[Electrical myostimulation: improvement of quality of life, oxygen uptake and left ventricular function in chronic heart failure]. / Elektromyostimulation: Verbesserung von Lebensqualität, Sauerstoffaufnahme und linksventrikulärer Funktion bei chronischer Herzinsuffizienz.

AIM OF THE STUDY: Regular physical activity has found to be a strategy to increase exercise capacity in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). Next to endurance training also electromyostimulation (EMS) of thigh and gluteal muscles results in an increased capacity in CHF patients. EMS therapy was either done by stimulating 8 major muscle groups involving also trunk and arm muscles (extended electromyostimulation (exEMS)) in comparison to EMS therapy limited to gluteal and leg muscles (limEMS). METHODS: 31 individuals completed the EMS training program. Stable CHF patients (NYHA class II-III) received either exEMS (18 patients, 11 males, mean age 59.8±13.8 years) or limEMS (13 patients, 10 males, 63.6±9.4 years). Training was performed for 10 weeks twice weekly for 20 min, the level of daily activity remained unchanged. Effects on exercise capacity, left ventricular function (EF - ejection fraction) and QoL (quality of life) were evaluated. RESULTS: QoL was found to be improved in all domains of the SF-36 questionnaire. In the exEMS group there was a significant improvement in the domain physical functioning (54.09±29.9 to 75.45±15.6, p=0.48) and emotional role (63.63±45.8 to 93.93±20.1 p=0.048). LimEMS group showed significant improvement in the domain vitality (37.5±6.9 to 52.8±12.5, p=0.02).There was a significant increase of oxygen uptake at aerobic threshold in all groups (exEMS: +29.6%, p<0.001; limEMS +17.5%, p<0.001). EF -increased from 36.94±8.6 to 42.36±9.1% (+14.7%, p=0.003) in the exEMS group (limEMS 37.7±3.6 to 40.3±5.9% [+6.9%, p=0.18]). CONCLUSION: EMS contributes to an improved quality of life and can improve oxygen uptake and EF in CHF. It may be an alternative therapy in CHF patients who are otherwise unable to undertake conventional forms of exercise training.

Left ventricular mass and oxygen uptake in top handball athletes.

The key challenge in athlete's screening is the distinction between abnormal and normal which is hindered by the fact that the adaptation to sports activity in endurance athletes is different to that in power athletes. Especially cardiomyopathies provoke changes in ECG and echocardiography (echo) at an early stage when clinical symptoms are absent. ECG and echo data and their relationship to fitness peculiar to top handball players have never been described. We studied 291 male first league handball players (32 Olympians/47 national players) (25.3±4.4 years). Check up consisted of ECG, spiroergometry and echocardiography. None had T-wave inversions, 3.1% showed early repolarisation abnormalities in the precordial leads. Sokolow-Lyon voltage criterion for left ventricular hypertrophy was positive in 19.3%. Spiroergometry showed a maximum oxygen uptake (peakVO2) of 50.3±7.7 ml/min/kg body weight. LVmass was increased in comparison to normal values. There was a correlation between peakVO2 and LVindex (p<0.001, r=0.341), (LVmass/peak VO2 p=0.053, r=0.125). A relationship between cardiac dimensions and peakVO2 could not be confirmed. In professional handball players early repolarisation abnormalities were less frequent and LVmass was increased when compared with soccer players. The need for normal values for different types of sports is crucial to guarantee a proper evaluation of athletes.

[Echocardiographic tissue Doppler imaging analysis of the systolic and early diastolic velocities of the mitral annulus motion in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and in top-level athletes]. / Echokardiografische Gewebedoppleranalyse der Mitralringgeschwindigkeiten bei Patienten mit hypertropher Kardiomyopathie und bei Hochleistungssportlern.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Echocardiographic Tissue Doppler Imaging (TDI) has been proposed for the differentiation of pathological left ventricular hypertrophy (e. g. hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, HCM) and physiologic left ventricular hypertrophy (athlete's heart). The aim of this study was the TDI analysis of the systolic (S') and early diastolic (E') velocities in patients (pts.) with non-obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and in top-level athletes in consideration of the previously published cut-off values (S' < 9 cm/s, E' < 9 cm/s). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Pulsed-wave TDI of the systolic and early-diastolic velocities was performed at the lateral and septal mitral annulus in the four-chamber view in 17 HCM pts (12 men; mean age 44 ± 16 years) and 80 consecutive athletes (80 men; mean age 26 ± 5 years). RESULTS: Pts with HCM showed significantly decreased systolic velocities of the septal (S' septal: 5.1 ± 1.2 cm/s versus 9.5 ± 1.5 cm/s, p < 0.001) and lateral mitral annulus (S' lateral: 6.4 ± 2.0 cm/s vs. 10.5 ± 2.1 cm/s, p < 0.001). The early diastolic velocity of the mitral annulus E' was significantly decreased in HCM, too (E' septal: 5.9 ± 2.2 cm/s vs. 13.1 ± 2.9 cm/s, p < 0.001; E' lateral: 8.2 ± 3.0 cm/s vs. 16.5 ± 3.4 cm/s, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Tissue Doppler Imaging of the systolic and early diastolic velocity of the mitral annulus might be helpful as a promising additional method for the echocardiographic differentiation between pathological and physiologic left ventricular hypertrophy.

Sudden cardiac arrest in sports - need for uniform registration: A Position Paper from the Sport Cardiology Section of the European Association for Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation.

There are large variations in the incidence, registration methods and reported causes of sudden cardiac arrest/sudden cardiac death (SCA/SCD) in competitive and recreational athletes. A crucial question is to which degree these variations are genuine or partly due to methodological incongruities. This paper discusses the uncertainties about available data and provides comprehensive suggestions for standard definitions and a guide for uniform registration parameters of SCA/SCD. The parameters include a definition of what constitutes an 'athlete', incidence calculations, enrolment of cases, the importance of gender, ethnicity and age of the athlete, as well as the type and level of sporting activity. A precise instruction for autopsy practice in the case of a SCD of athletes is given, including the role of molecular samples and evaluation of possible doping. Rational decisions about cardiac preparticipation screening and cardiac safety at sport facilities requires increased data quality concerning incidence, aetiology and management of SCA/SCD in sports. Uniform standard registration of SCA/SCD in athletes and leisure sportsmen would be a first step towards this goal.

[Lipoprotein(a): influence on cardiovascular manifestation]. / Lipoprotein(a) ­ Einfluss auf die kardiovaskuläre Manifestation.

The clinical relevance of lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) as a cardiovascular risk factor is currently underestimated. The aim of our study was to assess the influence of increased Lp(a) values on the development and severity of coronary artery disease (CAD).In our retrospective analysis of 31,274 patients, who were hospitalized for the first time, we compared patients with isolated increased Lp(a) (> 110 mg/dl) and normal Lp(a) (< 30 mg/dl), with increased Lp(a) concentrations (30-60 mg/dl, 61-90 mg/dl, 91-110 mg/dl), and in a third analysis with additionally increased LDL cholesterol and HbA1c values.Patients with high Lp(a) levels showed a significantly higher incidence of advanced CAD with a three-vessel disease being present in 50.2 vs. 25.1 %. Patients with high Lp(a) levels had a significantly more frequent history of myocardial infarction (34.6 vs. 16.6 %, p < 0.001), surgical myocardial revascularization (40.8 vs. 20.8 %, p < 0.001) and percutaneous coronary intervention (55.3 vs. 33.6 %, p < 0.001). In addition, there was a marked difference in gender to the disadvantage of male patients regarding development and severity of CAD. CAD risk (Odds ratio) was increased 5.5-fold in patients with Lp(a) ≥ 110 mg/dl. Additionally elevated LDL and HbA1c levels were not associated with increased manifestation and severity of CAD.High Lp(a) concentration leads to an increased manifestation and severity of coronary artery disease. Additional risk factors do not aggravate manifestation of CAD.

Improvement of coronary vasodilatation capacity through single LDL apheresis.

A concomitant phenomenon of hypercholesterolemia is reduced coronary vasodilatation capacity due to disturbed endothelial function. Endothelial function can be partially or completely normalized by reducing cholesterol levels through drug therapy, but it is still unclear how rapidly this desired effect is achieved. An interval of between weeks and months has been presumed. LDL apheresis (LDL-A) is capable of achieving a high-degree LDL cholesterol reduction within hours. With positron emission tomography (PET), carried out immediately before and after LDL-A, changes in coronary reserve due to this abrupt LDL cholesterol reduction could be measured both quantitatively and non-invasively. In nine patients (six women, three men) with documented coronary artery disease and hypercholesterolemia, PET was carried out immediately before and 18-20 h after LDL-A. A reduction in LDL cholesterol (from 194 +/- 38 to 81 +/- 20 mg/dl), facilitated significant improvement in myocardial blood flow (MBF) (173 +/- 63 versus 226 +/- 79 ml/min per 100 g) after pharmacologic recruitment of coronary flow capacity (dipyridamole stress), coronary flow reserve (CFR) (1.91 +/- 0.68 versus 2.48 +/- 0.68) and minimum coronary resistance (MCR) (0.61 +/- 0.18 versus 0.43 +/- 0.16 mmHg/100 g per min per ml) within 24 h. Plasma viscosity was reduced slightly, by 6.6%. Probably for the first time, a 30% improvement in coronary vasodilatation capacity could be demonstrated quantitatively and non-invasively by PET after a single LDL-A within 24 h.

Moraxella catarrhalis endocarditis: report of a case and literature review.

A 53-year-old man developed severe acute systemic illness three weeks after an upper respiratory tract infection. Serial blood cultures grew Moraxella catarrhalis. During antibiotic treatment, fever and infectious parameters disappeared, but severe aortic regurgitation developed. Aortic valve replacement was performed, during which extensive destruction of the aortic valve was noted. Endocarditis due to M. catarrhalis is very rare with, to our knowledge, only six cases having been reported to date. M. catarrhalis is a normal commensal of the upper respiratory tract, but in unpredictable circumstances can become an important pathogen. Bacteremia due to this organism therefore requires prompt treatment, as serious organ complications, including endocarditis, can occur.

Educating nurses in blood pressure measurement and hypertension control.

Today, self-measurement of blood pressure is seen as the optimal goal in improving the compliance of the hypertensive patient, but it can only be reached by using well trained medical staff. In this, the role of nurses is particularly vital. We administered a questionnaire to 77 nurses and 146 doctors to determine their levels of knowledge concerning blood pressure measurement techniques and pitfalls, and definition of hypertension. The general knowledge of both groups was insufficient. Whereas doctors showed greater medical knowledge, nurses were better at the techniques. Both were equally deficient in defining hypertension. We therefore set up a short course (3h) in blood pressure measurement to evaluate knowledge and provide further training. The course consisted of a pretest, a short training programme and a post-training test. Post-training test results showed an average improvement in defining hypertension from 5% to 85%. We conclude that short-term training courses in blood pressure measurement are needed for nurses and doctors, particularly young doctors. We also need more coverage in the medical press to stimulate interest in this vital topic.

Group exercise improves patient compliance in mild to moderate hypertension.

One of the major problems of both pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment is compliance of the patient. We attempted to reduce compliance problems by using group exercise in hypertensive patients. A group of 29 hypertensive patients (aged 54 +/- 10 years) met weekly for nearly 2 years. Each session (90-120 min) comprised four parts: endurance training, gymnastics and relaxation, education and a discussion of related problems such as nutrition and lifestyle. There was a significant decrease in systolic (9%) and diastolic (6%) blood pressures at rest and during exercise (systolic 12%), and an increased maximal work load (18%). In addition, drug treatment was substantially reduced (reduced in 56% of patients abandoned in 10% of patients). Cholesterol levels were reduced by 18%, although, during a 6-10 day nutritional report, fat made up 40% of the total calorific intake, indicating the need for individualized dietary advice. The major goal was to improve compliance and increase non-pharmacological treatment, exercise being a minor consideration which may have relevance for the treatment of hypertension.

Lipid apheresis: oxidative stress, rheology, and vasodilatation.

In the treatment of homozygous and therapy-resistant hypercholesterolemia, lipid apheresis enables not only low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol to be lowered by approximately 60%, but also oxidative stress factors to be influenced and adhesion molecules reduced. This was investigated in a group of 12 patients using the heparin-induced extracorporeal LDL precipitation (H.E.L.P.) procedure.A significant lowering of LDL cholesterol and fibrinogen leads to an improvement in rheology and endothelial function, detectable and measurable within approximately 20 h by assessing minimum coronary resistance using positron emission tomography (PET) performed in 35 patients. This effect is detectable even after the first lipid apheresis session (H.E.L.P. procedure), documented in 12 patients.Lipid apheresis appears to be the most effective procedure in the treatment of elevated lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)]. A chosen group of nine patients with selective elevated Lp(a) illustrated both the influence on endothelial dysfunction, in the shape of sharply increased minimum coronary resistance, and the reduction through lipid apheresis, indicating that Lp(a) seems to exert a similar effect on the vascular wall and vascular function as LDL cholesterol.

Importance of characteristics and modalities of physical activity and exercise in the management of cardiovascular health in individuals with cardiovascular risk factors: recommendations from the EACPR. Part II.

In a previous paper, as the first of a series of three on the importance of characteristics and modalities of physical activity (PA) and exercise in the management of cardiovascular health within the general population, we concluded that, in the population at large, PA and aerobic exercise capacity clearly are inversely associated with increased cardiovascular disease risk and all-cause and cardiovascular mortality and that a dose­response curve on cardiovascular outcome has been demonstrated in most studies. More and more evidence is accumulated that engaging in regular PA and exercise interventions are essential components for reducing the severity of cardiovascular risk factors, such as obesity and abdominal fat, high BP, metabolic risk factors, and systemic inflammation. However, it is less clear whether and which type of PA and exercise intervention (aerobic exercise, dynamic resistive exercise, or both) or characteristic of exercise (frequency, intensity, time or duration, and volume) would yield more benefit for each separate risk factor. The present paper, therefore, will review and make recommendations for PA and exercise training in the management of cardiovascular health in individuals with cardiovascular risk factors. The guidance offered in this series of papers is aimed at medical doctors, health practitioners, kinesiologists, physiotherapists and exercise physiologists, politicians, public health policy makers, and individual members of the public. Based on previous and the current literature overviews, recommendations from the European Association on Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation are formulated regarding type, volume, and intensity of PA and regarding appropriate risk evaluation during exercise in individuals with cardiovascular risk factors.

Two-dimensional strain analysis of the global and regional myocardial function for the differentiation of pathologic and physiologic left ventricular hypertrophy: a study in athletes and in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Two-dimensional strain (2DS) is a novel method to measure strain from standard two-dimensional echocardiographic images by speckle tracking, which is less angle dependent and more reproducible than conventional Doppler-derived strain. The objective of our study was to characterize global and regional function abnormalities using 2DS and strain rate analysis in patients (pts) with pathological left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) caused by non-obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), in top level athletes, and in healthy controls. The hypothetical question was, if 2DS might be useful as additional tool in differentiating between pathologic and physiologic hypertrophy in top-level athletes. We consecutively studied 53 subjects, 15 pts with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), 20 competitive top-level athletes, and a control group of 18 sedentary normal subjects by standard echocardiography according to ASE guidelines. Global longitudinal strain (GLS) and regional peak systolic strain (PSS) was assessed by 2DS in the apical four-chamber-view using a dedicated software. All components of strain were significantly reduced in pts with HCM (GLS: -8.1 ± 3.8%; P < 0.001) when compared with athletes (-15.2 ± 3.6%) and control subjects (-16.0 ± 2.8%). In general, there was no significant difference between the strain values of the athletes and the control group, but in some of the segments, the strain values of the control group were significantly higher than those in the athletes. A cut-off value of GLS less than -10% for the diagnosis of pathologic hypertrophy (HCM) resulted in a sensitivity of 80.0% and a specificity of 95.0%. The combination of TDI (averaged S', E') and 2DS (GLS) cut-off values for the detection of pathologic LVH in HCM demonstrated a sensitivity of 100%, and a specificity of 95%. Two-dimensional strain is a new simple and rapid method to measure GLS and PSS as components of systolic strain. This technique could offer a unique approach to quantify global as well as regional systolic dysfunction, and might be used as new additional tool for the differentiation between physiologic and pathologic LVH.

[Heparin-induced extracorporeal LDL precipitation (H.E.L.P.)]. / Heparininduzierte extrakorporale LDL-Präzipitation (H.E.L.P.).

The H.E.L.P procedure (heparin-induced extracorporeal LDL precipitation) is a selective and sophisticated apheresis procedure. By means of heparin and lowering the pH level, lipoproteins and fibrinogen are reduced by 50-60%. In addition to lipoprotein (a) reduction (50- 60%) adhesion molecules (ICAM- 1, VCAM-1, P selectin), which play a major role in the development and progression of atherosclerosis, are significantly lowered. Within 20 hours after LDL apheresis, positron emission tomography was able to verify an improvement of coronary vasodilation capacity. This is likely to result from a considerable reduction of LDL cholesterol and fibrinogen with a consecutive improvement of both endothelial function and rheology.

[H.E.L.P. apheresis and oxidative stress]. / H.E.L.P.-Apherese und oxidativer Stress.

LDL apheresis according to the H.E.L.P. procedure is used to treat severe hypercholesterolemia in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). It has been argued that either hypercholesterolemia or extracorporeal treatment may enhance oxidative stress. The balance between antiand pro-oxidative agents during H.E.L.P. apheresis was investigated by several groups. An increased resistance of LDL to oxidative modification after H.E.L.P. treatment is the leading result of these investigations.We studied the influence of a single H.E.L.P. apheresis on plasma concentrations of lipid peroxidation parameters in patients with heterozygous familiar hypercholesterolemia and advanced CAD enrolled in a chronic apheresis program once a week. Single H.E.L.P. apheresis reduced plasma concentrations of oxidized LDL and malondialdehyde without having an influence on cellular Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (Cu/ZnSOD). The antioxidative serum capacity declined to some degree after apheresis whereas plasma concentration of 8-isoprostan- PGF2 alpha increased.In H.E.L.P. apheresis, the antioxidative effects prevail. Oxidation of lipids and severe modification of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants during extracorporeal circulation do not counterbalance the benefit of LDL reduction.

[Metastasizing round-cell sarcoma of the right atrium]. / Metastasierendes Rundzellsarkom des rechten Vorhofs.

The chest roentgenogram in a 46-year-old woman with dyspnoea for several months revealed global cardiac enlargement. Echocardiography demonstrated a tumour in the right atrium, about 4 x 5 cm, as well as circular pericardial effusion. Septic temperatures occurred in the further course, and blood cultures grew Staphylococcus aureus. Recurrent pulmonary emboli and cerebral emboli with hemiparesis, especially of the brachiofacial region, occurred despite heparinization. Shortly after hospitalization a chest roentgenogram revealed a round shadow, about 1 cm in diameter, in the left upper lobe. The patient died in cardiogenic shock on the 16th hospital day. Autopsy showed the tumour to be a poorly differentiated round-cell sarcoma, originating from the wall of the right atrium, infiltrating the myocardium through to the epicardium and extending to the tricuspid orifice. The foramen ovale was open, making paradoxical emboli at atrial level possible.

[Acute aortic dissection (Stanford A) with pericardial tamponade--extension of the dissection after emergency pericardial puncture]. / Akute Aortendissektion (Stanford A) mit Perikardtamponade--Ausdehnung der Dissektion nach notfallmässiger Perikardpunktion.

The hemodynamic deterioration associated with acute aortic dissection (Stanford A) is caused by an acute loss of volume, acute aortic valve insufficiency, or possibly by hemopericardium with tamponade. In the latter case, a pericardiocentesis may restore hemodynamic stability. However, it is only indicated in the case of reduced perfusion of vital organs. The relief of the pericardial effusion can produce a pressure gradient between dissection and pericardial space, which again might cause hemodynamic deterioration by the blood flow into the pericardial space as well as extension of the aortic dissection. Following pericardiocentesis immediate surgery is indicated. In the present case, after a primarily effect hemodynamic stabilization by pericardiocentesis, this mechanism has very probably led to a repeated tamponade and extension of aortic dissection, which was successfully repaired by the implantation of a vascular prosthesis immediately following invasive diagnosis.

[Acute pericardial tamponade after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). A rare life threatening complication]. / Die akute Perikardtamponade nach perkutaner transluminaler Koronarangioplastie (PTCA). Eine seltene lebensbedrohliche Komplikation.

Cardiac tamponade following coronary perforation is a rare complication in conventional balloon angioplasty. In a series of 8000 dilatations we observed this complication after PTCA in 2 female patients (0.25/1000). In both cases cardiac tamponade occurred 2 h after PTCA of small, in 1 case calcified, coronary arteries during monitoring on the coronary care unit. By immediate percutaneous pericardiocentesis and subsequent drainage by a pigtail catheter we could manage the complication. One patient suffered an acute myocardial infarction 3 days after PTCA because of a subacute occlusion of the perforated vessel.

[Myocardial perfusion under H.E.L.P. -apheresis. Objectification by PET]. / Myokardiale Perfusion unter H.E.L.P.-Apherese. Objektivierung durch PET.

Due to endothelial dysfunction (ED), coronary vasodilation capacity is reduced in patients with hypercholesterolemia. Cholesterol lowering may largely restore endothelial function. Currently, it is supposed that the onset of this therapeutic effect takes weeks or even months. However, by means of LDL apheresis, a significant LDL reduction may be achieved within hours. Dynamic quantitative positron emission tomography (PET) performed before and after LDL apheresis showed that mean global myocardial perfusion can be measured at rest and after pharmacological vasodilation with dipyridamole using N13 ammonia as tracer.A total of 35 patients (11 women and 24 men) with documented coronary heart disease and hypercholesterolemia underwent PET immediately prior to LDL apheresis and 18-20 hours thereafter. In addition to the decrease in LDL cholesterol (from 175+/-50 to 77+/-25 mg/dl) and fibrinogen (from 287+/-75 to 155+/-52 mg/dl), a significant improvement of myocardial blood flow under dipyridamole (177+/-59 vs 217+/-82 ml/min 100 g, p<0.0001), of coronary flow reserve (2.10+/-0.82 vs 2.62+/-1.02, p<0.0001) and of minimal coronary resistance (0.56+/-0.20 vs 0.44+/-0.17 mmHg 100 g min/ml, p<0.0001) were achieved. Plasma viscosity decreased only by 7.8%. Within 20 hours after single LDL apheresis a 20% improvement of coronary vasodilation capacity was noninvasively demonstrated and quantified.