Effects of Exercise on Arrhythmia (and Viceversa): Lesson from the Greek Mythology.

Exercise represents an important lifestyle factor in all human ages when felt in harmony with other psycho-physical and environmental variables that affect individual life (e. g. quality of interest, affections, environment, diet and food). Consequently, in addition to the training level, the amount, intensity and modality of exercise (ana-/aerobic, isometric/isotonic), need to be personalized, considering the underlying diseases, which may benefit from it or worsening.Greek mythology gives us good examples of the exercise concept's evolution.From Discus-thrower to Spear-carrier the idea of physical activity is more effectively expressed. The Myron Discobolus displays the enduring pattern of athletic energy translated into the dynamic force given by the exercise. In Doryphoros instead, the physical activity is oriented to the achievement of the required psyco-physical harmony, who's the concept is aimed of being expressed by the sculpture.As outlined below, even in the field of arrhythmia, scientific evidence as well as clinical experience, supports the same concept: physical activity may be important while safely managed and personalized.

Changed outcomes of fetuses with congenital heart disease: new Italian Multicentre study.

OBJECTIVES: To analyse the outcomes of fetuses with congenital heart disease between 2000 and 2005 in comparison to a previous multicentre study regarding the period 1983-1996. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: Data of seven centres were prospectively collected, the inclusion criteria being a confirmed fetal diagnosis after birth or at autopsy and a known follow-up, for at least 6 months after birth. Data of 649 fetuses, median age at diagnosis 24 weeks' gestation (15-37), 340/649 (52.4%) diagnosed before 24 weeks, were analysed. RESULTS: Sixty seven and 59 cases had chromosomal or extracardiac anomalies (10.3 and 9.1%). Termination of pregnancy was chosen in 21.6% of cases versus 28.9% in the previous study, being significantly lower in cases with early diagnosis (P <0.001). Out of 509 fetuses continuing pregnancy, 23 died in utero (4.5%) and 110 (21.1%) postnatally, versus 43% in the previous study (P <0.0017). Total surgical/postprocedure death occurred in 20.6% (59/287 infants) versus 37% previously (P <0.003), 67 infants being premature and 35 with associated chromosomal or extracardiac anomalies. The current overall mortality rate was higher in cases with chromosomal or extracardiac anomalies (59.5 and 51.35%, respectively, whereas it was 20.1% in isolated congenital heart disease). Overall current survival was 376 of 509 (73.9%) versus 45% in the previous study (P <0.0001). CONCLUSION: Our data show a reduced overall and surgical mortality, with respect to our previous study, resulting from resulting from an improved perinatal management and treatment of affected fetuses in the more recent era.