Conduction system pacing vs biventricular resynchronization in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction and left bundle branch block: Rationale and design of the PhysioSync-HF Trial.

Background: Cardiac resynchronization therapy reduces heart failure hospitalizations and mortality in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and left bundle branch block (LBBB). Conduction system pacing, which directly activates the His-Purkinje system, has emerged as a safe alternative to traditional biventricular resynchronization that may offer clinical benefits at lower costs.

Study Design: The PhysioSync-HF trial is an investigator-led, randomized, multicenter clinical trial designed to assess whether conduction system pacing is noninferior to biventricular resynchronization on heart failure-related outcomes in patients with HFrEF and LBBB.

Bioelectrical impedance vector analysis evaluates cellularity and hydration in cirrhotic patients.

Background: Malnutrition in cirrhotic patients is correlated with mortality and a better response to liver transplantation. However, recovery of the nutritional status in these patients is a challenge due to the difficulty in establishing a reliable nutritional diagnosis. The bioelectrical impedance vector analysis (BIVA) method appears as a feasible tool in clinical practice to define the physiological state of cirrhotic patients by assessing hydration and body cellularity.

Effects of grape juice consumption on muscle fatigue and oxidative stress in judo athletes: a randomized clinical trial.

Physiological levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) are important for intracellular and extracellular redox regulation in signaling and defense processes. Strenuous exercise can also contribute to this imbalance, and the muscle fatigue, evidenced by impaired strength or power generation, can be caused by various reasons, including oxidative stress. Antioxidants can prevent the formation of ROS by intercepting free radicals.

Phase Angle Is an Independent Predictor of 6-Month Mortality in Patients With Decompensated Cirrhosis: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the nutrition status through phase angle (PA) and its association with mortality in patients with decompensated cirrhosis.

Methods: A prospective cohort study was performed with hospitalized decompensated cirrhotic patients. Nutrition status was assessed by PA, bioelectrical impedance vector analysis (BIVA), and Subjective Global Assessment (SGA) within 72 hours of hospital admission.

Safety and Results of Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis in Patients with Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices.

Objective: To analyze the dual interference between cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA).

Methods: Forty-three individuals admitted for CIEDs implantation were submitted to a tetrapolar BIA with an alternating current at 800 microA and 50 kHz frequency before and after the devices' implantation. During BIA assessment, continuous telemetry was maintained between the device programmer and the CIEDs in order to look for evidence of possible electric interference in the intracavitary signal of the device.

Parameters of Bioelectrical Impedance Are Good Predictors of Nutrition Risk, Length of Stay, and Mortality in Critically Ill Patients: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Background: Assessment of nutrition risk in the intensive care unit (ICU) is limited by characteristics of critically ill patients, and new methods have been investigated for their applicability and predictive validity. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the validity of bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) parameters as predictors of nutrition risk and clinical outcomes in critically ill patients.

Methods: This was a prospective cohort study of patients admitted to an ICU.

Association of Healthy Eating Index and oxidative stress in adolescent volleyball athletes and non-athletes.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to compare the relationship between the Healthy Eating Index and oxidative stress parameters in adolescent athletes and non-athletes.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out with 18 adolescent male and female volleyball athletes who were paired with 15 adolescent non-athletes. Body fat percentage, food intake, free radical production, antioxidant enzyme activity, and thiol and protein damage were measured.

Supplementation of Probiotics and Its Effects on Physically Active Individuals and Athletes: Systematic Review.

The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review of the effects of probiotic supplementation on physically active individuals. The participants, interventions, comparisons, outcome and study design inclusion criteria were (a) studies involving healthy adults or older subjects of both sexes who did physical exercise (including athletes and physically active individuals), (b) interventions with probiotics, (c) inclusion of a control group, (d) outcomes not previously defined, and (e) clinical trials and randomized clinical trials, with no language or date restrictions. The search was conducted in the following scientific databases: MEDLINE, Embase, SciELO, Scopus, and Lilacs.

Phase angle and mortality: a systematic review.

Background/objectives: The phase angle, expressed through bioelectrical impedance, has been studied as a prognostic marker in several health conditions. As this issue is still conflicting, the question whether this parameter correlates with mortality in the most diverse clinical situations remains. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the relationship between phase angle and mortality through a systematic review of the literature.

Use of ghrelin in cachexia syndrome: a systematic review of clinical trials.

Context: Ghrelin is a hormone that stimulates weight gain and increases appetite. For these reasons, it has been used for treatment of cachexia syndrome.

Objective: The aim of this systematic review was to examine the use of ghrelin in cachexia patients to better understand the most prevalent clinical outcomes, particularly since the type and dosage of hormone used and the route and duration of administration often varies.

Prognostic role of phase angle in hospitalized patients with acute decompensated heart failure.

Background & Aims: Patients with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) have exacerbation of symptoms and fluid retention, and high risk of re-hospitalizations and mortality. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of phase angle at hospital admission as a prognostic marker of mortality in patients with ADHF.

Methods: Patients hospitalized for ADHF, with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <45% and BOSTON criteria ≥8 points were included.

Dynamic changes in bioelectrical impedance vector analysis and phase angle in acute decompensated heart failure.

Objectives: To evaluate whether changes in hydration status (reflecting fluid retention) would be detected by bioelectrical impedance vector analysis (BIVA) and phase angle during hospitalization for acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) and after clinical stabilization.

Methods: Patients admitted to ADHF were evaluated at admission, discharge and after clinical stabilization (3 mo after discharge) for dyspnea, weight, brain natriuretic peptide, bioelectrical impedance resistance, reactance, and phase angle. Generalized estimating equations and chi-square detected variations among the three time points of evaluation.

Triceps skinfold as a prognostic predictor in outpatient heart failure.

Background: Most reports regarding the obesity paradox have focused on body mass index (BMI) to classify obesity and the prognostic values of other indirect measurements of body composition remain poorly examined in heart failure (HF).

Objective: To evaluate the association between BMI and other indirect, but easily accessible, body composition measurements associated with the risk of all-cause mortality in HF.

Methods: Anthropometric parameters of body composition were assessed in 344 outpatients with a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of <50% from a prospective HF cohort that was followed-up for 30 ± 8.