The diagnosis and management of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is increasingly complex, and systematic evidence remains sparse. The Austrian HCM registry aims to provide representative real-world data addressing gaps in evidence. Here, we report design, methods and results after one year enrolment. The Austrian HCM Registry is an ongoing prospective, multicenter registry including University and community hospitals across Austria. Patients with written informed consent undergo a structured assessment of symptoms, past medical history, family history and the presence of HCM-specific red flags. Clinical data derived from electrocardiogram, echocardiography, laboratory analysis, and genetic testing are collected and entered into a web-based, responsive electronic case report form. Bilateral data transfer agreements ensure legal protection of each site. Between March 2024 and May 2025, 7 University centers and 7 community hospitals from 6 out of 9 Austrian federal states were initiated. Overall, recruitment rate was 2.5 patients per site and month, with University centers and community hospitals contributing 92

Abstract The risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) increases with age. However, the risk of VTE in the setting of long-term care hospitals is understudied. Our objective was to provide data on the prevalence and incidence of VTE in older adults admitted to long-term care hospitals. In this retrospective cohort study, we collected data about chronically ill and multimorbid patients aged 65 years and older from two long-term care hospitals. The primary endpoint of this study was the lifetime prevalence of VTE, and the secondary endpoint was VTE incidence during residency in long-term care hospitals. We analysed data from 1148 patients with a mean age of 84.1 ± 7.9 years, of whom 74.2% were women. The lifetime prevalence of VTE at baseline was 9.6% (95% CI 7.9–11.4). Cumulative incidence of VTE at 1, 2, and 3 years from baseline was estimated at 3.5% (95% CI 2.5–4.7), 4.2% (95% CI 3.1–5.5), and 5.4% (95% CI 4.1–7.0), respectively. Overall, the incidence rate of VTE in our study was 2.82 (95% CI 2.18–3.66) per 100 person-years. The study indicated a considerably high lifetime prevalence and incidence of VTE during residence in long-term care hospital settings, requiring further evaluation in larger prospective studies.

Background: The influence of different viral infections in patients with myocarditis is unknown. Myocarditis is an inflammatory disease of heart muscle that is commonly caused by viruses. The impact of different viral infections in patients with myocarditis is unknown. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study using data between 2016–2020 in the National Inpatient Sample in the USA to evaluate admissions with myocarditis and concomitant viral infection. The outcomes of in-hospital mortality, length of stay (LoS), and cost, among patients hospitalized for myocarditis was evaluated. Results: A total of 27,050 hospital admissions for myocarditis were included and 6750 (25.0%) had a co-diagnosis of viral infection. Patients with myocarditis and viral infection had significantly higher mortality compared to those without viral infection (23.6% vs. 4.4%, p < 0.001). Viral infection was associated with increased in-hospital mortality (odds ratio (OR) 2.03, 95% CI 1.51 to 2.73, p < 0.001), greater median LoS (7 vs. 3 days, p < 0.001) and median hospitalization cost ($21,445 vs. $11,596, p < 0.001), compared to patients without viral infection. The rate of death was greatest for patients with a diagnosis of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), viral pneumonia and herpes zoster, respiratory syncytial virus, chronic hepatitis, and influenza which was 36.0%, 34.3%, 27.3%, 21.4%, 20.0%, and 14.5%, respectively. Conclusions: In conclusion, the diagnosis of viral infection is present in one in four patients hospitalized with myocarditis and is correlated with greater mortality, LoS, and in-hospital cost.

Pharmacological post-MI treatment is routinely initiated at intensive/cardiac care units. However, solid evidence for an early start of these therapies is only available for dual platelet therapy and statins, whereas data on beta blockers and RAAS inhibitors are heterogenous and mainly limited to STEMI and heart failure patients. Recently, the EMMY trial provided the first evidence on the beneficial effects of SGLT2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) when initiated early after PCI. In patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, SGLT2i are considered “sick days drugs” and it, therefore, remains unclear if very early SGLT2i initiation following MI is as safe and effective as delayed initiation. The EMMY trial evaluated the effect of empagliflozin on NT-proBNP and functional and structural measurements. Within the Empagliflozin group, 22 (9.5

The best possible care for pa-tients with heart failure requires smooth cooperation between primary care physicians, resident specialist internal medicine or cardiology practices. and special heart failure outpatient departments in hospitals. Gaps in cooperation can lead to an avoidable loss of life years. This position paper, prepared by members of the Heart Failure Working Group of the Austrian Society of Cardiology (OKG) and the Austrian Society of General Medicine and Family Physicians (OGAM), is intended to encourage the formation of networks in which the responsibilities for the care of heart failure patients are clearly defined. J Kardiol 2023; 30 (1-2): 12-6.

Aim of this study was investigate the prevalence and incidence of atrial fibrillation (AF) and to describe the clinical characteristics, risk profiles, and types of anticoagulant therapy for stroke prevention and the clinical outcomes in persons admitted to a long-term care hospital. We conducted a retrospective cohort study using data from the electronic medical records of patients aged 65 years or older living in two long-term care hospitals between January 1, 2014 and October 31, 2017. Overall data from 1148 patients (mean age 84.1 ± 7.9 years, 74.2% women) were analyzed. At baseline, the median CHA 2 DS 2 -VASc score was 4 (IQR 3–5) and the HAS-BLED score 2 (IQR 2–3). We observed patients over a median period of 3.7 years. The point prevalence of AF was 29.6% (95% CI 25.8–33.7) on January 1, 2014. The 1-year cumulative incidence of de novo AF was 4.0% (2.8–5.6). Oral anticoagulants were prescribed in 48% of patients with AF. The cumulative incidence at 1 year for a composite outcome of TIA, stroke, or systemic arterial embolism was 0.6% (0.1–3.1) and 1.7% (0.5–4.6) and for bleeding 2.6% (0.9–6.2) and 1.8% (0.5–4.8) in patients with AF and oral anticoagulants or no oral anticoagulants, respectively. In long-term care hospital patients, we observed a high burden of AF. However, only about half of patients with AF received oral anticoagulation for stroke prevention.

AIMS:Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibition reduces the risk of hospitalization for heart failure and for death in patients with symptomatic heart failure. However, trials investigating the effects of this drug class in patients following acute myocardial infarction are lacking. METHODS AND RESULTS:In this academic, multicentre, double-blind trial, patients (n = 476) with acute myocardial infarction accompanied by a large creatine kinase elevation (>800 IU/L) were randomly assigned to empagliflozin 10 mg or matching placebo once daily within 72 h of percutaneous coronary intervention. The primary outcome was the N-terminal pro-hormone of brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) change over 26 weeks. Secondary outcomes included changes in echocardiographic parameters. Baseline median (interquartile range) NT-proBNP was 1294 (757-2246) pg/mL. NT-proBNP reduction was significantly greater in the empagliflozin group, compared with placebo, being 15% lower [95% confidence interval (CI) -4.4% to -23.6%] after adjusting for baseline NT-proBNP, sex, and diabetes status (P = 0.026). Absolute left-ventricular ejection fraction improvement was significantly greater (1.5%, 95% CI 0.2-2.9%, P = 0.029), mean E/e' reduction was 6.8% (95% CI 1.3-11.3%, P = 0.015) greater, and left-ventricular end-systolic and end-diastolic volumes were lower by 7.5 mL (95% CI 3.4-11.5 mL, P = 0.0003) and 9.7 mL (95% CI 3.7-15.7 mL, P = 0.0015), respectively, in the empagliflozin group, compared with placebo. Seven patients were hospitalized for heart failure (three in the empagliflozin group). Other predefined serious adverse events were rare and did not differ significantly between groups. CONCLUSION:In patients with a recent myocardial infarction, empagliflozin was associated with a significantly greater NT-proBNP reduction over 26 weeks, accompanied by a significant improvement in echocardiographic functional and structural parameters. CLINICALTRIALS.GOV REGISTRATION:NCT03087773.

The aim of this systematic review was to summarise the comparative evidence on the risk of contrast-associated acute kidney injury (CA-AKI) with CO2 or iodinated contrast medium (ICM) for peripheral vascular interventions. We searched Ovid MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, Embase, Epistemonikos, PubMed-similar-articles, clinical trial registries, journal websites, and reference lists up to February 2022. We included studies comparing the risk of CA-AKI in patients who received CO2 or ICM for peripheral angiography with or without endovascular intervention. Two reviewers screened the references and assessed the risk of bias of the included studies. We extracted data on study population, interventions and outcomes. For the risk of CA-AKI as our primary outcome of interest, we calculated risk ratios (RRs) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) and performed random-effects meta-analyses. We identified three RCTs and five cohort studies that fully met our eligibility criteria. Based on a random-effects meta-analysis, the risk of CA-AKI was lower with CO2 compared to ICM (8.6% vs. 15.2%; RR, 0.59; 95% CI 0.33–1.04). Only limited results from a few studies were available on procedure and fluoroscopy time, radiation dose and CO2-related adverse events. The evidence suggests that the use of CO2 for peripheral vascular interventions reduces the risk of CA-AKI compared to ICM. However, due to the relevant residual risk of CA-AKI with the use of CO2, other AKI risk factors must be considered in patients undergoing peripheral vascular interventions.

Background Sodium glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) have proven profound positive effects in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). These effects are independent from the presence of diabetes. Metabolic effects, antiinflammatory, and antifibrotic properties are discussed as underlying mechanisms. Despite a strong correlation of ventricular arrhythmias with HFrEF, the impact of ertugliflozin on the ventricular arrhythmic burden has not been investigated, yet. Therefore, the Ertugliflozin to Reduce Arrhythmic burden in ICD +/- CRT patientS (ERASe) trial was designed to investigate the efficacy and safety of ertugliflozin in patients with reduced and midrange ejection fraction (EF) with or without diabetes. Methods Within a multicentre, national, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3b trial we aim to enrol a total of 402 patients across Austria. Patients with reduced or midrange EF and ICD +/- CRT therapy > 3 months and previous ventricular tachycardia (at least 10 documented VT episodes within the last 12 months) are randomized in a 1:1 ratio to ertugliflozin (5 mg once daily orally administered) or matching placebo. The primary endpoint of the ERASe trial is to investigate the impact of ertugliflozin on total burden of ventricular arrhythmias. Further objectives will include number of therapeutic interventions of implanted devices, atrial fibrillation and heart failure biomarkers. Conclusion The ERASe trial will be the first trial to test ertugliflozin in heart failure patients with nonpreserved ejection fraction and ongoing ICD +/- CRT therapy regardless of their diabetic status. The ERASe trial may therefore extend the concept of SGLT2 inhibition to improve cardiac remodelling, including reduced arrhythmic burden. Trial registration Identifier EudraCT Nr. 2020-002581-14 / ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04600921 (Am Heart J 2022;246:152-160.)

Paracoccidioidomycosis is a systemic mycosis that is endemic in geographical regions of Central and South America. Cases that occur in nonendemic regions of the world are imported through migration and travel. Due to the limited number of cases in Europe, most physicians are not familiar with paracoccidioidomycosis and its close clinical and histopathological resemblance to other infectious and noninfectious disease. To increase awareness of this insidious mycosis, we conducted a systematic review to summarize the evidence on cases diagnosed and reported in Europe. We searched PubMed and Embase to identify cases of paracoccidioidomycosis diagnosed in European countries. In addition, we used Scopus for citation tracking and manually screened bibliographies of relevant articles. We conducted dual abstract and full-text screening of references yielded by our searches. To identify publications published prior to 1985, we used the previously published review by Ajello et al. Overall, we identified 83 cases of paracoccidioidomycosis diagnosed in 11 European countries, published in 68 articles. Age of patients ranged from 24 to 77 years; the majority were male. Time from leaving the endemic region and first occurrence of symptoms considerably varied. Our review illustrates the challenges of considering systemic mycosis in the differential diagnosis of people returning or immigrating to Europe from endemic areas. Travel history is important for diagnostic-workup, though it might be difficult to obtain due to possible long latency period of the disease.

A position paper. Chronic heart failure and diabetes are closely related with each other. Glucose intolerance and overt diabetes are highly prevalent in patients with chronic heart failure, while chronic heart failure is known as a severe long-term complication in patients with diabetes. This position paper from the Austrian Diabetes Association and the Austrian Society of Cardiology aims to improve the awareness for these co-existing disorders and summarizes relevant diagnostic procedures and therapeutic approaches for daily clinical practice.

Background: Lead-associated complications and technical issues in patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices are common but underreported in the literature. Methods: All patients undergoing implantation of the Osypka QT-5® ventricular lead at the University Clinic St. Pölten between 1 January 2006 and 31 December 2012 were retrospectively analyzed (n = 211). Clinical data including pacemaker follow-up examinations and the need for lead revisions were assessed. Kaplan–Meier analysis to estimate the rate of lead dysfunction during long-term follow-up was conducted. Results: Patients were followed for a median of 5.2 years (interquartile range (IQR) 2.0–8.7). R-wave sensing properties at implantation, compared to last follow-up, remained basically unchanged: 9.9 mV (IQR 6.8–13.4) and 9.6 mV (IQR 5.6–12.0), respectively). Ventricular pacing threshold significantly increased between implantation (0.5 V at 0.4 ms; IQR 0.5–0.8) and the first follow-up visit (1.0 V at 0.4 ms; IQR 0.8–1.3; p < 0.001) and this increase persisted throughout to the last check-up (0.9 V at 0.4 ms; IQR 0.8–1.2). Impedance significantly declined from 1142 Ω (IQR 955–1285) at implantation to 814 Ω (IQR 701–949; p < 0.001) at the first check-up, followed by a further decrease to 450 Ω (IQR 289–652; p < 0.001) at the last check-up. Overall, the Osypka QT-5® ventricular lead was replaced in 36 patients (17.1%). Conclusions: This report shows an unexpected high rate of technical issues of the Osypka QT-5® ventricular lead during long-term follow-up.

Information on the distribution of filamentous fungal pathogens, which cause potential life-threatening invasive infections mostly in immunocompromised persons, is of great importance. The aim of this study was to evaluate the epidemiology and clinical outcome in patients with infections due to filamentous fungi at the University Hospital of Vienna, Austria. We conducted a retrospective observational study and consecutively included patients of any age with filamentous fungal infections between 2009 and 2017. The classification for probable and proven invasive filamentous fungal infections was based on the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer/Invasive Fungal Infections Cooperative Group (EORTC) criteria or the expert opinion of an experienced clinical mycologist. We included 129 patients (median age: 52 years; 47.3% female) with episodes of 101 proven and probable invasive and 35 localized filamentous fungal infections (16 sinus, 14 eye, one ear, and four deep cutaneous). Aspergillus fumigatus alone accounted for 50.3% of the fungi, which was followed by the Mucorales group (13.7%) and Fusarium spp. (8.5%). Diagnosis was mainly based on culture findings. The lung was the most frequent site of infection. The 30-day and 90-day overall mortality of invasive fungal infections was 30.2% and 42.7%, respectively. We observed a high all-cause mortality among patients with invasive filamentous fungal infections. Prospective data collection in a nationwide registry would be necessary to provide important information on surveillance to clinicians and other decision-makers.

Within the last decade, implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) systems with non-transvenous leads were developed in order to minimize complications related to the cardiovascular position of transvenous ICD leads. This national expert consensus gives an overview of potential indications for the implantation of non-transvenous ICD systems, and provides specific recommendations for implantation, follow-up, and complication management in patients with subcutaneous ICD. Regarding particular issues like the necessity for shock efficacy testing, or the clinical outcome as compared to transvenous ICD, randomized data are expected in the near future.

Background Sodium glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors are established antidiabetic drugs with proven cardiovascular benefit. Although growing evidence suggests beneficial effects on myocardial remodeling, fluid balance and cardiac function, the impact of empagliflozin initiated early after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) has not been investigated yet. Therefore, the impact of EMpagliflozin on cardiac function and biomarkers of heart failure in patients with acute MYocardial infarction (EMMY) trial was designed to investigate the efficacy and safety of empagliflozin in diabetic and nondiabetic patients after severe AMI. Methods Within a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3b trial we will enroll patients with AMI and characteristics suggestive of severe myocardial necrosis are randomized in a 1:1 ratio to empagliflozin (10 mg once daily) or matching placebo. The primary endpoint is the impact of empagliflozin on changes in NT-proBNP within 6 months after AMI. Secondary endpoints include changes in echocardiographic parameters, levels of ketone body concentrations, HbA1c levels and body weight, respectively. Hospitalization rate due to heart failure or other causes, the duration of hospital stay and all-cause mortality will be assessed as exploratory secondary endpoints. Discussion The EMMY trial will test empagliflozin in patients with AMI regardless of their diabetic status. The EMMY trial may therefore underpin the concept of SGLT2 inhibition to improve cardiac remodeling, pre-and afterload reduction and cardiac metabolism regardless of its antidiabetic effects. Results will provide the rationale for the conduct of a cardiovascular outcome trial to test the effect of empagliflozin in patients with AMI.

Abstract Background The wearable cardioverter-defibrillator (WCD) is a temporary treatment option for patients at high risk for sudden cardiac death (SCD) and/or for patients in whom implantation of a cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) is temporarily not possible. Purpose To investigate incidence and predictors of appropriate WCD shocks. Methods We performed a retrospective analysis of all patients with appropriate shocks delivered by a WCD in the cohort of the Austrian WCD registry between 2010 and 2018. Within this dataset, we identified predictors within the baseline characteristics, the indication for the WCD and preceding alarms automatically recorded by the WCD. Results: Baseline Within 879 registered in the Austrian WCD registry, 31 patients (3,5%) received appropriate WCD shocks due to ventricular tachycardia (VT) or ventricular fibrillation (VF). Compared to the total cohort, shocked patients were elder (mean age 67 ± 14 vs. 60 ± 14 years, p = 0,001) and the percentage of female patients was lower (11% vs. 21%, p = 0,262). The mean baseline LVEF at prescription was 33 ± 15% in the population with appropriate shocks compared to 32 ± 14% in the all-over cohort (p = ns). In the Austrian WCD population, 378/879 patients had a WCD due to secondary prevention. Within this cohort 5,6% (21/378) had shocks for VT/VF again, compared to 10/501 (2%) shocked patients in the primary prevention cohort. 31/879 (3.5%) patients received 57 appropriate shocks, the per patient shock rate was 2 [1;5]. These shocks were induced by 25 ventricular tachycardia and 26 times ventricular fibrillation. The octagenarians with 11% (7/34) shocked patients, showed a significant higher likelihood to receive shocks (p = 0,008) as well as the cohort of secondary preventive prescribed WCD-patients (p = 0,007). There were more shocks in patients, when prescribed with a WCD due to ICD associated infections (p = 0,001), when used as a bridge to ICD (p = 0,042) and in patients with ongoing risk stratification (p = 0,009). Looking through the automatically recorded alarms preceding a WCD shock, shocked patients experienced significantly more often non sustained VTs (p < 0,0005) and sustained VTs that were haemodynamically tolerated and did not require a treatment (p < 0,0005). Conclusion The WCD is effective in preventing SCD and an important risk stratification tool. We identified advanced age, patients with either already confirmed indication for ICD implantation (either temporary contraindication for implantation or temporary explantation) or risk stratification of an unclear cardiomyopathy, the cohort of secondary prevention and preceding nsVTs and stable VTs as predictors for appropriate WCD therapies.