Gerhard Schuler | Universität Leipzig (original) (raw)

Papers by Gerhard Schuler

Research paper thumbnail of QRS complex distortion (Grade 3 ischaemia) as a predictor of myocardial damage assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and clinical prognosis in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction

European heart journal cardiovascular Imaging, Jan 9, 2015

Distortion of the terminal portion of the QRS complex (so-called Grade 3 ischaemia, G3I) has been... more Distortion of the terminal portion of the QRS complex (so-called Grade 3 ischaemia, G3I) has been associated with adverse outcomes in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) populations. However, the correlation of G3I with infarct size and microvascular injury as defined by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) is not well defined. Aim of this study was to assess the relation of G3I with myocardial damage as assessed by CMR and clinical outcomes in STEMI patients. We analysed the ECGs of 572 consecutive STEMI patients regarding the presence or absence of G3I. CMR was performed within 1 week after infarction for comprehensive assessment of myocardial damage using a standardized protocol. The primary clinical endpoint was major adverse cardiac events (MACE) within 12 months after infarction. G3I was present in 186 (32%) patients. The presence of G3I was associated with larger infarct size (P = 0.01), the presence of late microvascular obstruction (P = 0.05), the presence of intramyocar...

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Research paper thumbnail of Chronic heart failure and aging - effects of exercise training on endothelial function and mechanisms of endothelial regeneration: Results from the Leipzig Exercise Intervention in Chronic heart failure and Aging (LEICA) study

European journal of preventive cardiology, Jan 26, 2015

A reduction in number and function of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) occurs in both physiolo... more A reduction in number and function of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) occurs in both physiologic aging and chronic heart failure (CHF). We assessed whether disease and aging have additive effects on EPCs or whether beneficial effects of exercise training are diminished in old age. We randomized 60 patients with stable CHF and 60 referent controls to a training or a control group. To detect possible aging effects we included subjects below 55 (young) and above 65 years (older). Subjects in the training group exercised four times daily at 60% to 70% of VO2max for four weeks under supervision. At baseline and after the intervention the number and function of EPCs were assessed. As compared with young referent controls, older referent controls showed at baseline a reduced EPC number (young: 190 ± 37 CD34/KDR positive cells/ml blood; older: 131 ± 26 CD34/KDR positive cells/ml blood; p < 0.05) and function (young: 230 ± 41 migrated cells/1000 plated cells; older: 185 ± 28 cells/100...

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Research paper thumbnail of Comprehensive Prognosis Assessment by CMR Imaging After ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction

Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 2014

Although the prognostic value of findings from cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging has been ... more Although the prognostic value of findings from cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging has been established in single-center center studies in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), a large multicenter investigation to evaluate the prognostic significance of myocardial damage and reperfusion injury is lacking. The aim of this study was to assess the prognostic impact of CMR in an adequately powered multicenter study and to evaluate the most potent CMR predictor of hard clinical events in a STEMI population treated by primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We enrolled 738 STEMI patients in this CMR study at 8 centers. The patients were reperfused by primary PCI &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;12 h after symptom onset. Central core laboratory-masked analyses for quantified left ventricular (LV) function, infarct size (IS), microvascular obstruction (MO), and myocardial salvage were performed. The primary clinical endpoint of the study was the occurrence of major adverse cardiac events. Patients with cardiovascular events had significantly larger infarcts (p &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; 0.001), less myocardial salvage (p = 0.01), a larger extent of MO (p = 0.009), and more pronounced LV dysfunction (p &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; 0.001). In a multivariate model that included clinical and other established prognostic parameters, MO remained the only significant predictor in addition to the TIMI (Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction) risk score. IS and MO provided an incremental prognostic value above clinical risk assessment and LV ejection fraction (c-index increase from 0.761 to 0.801; p = 0.036). In a large, multicenter STEMI population reperfused by primary PCI, CMR markers of myocardial damage (IS and especially MO) provide independent and incremental prognostic information in addition to clinical risk scores and LV ejection fraction. (Abciximab i.v. Versus i.c. in ST-elevation Myocardial Infarction [AIDA STEMI]; NCT00712101).

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Research paper thumbnail of Assessment of acute changes in ventricular volumes, function, and strain after interventional edge-to-edge repair of mitral regurgitation using cardiac magnetic resonance imaging

European heart journal cardiovascular Imaging, Jan 5, 2015

Whereas haemodynamic and echocardiographic studies suggest benefits for left ventricular (LV) fun... more Whereas haemodynamic and echocardiographic studies suggest benefits for left ventricular (LV) function and cardiac output following reduction in LV preload by interventional edge-to-edge repair for mitral regurgitation (MR), there is limited data on volumetric and functional LV and right ventricular (RV) changes using cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging. Patients with moderate to severe MR and high surgical risk underwent MitraClip™-implantation and CMR imaging before and within 7 days after the procedure. In addition to volumetric and flow studies, myocardial feature tracking (FT) technology for quantification of myocardial strain was applied. Twenty patients (age: 76 ± 8 years) with functional (n = 15) or degenerative MR (n = 5) with a mean logistic Euroscore I of 33 ± 16 underwent both successful MitraClip™ implantation and CMR imaging. MR fraction (36 ± 10 vs. 19 ± 12%; P < 0.001) and LV end-diastolic volume (115 ± 36 vs. 105 ± 41 mL/m(2); P = 0.002) decreased significan...

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Research paper thumbnail of Prognostic impact of established and novel renal function biomarkers in myocardial infarction with cardiogenic shock: A biomarker substudy of the IABP-SHOCK II-trial

International Journal of Cardiology, 2015

In cardiogenic shock (CS) renal dysfunction is an important parameter of inadequate end-organ per... more In cardiogenic shock (CS) renal dysfunction is an important parameter of inadequate end-organ perfusion and an independent predictor of adverse outcome. Early detection of renal dysfunction is therefore important, and novel biomarkers such as Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin (NGAL), Kidney Injury Molecule 1 (KIM1) and Cystatin C (CysC) have been suggested. However, in high-risk CS patients their role for assessing renal injury has not yet been investigated in comparison to the most widely used serum creatinine. This predefined substudy included 190 patients of the randomized Intraaortic Balloon Pump in Cardiogenic Shock II (IABP-SHOCK II)-trial. Blood samples were collected directly during primary percutaneous coronary intervention, one day and two days after randomization. The primary endpoint for outcome assessment was 1year mortality. Creatinine, NGAL and KIM-1 were significantly higher in non-survivors in comparison to survivors over time in ANOVA (p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;0.001; p=0.002 and p=0.04, respectively). In contrast, CysC levels were not associated with the primary endpoint (p=0.15). Receiver operator characteristics revealed that creatinine at any time point had the best predictive value for 1year mortality. This was also true when comparing creatinine to different equations for glomerular filtration rate. In multivariable Cox-regression analysis creatinine remained the only significant independent predictor of kidney biomarkers of time to death during the first year. Assessment of novel biomarkers such as CysC, NGAL and KIM-1 or calculation of glomerular filtration rate provide no additional prognostic information in patients with CS complicating acute myocardial infarction in comparison to creatinine.

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Research paper thumbnail of Randomized Sham-Controlled Trial of Renal Sympathetic Denervation in Mild Resistant Hypertension

Hypertension, Jan 30, 2015

Few data are available with regard to the effectiveness of renal sympathetic denervation in patie... more Few data are available with regard to the effectiveness of renal sympathetic denervation in patients with resistant hypertension yet only mildly elevated blood pressure (BP). Patients with resistant hypertension and slightly elevated BP (day-time systolic pressure, 135-149 and diastolic pressure, 90-94 mm Hg on 24-hour ambulatory measurement) were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to renal sympathetic denervation with the Symplicity Flex Catheter (Medtronic) or an invasive sham procedure. The primary efficacy end point was the change in 24-hour systolic BP at 6 months between groups in the intention to treat population. A total of 71 patients underwent randomization. Baseline day-time systolic BP was 144.4±4.8 mm Hg in patients assigned to denervation and 143.0±4.7 mm Hg in patients randomized to the sham procedure. The mean change in 24-hour systolic BP in the intention to treat cohort at 6 months was -7.0 mm Hg (95% confidence interval, -10.8 to -3.2) for patients undergoing denervation a...

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Research paper thumbnail of Peri-operative results and complications in 15,964 transcatheter aortic valve implantations from the German Aortic valve RegistrY (GARY)

Journal of the American College of Cardiology, Jan 10, 2015

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (T-AVI) has evolved into a routine procedure with good ou... more Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (T-AVI) has evolved into a routine procedure with good outcomes in high-risk patients. To evaluate the complication rates of T-AVI based on prospective data from the German aortic valve registry (GARY). From 2011 to 2013 a total of 15,964 T-AVI procedures were registered. We evaluated the total cohort for severe vital complications (SVC: death on the day of intervention, conversion to sternotomy, acute PCI, low cardiac output requiring mechanical support, cardiac tamponade requiring treatment, aortic dissection, annular rupture), technical complications of the procedures (TCO: repositioning or retrieval of the valve prosthesis, valve-in-valve implantation, embolization of the prosthesis, closure of a paravalvular leak) and other complications (aortic regurgitation, new-onset pacemaker implantation, stroke, major vascular complications, and major bleeding). The mean patient age was 81±6 years, 54% were female, median-logistic Euroscore I was 18...

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Research paper thumbnail of Percutaneous left atrial appendage closure: Technical aspects and prevention of periprocedural complications with the watchman device

World journal of cardiology, Jan 26, 2015

Transcatheter closure of the left atrial appendage has been developed as an alternative to chroni... more Transcatheter closure of the left atrial appendage has been developed as an alternative to chronic oral anticoagulation for stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation, and as a primary therapy for patients with contraindications to chronic oral anticoagulation. The promise of this new intervention compared with warfarin has been supported by several, small studies and two pivotal randomized trial with the Watchman Device. The results regarding risk reduction for stroke have been favourable although acute complications were not infrequent. Procedural complications, which are mainly related to transseptal puncture and device implantation, include air embolism, pericardial effusions/tamponade and device embolization. Knowledge of nature, management and prevention of complications should minimize the risk of complications and allow transcatheter left atrial appendage closure to emerge as a therapeutic option for patients with atrial fibrillation at risk for cardioembolic str...

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Research paper thumbnail of Comparison of sirolimus-eluting stenting with minimally invasive bypass surgery for stenosis of the left anterior descending coronary artery: 7-year follow-up of a randomized trial

JACC. Cardiovascular interventions, 2015

The aim of this analysis was to assess the 7-year long-term safety and effectiveness of a randomi... more The aim of this analysis was to assess the 7-year long-term safety and effectiveness of a randomized comparison of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with sirolimus-eluting stents (SES) versus minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass (MIDCAB) surgery for the treatment of isolated proximal left anterior descending lesions. Long-term follow-up data comparing PCI by SES and MIDCAB surgery for isolated proximal left anterior descending lesions are sparse. Patients were randomized either to PCI with SES (n = 65) or MIDCAB (n = 65). Follow-up data were obtained after 7 years with respect to the primary composite endpoint of death, myocardial infarction, and target vessel revascularization. Angina was assessed by the Canadian Cardiovascular Society classification and quality of life with Short Form 36 and MacNew quality of life questionnaires. Follow-up was conducted in 129 patients at a median time of 7.3 years (interquartile range: 5.7, 8.3). There were no significant diffe...

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Research paper thumbnail of The role of the heart team in complicated transcatheter aortic valve implantation: a 7-year single-centre experience

European journal of cardio-thoracic surgery : official journal of the European Association for Cardio-thoracic Surgery, Jan 13, 2014

European guidelines recommend to perform transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) within a ... more European guidelines recommend to perform transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) within a multidisciplinary heart team. However, there is a strong drive-despite existing guidelines-to perform TAVI outside of specialized centres. The aim of this study was to clarify the necessity of on-site cardiac surgery by providing a clear insight into the complications during/after TAVI that needed surgical management. A total of 2287 (1523 transfemoral, 752 transapical and 12 transaortic) patients, with a mean age of 84.5 ± 5.3 years, and a mean log EuroSCORE of 21.7 ± 16.3, of which 205 were female (84%), underwent TAVI since February 2006 at our institution. All procedure-related complications that required surgical interventions, whether immediate or delayed but within the initial hospital stay, were recorded and retrospectively analysed. Out of this cohort, 245 (10.7%) patients required surgical treatment due to major complications. A total of 42 patients (1.8%) underwent conversion ...

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Research paper thumbnail of Frequency and significance of myocardial bridging and recurrent segment of the left anterior descending coronary artery in patients with takotsubo cardiomyopathy

The American journal of cardiology, Jan 15, 2014

Despite intensive research efforts, the causative mechanisms of takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TC) are... more Despite intensive research efforts, the causative mechanisms of takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TC) are still unknown. Recently, morphologic characteristics of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) have been proposed as a potential pathophysiological substrate. Hence, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence of myocardial bridging and LAD recurrent segments in a large cohort of patients with TC. A total of 161 patients with TC were matched for age and gender with 161 controls without coronary artery or valvular heart disease. Myocardial bridging was diagnosed according to indirect signs in coronary angiography. Furthermore, the LAD was evaluated regarding parts of the vessel outreaching the left ventricular apex (LAD recurrent segment). The prevalence of myocardial bridging was similar in the TC and control groups (11.8% vs 6.8%, p = 0.18). Any part of the LAD outreaching the left ventricular apex was observed in 55.6% of patients with TC compared with 35.4...

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Research paper thumbnail of Treatment of a failing St. Jude Medical Trifecta by Medtronic Corevalve Evolut valve-in-valve implantation

JACC. Cardiovascular interventions, 2014

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Research paper thumbnail of Heart leaflet technology valve

EuroIntervention, 2013

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Research paper thumbnail of Impact of Long-Term Statin Pretreatment on Myocardial Damage in ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction (from the AIDA STEMI CMR Substudy)

The American Journal of Cardiology, 2014

Nonrandomized studies suggested lower mortality rates with statin pretreatment in patients with a... more Nonrandomized studies suggested lower mortality rates with statin pretreatment in patients with acute ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). However, clinical data are still inconclusive and the mechanisms of these presumed beneficial effects require further exploration. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging offers the possibility of studying a variety of markers of myocardial damage and reperfusion injury after myocardial infarction. The aim of this study was to assess a possible link of statin pretreatment with myocardial damage in acute STEMI. The multicenter Abciximab i.v. versus i.c. in ST-elevation Myocardial Infarction CMR substudy enrolled 795 consecutive patients with acute STEMI who underwent primary angioplasty within 12 hours of symptom onset. CMR studies assessing left ventricular ejection fraction, infarct size, microvascular obstruction, area at risk, and myocardial salvage index were performed in a median of 3 days after the clinical event. We performed a retrospective analysis to evaluate the impact of statin pretreatment on myocardial damage. Information on statin pretreatment was available in 791 of 795 patients (99%). Of these, 122 (15%) had long-term statin pretreatment. CMR results showed no significant differences in the area at risk, left ventricular ejection fraction, infarct size, microvascular obstruction, and myocardial salvage index between patients with and without statin pretreatment. Furthermore, no differences in short- and long-term outcomes could be observed. In conclusion, in this CMR study, statin pretreatment in patients with STEMI was not associated with lesser myocardial damage.

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Research paper thumbnail of The German Aortic Valve Registry: 1-year results from 13,680 patients with aortic valve disease

European journal of cardio-thoracic surgery : official journal of the European Association for Cardio-thoracic Surgery, 2014

The German Aortic Valve Registry (GARY) seeks to provide information on a real-world, all-comers ... more The German Aortic Valve Registry (GARY) seeks to provide information on a real-world, all-comers basis for patients undergoing aortic valve interventions. This registry comprises patients undergoing the complete spectrum of transcutaneous and conventional surgical aortic valve interventions. The aim of this study was to use the GARY registry to evaluate conventional and catheter-based aortic valve interventions in several risk groups. A total of 13 860 consecutive patients undergoing intervention for aortic valve disease [conventional aortic valve replacement (AVR) or transvascular/transapical TAVR (TV-/TA-TAVR)] were enrolled in 78 German centres in 2011. Baseline, procedural and outcome data, including quality of life, were acquired up to 1 year post-intervention. Vital status at 1 year was known for 98.1% of patients. The 1-year mortality rate was 6.7% for conventional AVR patients (n = 6523) and 11.0% for patients who underwent AVR with coronary artery bypass grafting (n = 3464)...

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Research paper thumbnail of Diaphragm muscle weakness in mice is early-onset post-myocardial infarction and associated with elevated protein oxidation

Journal of Applied Physiology, 2014

Heart failure induced by myocardial infarction (MI) causes diaphragm muscle weakness, with elevat... more Heart failure induced by myocardial infarction (MI) causes diaphragm muscle weakness, with elevated oxidants implicated. We aimed to determine whether diaphragm muscle weakness is 1) early-onset post-MI (i.e., within the early left ventricular remodeling phase of 72 h); and 2) associated with elevated protein oxidation. Ligation of the left coronary artery to induce MI (n = 10) or sham operation (n = 10) was performed on C57BL6 mice. In vitro contractile function of diaphragm muscle fiber bundles was assessed 72 h later. Diaphragm mRNA and protein expression, enzyme activity, and individual carbonylated proteins (by two-dimensional differential in-gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry) were subsequently assessed. Infarct size averaged 57 ± 1%. Maximal diaphragm function was reduced (P &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; 0.01) by 20% post-MI, with the force-frequency relationship depressed (P &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; 0.01) between 80 and 300 Hz. The mRNA expression of inflammation, atrophy, and regulatory Ca(2+) proteins remained unchanged post-MI, as did the protein expression of key contractile proteins. However, enzyme activity of the oxidative sources NADPH oxidase and xanthine oxidase was increased (P &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; 0.01) by 45 and 33%, respectively. Compared with sham, a 57 and 45% increase (P &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; 0.05) was observed in the carbonylation of sarcomeric actin and creatine kinase post-MI, respectively. In conclusion, diaphragm muscle weakness was rapidly induced in mice during the early left ventricular remodeling phase of 72 h post-MI, which was associated with increased oxidation of contractile and energetic proteins. Collectively, these findings suggest diaphragm muscle weakness may be early onset in heart failure, which is likely mediated in part by posttranslational oxidative modifications at the myofibrillar level.

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Research paper thumbnail of Letter to the Editor: Intraaortic balloon counterpulsation in acute myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock: Design and rationale of the Intraaortic Balloon Pump in Cardiogenic Shock II (IABP-SHOCK II) trial

American Heart Journal, 2015

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Research paper thumbnail of Reprint of "Intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation--basic principles and clinical evidence

Vascular pharmacology, 2014

Intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) counterpulsation has been the most widely used left ventricular ... more Intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) counterpulsation has been the most widely used left ventricular assist device for nearly five decades. Due to diastolic inflation and systolic deflation, coronary blood flow is increased and afterload decreased translating into augmentation of oxygen supply and lowering of oxygen demand. However, IABP may be associated with serious complications, including major bleeding, stroke, local and systemic infections and vascular complications. These might counterbalance the potential beneficial hemodynamic effects. In clinical routine, IABP is mainly used in high-risk patients with acute myocardial infarction, especially when complicated by cardiogenic shock. Further, prophylactic IABP use is frequently performed in patients at high risk for hemodynamic instability undergoing elective percutaneous coronary intervention or coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Current evidence, however, does not fully support routine use of IABP in these settings. This revie...

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Research paper thumbnail of Childhood Obesity

JACC: Cardiovascular Imaging, 2014

The aim of our study was to assess geometric and functional changes of the heart in obese compare... more The aim of our study was to assess geometric and functional changes of the heart in obese compared with nonobese children and adolescents. Obesity in children and adolescents has increased over the past decades and is considered a strong risk factor for future cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Obesity has been associated with myocardial structural alterations that may influence cardiac mechanics. We prospectively recruited 61 obese (13.5 ± 2.7 years of age, 46% male sex, SD score body mass index, 2.52 ± 0.60) and 40 nonobese (14.1 ± 2.8 years of age, 50% male sex, SD score body mass index, -0.33 ± 0.83) consecutive, nonselected Caucasian children and adolescents. A standardized 2-dimensional (2D) echocardiography and 2D speckle-tracking analysis was performed in all children. Furthermore, blood chemistry including lipid and glucose metabolism was assessed in all children. Compared with nonobese children, blood pressure, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and parameters of glucose metabolism were significantly increased in obese children, whereas high-density lipoprotein cholesterol was significantly lower. Compared with nonobese children, obese children were characterized by enlarged left- and right-sided cardiac chambers, thicker left ventricular walls, and, consequently, increased left ventricular mass. Despite a comparable left ventricular ejection fraction, decreased tissue Doppler-derived peak systolic velocity and regional basoseptal strain were found in obese children compared with nonobese children. Beyond that, 2D speckle tracking-derived longitudinal (-18.2 ± 2.0 vs. -20.5 ± 2.3, p &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; 0.001) and circumferential (-17.0 ± 2.7 vs. -19.5 ± 2.9, p &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; 0.001) strain of the left ventricle was reduced in obese children compared with nonobese children. Diastolic function was also impaired in obese compared with nonobese children. Both longitudinal strain and circumferential strain were independently associated with obesity. The results of this study demonstrate that childhood obesity is associated with significant changes in myocardial geometry and function, indicating an early onset of potentially unfavorable alterations in the myocardium.

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Research paper thumbnail of Effect of Aspiration Thrombectomy on Microvascular Obstruction in NSTEMI Patients

Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 2014

Aspiration thrombectomy in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction is recommended by current g... more Aspiration thrombectomy in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction is recommended by current guidelines based on several randomized trials. There are no trials assessing thrombectomy in non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) patients. The TATORT-NSTEMI (Thrombus Aspiration in Thrombus Containing Culprit Lesions in Non-ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction) trial sought to assess the effect of aspiration thrombectomy on microvascular injury in patients with NSTEMI compared with standard percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). This prospective, controlled, multicenter study randomized 440 patients to adjunctive thrombectomy (n = 221) compared with conventional PCI (n = 219) in NSTEMI patients with thrombus-containing lesions. The primary endpoint of the extent of microvascular obstruction (MO) in the percentage of left ventricular mass (%LV) was assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging within 4 days. Secondary endpoints included infarct size, myocardial salvage index, and angiographic parameters including myocardial blush grade and Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction flow grade. The combined clinical endpoint consisted of death, reinfarction, target vessel revascularization, and new congestive heart failure within 6 months. The primary endpoint of MO was not different between the thrombectomy and the standard PCI group with 2.0%LV (interquartile range [IQR]: 0.8 to 4.1) versus 1.4%LV (IQR: 0.7 to 2.6) (p = 0.17). Similarly, no significant differences were observed for infarct size (8.6%LV; IQR: 4.0 to 14.7 vs. 7.4%LV; IQR: 4.1 to 13.1; p = 0.46), myocardial salvage index (63.3; IQR: 35.4 to 87.2 vs. 65.6; IQR: 46.9 to 82.6; p = 0.45), or angiographic parameters such as blush grade (p = 0.63) and Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction flow grade (p = 0.66). Clinical follow-up at 6 months revealed no differences in the combined clinical endpoints (p = 0.22). Aspiration thrombectomy in conjunction with PCI in NSTEMI with a thrombus-containing lesion does not lead to a reduction in MO. (Thrombus Aspiration in Thrombus Containing Culprit Lesions in Non-ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction [TATORT-NSTEMI]; NCT01612312).

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Research paper thumbnail of QRS complex distortion (Grade 3 ischaemia) as a predictor of myocardial damage assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and clinical prognosis in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction

European heart journal cardiovascular Imaging, Jan 9, 2015

Distortion of the terminal portion of the QRS complex (so-called Grade 3 ischaemia, G3I) has been... more Distortion of the terminal portion of the QRS complex (so-called Grade 3 ischaemia, G3I) has been associated with adverse outcomes in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) populations. However, the correlation of G3I with infarct size and microvascular injury as defined by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) is not well defined. Aim of this study was to assess the relation of G3I with myocardial damage as assessed by CMR and clinical outcomes in STEMI patients. We analysed the ECGs of 572 consecutive STEMI patients regarding the presence or absence of G3I. CMR was performed within 1 week after infarction for comprehensive assessment of myocardial damage using a standardized protocol. The primary clinical endpoint was major adverse cardiac events (MACE) within 12 months after infarction. G3I was present in 186 (32%) patients. The presence of G3I was associated with larger infarct size (P = 0.01), the presence of late microvascular obstruction (P = 0.05), the presence of intramyocar...

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Research paper thumbnail of Chronic heart failure and aging - effects of exercise training on endothelial function and mechanisms of endothelial regeneration: Results from the Leipzig Exercise Intervention in Chronic heart failure and Aging (LEICA) study

European journal of preventive cardiology, Jan 26, 2015

A reduction in number and function of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) occurs in both physiolo... more A reduction in number and function of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) occurs in both physiologic aging and chronic heart failure (CHF). We assessed whether disease and aging have additive effects on EPCs or whether beneficial effects of exercise training are diminished in old age. We randomized 60 patients with stable CHF and 60 referent controls to a training or a control group. To detect possible aging effects we included subjects below 55 (young) and above 65 years (older). Subjects in the training group exercised four times daily at 60% to 70% of VO2max for four weeks under supervision. At baseline and after the intervention the number and function of EPCs were assessed. As compared with young referent controls, older referent controls showed at baseline a reduced EPC number (young: 190 ± 37 CD34/KDR positive cells/ml blood; older: 131 ± 26 CD34/KDR positive cells/ml blood; p < 0.05) and function (young: 230 ± 41 migrated cells/1000 plated cells; older: 185 ± 28 cells/100...

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Research paper thumbnail of Comprehensive Prognosis Assessment by CMR Imaging After ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction

Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 2014

Although the prognostic value of findings from cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging has been ... more Although the prognostic value of findings from cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging has been established in single-center center studies in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), a large multicenter investigation to evaluate the prognostic significance of myocardial damage and reperfusion injury is lacking. The aim of this study was to assess the prognostic impact of CMR in an adequately powered multicenter study and to evaluate the most potent CMR predictor of hard clinical events in a STEMI population treated by primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We enrolled 738 STEMI patients in this CMR study at 8 centers. The patients were reperfused by primary PCI &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;12 h after symptom onset. Central core laboratory-masked analyses for quantified left ventricular (LV) function, infarct size (IS), microvascular obstruction (MO), and myocardial salvage were performed. The primary clinical endpoint of the study was the occurrence of major adverse cardiac events. Patients with cardiovascular events had significantly larger infarcts (p &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; 0.001), less myocardial salvage (p = 0.01), a larger extent of MO (p = 0.009), and more pronounced LV dysfunction (p &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; 0.001). In a multivariate model that included clinical and other established prognostic parameters, MO remained the only significant predictor in addition to the TIMI (Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction) risk score. IS and MO provided an incremental prognostic value above clinical risk assessment and LV ejection fraction (c-index increase from 0.761 to 0.801; p = 0.036). In a large, multicenter STEMI population reperfused by primary PCI, CMR markers of myocardial damage (IS and especially MO) provide independent and incremental prognostic information in addition to clinical risk scores and LV ejection fraction. (Abciximab i.v. Versus i.c. in ST-elevation Myocardial Infarction [AIDA STEMI]; NCT00712101).

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Research paper thumbnail of Assessment of acute changes in ventricular volumes, function, and strain after interventional edge-to-edge repair of mitral regurgitation using cardiac magnetic resonance imaging

European heart journal cardiovascular Imaging, Jan 5, 2015

Whereas haemodynamic and echocardiographic studies suggest benefits for left ventricular (LV) fun... more Whereas haemodynamic and echocardiographic studies suggest benefits for left ventricular (LV) function and cardiac output following reduction in LV preload by interventional edge-to-edge repair for mitral regurgitation (MR), there is limited data on volumetric and functional LV and right ventricular (RV) changes using cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging. Patients with moderate to severe MR and high surgical risk underwent MitraClip™-implantation and CMR imaging before and within 7 days after the procedure. In addition to volumetric and flow studies, myocardial feature tracking (FT) technology for quantification of myocardial strain was applied. Twenty patients (age: 76 ± 8 years) with functional (n = 15) or degenerative MR (n = 5) with a mean logistic Euroscore I of 33 ± 16 underwent both successful MitraClip™ implantation and CMR imaging. MR fraction (36 ± 10 vs. 19 ± 12%; P < 0.001) and LV end-diastolic volume (115 ± 36 vs. 105 ± 41 mL/m(2); P = 0.002) decreased significan...

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Research paper thumbnail of Prognostic impact of established and novel renal function biomarkers in myocardial infarction with cardiogenic shock: A biomarker substudy of the IABP-SHOCK II-trial

International Journal of Cardiology, 2015

In cardiogenic shock (CS) renal dysfunction is an important parameter of inadequate end-organ per... more In cardiogenic shock (CS) renal dysfunction is an important parameter of inadequate end-organ perfusion and an independent predictor of adverse outcome. Early detection of renal dysfunction is therefore important, and novel biomarkers such as Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin (NGAL), Kidney Injury Molecule 1 (KIM1) and Cystatin C (CysC) have been suggested. However, in high-risk CS patients their role for assessing renal injury has not yet been investigated in comparison to the most widely used serum creatinine. This predefined substudy included 190 patients of the randomized Intraaortic Balloon Pump in Cardiogenic Shock II (IABP-SHOCK II)-trial. Blood samples were collected directly during primary percutaneous coronary intervention, one day and two days after randomization. The primary endpoint for outcome assessment was 1year mortality. Creatinine, NGAL and KIM-1 were significantly higher in non-survivors in comparison to survivors over time in ANOVA (p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;0.001; p=0.002 and p=0.04, respectively). In contrast, CysC levels were not associated with the primary endpoint (p=0.15). Receiver operator characteristics revealed that creatinine at any time point had the best predictive value for 1year mortality. This was also true when comparing creatinine to different equations for glomerular filtration rate. In multivariable Cox-regression analysis creatinine remained the only significant independent predictor of kidney biomarkers of time to death during the first year. Assessment of novel biomarkers such as CysC, NGAL and KIM-1 or calculation of glomerular filtration rate provide no additional prognostic information in patients with CS complicating acute myocardial infarction in comparison to creatinine.

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Research paper thumbnail of Randomized Sham-Controlled Trial of Renal Sympathetic Denervation in Mild Resistant Hypertension

Hypertension, Jan 30, 2015

Few data are available with regard to the effectiveness of renal sympathetic denervation in patie... more Few data are available with regard to the effectiveness of renal sympathetic denervation in patients with resistant hypertension yet only mildly elevated blood pressure (BP). Patients with resistant hypertension and slightly elevated BP (day-time systolic pressure, 135-149 and diastolic pressure, 90-94 mm Hg on 24-hour ambulatory measurement) were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to renal sympathetic denervation with the Symplicity Flex Catheter (Medtronic) or an invasive sham procedure. The primary efficacy end point was the change in 24-hour systolic BP at 6 months between groups in the intention to treat population. A total of 71 patients underwent randomization. Baseline day-time systolic BP was 144.4±4.8 mm Hg in patients assigned to denervation and 143.0±4.7 mm Hg in patients randomized to the sham procedure. The mean change in 24-hour systolic BP in the intention to treat cohort at 6 months was -7.0 mm Hg (95% confidence interval, -10.8 to -3.2) for patients undergoing denervation a...

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Research paper thumbnail of Peri-operative results and complications in 15,964 transcatheter aortic valve implantations from the German Aortic valve RegistrY (GARY)

Journal of the American College of Cardiology, Jan 10, 2015

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (T-AVI) has evolved into a routine procedure with good ou... more Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (T-AVI) has evolved into a routine procedure with good outcomes in high-risk patients. To evaluate the complication rates of T-AVI based on prospective data from the German aortic valve registry (GARY). From 2011 to 2013 a total of 15,964 T-AVI procedures were registered. We evaluated the total cohort for severe vital complications (SVC: death on the day of intervention, conversion to sternotomy, acute PCI, low cardiac output requiring mechanical support, cardiac tamponade requiring treatment, aortic dissection, annular rupture), technical complications of the procedures (TCO: repositioning or retrieval of the valve prosthesis, valve-in-valve implantation, embolization of the prosthesis, closure of a paravalvular leak) and other complications (aortic regurgitation, new-onset pacemaker implantation, stroke, major vascular complications, and major bleeding). The mean patient age was 81±6 years, 54% were female, median-logistic Euroscore I was 18...

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Research paper thumbnail of Percutaneous left atrial appendage closure: Technical aspects and prevention of periprocedural complications with the watchman device

World journal of cardiology, Jan 26, 2015

Transcatheter closure of the left atrial appendage has been developed as an alternative to chroni... more Transcatheter closure of the left atrial appendage has been developed as an alternative to chronic oral anticoagulation for stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation, and as a primary therapy for patients with contraindications to chronic oral anticoagulation. The promise of this new intervention compared with warfarin has been supported by several, small studies and two pivotal randomized trial with the Watchman Device. The results regarding risk reduction for stroke have been favourable although acute complications were not infrequent. Procedural complications, which are mainly related to transseptal puncture and device implantation, include air embolism, pericardial effusions/tamponade and device embolization. Knowledge of nature, management and prevention of complications should minimize the risk of complications and allow transcatheter left atrial appendage closure to emerge as a therapeutic option for patients with atrial fibrillation at risk for cardioembolic str...

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Research paper thumbnail of Comparison of sirolimus-eluting stenting with minimally invasive bypass surgery for stenosis of the left anterior descending coronary artery: 7-year follow-up of a randomized trial

JACC. Cardiovascular interventions, 2015

The aim of this analysis was to assess the 7-year long-term safety and effectiveness of a randomi... more The aim of this analysis was to assess the 7-year long-term safety and effectiveness of a randomized comparison of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with sirolimus-eluting stents (SES) versus minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass (MIDCAB) surgery for the treatment of isolated proximal left anterior descending lesions. Long-term follow-up data comparing PCI by SES and MIDCAB surgery for isolated proximal left anterior descending lesions are sparse. Patients were randomized either to PCI with SES (n = 65) or MIDCAB (n = 65). Follow-up data were obtained after 7 years with respect to the primary composite endpoint of death, myocardial infarction, and target vessel revascularization. Angina was assessed by the Canadian Cardiovascular Society classification and quality of life with Short Form 36 and MacNew quality of life questionnaires. Follow-up was conducted in 129 patients at a median time of 7.3 years (interquartile range: 5.7, 8.3). There were no significant diffe...

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Research paper thumbnail of The role of the heart team in complicated transcatheter aortic valve implantation: a 7-year single-centre experience

European journal of cardio-thoracic surgery : official journal of the European Association for Cardio-thoracic Surgery, Jan 13, 2014

European guidelines recommend to perform transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) within a ... more European guidelines recommend to perform transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) within a multidisciplinary heart team. However, there is a strong drive-despite existing guidelines-to perform TAVI outside of specialized centres. The aim of this study was to clarify the necessity of on-site cardiac surgery by providing a clear insight into the complications during/after TAVI that needed surgical management. A total of 2287 (1523 transfemoral, 752 transapical and 12 transaortic) patients, with a mean age of 84.5 ± 5.3 years, and a mean log EuroSCORE of 21.7 ± 16.3, of which 205 were female (84%), underwent TAVI since February 2006 at our institution. All procedure-related complications that required surgical interventions, whether immediate or delayed but within the initial hospital stay, were recorded and retrospectively analysed. Out of this cohort, 245 (10.7%) patients required surgical treatment due to major complications. A total of 42 patients (1.8%) underwent conversion ...

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Research paper thumbnail of Frequency and significance of myocardial bridging and recurrent segment of the left anterior descending coronary artery in patients with takotsubo cardiomyopathy

The American journal of cardiology, Jan 15, 2014

Despite intensive research efforts, the causative mechanisms of takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TC) are... more Despite intensive research efforts, the causative mechanisms of takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TC) are still unknown. Recently, morphologic characteristics of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) have been proposed as a potential pathophysiological substrate. Hence, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence of myocardial bridging and LAD recurrent segments in a large cohort of patients with TC. A total of 161 patients with TC were matched for age and gender with 161 controls without coronary artery or valvular heart disease. Myocardial bridging was diagnosed according to indirect signs in coronary angiography. Furthermore, the LAD was evaluated regarding parts of the vessel outreaching the left ventricular apex (LAD recurrent segment). The prevalence of myocardial bridging was similar in the TC and control groups (11.8% vs 6.8%, p = 0.18). Any part of the LAD outreaching the left ventricular apex was observed in 55.6% of patients with TC compared with 35.4...

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Research paper thumbnail of Treatment of a failing St. Jude Medical Trifecta by Medtronic Corevalve Evolut valve-in-valve implantation

JACC. Cardiovascular interventions, 2014

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Research paper thumbnail of Heart leaflet technology valve

EuroIntervention, 2013

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Research paper thumbnail of Impact of Long-Term Statin Pretreatment on Myocardial Damage in ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction (from the AIDA STEMI CMR Substudy)

The American Journal of Cardiology, 2014

Nonrandomized studies suggested lower mortality rates with statin pretreatment in patients with a... more Nonrandomized studies suggested lower mortality rates with statin pretreatment in patients with acute ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). However, clinical data are still inconclusive and the mechanisms of these presumed beneficial effects require further exploration. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging offers the possibility of studying a variety of markers of myocardial damage and reperfusion injury after myocardial infarction. The aim of this study was to assess a possible link of statin pretreatment with myocardial damage in acute STEMI. The multicenter Abciximab i.v. versus i.c. in ST-elevation Myocardial Infarction CMR substudy enrolled 795 consecutive patients with acute STEMI who underwent primary angioplasty within 12 hours of symptom onset. CMR studies assessing left ventricular ejection fraction, infarct size, microvascular obstruction, area at risk, and myocardial salvage index were performed in a median of 3 days after the clinical event. We performed a retrospective analysis to evaluate the impact of statin pretreatment on myocardial damage. Information on statin pretreatment was available in 791 of 795 patients (99%). Of these, 122 (15%) had long-term statin pretreatment. CMR results showed no significant differences in the area at risk, left ventricular ejection fraction, infarct size, microvascular obstruction, and myocardial salvage index between patients with and without statin pretreatment. Furthermore, no differences in short- and long-term outcomes could be observed. In conclusion, in this CMR study, statin pretreatment in patients with STEMI was not associated with lesser myocardial damage.

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Research paper thumbnail of The German Aortic Valve Registry: 1-year results from 13,680 patients with aortic valve disease

European journal of cardio-thoracic surgery : official journal of the European Association for Cardio-thoracic Surgery, 2014

The German Aortic Valve Registry (GARY) seeks to provide information on a real-world, all-comers ... more The German Aortic Valve Registry (GARY) seeks to provide information on a real-world, all-comers basis for patients undergoing aortic valve interventions. This registry comprises patients undergoing the complete spectrum of transcutaneous and conventional surgical aortic valve interventions. The aim of this study was to use the GARY registry to evaluate conventional and catheter-based aortic valve interventions in several risk groups. A total of 13 860 consecutive patients undergoing intervention for aortic valve disease [conventional aortic valve replacement (AVR) or transvascular/transapical TAVR (TV-/TA-TAVR)] were enrolled in 78 German centres in 2011. Baseline, procedural and outcome data, including quality of life, were acquired up to 1 year post-intervention. Vital status at 1 year was known for 98.1% of patients. The 1-year mortality rate was 6.7% for conventional AVR patients (n = 6523) and 11.0% for patients who underwent AVR with coronary artery bypass grafting (n = 3464)...

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Research paper thumbnail of Diaphragm muscle weakness in mice is early-onset post-myocardial infarction and associated with elevated protein oxidation

Journal of Applied Physiology, 2014

Heart failure induced by myocardial infarction (MI) causes diaphragm muscle weakness, with elevat... more Heart failure induced by myocardial infarction (MI) causes diaphragm muscle weakness, with elevated oxidants implicated. We aimed to determine whether diaphragm muscle weakness is 1) early-onset post-MI (i.e., within the early left ventricular remodeling phase of 72 h); and 2) associated with elevated protein oxidation. Ligation of the left coronary artery to induce MI (n = 10) or sham operation (n = 10) was performed on C57BL6 mice. In vitro contractile function of diaphragm muscle fiber bundles was assessed 72 h later. Diaphragm mRNA and protein expression, enzyme activity, and individual carbonylated proteins (by two-dimensional differential in-gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry) were subsequently assessed. Infarct size averaged 57 ± 1%. Maximal diaphragm function was reduced (P &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; 0.01) by 20% post-MI, with the force-frequency relationship depressed (P &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; 0.01) between 80 and 300 Hz. The mRNA expression of inflammation, atrophy, and regulatory Ca(2+) proteins remained unchanged post-MI, as did the protein expression of key contractile proteins. However, enzyme activity of the oxidative sources NADPH oxidase and xanthine oxidase was increased (P &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; 0.01) by 45 and 33%, respectively. Compared with sham, a 57 and 45% increase (P &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; 0.05) was observed in the carbonylation of sarcomeric actin and creatine kinase post-MI, respectively. In conclusion, diaphragm muscle weakness was rapidly induced in mice during the early left ventricular remodeling phase of 72 h post-MI, which was associated with increased oxidation of contractile and energetic proteins. Collectively, these findings suggest diaphragm muscle weakness may be early onset in heart failure, which is likely mediated in part by posttranslational oxidative modifications at the myofibrillar level.

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Research paper thumbnail of Letter to the Editor: Intraaortic balloon counterpulsation in acute myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock: Design and rationale of the Intraaortic Balloon Pump in Cardiogenic Shock II (IABP-SHOCK II) trial

American Heart Journal, 2015

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Research paper thumbnail of Reprint of "Intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation--basic principles and clinical evidence

Vascular pharmacology, 2014

Intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) counterpulsation has been the most widely used left ventricular ... more Intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) counterpulsation has been the most widely used left ventricular assist device for nearly five decades. Due to diastolic inflation and systolic deflation, coronary blood flow is increased and afterload decreased translating into augmentation of oxygen supply and lowering of oxygen demand. However, IABP may be associated with serious complications, including major bleeding, stroke, local and systemic infections and vascular complications. These might counterbalance the potential beneficial hemodynamic effects. In clinical routine, IABP is mainly used in high-risk patients with acute myocardial infarction, especially when complicated by cardiogenic shock. Further, prophylactic IABP use is frequently performed in patients at high risk for hemodynamic instability undergoing elective percutaneous coronary intervention or coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Current evidence, however, does not fully support routine use of IABP in these settings. This revie...

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Research paper thumbnail of Childhood Obesity

JACC: Cardiovascular Imaging, 2014

The aim of our study was to assess geometric and functional changes of the heart in obese compare... more The aim of our study was to assess geometric and functional changes of the heart in obese compared with nonobese children and adolescents. Obesity in children and adolescents has increased over the past decades and is considered a strong risk factor for future cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Obesity has been associated with myocardial structural alterations that may influence cardiac mechanics. We prospectively recruited 61 obese (13.5 ± 2.7 years of age, 46% male sex, SD score body mass index, 2.52 ± 0.60) and 40 nonobese (14.1 ± 2.8 years of age, 50% male sex, SD score body mass index, -0.33 ± 0.83) consecutive, nonselected Caucasian children and adolescents. A standardized 2-dimensional (2D) echocardiography and 2D speckle-tracking analysis was performed in all children. Furthermore, blood chemistry including lipid and glucose metabolism was assessed in all children. Compared with nonobese children, blood pressure, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and parameters of glucose metabolism were significantly increased in obese children, whereas high-density lipoprotein cholesterol was significantly lower. Compared with nonobese children, obese children were characterized by enlarged left- and right-sided cardiac chambers, thicker left ventricular walls, and, consequently, increased left ventricular mass. Despite a comparable left ventricular ejection fraction, decreased tissue Doppler-derived peak systolic velocity and regional basoseptal strain were found in obese children compared with nonobese children. Beyond that, 2D speckle tracking-derived longitudinal (-18.2 ± 2.0 vs. -20.5 ± 2.3, p &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; 0.001) and circumferential (-17.0 ± 2.7 vs. -19.5 ± 2.9, p &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; 0.001) strain of the left ventricle was reduced in obese children compared with nonobese children. Diastolic function was also impaired in obese compared with nonobese children. Both longitudinal strain and circumferential strain were independently associated with obesity. The results of this study demonstrate that childhood obesity is associated with significant changes in myocardial geometry and function, indicating an early onset of potentially unfavorable alterations in the myocardium.

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Research paper thumbnail of Effect of Aspiration Thrombectomy on Microvascular Obstruction in NSTEMI Patients

Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 2014

Aspiration thrombectomy in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction is recommended by current g... more Aspiration thrombectomy in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction is recommended by current guidelines based on several randomized trials. There are no trials assessing thrombectomy in non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) patients. The TATORT-NSTEMI (Thrombus Aspiration in Thrombus Containing Culprit Lesions in Non-ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction) trial sought to assess the effect of aspiration thrombectomy on microvascular injury in patients with NSTEMI compared with standard percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). This prospective, controlled, multicenter study randomized 440 patients to adjunctive thrombectomy (n = 221) compared with conventional PCI (n = 219) in NSTEMI patients with thrombus-containing lesions. The primary endpoint of the extent of microvascular obstruction (MO) in the percentage of left ventricular mass (%LV) was assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging within 4 days. Secondary endpoints included infarct size, myocardial salvage index, and angiographic parameters including myocardial blush grade and Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction flow grade. The combined clinical endpoint consisted of death, reinfarction, target vessel revascularization, and new congestive heart failure within 6 months. The primary endpoint of MO was not different between the thrombectomy and the standard PCI group with 2.0%LV (interquartile range [IQR]: 0.8 to 4.1) versus 1.4%LV (IQR: 0.7 to 2.6) (p = 0.17). Similarly, no significant differences were observed for infarct size (8.6%LV; IQR: 4.0 to 14.7 vs. 7.4%LV; IQR: 4.1 to 13.1; p = 0.46), myocardial salvage index (63.3; IQR: 35.4 to 87.2 vs. 65.6; IQR: 46.9 to 82.6; p = 0.45), or angiographic parameters such as blush grade (p = 0.63) and Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction flow grade (p = 0.66). Clinical follow-up at 6 months revealed no differences in the combined clinical endpoints (p = 0.22). Aspiration thrombectomy in conjunction with PCI in NSTEMI with a thrombus-containing lesion does not lead to a reduction in MO. (Thrombus Aspiration in Thrombus Containing Culprit Lesions in Non-ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction [TATORT-NSTEMI]; NCT01612312).

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