External Validation of the REACT-HF Score for Predicting Heart Failure in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation.

Background: Validated risk prediction scores for incident heart failure (HF) in patients with atrial fibrillation are lacking. We aimed to externally validate the the HF prediction risk score derived from three large control randomized trials RE-LY, AVERROES, and ACTIVE-A (REACT-HF) score and assess potential improvements by incorporating biomarkers.

Methods: We included 2599 patients with atrial fibrillation without prior HF from the Swiss-AF (Swiss Atrial Fibrillation) and BEAT-AF (Basel Atrial Fibrillation) cohorts.

Atrial fibrillation and atherosclerosis cause different vascular brain lesions on magnetic resonance imaging.

Background And Aims: Atrial fibrillation (AF) and atherosclerosis pre-dispose to the occurrence of vascular brain lesions compared with the general population, yet direct comparisons of brain lesion patterns between these two cardiovascular patient groups are lacking. This study sought to compare the prevalence and distribution of vascular brain lesions on cerebral magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) between patients with AF and those with atherosclerosis.

Methods: Baseline clinical data and standardized brain MRI scans from the Swiss Atrial Fibrillation cohort study (Swiss-AF; representing patients with AF) and the COMPASS MRI sub-study (COMPASS MIND; representing patients with atherosclerosis without AF) were used to compare the prevalence of lacunar and non-lacunar infarcts, periventricular and deep white matter hyperintensities (WMH), and cerebral micro-bleeds (CMB) between groups.

First trimester combined screening for preeclampsia in twin pregnancies - results of the first 100 twin pregnancies included in the IPSISS (Implementing Preeclampsia Screening in Switzerland) cohort.

Background: Preeclampsia (PE) is more common in twin than in singleton pregnancies. First trimester combined screening including maternal risk factors, uterine artery pulsatility index (UtA-PI), mean arterial pressure (MAP) and placental growth factor (PlGF) is possible in twin pregnancies. However, the performance is reported to be inferior compared to singletons.

Impact of COVID-19 lockdown-associated visitor restrictions on mother-child interaction and emotional state of women in the puerperium - a retrospective cohort study.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to analyse the impact of maternal isolation during the COVID-19 lockdown. Two main aspects were examined: (1) What impact do these social restrictions have on maternal depressive symptoms? and (2) Is there an influence on mother-child interaction? As secondary endpoints, we defined the influence of the restrictions on breastfeeding, the length of hospital stay, patient satisfaction during the inpatient stay due to the reduced number of visitors, and postpartum complications after discharge.

Materials And Methods: The study was conducted at a university-affiliated teaching hospital in Switzerland.

Best Oculomotor Endpoints for Clinical Trials in Hereditary Ataxias: A Systematic Review and Consensus by the Ataxia Global Initiative Working Group on Digital‑Motor Biomarkers.

Oculomotor deficits are common in hereditary cerebellar ataxias (HCAs) and their quantitative assessment offers a sensitive and reliable manner to capture disease-severity and progression. As a group of experts of the Ataxia Global Initiative to support trial readiness, we previously established harmonized methodology for quantitative oculomotor assessments in HCAs. Here, we aimed to identify to most promising oculomotor/vestibular outcomes as endpoints for future trials.

Introducing the pictogram-based ocular motor and visual-perceptual symptom scale: a multinational, cross-cultural feasibility study.

Background: Patients with vestibular and ocular motor disorders often perceive oscillopsia, diplopia or visual hallucinations as their chief complaint. However, they often struggle with verbalizing these subjective ocular motor and visual-perceptual signs precisely, which complicates a correct diagnostic classification of the suspected pathogenic mechanism.

Methods: In this multinational and cross-cultural feasibility study, a novel pictogram-based scale of 10 common ocular motor and visual-perceptual symptoms (called Pictogram Ocular Motor and Visual-Perceptual Symptom Scale, POVSS) was developed and validated.

Vestibular Loss and Cerebellar Ataxia: A Practical Approach.

Cerebellar ataxia has been the remit of neurology but increased awareness of genetic disorders affecting both cerebellar and vestibular function has led to a rise in their reported prevalence. It is not uncommon for such patients to be seen in otolaryngology clinics. This review explores the underlying etiologies of patients presenting with vestibular loss accompanied by signs of cerebellar ataxia and provides a practical approach to diagnosis.

The Challenge of Diagnosing Labyrinthine Stroke-A Critical Review.

Acute vertigo or dizziness that is accompanied by a sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) often poses a diagnostic challenge. While a combined audiovestibular deficit makes an inner ear pathology most likely, this does not necessarily exclude a vascular pathology that may be a harbinger of future sinister events. This is especially true for strokes within the territory of the anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA), because the labyrinth receives its vascular supply most often by branches of the AICA.

Risk of major bleeding in recurrent fallers receiving anticoagulation for atrial fibrillation: a prospective cohort study.

Background: The risk of fall-related bleeding is a frequent reason for not following recommendations on anticoagulation in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF).

Objectives: To assess whether patients on anticoagulation therapy with recurrent falls are at an increased risk of bleeding.

Methods: We used data from the Swiss-AF multicenter cohort study, including patients aged ≥65 years with documented AF and oral anticoagulant treatment.

Diagnosis and treatment of vertigo and dizziness : Interdisciplinary guidance paper for clinical practice.

Background: Vertigo and dizziness belong to the most common leading symptoms in clinical practice. Their differential diagnosis, however, often imposes a challenge.

Objective: This work aims to provide evidence-based and practice-oriented recommendations for diagnosis and treatment of vertigo and dizziness for primary care providers.

Development and preliminary validation of the GebStart-tool for advising nulliparous women in early labour.

Objectives: Nulliparous women in early labour are unsure when to go to hospital. The aim of this study was to develop and preliminary validate a tool for advising for or against hospital admission.

Methods: We developed the preliminary long version of the GebStart-tool with 32 items based on focus group discussions and a scoping review.

Rationale and design of 'discontinuing statins in multimorbid older adults without cardiovascular disease (STREAM)': study protocol of a randomised non-inferiority clinical trial.

Introduction: Statins are among the most widely used drugs. While they are effective for primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular (CV) disease in middle-aged subjects, their benefits for prevention in older adults (aged ≥70 years) without CV disease are uncertain, particularly for those with multimorbidity. Statin side effects and drug interactions are common in older patients and may negatively impact quality of life.

Transient Response to Liberation Maneuvers in Central Positional Nystagmus Due to Cerebral Metastases Mimicking Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo- A Case Report.

Background: Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is by far the most frequent cause of positional nystagmus (PN). However, PN may also be encountered in central lesions. In this case report we describe a patient with isolated positional vertigo and central PN which mimicked a lateral-canal cupulithiasis, including initial response to liberation maneuvers.

Usefulness of Nystagmus Patterns in Distinguishing Peripheral From Central Acute Vestibular Syndromes at the Bedside: A Critical Review.

Vertigo and dizziness are amongst the most frequent presenting symptoms in the emergency room, accounting for up to 4% of all emergency consultations. The broadness of their differential diagnosis and the often transient nature of these symptoms pose a significant challenge to the treating physician. Combining various subtle oculomotor signs at the bedside has been very successful in distinguishing peripheral from central causes in acutely dizzy patients meeting diagnostic criteria for the acute vestibular syndrome (i.

The Spectrum of Peripheral-Vestibular Deficits and Their Change Over Time in CANVAS/RFC1-Related Ataxia Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Quantitative Head-Impulse Testing.

Cerebellar ataxia, neuropathy, vestibular-areflexia syndrome (CANVAS) has been linked to biallelic intronic repeat-expansions in RFC1. Video-head-impulse testing (vHIT) offers a quantitative assessment of the angular vestibulo-ocular reflex (aVOR) of all three canals. We evaluated patterns of peripheral-vestibular impairment, its change over time and evaluated correlations with other parameters.

The International Classification of Vestibular Disorders: Achievements, challenges, and future directions.

In 2007, the Bárány Society embarked on a project to establish definitions of vestibular syndromes and disorders based on best available evidence, referred to as the International Classification of Vestibular Disorders (ICVD). Since then, numerous publications providing consensus-driven diagnostic criteria for vestibular symptoms, syndromes, and disorders have been published. Here, we reflect on the rationale for developing the ICVD as well as its subsequent achievements, challenges, and outlook.

First ischemic stroke in young adults: Sex and age-related differences in stroke rates, risk factors, and etiologies.

Introduction: Sex differences in stroke incidence, vascular risk factors (VRFs), and etiologies among young adults remain underexplored, particularly regarding age-related patterns.

Patients And Methods: We retrospectively analyzed young adults (18-55 years) with first-ever ischemic stroke treated at certified acute stroke units/centers between 2014 and 2022, using Swiss Stroke Registry data. Stroke rates (per 100,000 person-years), VRFs, and etiologies were assessed by age and sex.

Impact of atrial fibrillation on productivity in working-age patients: an analysis of Swiss-AF prospective cohort study data.

Aims: We aimed to explore atrial fibrillation (AF)-induced productivity losses in working-age atrial fibrillation patients and to estimate atrial fibrillation-related indirect costs.

Methods: Between 2014 and 2017, the Swiss Atrial Fibrillation prospective cohort study (Swiss-AF) enrolled 217 working-age patients with documented atrial fibrillation. Self-reported changes in professional activity and the reasons thereof were descriptively analysed over 8 years of follow-up or until patients reached the retirement age.

Diagnostic Errors in the Acutely Dizzy Patient-Lessons Learned.

Acute vertigo or dizziness is a frequent presentation to the emergency department (ED), making up between 2.1% and 4.4% of all consultations.

Intravenous thrombolysis in patients with acute dizziness or imbalance and suspected ischemic stroke-systematic review.

Background: Correct identification of those patients presenting with an acute vestibular syndrome (AVS) or an acute imbalance syndrome (AIS) that have underlying posterior-circulation stroke (PCS) and thus may benefit from revascularization (intravenous thrombolysis (IVT), endovascular therapy (EVT)) is important. Treatment guidelines for AVS/AIS patients are lacking. We reviewed the evidence on acute treatment strategies in AVS/AIS focusing on predictors for IVT/EVT and outcome.

Coffee consumption and adverse cardiovascular events in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Background: There is some evidence of reduced major cardiovascular event (MACE) rates associated with moderate coffee consumption in the general population. However, there is concern about the potential risks of coffee consumption in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Therefore, we aimed to investigate the association between coffee consumption and MACE in AF patients.

Quantitative Oculomotor and Vestibular Profile in Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 6 - Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Whereas several studies have reported on quantitative oculomotor and vestibular measurements in spinocerebellar ataxia type 6 (SCA6), selecting the most suitable paradigms remains challenging. We aimed to address this knowledge gap through a systematic literature review and providing disease-specific recommendations for a tailored set of eye-movement recordings in SCA6. A literature search (MEDLINE, Embase) was performed focusing on studies reporting on quantitative oculomotor and/or vestibular measurements in SCA6-patients.

Coffee Consumption Correlates With Better Cognitive Performance in Patients With a High Incidence for Stroke.

Background: Atrial fibrillation is an independent risk factor for the development of cognitive impairments. Regular coffee consumption has shown cognitive benefits in healthy individuals. Whether regular consumption reduces cognitive decline in vulnerable patients is controversial.

Impact of successful secondary hyperparathyroidism treatment on cardiovascular morbidity in patients with chronic kidney disease KDIGO stages G3b-5.

Introduction: Chronic kidney disease is common, with a projected increase to 5.4 million people in need of kidney replacement therapy by 2030. As many as 61.