Heart and Diabetes Center North Rhine-Westphalia

About: Heart and Diabetes Center North Rhine-Westphalia is a healthcare organization based out in Bad Oeynhausen, Germany. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Vitamin D and neurology & Heart failure. The organization has 288 authors who have published 357 publications receiving 9276 citations.

Sleep-disordered breathing in patients with symptomatic heart failure: a contemporary study of prevalence in and characteristics of 700 patients.

Abstract: Aim: Evaluation of the prevalence and nature of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) in patients with symptomatic chronic heart failure (CHF) receiving therapy according to current guidelines. Methods and results: We prospectively screened 700 patients with CHF (NYHA class ≥II, LV-EF ≤40%) for SDB using cardiorespiratory polygraphy (Embletta™). Furthermore, echocardiography, cardiopulmonary exercise and 6-min walk testing were performed. Medication included ACE-inhibitors and/or AT1-receptor blockers in at least 94%, diuretics in 87%, β-blockers in 85%, digitalis in 61% and spironolactone in 62% of patients. SDB was present in 76% of patients (40% central (CSA), 36% obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA)). CSA patients were more symptomatic (NYHA class 2.9±0.5 vs. no SDB 2.57±0.5 or OSA 2.57±0.5; pb0.05) and had a lower LV-EF (27.4±6.6% vs. 29.3±2.6%, pb0.05) than OSA patients. Oxygen uptake (VO2) was lowest in CSA patients: predicted peak VO2 57±16% vs. 64±18% in OSA and 63±17% in no SDB, pb0.05. 6-min walking distances were 331±111 m in CSA, 373±108 m in OSA and 377±118 m in no SDB (pb0.05). Conclusions: This study confirms the high prevalence of SDB, particularly CSA in CHF patients. CSA seems to be a marker of heart failure severity.

Effect of Vitamin D Supplementation on Blood Pressure: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Incorporating Individual Patient Data

Abstract: MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Difference in SBP and DBP measured in an office setting. RESULTS We included 46 trials (4541 participants) in the trial-level meta-analysis. Individual patient data were obtained for 27 trials (3092 participants). At the trial level, no effect of vitamin D supplementation was seen on SBP (effect size, 0.0 [95% CI, −0.8 to 0.8] mm Hg; P =. 97;I 2 = 21%) or DBP (effect size, −0.1 [95% CI, −0.6 to 0.5] mm Hg; P = .84; I 2 = 20%). Similar results were found analyzing individual patient data for SBP (effect size, −0.5 [95% CI, −1.3 to 0.4] mm Hg; P =. 27;I 2 = 0%) and DBP (effect size, 0.2 [95% CI, −0.3 to 0.7] mm Hg; P = .38; I 2 = 0%). Subgroup analysis did not reveal any baseline factor predictive of a better

Sleep-disordered breathing in heart failure with normal left ventricular ejection fraction.

Abstract: Aims In patients with systolic heart failure (SHF) a high prevalence of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) has been documented. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence and type of SDB in patients with heart failure with normal left ventricular ejection fraction (HFNEF). Methods and results Two hundred and forty-four consecutive patients (87 women, aged 65.3 ± 1.4 years) with HFNEF underwent capillary blood gas analysis, measurement of NT-proBNP concentrations, echocardiography, cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPX), cardiorespiratory polygraphy, and simultaneous right and left heart catheterization. Sleep-disordered breathing was defined as an apnoea–hypopnoea-index (AHI) ≥5/h. Sleep-disordered breathing was documented in 69.3% of all patients, 97 patients (39.8%) presented with OSA and 72 patients (29.5%) with CSA. With an increasing impairment of diastolic function the proportion of SDB, and CSA in particular, increased. Patients with SDB performed worse on CPX and six-minute walk test. Partial pressure of CO2 was lower in CSA, whereas AHI, left atrial diameter, NT-proBNP, LVEDP, PAP, and PCWP were higher. Conclusion There is a high prevalence of SDB in HFNEF. In parallel to SHF, CSA patients in particular are characterized by a more impaired cardiopulmonary function. Whether SDB is of prognostic relevance in HFNEF needs to be determined.