs Ehrman and Keteyian); The Heart and Vascular Institute, Hartford Hospital, Hartford, Connecticut (Drs Fernandez and Thompson); VA Medical Center, Palo Alto, California (Dr Myers); and University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (Dr Oh).

Background: Some patients who participate in cardiac rehabilitation have aortic abnormalities, including abdominal and thoracic aneurysm (AAA and TAA, respectively). There is scant guidance on implementing exercise training in these individuals. This article reviews the epidemiology, diagnostic process, medical issues, and the available exercise training literature, and provides recommendations for performing regular exercise. Read More

J Cardiopulm Rehabil Prev 2020 Jul;40(4):209-214

Beaumont Health, Preventive Cardiology and Cardiac Rehabilitation, Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine, Royal Oak, Michigan (Dr Franklin); Departments of Health and Exercise Science, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, North Carolina (Dr Brubaker); Clinical Exercise Physiology Program, Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana (Dr Harber); Department of Cardiovascular Diseases, John Ochsner Heart and Vascular Institute, Ochsner Clinical School, The University of Queensland School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana (Dr Lavie); VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Cardiology, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California (Dr Myers); and Fisher Institute of Health and Well-Being, Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana (Dr Kaminsky).

Aggressive risk factor modification, including smoking cessation, blood pressure management, and more intensive efforts to control hyperlipidemia, as well as stress management training, are associated with improved cardiovascular outcomes and impressive mortality reductions. This commentary addresses these topics, with specific reference to lifestyle modification and complementary cardioprotective medications. Read More

J Cardiopulm Rehabil Prev 2020 Jun 19. Epub 2020 Jun 19.

VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (Drs Kellar, Althouse, and Forman and Mss Allsup and Delligatti); University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (Drs Althouse and Forman); and University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (Dr Forman).

Purpose: Current American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation guidelines rely primarily on cardiovascular disease (CVD)-centered metrics to stratify risk and guide care. Yet, contemporary CVD patients are often older and are more likely to have risks attributable to rudimentary functional impairments that can have disproportionate bearing on management and prognosis. In this study, we stratified risk using novel indices of physical function as well as traditional indices of CVD in patients enrolling in phase II cardiac rehabilitation (CR). Read More

J Cardiopulm Rehabil Prev 2020 Jun 19. Epub 2020 Jun 19.

Australian Centre for Heart Health, Melbourne, Australia (Drs Beauchamp and Jackson); Department of Medicine-Western Health, University of Melbourne, Australia (Dr Beauchamp); Australian Institute for Musculoskeletal Science, Melbourne, Australia (Dr Beauchamp); Monash University School of Rural Health, Warragul, Australia (Dr Beauchamp); Cardiac Rehabilitation Unit, Caulfield Hospital, Australia (Ms Sheppard and Dr Wise); Epworth Monash Rehabilitation Medicine Unit, Monash University, Australia (Dr Wise); Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia (Dr Jackson); and Centre on Behavioural Health, University of Hong Kong, China (Dr Jackson).

Purpose: Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is effective at reducing further cardiac events. However, dropout rates are high, and maintenance of behavioral change post-CR is challenging. Health literacy (HL) may influence self-management of cardiac risk, yet few studies have explored this association. Read More

J Card Fail 2020 Jun 27. Epub 2020 Jun 27.

Chair, Section of Geriatric Cardiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Division of Cardiology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri.. Electronic address:

Tex Heart Inst J 2020 Apr;47(2):165-167

Cardiovascular Institute, Instituto de Investigacion Sanitaria del Hospital Clinico San Carlos, 28040 Madrid, Spain.

Anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the opposite sinus of Valsalva with an intramural aortic course is a rare congenital anomaly with a poor prognosis. We report the case of a 14-year-old soccer player who briefly lost consciousness while sprinting. He had exertional chest pain, syncope, ischemic changes on his electrocardiogram, and elevated cardiac troponin levels. Read More

Acta Cardiol 2020 Jun 30:1-4. Epub 2020 Jun 30.

Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Limburg, Belgium.

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many cardiac rehabilitation centres to focus more on the remote delivery of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) components. This increased focus and the lessons learned from this period could enhance the implementation of telerehabilitation and increase the participation in CR in Belgium. We conducted a survey between April and May 2020 about the implementation of telerehabilitation services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Read More

Addict Behav 2020 May 31;110:106488. Epub 2020 May 31.

Department of Neurology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany. Electronic address:

Introduction: Alcohol addiction compromises cardiovascular health, possibly due to impaired control of the heart and vasculature by the autonomic nervous system. We aimed to assess the effects of National Acupuncture Detoxification Association (NADA) acupuncture on cardiovascular autonomic functions, psychiatric comorbidities and abstinence in patients addicted to alcohol.

Material And Methods: A randomized sham controlled three-arm study was undertaken in 72 patients (nine females, aged 43. Read More

Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2020 Jun 26. Epub 2020 Jun 26.

Preventive Medicine and Physical Activity Centre and Research Center, Montreal Heart Institute, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Canada; Department of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Canada; Research Centre, Institut Universitaire de Gériatrie de Montréal, Montreal, Canada.

Due to the COVID-19 epidemic, many cardiac rehabilitation (CR) services and programs are stopped. Because CR is a Class I level A recommendation with clinical benefits that are now well documented, the cessation of CR programs can lead to dramatic consequences in terms of public health. We proposed here a viewpoint of significant interest about the sudden need to develop remote home-based CR programs both in clinical research and in clinical care routine. Read More

J Cardiovasc Pharmacol Ther 2020 Jun 29:1074248420937871. Epub 2020 Jun 29.

Department of Cardiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark.

Translation of the cardioprotective effect by pharmacological and mechanical conditioning therapies into improvement of clinical outcome for the patients has been disappointing. Confounding factors like comorbidity and comedications may explain some of the loss in translation. However, the substantial improvement of outcome in disease states involving ischemia-reperfusion injury, that is, planned cardiac surgery, elective percutaneous coronary intervention, and even primary percutaneous coronary intervention for ST-segment myocardial infarction (STEMI), is the most plausible explanation for the missed demonstration of a clinical benefit. Read More

Arh Hig Rada Toksikol 2019 Sep;70(3):194-200

Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Center, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.

Obesity is associated with several chronic diseases, and previous research suggests that shift work could be associated with the risk of overweight and obesity, but the results remain inconclusive. Furthermore, only a few studies report related findings for industrial workforce with high job-related stress. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to see if such association exists in a large sample of 3063 industrial workers in a developing country. Read More

Europace 2020 Jun 29. Epub 2020 Jun 29.

Department of Cardiology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.

This paper belongs to a series of recommendation documents for participation in leisure-time physical activity and competitive sports by the European Association of Preventive Cardiology (EAPC). Together with an accompanying paper on supraventricular arrhythmias, this second text deals specifically with those participants in whom some form of ventricular rhythm disorder is documented, who are diagnosed with an inherited arrhythmogenic condition, and/or who have an implanted pacemaker or cardioverter defibrillator. A companion text on recommendations in athletes with supraventricular arrhythmias is published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology. Read More

Sci Adv 2020 Jun 17;6(25):eaba2187. Epub 2020 Jun 17.

Centre de Recherche Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont, Montréal, QC, Canada.

Transplantation with donor corneas is the mainstay for treating corneal blindness, but a severe worldwide shortage necessitates the development of other treatment options. Corneal perforation from infection or inflammation is sealed with cyanoacrylate glue. However, the resulting cytotoxicity requires transplantation. Read More

Patient Educ Couns 2020 Jun 3. Epub 2020 Jun 3.

Landspitali - the National University Hospital of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland; Faculty of Nursing, School of Health Sciences, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland.

Objective: To collect evidence on what types of technology and content are most effective in helping people with coronary heart disease (CHD) to change their modifiable cardiovascular risk factors.

Methods: A literature search was performed to find relevant studies published between 1 January 2008 and 31 December 2018 in PubMed, CINAHL, PROQUEST and Scopus databases. Selected outcomes were risk factors (exercise, diet, blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, body mass index, tobacco use). Read More

Int J Cardiol 2020 Jun 25. Epub 2020 Jun 25.

National Center for Healthcare Research and Pharmacoepidemiology, Department of Statistics and Quantitative Methods, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy; Unit of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Public Health, Department of Statistics and Quantitative Methods, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy.

Background: Patients who experience a hospital admission for acute coronary syndromes (ACS) exhibit poor prognosis over the years. The purposes of this study were to evaluate the real-world patterns of out-of-hospital practice in the management of ACS patients and to assess their impact on the risk of selected outcomes.

Methods: The cohort of 87,530 residents in the Lombardy Region (Italy) who were newly hospitalised for ACS during 2011-2015 was followed until 2018. Read More

Health Qual Life Outcomes 2020 Jun 26;18(1):202. Epub 2020 Jun 26.

Department of Medical Psychology and Medical Communication, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland.

Purpose: Extant research shows that health-related quality of life (HRQoL) differs between female and male survivors of myocardial infarction (MI), but the reasons for this are not fully understood. We aimed to examine the predictors of HRQoL in female and male survivors during the first year after MI.

Methods: At timepoints 1 and 2, the sample comprised 222 MI survivors (59 women and 163 men; mean age 53. Read More

Behav Sci (Basel) 2020 Jun 23;10(6). Epub 2020 Jun 23.

Department of Health, Exercise and Sports Sciences, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA.

The purpose of this study was to investigate if prefrontal cortex (PFC) oxygenation during incremental exercise is altered among cardiovascular disease (CVD) patients who completed 6 weeks of exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation (CR). Nineteen (male = 14, female = 5; 65.5 ± 11. Read More

Harefuah 2020 Jun;159(6):398-405

The Department of Health Systems Management, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ariel University, Ariel, Israel.

Introduction: Cardiovascular diseases, often accompanied by many background diseases, are the main cause of morbidity and mortality globally. Cardiac rehabilitation programs are a key component of secondary prevention and lack of participation or adherence lead to significantly higher adverse event rates including hospitalization and mortality. Technological means have great potential for improving health care outcomes. Read More

J Cardiovasc Imaging 2020 Jul;28(3):202-210

Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

Background: It remains unclear whether high-intensity exercises result in deformities and reduced function of cardiac muscle. This study hypothesized that participants in a six-day super-ultramarathon (622 km) with sleep deprivation would show serial changes in cardiac structure and function pre- and post-marathon and during the recovery period.

Methods: Cardiac structure and function of middle-aged male volunteers were assessed through echocardiography at pre- and post-marathon, and at 2 recovery periods with a three-day interval. Read More

Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2020 5;8:531. Epub 2020 Jun 5.

Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of death and morbidity in the world and are a major contributor to healthcare costs. Although enormous progress has been made in diagnosing CVD, there is an urgent need for more efficient early detection and the development of novel diagnostic tools. Currently, CVD diagnosis relies primarily on clinical symptoms based on molecular imaging (MOI) or biomarkers associated with CVDs. Read More

Cardiol Young 2020 Jun 25:1-8. Epub 2020 Jun 25.

Department of Neuropsychology, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, USA.

Introduction: While the overall prevalence of autism is 1.7% in the United States of America, research has demonstrated a two- to five-fold increase in CHD. The Cardiac Neurodevelopmental Outcome Collaborative recommends screening for autism from infancy through adolescence. Read More

Scand Cardiovasc J 2020 Jun 24:1-7. Epub 2020 Jun 24.

Laboratory of Pathophysiology of EXercise (LPEX), School of Kinesiology and Physical Activity Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of exercise training on ventricular repolarization dynamicity and heart rate variability in chronic heart failure patients. A total of 22 chronic heart failure patients with reduced ejection fraction in sinus rhythm were included in the study. The patients were in NYHA classes II-III with an ejection fraction of 29. Read More

Birth Defects Res 2020 Jun 24. Epub 2020 Jun 24.

Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Sichuan Vocational College of Health and Rehabilitation, Zigong, Sichuan, China.

Alcohol consumption is increasing worldwide. Many child-bearing-aged women consume alcohol during pregnancy, intentionally or unintentionally, thereby increasing the potential risk for severe congenital diseases. Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most common birth defect worldwide and can result from both hereditary and acquired factors. Read More

Dev Med Child Neurol 2020 Jun 24. Epub 2020 Jun 24.

Paediatric Department, Hospital Lillebaelt Kolding, Kolding, Denmark.

Aim: To describe the frequency and types of major congenital anomalies present in children with pre- or perinatally acquired cerebral palsy (CP), and compare clinical outcomes for children with and without anomalies.

Method: This multi-centre total population collaborative study between Surveillance of Cerebral Palsy in Europe, Australian Cerebral Palsy Register, and European Surveillance of Congenital Anomalies (EUROCAT) involved six European and three Australian regions. Data were linked between each region's CP and congenital anomaly register for children born between 1991 and 2009, and then pooled. Read More