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Cardiovasc J Afr 2021 Jun 8;32:1-6. Epub 2021 Jun 8.

Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Sanggye-Paik Hospital, Inje University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

Background: We investigated whether the improvement in endothelial function, measured using flow-mediated dilatation (FMD), an important predictor of cardiovascular outcomes, was comparable in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) versus stable angina patients after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and a six-month cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programme.

Methods: We analysed the results from 119 patients who completed a six-month CR programme after successful PCI for stable angina ( = 50) and ACS ( = 69).

Results: After six months of CR, the results of FMD were significantly improved in both groups. Read More

Curr Probl Cardiol 2021 May 9:100888. Epub 2021 May 9.

Cardiac Rehabilitation Research Center, Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Institute, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran. Electronic address:

Pregnancy with various physiological effects on cardiovascular system, makes mothers with borderline cardiovascular reserve at significant risk for adverse events during labor and early postpartum period. Cardiac imaging modalities, have shown that Coronavrus Disease 2019 disease is associated with subclinical myocardial injury in significant numbers of infected people, even in mild or asymptomatic disease and previous healthy ones. Herein, we have discussed the cardiovascular aspects of prepartum pregnant women with Coronavrus Disease 2019, especially patients with moderate to severe illness. Read More

J Int Soc Sports Nutr 2021 Jun 14;18(1):47. Epub 2021 Jun 14.

Center for Health and Human Performance, Jacksonville University, Jacksonville, USA.

Background: Tart cherry supplementation has been shown to enhance recovery from strenuous exercise due to its antioxidant properties. The majority of these studies used tart cherry juice, with a significant calorie content. The primary purpose of this study was to assess whether powdered tart cherry extract with minimal calorie content reduces oxidative stress and enhances recovery following intense resistance exercise. Read More

Ann Rehabil Med 2021 Jun 14. Epub 2021 Jun 14.

Cheorwon Public Health Center, Cheorwon, Korea.

Objective: To investigate the feasibility of a public health center-based aerobic and resistance training program for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease in people with visual, auditory, or physical/brain impairments.

Methods: The study included 25 adults aged >40 years who lived in Cheorwon-gun in South Korea, had a disability registered for visual, auditory, or physical/brain impairments under the Disability Welfare Act, and had either known cardiovascular disease or two or more risk factors for cardiovascular disease. The program comprised four education sessions and 12 weeks of customized aerobic and strengthening exercises performed twice a week at moderate intensity, with each exercise session lasting for 1 hour. Read More

Front Public Health 2021 28;9:666442. Epub 2021 May 28.

Clinical Unit of Occupational Medicine, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy.

The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between psychological distress and taste and sense of smell dysfunctions on healthcare workers (HCW) who contracted the COVID-19 infection in the midst of the disease outbreak. Reports of sudden loss of taste and smell which persist even after recovery from COVID-19 infection are increasingly recognized as critical symptoms for COVID-19 infections. Therefore, we conducted a cross-sectional study on COVID-19 HCW ( = 104) who adhered to respond to a phone semistructured interview addressing the virus symptoms and associated psychological distress. Read More

ARYA Atheroscler 2020 Nov;16(6):306

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

ARYA Atheroscler 2020 Nov;16(6):295-300

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

Background: Premature coronary artery disease (CAD) is still prevalent worldwide and may differ in various ethnicities. Due to the presence of different ethnicities in Iran, the Iran-premature coronary artery disease (I-PAD) study aimed to determine the frequency of premature CAD and related risk factors based on each ethnicity.

Methods: In this multi-center case-control study, 4000 patients with premature CAD from ten different ethnicities who lived in different cities of Iran and underwent coronary angiography were enrolled (women aged ≤ 70 and men ≤ 60 years). Read More

ARYA Atheroscler 2020 Nov;16(6):278-283

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

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common tachyarrhythmia in patients with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and may have significant complications such as stroke. The present study aims to evaluate endothelial dysfunction in patients with lone atrial fibrillation (LAF) through flow-mediated dilation (FMD) in the brachial artery, as a non-invasive method for evaluating functional and structural markers of endothelial dysfunction.

Methods: In this case-control study, 43 patients with LAF were selected. Read More

ARYA Atheroscler 2020 Nov;16(6):263-268

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

Background: The feasibility and safety of coronary angiography (CAG) and angioplasty via trans-snuffbox approach (TSA) is still concerned; therefore, in this study, we aimed to assess possible complications occurring after TSA versus trans-radial approach (TRA).

Methods: This prospective observational study was undertaken from June 2017 till March 2018. Individuals aged at least 18 years who were admitted for CAG through upper extremity were eligible and categorized to TSA (n = 70) and TRA (n = 56) groups. Read More

J Intensive Care 2021 Jun 12;9(1):43. Epub 2021 Jun 12.

Institute of Mountain Emergency Medicine, Eurac Research, Drususallee/Viale Druso 1, I-39100, Bolzano, Italy.

Background: Target temperature management (TTM) is suggested to reduce brain damage in the presence of global or local ischemia. Prompt TTM application may help to improve outcomes, but it is often hindered by technical problems, mainly related to the portability of cooling devices and temperature monitoring systems. Tympanic temperature (T) measurement may represent a practical, non-invasive approach for core temperature monitoring in emergency settings, but its accuracy under different TTM protocols is poorly characterized. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2021 Jun;100(23):e26266

Cardiac Rehabilitation Center.

Abstract: Waon therapy (WT) has been used as a thermal therapy in chronic heart failure patients. However, its effect in patients with hypertension is unclear. This study aimed to reveal the hypotensive effect of WT in patients with hypertension. Read More

Minerva Med 2021 Jun 11. Epub 2021 Jun 11.

Department of Emergency, Zaozhuang Municipal Hospital, Zaozhuang, China -

Neth Heart J 2021 Jun 10. Epub 2021 Jun 10.

Department of Cardiology, Máxima Medical Centre, Veldhoven, The Netherlands.

Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) has evolved as an important part of the treatment of patients with cardiovascular disease. However, to date, its full potential is fairly underutilised. This review discusses new developments in CR aimed at improving participation rates and long-term effectiveness in the general cardiac population. Read More

Psychol Res Behav Manag 2021 3;14:675-685. Epub 2021 Jun 3.

Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Purpose: To estimate dental students' self-perception of mental well-being (MWB) and its effects on their clinical psychomotor skills (CPS) once they (or their family members) get infected with COVID-19.

Materials And Methods: This is a cross-sectional (n =268) study from a public dental college in Riyadh. We collected data on MWB and CPS. Read More

Semin Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2021 Jun 7. Epub 2021 Jun 7.

Division of Cardiac Surgery, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada. Electronic address:

The evidence for use of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) in the management of post-operative cardiac surgery atrial fibrillation (POAF) is limited and mostly founded on clinical trials that excluded this patient population. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials and observational studies to evaluate the hypothesis that DOACs are safe compared to warfarin for the anticoagulation of patients with POAF. We searched PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, clinicaltrials. Read More

Open Forum Infect Dis 2021 Mar 4;8(3):ofab049. Epub 2021 Feb 4.

Department of Experimental & Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.

We evaluated 100 postacute coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients a median (interquartile range) of 60 (48-67) days after discharge from the Careggi University Hospital, Italy. Eighty-four (84%) had at least 1 persistent symptom, irrespective of COVID-19 severity. A considerable number of hospital readmissions (10%) and/or infectious diseases (14%) during the postdischarge period were reported. Read More

Top Spinal Cord Inj Rehabil 2021 ;27(2):23-49

Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, MetroHealth Rehabilitation Institute, Cleveland, OH.

Acad Med 2021 Jun 8. Epub 2021 Jun 8.

Second-year medical student, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland; ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0226-5518. Second-year medical student, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland. Second-year medical student, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland. Second-year medical student, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland. Second-year medical student, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland. Second-year medical student, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland. Assistant professor, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland; ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4798-1665.

Open Heart 2021 Jun;8(1)

Health Services Research and Management, City University of London, London, UK.

Objectives: This meta-analysis aims to (1) evaluate the efficacy of physical activity interventions in heart failure and (2) to identify intervention characteristics significantly associated with the interventions' efficacy.

Methods: Randomised controlled trials reporting intervention effects on physical activity in heart failure were combined in a meta-analysis using a random-effect model. Exploratory meta-analysis was performed by specifying the general approach (eg, cardiac rehabilitation), strategies used (eg, action planning), setting (eg, centre based), mode of delivery (eg, face to face or online), facilitator (eg, nurse), contact time and behavioural change theory use as predictors in the random-effect model. Read More

J Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle 2021 Jun 9. Epub 2021 Jun 9.

Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Health, University of Witten/Herdecke, Witten, Germany.

Background: Sarcopenia, defined as loss of muscle mass, quality, and function, is associated with reduced quality of life and adverse health outcomes including disability and mortality. Electromyostimulation (EMS) has been suggested to attenuate the loss of muscle mass and function in elderly, sedentary individuals. This study aimed to investigate the effects of EMS on muscle strength and function during 4 weeks of inpatient medical rehabilitation. Read More

Turk Gogus Kalp Damar Cerrahisi Derg 2021 Apr 26;29(2):143-149. Epub 2021 Apr 26.

Department of Cardiology, Mehmet Akif Ersoy Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of cardiac rehabilitation on electrocardiographic changes in patients undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass grafting.

Methods: Between January 2016 and July 2019, a total of 625 patients (485 males, 140 females; mean age: 59.6 years; range, 50. Read More

Pak J Med Sci 2021 May-Jun;37(3):890-896

Prof. Jill Pell, MBChB, MD, FFPH. Institutes of Health & Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, United Kingdom.

Objectives: To determine the effectiveness of mobile health augmented cardiac rehabilitation (MCard) on health-related quality of life (HRQoL), clinical and behavioural outcomes in post-ACS.

Methods: A single-centre, single-blinded, two-arm randomised controlled trial is planned at Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology (AFIC), Pakistan. The duration was two years, that is from January 2019 till December 2020. Read More

Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2021 Jun 8. Epub 2021 Jun 8.

Oto-Rhino-Laryngology Surgery Department, World Hearing Center, Institute of Physiology and Pathology of Hearing, Kajetany, Warsaw, Poland.

Purpose: In clinical trials and everyday medical practice, health-related quality of life (HRQoL) measures are increasingly being used. That is, in addition to the usual biological health assessment, the impact of disease and treatment on the patient's functioning in the physical, mental, and social areas is an important parameter. The aim of this study was to assess HRQoL before and after using a cochlear implant (CI) in adults with profound hearing loss. Read More

Anatol J Cardiol 2021 Jun;25(6):407-413

Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Trakya University; Edirne-Turkey.

Objective: Recent community-based studies have identified sleep deprivation (SD) as an important modifiable risk factor for hypertension However, the underlying mechanisms linking SD to hypertension remain elusive. Thus, this study investigates blood pressure (BP) responses to cardiac autonomic stress tests in the presence of SD. Furthermore, we analyzed vascular inflammatory biomarkers as a possible underlying factor linking SD to increased BP. Read More

Lang Speech Hear Serv Sch 2021 Jun 7:1-12. Epub 2021 Jun 7.

Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngosurgery, World Hearing Center, Institute of Physiology and Pathology of Hearing, Warsaw, Poland.

Purpose The purpose of this study is to describe and assess a hearing screening program of first-grade children in Poland. The program aimed to detect hearing disorders and increase awareness among parents of hearing problems. Method A hearing screening program was conducted in all elementary schools of the biggest region in Poland. Read More

PM R 2021 06;13(6):554-562

Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine, UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA.

Eur J Prev Cardiol 2021 Jun 7. Epub 2021 Jun 7.

Department of Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy, Sahlgrenska University Hospital Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.

Aims: Participation in exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation (exCR) increases aerobic capacity and improves outcomes in patients following myocardial infarction (MI) and is therefore universally recommended. While meta-analyses consistently report that participation in exCR reduces cardiovascular mortality, there are conflicting results regarding effects on total mortality. Presently, many eligible patients do not receive exCR in clinical practice. Read More

Eur Heart J Qual Care Clin Outcomes 2021 May 12. Epub 2021 May 12.

Department of Cardiology, Falu Hospital, Åsgatan 41, 791 71 Falun, Sweden.

Aims: The quality registry SWEDEHEART covers data across the patient pathway after an acute myocardial infarction (MI), from hospital care to secondary prevention. Although cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is strongly recommended after an MI, there is still heterogeneity regarding standards, uptake, and adherence rates. The aim of the SWEDEHEART-CR registry is to provide continuous information on secondary prevention and CR performance to support the audit and development of evidence-based practice. Read More

J Am Heart Assoc 2021 Jun 5;10(12):e020804. Epub 2021 Jun 5.

Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science University of Liverpool and Liverpool Heart & Chest Hospital Liverpool United Kingdom.

Background There is limited evidence of long-term impact of exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation (CR) on clinical end points for patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). We therefore compared 18-month all-cause mortality, hospitalization, stroke, and heart failure in patients with AF and an electronic medical record of exercise-based CR to matched controls. Methods and Results This retrospective cohort study included patient data obtained on February 3, 2021 from a global federated health research network. Read More

Front Pediatr 2021 19;9:674156. Epub 2021 May 19.

Department of Cardiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States.

Survival of pediatric patients with heart failure has improved due to medical and surgical advances over the past decades. The complexity of pediatric heart transplant patients has increased as medical and surgical management for patients with congenital heart disease continues to improve. Quality of life in patients with heart failure and transplant might be affected by the impact on functional status that heart failure, heart failure complications or treatment might have. Read More