Beta-Blockers after Myocardial Infarction in Patients without Heart Failure.

Background: The evidence supporting beta-blocker therapy after myocardial infarction was established before the introduction of modern coronary reperfusion therapy and secondary prevention strategies.

Methods: In an open-label, randomized trial with blinded end-point evaluation, conducted in Denmark and Norway, we assigned patients who had had a myocardial infarction and who had a left ventricular ejection fraction of at least 40%, in a 1:1 ratio, to receive long-term beta-blocker therapy within 14 days after the event or no beta-blocker therapy. The primary end point was a composite of death from any cause or major adverse cardiovascular events (new myocardial infarction, unplanned coronary revascularization, ischemic stroke, heart failure, or malignant ventricular arrhythmias).

The association between arrival potassium and 30-day survival following resuscitation from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: It is unknown whether there is an association between initial serum potassium level and short-term survival in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) survivors. The aim of this study was to describe potential associations between first recorded potassium level and 30-day survival in patients surviving OHCA.

Methods: We identified 4,894 patients who had return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) at hospital arrival, and a registered post-OHCA serum-potassium value, using Danish nationwide registry data from 2001-2019.

Recurrent Ischemic Stroke and Vaginal Estradiol in Women With Prior Ischemic Stroke: A Nationwide Nested Case-Control Study.

Background: Systemic estrogen replacement therapy is contraindicated in women with a history of ischemic stroke due to the risk of stroke recurrence. There are currently no published data available describing the association between vaginal estrogen use and recurrent ischemic stroke in women with a history of ischemic stroke. This study aimed to examine the association between vaginal estradiol tablet use and the rate of recurrent ischemic stroke in women with a history of ischemic stroke.

Sudden unexplained death in individuals with and without epilepsy.

Purpose: We aimed to compare demographics, circumstances, comorbidities, autopsy results, postmortem toxicology, and prescription claims between sudden unexplained deaths (SUD) without and with epilepsy, also known as sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP).

Methods: SUD cases were identified from forensic autopsy and toxicology reports on a previously identified nationwide population of sudden deaths and sudden cardiac deaths in Denmark. SUD was defined as sudden cardiac death with no/subdiagnostic cardiac pathology and nonlethal toxicology.

Erythrocytosis incidence and thromboembolic risk in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction treated with SGLT2 inhibitors: a nationwide register-based cohort study.

Background: Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) increase haemoglobin and haematocrit levels, potentially causing secondary erythrocytosis-defined as a haemoglobin level above 16.5 g/dL in men and 16.0 g/dL in women-which is associated with an elevated thromboembolic risk.

Heavy prenatal alcohol exposure and healthcare use during childhood and adolescence: a Danish nationwide cohort study 1997-2022.

Children with heavy prenatal alcohol exposure may experience increased healthcare needs and access barriers. We aimed to quantify their healthcare utilisation patterns compared to all other Danish children in this nationwide cohort study of children born 1997-2020, followed until Dec 31, 2022. Data was derived from eight national registers.

Timing of anticoagulation restart after serious bleeding in atrial fibrillation.

Background: Restarting direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) after a serious bleeding event in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) presents a clinical dilemma, with limited evidence on the balance between stroke prevention and recurrent bleeding risk.

Methods: Using nationwide Danish registries (2012-2021), we identified AF patients (Congestive heart failure, Hypertension, Age ≥75 (doubled), Diabetes, Stroke (doubled), Vascular disease, Age 65-74, and Sex category (female) (CHA₂DS₂-VASc score ≥2)) who experienced a first serious bleeding event while on DOAC therapy. Patients were grouped by timing of DOAC restart: within 60 days ('early restarters') vs after 60 days ('late restarters').

Sex-related Differences in Long-Term Quality of Life After Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest: A Nationwide Cross-sectional Survey Study.

Background: Sex differences in survival and short-term outcomes after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) are well-documented, but its impact on long-term health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is unclear.

Methods: This cross-sectional survey study used the EuroQol Health Questionnaire (EQ-5D), the 12-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12), and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) to assess HRQoL among adult OHCA survivors in Denmark between 2001 and 2019 who were alive as of October 1, 2020. Survivors were grouped by time since cardiac arrest: 0-4 years, >4-8 years, >8-12 years, and >12 years post-arrest.

Statin use for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease among apparently healthy adults.

Objective: To study the association between statin adherence and the 5-year risk of major cardiovascular events among apparently healthy individuals.

Methods And Results: A nationwide cohort study utilising national registries in Denmark was conducted. All apparently healthy individuals aged 40-85 years using statins for one year between 1997 and 2022 with no personal history of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, hepatic diseases, cancer, or parents with cardiovascular disease, among other exclusion factors, were included.

Electrocardiogram abnormalities in left bundle branch block and out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

Background: Left bundle branch block (LBBB) can be a marker of cardiovascular risk. This study investigates how electrocardiogram (ECG) measurements can be utilized in risk stratification of LBBB patients.

Methods: Using registry data from the Copenhagen General Practitioners Laboratory, first-time LBBB ECGs were identified from 2001 to 2015.

Impact of age on cardiac troponin concentration among healthy individuals.

Background: The 99th percentile of cardiac troponin (cTn) among healthy individuals is the diagnostic cutoff for myocardial infarction. This study investigates the effect of age on the 99th percentile of cTn among healthy individuals.

Methods: We sampled healthy Danish blood donors, screened using hemoglobin A1c, N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide, and creatinine.

The Use of PSMA PET/CT Improves Overall Survival in Men with Biochemically Recurrent Prostate Cancer Treated with Salvage Radiotherapy: Real-World Data from an Entire Country.

International guidelines recommend salvage radiotherapy (sRT) as a curative treatment for men with biochemically recurrent prostate cancer after radical prostatectomy. Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) PET/CT has demonstrated high sensitivity for localizing recurrent disease at low prostate-specific antigen levels, enabling improved treatment decision-making. However, few studies have investigated the impact of pre-sRT PSMA PET/CT on patient-relevant outcomes, that is, recurrence-free and overall survival.

The Association Between Hemoglobin A1c and Complications Among Individuals With Diabetes and Severe Chronic Kidney Disease.

Objective: The optimal glycemic target for individuals with severe chronic kidney disease (CKD) remains unclear. We investigated the association between HbA1c and complications in individuals with diabetes and severe CKD.

Research Design And Methods: In a Danish nationwide registry-based cohort study, we included 27,113 individuals ≥18 years old with diabetes and severe CKD (estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] <30 mL/min/1.

Hormonal Contraception and Retinal Vascular Occlusion Risk.

Purpose: To investigate the association between hormonal contraceptive use and the risk of retinal vascular occlusions in women of reproductive age.

Design: Register-based, nationwide cohort study.

Participants: A total of 2,208,172 women aged 15-49 years were followed from January 1, 1996, to June 30, 2021, excluding those with prior venous or arterial thrombosis, thrombophilia, cancer (except non-melanoma skin cancer), liver disease, chronic kidney disease, hysterectomy, bilateral oophorectomy, hormone therapy, infertility treatment, endometriosis, or polycystic ovary syndrome.

Sex differences in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

Aims: The impact of resuscitation care initiatives on sex-differences in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) survival remains unclear. We aim to examine sex-differences in characteristics and survival.

Methods And Results: This Danish register-based study (2001-2020) included adult patients with a presumed cardiac cause of arrest.

Medical conditions and the risk of subsequent major depressive disorder: a nationwide, register-based, retrospective cohort study.

Background: Major depressive disorder can develop subsequent to medical conditions; however, it is unknown if some individuals are at higher risk than others. We aimed to provide comprehensive estimates for the risk of major depressive disorder subsequent to the onset of various medical conditions.

Methods: In this nationwide, population-based, retrospective cohort study, individuals living in Denmark between Jan 1, 1995, and Dec 31, 2022, were included.

External validation of the simple NULL-PLEASE clinical score in predicting outcomes in men and women with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest - a nationwide registry-based study.

Aim: The NULL-PLEASE score (Nonshockable rhythm, Unwitnessed arrest, Long no-flow or Long low-flow period, blood pH <7.2, Lactate >7.0 mmol/L, End-stage renal disease on dialysis, Age ≥85 years, Still resuscitation, and Extracardiac cause) was developed to predict survival in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) patients.

Target attainment of benzylpenicillin in patients with infective endocarditis.

Objectives: Benzylpenicillin is commonly used to treat infective endocarditis, particularly for streptococcal infections. This study aimed to perform pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic analyses of benzylpenicillin to assess the probability of target attainment (PTA) across different pathogens, MIC values, pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic targets, and renal function levels.

Methods: In the Partial Oral Endocarditis Treatment trial, patients with left-sided infective endocarditis were randomly assigned to either conventional intravenous or partial oral antibiotic treatment.

Dronedarone provides effective early rhythm control: post-hoc analysis of the ATHENA trial using EAST-AFNET 4 criteria.

Aims: This post-hoc analysis of the ATHENA trial assessed whether dronedarone (400 mg twice daily) improved cardiovascular outcomes compared with placebo in patients with early atrial fibrillation/atrial flutter (AF) and cardiovascular comorbidities, based on EAST-AFNET 4 inclusion criteria and outcomes.

Methods And Results: The co-primary outcomes were (i) a composite of cardiovascular death, stroke, or hospitalisation due to worsening of heart failure (HF) or acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and (ii) nights spent in hospital per year. Sinus rhythm (SR) at 12 months was a secondary outcome.

Early life exposures and risk of salivary gland diseases in childhood: A 28-year nationwide cohort study.

Background: Limited research has been conducted on salivary gland diseases in childhood, including disease etiology and associated risk factors. This study examines how early-life exposures influence the rate of salivary gland disease.

Objective: To access the association between early-life exposures and salivary gland disease in childhood as well as to examine sex and age distribution and time trends.

Seasonal variation in bystander efforts and survival after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

Background: This study investigated the hypothesis that out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) incidence, public automated external defibrillator (PAD) utilization and outcome vary by season, with increased incidence and lower survival rates expected in winter. The aim was to provide insights that might optimize resuscitation efforts throughout the year.

Methods: Cases of OHCA from 2016 to 2021 were included from the Danish Cardiac Arrest Registry.

Hospitalisations for physical abuse in infants and children less than 5 years, 2013-2021: a multinational cohort study using administrative data from five European countries.

Background: Child physical abuse (CPA) is a global public health problem associated with lifelong negative consequences, yet reliable epidemiologic data are lacking. This multinational cohort study analyses trends in CPA hospitalisations from 2013 to 2021.

Methods: We used medico-administrative databases to identify children aged one month to five years hospitalised in Denmark, England, France, Ireland, and Wales.

Infective endocarditis and the association to income as a proxy for socioeconomic position: A Danish nationwide register-based cohort study.

Background: Despite continued focus on infective endocarditis morbidity and mortality remains high. Socioeconomic position is known to influence the risk of multiple diseases but the impact on the occurrence of infective endocarditis is unknown. We aimed to investigate the association between available income as a proxy for socioeconomic position and infective endocarditis in an unselected nationwide population.