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1.
S. Bektas F. M. E. Franssen V. van Empel N. Uszko-Lencer J. Boyne C. Knackstedt H. P. Brunner-La Rocca 《Netherlands heart journal》2017,25(5):335-342
Background
Comorbidities are common in chronic heart failure (HF) patients, but diagnoses are often not based on objective testing. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an important comorbidity and often neglected because of shared symptoms and risk factors. Precise prevalence and consequences are not well known. Therefore, we investigated prevalence, pulmonary treatment, symptoms and quality of life (QOL) of COPD in patients with chronic HF.Methods
205 patients with stable HF for at least 1 month, aged above 50 years, were included from our outpatient cardiology clinic, irrespective of left ventricular ejection fraction. Patients performed post-bronchodilator spirometry, a six-minute walk test (6-MWT) and completed the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ). COPD was diagnosed according to GOLD criteria. Restrictive lung function was defined as FEV1/FVC ≥0.70 and FVC <80% of predicted value. The BODE and ADO index, risk scores in COPD patients, were calculated.Results
Almost 40% fulfilled the criteria of COPD and 7% had restrictive lung disease, the latter being excluded from further analysis. Noteworthy, 63% of the COPD patients were undiagnosed and 8% of those without COPD used inhalation therapy. Patients with COPD had more shortness of breath despite little difference in HF severity and similar other comorbidities. KCCQ was significantly worse in COPD patients. The ADO and BODE indices were significantly different.Conclusion
COPD is very common in unselected HF patients. It was often not diagnosed and many patients received treatment without being diagnosed with COPD. Presence of COPD worsens symptoms and negatively effects cardiac specific QOL.2.
Andrea Iorga Soban Umar Gregoire Ruffenach Laila Aryan Jingyuan Li Salil Sharma Negar Motayagheni Rangarajan D. Nadadur Jean C. Bopassa Mansoureh Eghbali 《Biology of sex differences》2018,9(1):48
Background
Recently, we showed that exogenous treatment with estrogen (E2) rescues pre-existing advanced heart failure (HF) in mice. Since most of the biological actions of E2 are mediated through the classical estrogen receptors alpha (ERα) and/or beta (ERβ), and both these receptors are present in the heart, we examined the role of ERα and ERβ in the rescue action of E2 against HF.Methods
Severe HF was induced in male mice by transverse aortic constriction-induced pressure overload. Once the ejection fraction (EF) reached ~?35%, mice were treated with selective agonists for ERα (PPT, 850 μg/kg/day), ERβ (DPN, 850 μg/kg/day), or E2 (30 μg/kg/day) together with an ERβ-antagonist (PHTPP, 850 μg/kg/day) for 10 days.Results
EF of HF mice was significantly improved to 45.3?±?2.1% with diarylpropionitrile (DPN) treatment, but not with PPT (31.1?±?2.3%). E2 failed to rescue HF in the presence of PHTPP, as there was no significant improvement in the EF at the end of the 10-day treatment (32.5?±?5.2%). The improvement of heart function in HF mice treated with ERβ agonist DPN was also associated with reduced cardiac fibrosis and increased cardiac angiogenesis, while the ERα agonist PPT had no significant effect on either cardiac fibrosis or angiogenesis. Furthermore, DPN improved hemodynamic parameters in HF mice, whereas PPT had no significant effect.Conclusions
E2 treatment rescues pre-existing severe HF mainly through ERβ. Rescue of HF by ERβ activation is also associated with stimulation of cardiac angiogenesis, suppression of fibrosis, and restoration of hemodynamic parameters.3.
4.
A. F. B. E. Quast V. F. van Dijk A. A. M. Wilde R. E. Knops L. V. A. Boersma 《Netherlands heart journal》2017,25(5):312-317
Introduction
The latest European Society of Cardiology Guidelines recommend consideration of a wearable cardioverter-defibrillator (WCD) for patients with a poor left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) who are at risk of sudden arrhythmic death but are not eligible for an implantable defibrillator. For these patients a WCD can be an alternative to long-term hospitalisation.Purpose
To evaluate the use of WCD therapy in these patient groups in two Dutch centres.Methods
All consecutive patients treated with the WCD between 2009 and 2016 were included from two centres in the Netherlands. Data on events and compliance were collected retrospectively through home monitoring systems and adjudicated by the investigators.Results
A total of 79 patients were treated with a WCD. Common indications were newly diagnosed cardiomyopathy without optimal medical treatment in 46 patients (58.2%) and bridge to implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) implant in 33 patients (41.8%). Bridge to implant indications consisted of contraindications for immediate implantation such as infections (e.?g. previous device-related infections) and radiotherapy. Compliance was over 97% per day (median 23.3?h, 22.6–23.7), during a median of 79 days (50.0–109.8.0). Two patients (2.6%) received an appropriate shock (annual rate 13.6%), there was 1 (1.3%) inappropriate shock (annual rate 6.7%). In 24 patients (52.2%) without optimal medical treatment, the LVEF was sufficiently improved and ICD implant was avoided. Eight (10.1%) patients did not receive an ICD. In 45 patients an ICD was implanted (57.0%).Conclusion
WCD therapy provides a safe and effective treatment in outpatient setting for patients at high risk for sudden cardiac death and reduces the number of ICDs implanted.5.
I. O Yuksel G. Cagirci E. Koklu A. Yilmaz S. Kucukseymen H. Y. Ellidag S. Cay N. Yilmaz S. Arslan 《Netherlands heart journal》2016,24(10):609-616
Objective
Erythropoietin (EPO) improves cardiac function and induces neovascularisation in post-myocardial infarction heart failure. The aim of this study was to analyse the association between the serum erythropoietin level and coronary collateral development in patients with coronary artery disease and chronic total occlusion.Methods
A total of 168 patients consisting of 117 with coronary artery disease (CAD, (62 with chronic total occlusion (CTO), 55 without CTO)) and 51 with healthy coronary arteries were included in the study. The patients were assigned as coronary artery disease without CTO (group 0), CAD with CTO (group 1: poor collateral development, group 2: good collateral development) and normal coronary arteries (group 3).Results
There was a significant positive correlation between serum EPO levels and the Rentrop scores in angiography (r = 0.243, p = 0.001). Similarly, a positive correlation was found between serum EPO levels and the Syntax scores (r = 0.253, p = 0.001). Echocardiography revealed a negative correlation between serum EPO levels and the cardiac ejection fraction (r = ?0.210, p = 0.006).Conclusions
Serum EPO is a useful biomarker for coronary collateral development in patients with CTO.6.
G. Galli K. Caliskan A. H. M. M. Balk R. van Domburg O. Birim J. Salerno-Uriarte O. C. Manintveld A. A. Constantinescu 《Netherlands heart journal》2016,24(12):748-757
Background
Cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) is a multifactorial disease and a major cause of graft failure after heart transplantation. However, the impact of CAV may vary according to the definition and the regional differences in transplantation settings.Objectives
We sought to assess CAV prevalence, predictors and prognosis in Dutch heart transplant recipients based on coronary angiography, following the 2010 standard nomenclature of the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation.Methods
Patients ≥18 years who underwent heart transplantation at our centre with at least one coronary angiography during follow-up were included in the analysis. Clinical variables were collected prospectively.Results
Among 495 analysed recipients, there were 238 (48?%) with CAV. The prevalence of CAV was 18, 47 and 70?% at 4, 12 and 20 years, respectively. In the multivariable proportional hazards regression analysis, only male donor gender and increasing donor age were significantly associated with the risk of CAV. The long-term prognosis of the patients with CAV at fourth-year angiography was significantly worse as compared with that of CAV-free patients, independently of the severity of CAV (p < 0.001).Conclusion
The prevalence of CAV increased gradually over time, with a similar trend as in other registries. Post-transplant survival is decreased in patients with any degree of early CAV, indicating that management strategies should start with donor selection and preventive measures immediately after transplantation.7.
A comparison of the prognostic value of BNP versus NT-proBNP after hospitalisation for heart failure
G. C. M. Linssen T. Jaarsma H. L. Hillege A. A. Voors D. J. van Veldhuisen 《Netherlands heart journal》2018,26(10):486-492
Aims
Concentrations of circulating B?type natriuretic peptides provide important prognostic information in heart failure (HF) patients. We directly compared the prognostic performance of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) versus N?terminal-proBNP (NT-proBNP) measurements in a large population of HF patients at hospital discharge after an admission for decompensated HF.Methods and results
BNP and NT-proBNP were measured in 563 stable HF patients before discharge. All patients were followed for a fixed period of 18 months. The primary endpoint was time to first major event (HF hospitalisation or death).Patients were in NYHA class II (47%) or III/IV (53%) at discharge and the mean age of the patients was 71?±?11 years, 217 (39%) females, mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 0.32?±?0.14 and 234 (42%) had an ischaemic aetiology of HF. During the study, 236 patients (42%) reached the primary endpoint. Multivariate odds ratios of the primary endpoint for doubling of baseline levels of BNP and NT-proBNP were 1.46 (95% CI 1.19–1.80, p?<?0.001) and 1.45 (95% CI 1.18–1.78, p?<?0.001), respectively. The multivariable adjusted areas under the receiver-operating characteristic curve for prediction of the primary endpoint for doubling of BNP and NT-proBNP were 0.69 and 0.68, respectively. Direct comparison of the prognostic value of BNP and NT-proBNP did not reveal significant differences.Conclusions
BNP and NT-proBNP at discharge for hospitalisation for HF are powerful, and equally strong and independent predictors of all-cause death and HF rehospitalisation.8.
9.
L. M. Silva I. M. Kuipers F. van den Heuvel R. Mendes R. M. F. Berger I. M. van Beynum L. Rozendaal L. A. J. Rammeloo G. G. van Iperen M. Schokking S. Frerich N. A. Blom J. M. P. J. Breur W. A. Helbing 《Netherlands heart journal》2016,24(11):628-639
Objective
Studies in children with heart disease have been hampered by a lack of easily identifiable patient groups. Currently, there are few prospective population-based registries covering the entire spectrum of heart disease in children. KinCor is a Dutch national registry for children with heart diseases. This paper presents the aims, design and interim results of the KinCor project.Methods
All children presenting at a Dutch university medical centre with a diagnosis of heart disease from 2012 onwards were eligible for registration in the KinCor database. Data entry is through a web-based portal. Entry codes have been synchronised with the European Paediatric Cardiac Coding system, allowing coupling with similar databases for adults, such as CONCOR.Results
Between June 2012 and July 2015, 8421 patients were registered (76?% of those eligible). Median age of the patients was 9.8 years, 44.7?% were female; 6782 patients had morphological congenital heart disease. The most prevalent morphological congenital heart defects were ventricular septal defects (18?%), Tetralogy of Fallot (10?%) and transposition of great arteries (9?%). For 42?% of the patients additional diagnoses were registered. Sixty percent of patients had undergone at least one intervention (catheter intervention or surgery).Conclusion
The KinCor database has developed into a large registry of data of children with all types of heart disease and continues to grow. This database will provide the opportunity for epidemiological research projects on congenital and other types of heart disease in children. Entry codes are shared with the CONCOR database, which may provide a unique dataset.10.
D. C. Eindhoven L. N. van Staveren J. A. van Erkelens D. E. Ikkersheim S. C. Cannegieter V. A. W. M. Umans A. Mosterd J. van Wijngaarden M. J. Schalij C. J. W. Borleffs 《Netherlands heart journal》2018,26(1):13-20
Introduction
Since health insurance is compulsory in the Netherlands, the centrally registered medical claims data might pose a unique opportunity to evaluate quality of (cardiac) care on a national level without additional collection of data. However, validation of these claims data has not yet been assessed.Design
Retrospective cohort study.Methods
National claims data (‘national registry’) were compared with data collected by patient records reviews in four representative hospitals (‘validation registry’). In both registries, we extracted the national diagnosis codes for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction of 2012 and 2013. Additionally, data on medication use at one year after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) was extracted from the Dutch pharmacy information systems and also validated by local patient records reviews. The data were compared at three stages: 1) validation of diagnosis and treatment coding; 2) validation of the hospital where follow-up has taken place; 3) validation of follow-up medical treatment after 365 days.Results
In total, 3,980 patients (‘national registry’) and 4,014 patients (‘validation registry’) were compared at baseline. After one-year follow-up, 2,776 and 2,701 patients, respectively, were evaluated. Baseline characteristics, diagnosis and individual medication were comparable between the two registries. Of all 52,672 AMI patients in the Netherlands in 2012 and 2013, 81% used aspirin, 76% used P2Y12 inhibitors, 85% used statins, 82% used beta-blockers and 74% angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin II antagonists. Optimal medical treatment was achieved in 49% of the patients with AMI.Conclusion
Nationwide routinely collected claims data in patients with an acute myocardial infarction are highly accurate. This offers an opportunity for use in quality assessments of cardiac care.11.
M. Abawi F. Nijhoff P.R. Stella M. Voskuil D. Benedetto P.A. Doevendans P. Agostoni 《Netherlands heart journal》2016,24(9):544-551
Objective
The coronary sinus Reducer is a recently introduced device to treat patients with severe angina symptoms refractory to optimal medical therapy and not amenable for conventional revascularisation. We aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of the Reducer in a real-world cohort of patients with refractory angina.Methods
This is a single-centre retrospective registry. Patients with severe angina symptoms, objective evidence of myocardial ischaemia using any adequate non-invasive modality and without options for conventional revascularisation were regarded eligible for Reducer implantation.Results
Twenty-three patients (74?% male, mean age 70?±?8 years, 91.3?% previous bypass surgery, 82.6?% previous percutaneous intervention, 47.8?% previous myocardial infarction, 52.2?% diabetes mellitus) underwent Reducer implantation. The safety endpoint (successful implantation of the first device without device-related adverse events) was met in all patients. After a median follow-up of 9 (8–14) months the efficacy (any reduction in Canadian Cardiovascular Society (CCS) class and revascularisation-free survival) was reached in 17 patients (74?%): 8 patients (34.8?%) improved by 1 CCS class, 7 (30.4?%) by 2 CCS classes and 2 (8.7?%) by 3 CCS classes. One patient died 4 months after implantation because of progressive heart failure (not associated with Reducer implantation).Conclusion
In this single-centre real-world experience, Reducer implantation was safe and demonstrated excellent clinical efficacy in the treatment of refractory angina at mid-term follow-up.12.
F. S. van den Brink A. D. Magan P. G. Noordzij C. Zivelonghi P. Agostoni F. D. Eefting J. M. ten Berg M. J. Suttorp B. R. Rensing J. P. van Kuijk P. Klein E. Scholten J. A. S. van der Heyden 《Netherlands heart journal》2018,26(2):76-84
Introduction
Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) can cause great haemodynamic instability. Veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) can provide haemodynamic support in patients with STEMI but data on outcome and complications are scarce.Methods
An in-hospital registry was conducted enrolling all patients receiving VA-ECMO. Patients were analysed for medical history, mortality, neurological outcome, complications and coronary artery disease.Results
Between 2011 and 2016, 12 patients underwent pPCI for STEMI and received VA-ECMO for haemodynamic support. The majority of the patients were male (10/12) with a median age of 63 (47–75) years and 4 of the 12 patients had a history of coronary artery disease. A cardiac arrest was witnessed in 11 patients. The left coronary artery was compromised in 8 patients and 4 had right coronary artery disease. All patients were in Killip class IV. Survival to discharge was 67% (8/12), 1?year survival was 42% (5/12), 2 patients have not yet reached the 1?year survival point but are still alive and 1 patient died within a year after discharge. All-cause mortality was 42% (5/12) of which mortality on ECMO was 33% (4/12). Patient-related complications occurred in 6 of the 12 patients: 1 patient suffered major neurological impairment, 2 patients suffered haemorrhage at the cannula site, 2 patients had limb ischaemia and 1 patient had a haemorrhage elsewhere. There were no VA-ECMO hardware malfunctions.Conclusion
VA-ECMO in pPCI for STEMI has a high survival rate and neurological outcome is good, even when the patient is admitted with a cardiac arrest.13.
I. H. M. van der Linde Y. L. Hiemstra R. Bökenkamp A. M. van Mil M. H. Breuning C. Ruivenkamp S. W. ten Broeke R. F. Veldkamp J. I. van Waning M. A. van Slegtenhorst K. Y. van Spaendonck-Zwarts R. H. Lekanne Deprez J. C. Herkert L. Boven P. A. van der Zwaag J. D. H. Jongbloed M. Bootsma D. Q. C. M. Barge-Schaapveld 《Netherlands heart journal》2017,25(12):675-681
Background
Mutations in the myosin heavy chain 7 (MYH7) gene commonly cause cardiomyopathy but are less frequently associated with congenital heart defects.Methods
In this study, we describe a mutation in the MYH7 gene, c. 5754C > G; p. (Asn1918Lys), present in 15 probands and 65 family members.Results
Of the 80 carriers (age range 0–88 years), 46 (57.5%) had cardiomyopathy (mainly dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM)) and seven (8.8%) had a congenital heart defect. Childhood onset of cardiomyopathy was present in almost 10% of carriers. However, in only a slight majority (53.7%) was the left ventricular ejection fraction reduced and almost no arrhythmias or conduction disorders were noted. Moreover, only one carrier required heart transplantation and nine (11.3%) an implantable cardioverter defibrillator. In addition, the standardised mortality ratio for MYH7 carriers was not significantly increased. Whole exome sequencing in several cases with paediatric onset of DCM and one with isolated congenital heart defects did not reveal additional known disease-causing variants. Haplotype analysis suggests that the MYH7 variant is a founder mutation, and is therefore the first Dutch founder mutation identified in the MYH7 gene. The mutation appears to have originated in the western region of the province of South Holland between 500 and 900 years ago.Conclusion
Clinically, the p. (Asn1918Lys) mutation is associated with congenital heart defects and/or cardiomyopathy at young age but with a relatively benign course.14.
Marije Huls Maaike A. Pouw Nienke Nieuwenhuizen Barbara C. van Munster Sophia E. de Rooij 《Tijdschrift voor gerontologie en geriatrie》2018,49(5):167-173
Introduction
Hospitalisation may cause negative effects on elderly patients. Therefore, it is important that referral and admission of older nursing home patients is well-considered. The aim of this study is to investigate the factors that affect the decision making process.Method
Questionnaire survey among elderly care physicians and physicians following the elderly care physician training program.Results
Of the 1,540 surveys, 200 were returned (response rate of 13%). Over 60% of the respondents had referred a nursing home patient to the hospital in the previous month. A stay at a geriatric rehabilitation ward, suspicion of a fracture, a good quality of life, a patient’s or family’s wish for referral, no treatment restrictions, and follow-up appointments in the hospital were factors which made referral to the hospital more likely according to the respondents. Medical specialist consultation and the in hospital presence of a physician specialised in geriatric care were considered to be important. Referral was less likely if a patient was diagnosed with dementia, had a low quality of life or had treatment restrictions.Conclusion
Both patient-related and non-patient-related factors influence hospital referral of nursing home patients. Further research is needed to determine whether these different factors contribute to the different outcomes of a hospital admission, to facilitate proper decision-making for elderly care physicians.15.
P. J. P. M. Cuijpers G. Bookelman W. Kicken W. de Vries A. P. M. Gorgels 《Netherlands heart journal》2016,24(7-8):456-461
Background
Integrating cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training in secondary schools will increase the number of potential CPR providers. However, currently too few certified instructors are available for this purpose. Training medical students and physical education student teachers to become CPR instructors could decrease this shortage.Aim
Examine whether medical students and physical education student teachers can provide CPR training for secondary school pupils as well as (i.?e., non-inferior to) registered nurses.Methods
A total of 144 secondary school pupils were randomly assigned to CPR training by a registered nurse (n = 12), a medical student (n = 17) or a physical education student teacher (n = 15). CPR performance was assessed after training and after eight weeks in a simulated cardiac arrest scenario on a resuscitation manikin, using manikin software and video recordings.Results
No significant differences were found between the groups on the overall Cardiff Test scores and the correctness of the CPR techniques during the post-training and retention test. All pupils showed sufficient CPR competence, even after eight weeks.Conclusion
Training by medical students or physical education student teachers is non-inferior to training by a registered nurse, suggesting that school teachers, student teachers and medical students can be recruited for CPR training in secondary schools.16.
R. Pisters M. Ilhan L. F. Veenstra B. C. G. Gho M. Stein J. C. A. Hoorntje S. Rasoul 《Netherlands heart journal》2018,26(7-8):385-392
Objectives
To compare fractional flow reserve (FFR) and instantaneous wave-free ratio (iFR) measurements in an all-comer patient population with moderate coronary artery stenoses.Background
Visual assessment of the severity of coronary artery stenoses is often discordant in moderate lesions. FFR allows reliable functional severity assessment in these cases but requires adenosine-induced hyperaemia with associated additional time, costs and side effects. The iFR is a hyperaemia-independent index.Methods and results
Between November 2015 and February 2017, 356 consecutive patients were included in whom 515 coronary stenoses were measured using both iFR and FFR. Mean iFR and FFR were 0.90?±?0.09 and 0.86?±?0.08, respectively. iFR correlated well with FFR [r?=?0.75; p?<?0.001]. Receiver operating characteristic analysis identified an area under the curve of 0.92. An iFR-only strategy with a treatment cut-off ≤0.89 revealed a diagnostic classification agreement with the FFR-only strategy in 420 lesions (82%) with a sensitivity of 87%, a specificity of 80%, a positive predictive value of 56% and a negative predictive value of 96%.Conclusions
Real-time iFR measurements have good negative predictive value compared to FFR, but moderate diagnostic accuracy (82%). It exposes fewer patients to adenosine, reduces procedure time and costs. Further prospective trials are needed to evaluate specific clinical settings, cut-off values and endpoints.17.
W. Vlastra M. Piek M. A. van Lavieren M. E. J. C. Hassell B. E. Claessen G. W. Wijntjens T. P. van de Hoef K. D Sjauw M. A. Beijk R. Delewi J. J. Piek 《Netherlands heart journal》2018,26(1):26-33
Background
Coronary artery spasm may be the underlying mechanism in up to 10% of cases of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and sudden cardiac death. Asian individuals exhibit a 3-times greater incidence of spasm than Caucasians; this is likely due to different types of mechanisms. Consequently, solid data is limited about the long-term prognosis in Caucasian patients presenting with ACS and/or out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) caused by coronary spasm.Methods
Between 2002 and 2015, thirty Caucasian patients with coronary artery spasm presenting with ACS (N = 29) and/or OHCA (N = 11) were enrolled in this prospective registry. Follow-up, consisting of regular outpatient visits, was conducted with a mean follow-up period of 7.5 ± 3.3 years. Outcomes included presence of stable angina pectoris, recurrence of ACS, occurrence of implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) shocks and death.Results
The majority of patients (60%) remained asymptomatic during the entire follow-up period. At the end of the follow-up period only 3 patients still experienced stable angina (10%). Only 2 patients (7%) had a recurrent cardiac event, in which the ICD provided appropriate shock therapy. Half of the patients treated with stenting (N = 6), required re-interventions.Conclusion
Coronary spasm with ACS and/or OHCA in a Caucasian patient cohort has a relatively benign prognosis in the majority of patients in long-term follow-up, if treated appropriately with medical therapy. Both the role of ICD in OHCA secondary to coronary spasm, and the efficacy of stenting to treat vasospastic angina, warrant further study in large-sized prospective clinical trials.18.
J. C. Vis C. J. Borleffs B. Zwart R. J. Nuis R. W. C. Scherptong 《Netherlands heart journal》2017,25(7-8):455-460
Background
Since it was anticipated that the need for doctors would increase due to demographic changes, the number of positions for medical specialty training programs has increased from the year 2000 onwards. However, the number of permanent positions for young cardiologists did not follow that trend leading to concerns about future employment. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to assess short-term career perspectives of young cardiologists in the Netherlands.Methods
All cardiologists who ended their training between 1 January 2011 and 31 December 2014 were invited to fill in a questionnaire about their first employment status and were followed yearly until the participant had a permanent position. The timespan between the end of training and the moment of permanent employment was assessed. Furthermore, the association between professional profile and short-term career perspectives was investigated.Results
The observed unemployment was 1.6% and lasted less than a year in all cases. Of the participants, 77% started their career with a temporary contract; within four years this was 7%. Of young cardiologists, 46% started their career as a fellow and 24% as an attending physician. A total of 29% of male cardiologists started their career with a permanent contract as compared with 12% of females (p = 0.01). Within two years this difference was no longer observed.Conclusions
Unemployment is low among young cardiologists. Most cardiologists start their career with a temporary contract. The time to a permanent contract is slightly longer for female cardiologists as compared with males.19.
Introduction
The Venus p?valve (MedTech, Shanghai, China) is a self-expanding percutaneous heart valve designed to be implanted in a native patched right ventricle outflow tract. The worldwide clinical experience with this valve is just beginning and the results have so far been encouraging. We present our initial early experience implanting the Venus p?valve in the native right ventricle outflow tract of patients with Tetralogy of Fallot repaired with a transannular patch.Methods
In 10 selected patients a procedure for percutaneous pulmonary valve implantation was performed using the Venus p?valve. The patients mean age was 32 years (13–57), mean weight 59.6?kg (40–80). All patients had Tetralogy of Fallot with moderate to severe pulmonary regurgitation and an indication for pulmonary valve replacement.Results
The implantation procedure was successful in all the patients resulting in an immediately functional valve. No procedure-related complications were observed. Follow-up after 12 months (4–21) resulted in an improvement in NYHA class. There was a reduction of the mean right ventricle diastolic volume from 139?ml/m2 (105–179) to 78?ml/m2 (65–100) and improvement in the regurgitation fraction from 42% (29–58) to 1% (0–5), as seen on routine cardiac magnetic resonance 6 months after the implantation. No stent fractures have been observed so far.Conclusion
Percutaneous pulmonary valve implantation with the Venus p?valve resulted in a safe and effective procedure. The valve has predictable and sustained functional competence, resulting in clinical improvement in the patients.20.
Greet Leysens Ellen Vlaeyen Deborah Vanaken Elise Janssens Eddy Dejaeger Dirk Cambier Evelien Gielen Stefan Goemaere Olivia Vandeput Koen Milisen 《Tijdschrift voor gerontologie en geriatrie》2017,48(3):121-133