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JMIR Med Educ 2022 Jun 24;8(2):e31489. Epub 2022 Jun 24.

Canadian Network for Health Behavior Change and Promotion (CAN-Change), Montreal, QC, Canada.

Background: Training physicians to provide effective behavior change counseling using approaches such as motivational communication (MC) is an important aspect of noncommunicable chronic disease prevention and management. However, existing evaluation tools for MC skills are complex, invasive, time consuming, and impractical for use within the medical context.

Objective: The objective of this study is to develop and validate a short web-based tool for evaluating health care provider (HCP) skills in MC-the Motivational Communication Competency Assessment Test (MC-CAT). Read More

Comput Intell Neurosci 2022 14;2022:6184061. Epub 2022 Jun 14.

Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150000, China.

This study aimed to explore the clinical application of computed tomographic angiography (CTA) and standardized rehabilitation nursing in patients with coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). CTA image was segmented by reconstruction algorithm and finally assembled into a whole image. Three-dimensional reconstruction of the coronary artery was then performed. Read More

Br J Cardiol 2021 9;28(1):13. Epub 2021 Mar 9.

Programme Lead for Postgraduate Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapy Education University College London Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, 30 Guilford Street, London, WC1N 3EH.

The incremental shuttle walk test (ISWT) is a valid, reliable submaximal exercise test used in the assessment of patients prior to cardiac rehabilitation (CR). Simultaneous electrocardiogram (ECG) measurements would provide important information on the safety of the test, and adequacy of subsequent cardiac risk stratification. Risk stratification is recommended to assess patients' suitability for cardiac rehabilitation. Read More

Br J Cardiol 2020 2;27(4):38. Epub 2020 Dec 2.

Consultant Diabetes & Endocrinology Imperial College NHS Trust, Charing Cross Hospital, London, W6 8RF.

Exercise training is associated with positive health outcomes in people with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, fear of hypoglycaemia is a potential barrier to participants attending a cardiac exercise class. Therefore, we assessed the capillary blood glucose (CBG) responses to the Imperial NHS Trust cardiac exercise class. Read More

Br J Cardiol 2020 11;27(2):20. Epub 2020 Jun 11.

Consultant Cardiologist and Electrophysiologist Department of Cardiology, Northern General Hospital, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield, S5 7AU.

There is increasing evidence for the role of exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation in the management of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). However, this intervention has not yet been widely adopted within the National Health Service (NHS). We performed a feasibility study on the utilisation of an established NHS cardiac rehabilitation programme in the management of AF, and examined the effects of this intervention on exercise capacity, weight, and psychological health. Read More

Medicina (Kaunas) 2022 Jun 16;58(6). Epub 2022 Jun 16.

PRISMATICS Lab (Predictive Research in Spine/Neuromodulation Management and Thoracic Innovation/Cardiac Surgery), Poitiers University Hospital, F-86000 Poitiers, France.

Motor control, movement impairment, and postural control recovery targeted in rehabilitation could be affected by pain. The main objective of this comprehensive review is to provide a synthesis of the effect of experimental and chronic pain on postural control throughout the available literature. After presenting the neurophysiological pathways of pain, we demonstrated that pain, preferentially localized in the lower back or in the leg induced postural control alteration. Read More

J Clin Med 2022 Jun 15;11(12). Epub 2022 Jun 15.

Department of Electrocardiology and Heart Failure, Faculty of Health Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, 40-635 Katowice, Poland.

Background: Polymorphisms within the gene that encodes for coagulation factor XIII (FXIII) have been suggested to be involved in the pathogeneses of ischemic stroke (IS) and myocardial infarction (MI). The Val34Leu polymorphism is one of the most commonly analysed polymorphisms. However, studies on the role of the Val34Leu polymorphism in the aetiology of vascular diseases often show contradictory results. Read More

J Clin Med 2022 Jun 9;11(12). Epub 2022 Jun 9.

Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Insubria, 21100 Varese, Italy.

Atypical atrial flutters (AAFL) are difficult-to-manage atrial arrhythmias, yet potentially amenable to effective radiofrequency catheter ablation (CA). However, data on CA feasibility are only sparingly reported in the literature in different clinical settings, such as AAFL related to surgical correction of congenital heart disease. The aim of this review was to provide an overview of the clinical settings in which AAFL may occur to help the cardiac electrophysiologist in the prediction of the tachycardia circuit location before CA. Read More

Int J Environ Res Public Health 2022 Jun 20;19(12). Epub 2022 Jun 20.

Department of Population Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-372 Wrocław, Poland.

The comprehensive care model after myocardial infarction (CCMI, in Polish: KOS-Zawał) has been in effect continuously since October 2017. Within the bundle of services financed by the Polish National Health Fund (NHF), patients receive a diagnosis, conservative and invasive treatment, early cardiac rehabilitation and follow-up visits for 12 months. The existing model of managing patients after myocardial infarction (MI) implements all crucial aspects of care recommended by the European Society of Cardiology (ESC), emphasised many times. Read More

Int J Environ Res Public Health 2022 Jun 14;19(12). Epub 2022 Jun 14.

Department of Neurosurgery Klinikum Vest, Academic Teaching Hospital, Ruhr University Bochum Germany, 44801 Bochum, Germany.

Cardiovascular diseases are the most common causes of death, in both Poland and the world. Their development and progression are largely influenced by the lifestyle with the presence/occurrence of classic, modifiable risk factors. Among them, low physical activity plays a significant role. Read More

Diagnostics (Basel) 2022 Jun 20;12(6). Epub 2022 Jun 20.

Clinical Rehabilitation Hospital, Cardiovascular Rehabilitation Clinic, Pantelimon Halipa Street nr 14, 700661 Iaşi, Romania.

The management of patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) is integrative and multidisciplinary, in which cardiac rehabilitation (CR) plays a prognostic role in terms of functional status, quality of life, and long-term impact on morbidity and mortality. We conducted a prospective cohort study on 97 patients with PAD admitted to a single tertiary referral center. Based on a prognostic index developed to stratify long-term mortality risk in PAD patients, we divided the cohort into two groups: low and low-intermediate risk group (45 cases) and high-intermediate and high risk group (52 cases). Read More

Diagnostics (Basel) 2022 Jun 4;12(6). Epub 2022 Jun 4.

Inherited and Rare Cardiovascular Diseases Unit, Department of Traslational Medical Sciences, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Monaldi Hospital, 80131 Naples, Italy.

Thoracic aortic dilatation is a progressive condition that results from aging and many pathological conditions (i.e., connective tissue, inflammatory, shear stress disorders, severe valvular heart disease) that induce degenerative changes in the elastic properties, leading to the loss of elasticity and compliance of the aortic wall. Read More

Biomedicines 2022 May 26;10(6). Epub 2022 May 26.

Faculty of Medicine, "Iuliu Hatieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400000 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.

The global prevalence of vitamin D deficiency is more than 20%, and the main causes include insufficient intake, reduced absorption, abnormal metabolism, or resistance to its effects. The levels of serum vitamin D appear to influence cardiovascular risk, and the mechanism involved is linked to the transient outward current and the ultrarapid delayed rectifier K+ current densities, activated through the nuclear vitamin D receptor and Akt pathway. A significant number of studies have correlated vitamin D deficiency with an increased risk of developing cardiac arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. Read More

BMJ Open 2022 Jun 23;12(6):e059945. Epub 2022 Jun 23.

Clinical Exercise Physiology and Rehabilitation Research Laboratory, Physiotherapy Department, University of Thessaly School of Health Sciences, Lamia, Greece

Introduction: Exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is a beneficial tool for the secondary prevention of cardiovascular diseases with, however, low participation rates. Telerehabilitation, intergrading mobile technologies and wireless sensors may advance the cardiac patients' adherence. This study will investigate the efficacy, efficiency, safety and cost-effectiveness of a telerehabilitation programme based on objective exercise telemonitoring and evaluation of cardiorespiratory fitness. Read More

Trends Cardiovasc Med 2022 Jun 20. Epub 2022 Jun 20.

Clinical and Rehabilitation Cardiology Unit, San Filippo Neri Hospital, Rome, Italy. Electronic address:

The favorable effects of physical activity on the cardiovascular system have been well described in scientific literature. Physical activity reduces cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in both healthy subjects and in patients with cardiovascular disease. However, different intensity levels of physical activity have a different impact on the cardiovascular system. Read More

Egypt Heart J 2022 Jun 23;74(1):51. Epub 2022 Jun 23.

Department of Cardiology, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.

Background: Improvement of functional capacity and mortality reduction in post-MI patients were found to be associated with regular exercise training. The cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) is considered the most accurate non-invasive modality in quantitative assessment of left ventricular (LV) volumes and systolic functions. Our main objective was to investigate the impact of exercise training on LV systolic functions in patients post anterior MI using CMR. Read More

J Cardiovasc Dev Dis 2022 Jun 18;9(6). Epub 2022 Jun 18.

Department of Cardiology, Fukuoka University Hospital, Fukuoka 814-0180, Japan.

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has restricted people's activities and necessitated the discontinuation of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programs for outpatients. In our hospital, CR for outpatients had to be discontinued for 3 months. We investigated the influence of this discontinuation of CR on physical activity, body composition, and dietary intake in cardiovascular outpatients. Read More

J Cardiovasc Dev Dis 2022 Jun 12;9(6). Epub 2022 Jun 12.

Department of Rehabilitation, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Obu 474-8511, Japan.

We examined whether adding robot-supported balance exercises to cardiac rehabilitation improves the ability to balance in older adults with cardiovascular disease (CVD). We conducted a prospective study in 52 older adults who had been hospitalized for worsening CVD. Once weekly for four months, for a total of sixteen sessions as outpatients, the subjects used a Balance Exercise Assist Robot (BEAR) to perform balance exercises and an ergometer for aerobic exercises. Read More

J Cardiovasc Dev Dis 2022 Jun 6;9(6). Epub 2022 Jun 6.

Institute of Sports Medicine, Sport e Salute, 00197 Rome, Italy.

: The "FIDE Project" (Fitness Implantable DEvice) was organized by the Institute of Sports Medicine and Science and the World Society of Arrhythmias with the aim of demonstrating the usefulness of exercise training in improving functional capacity in patients with implantable cardiac devices. : Thirty sedentary patients were selected for the project (25 males and 5 females), with a mean age of 73 ± 5 years (range 44-94 years). Twenty-five were implanted with a Pacemaker (PM) and five with an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD). Read More

J Cardiovasc Dev Dis 2022 Jun 5;9(6). Epub 2022 Jun 5.

Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy.

In chronic heart failure (CHF), abnormalities in cardiac autonomic control, characterized by sympathetic overactivity, contribute to the progression of the disease and are associated with an unfavorable prognosis. Assessing cardiac autonomic status is clinically important in the management of patients with CHF. To this aim, heart rate variability (HRV) analysis has been extensively used as a non-invasive tool for assessing cardiac autonomic regulation, and has been shown to predict the clinical outcome in patients with CHF. Read More

J Cardiovasc Dev Dis 2022 Jun 1;9(6). Epub 2022 Jun 1.

Institute of Physiotherapy and Sport Science, Faculty of Health Science, University of Pécs, 7621 Pécs, Hungary.

Background: In the rehabilitation of patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and after myocardial infarction (MI), lifestyle modifications-exercise and nutritional therapy, smoking cessation, stress management-are essential and have a major, long-term impact on the overall health of patients.

Methods: After MI and acute primary care, a lifestyle medicine team (medical doctors, dietitian, exercise physiologist) supervised the therapy of a 40 year-old male patient for 12 months. The program included assessments, regular medical controls, personalized diet, and exercise therapy monitored by a heart rate watch. Read More

Int J Telerehabil 2022 3;14(1):e6456. Epub 2022 Jun 3.

Unidade De Ensino Superior De Feira De Santana, Bahia, Brazil.

Introduction: Heart failure (HF) is a syndrome that implies several physical and emotional changes that compromise quality of life. Telerehabilitation is a strategy developed with the aim of involving and motivating cardiac patients to participate in cardiac rehabilitation in their daily routine at home.

Objective: To review the impact of telerehabilitation on the quality of life of patients with HF. Read More

JAMA Cardiol 2022 Jun 22. Epub 2022 Jun 22.

Warwick Clinical Trials Unit, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom.

Importance: Guidelines recommend that cardiac rehabilitation (CR) exercise training should not start until 6 weeks after sternotomy, although this is not evidence based. Limited data suggest that starting earlier is not detrimental, but clinical trials are needed.

Objective: To compare the effectiveness and safety of CR exercise training started either 2 weeks (early CR) or 6 weeks (usual-care CR) after sternotomy. Read More

J Am Heart Assoc 2022 Jun 22:e025591. Epub 2022 Jun 22.

Department of Medicine University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine Pittsburgh PA.

Background Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is associated with improved cardiovascular outcomes. Racial and ethnic differences in CR have been identified, but whether income may attenuate these disparities remains unknown. We evaluated (1) racial/ethnic differences in CR participation in a contemporary sample of insured US adults, and (2) assessed how household income modifies associations between race or ethnicity and CR participation. Read More

Chem Biol Drug Des 2022 Jun 22. Epub 2022 Jun 22.

Emergency Department, Meizhou People's Hospital; Guangdong Pharmaceutical University.

Background: MicroRNAs (miRs) are implicated in heart failure (HF). Thereby, we aim to uncover the role of miR-144-3p.

Methods: Doxorubicin (Dox)-induced HF model was constructed in rats and cardiomyocytes H9C2, and the cardiac function was determined using ultrasound cardiogram. Read More

Int Immunopharmacol 2022 Jul 2;108:108905. Epub 2022 Jun 2.

Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Jiangxi Academy of Clinical Medical Sciences, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, China; Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Basic Pharmacology, Nanchang University School of Pharmaceutical Science, Nanchang 330006, China. Electronic address:

Studies have confirmed that the heart is the main target organ of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) attacks, and 14-3-3γ and protein kinase C epsilon (PKCε) are the endogenous protective proteins. Puerarin (Pue) is the major bioactive ingredient isolated from the root of Pueraria lobata. It possesses many pharmacological properties, which has been widely used in the treatment and adjuvant therapy of cardio- and cerebrovascular diseases and cancer, etc. Read More

Trials 2022 Jun 21;23(1):522. Epub 2022 Jun 21.

1st Chair and Department of Cardiology, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-091, Warsaw, Poland.

Background: Treatment of acute myocardial infarction has been the subject of studies over the past years. However, the initial months after myocardial infarction are crucial from the perspective of the patient's prognosis. It is extremely important to take care of all cardiovascular risk factors and undergo a full rehabilitation program. Read More

BMJ Open 2022 Jun 21;12(6):e060924. Epub 2022 Jun 21.

DEFACTUM, Central Denmark Region, Aarhus, Denmark.

Objectives: High socioeconomic status (SES) has been linked to high referral for cardiac rehabilitation (CR). However, the impact of SES on CR utilisation from enrolment to completion is unclear. The objective of this study was to examine whether indicators of SES are associated with not taking up and dropout from CR. Read More

JAMA Netw Open 2022 Jun 1;5(6):e2217704. Epub 2022 Jun 1.

Division of Cardiology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora.

Importance: Up to 60% of patients in the US receive a stress test within 2 years of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), prompting concerns about the possible overuse of stress testing.

Objective: To examine the proportion of patients who underwent stress testing within 2 years of elective PCI, proportion of patients who had symptoms that were consistent with coronary artery disease (CAD), timing of stress testing, and site-level variation in stress testing among symptomatic and asymptomatic patients.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This cohort study used administrative claims data and clinical records from the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Clinical Assessment, Reporting, and Tracking program. Read More

Ann Indian Acad Neurol 2008 Jan;11(Suppl 1):S64-S78

Department of Neurology, Sarah Hospital, The Sarah network of Rehabilitation Hospitals, Brasilia DF, Brazil.

Background: Stroke subtypes and etiology may differ between developing and developed countries. Infections are a relatively common cause of stroke in tropical regions.

Objective: To review the main infectious diseases associated with stroke. Read More