Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for predicting the risk of a subject of rapidly progressing to chronic heart failure and/or of hospitalization due to chronic heart failure and/or death. The method is based on the determination of at least one biomarker selected from the group consisting of a BNP-type peptide, IGFBP7 (IGF binding protein 7), a cardiac Troponin, soluble ST2 (sST2), FGF-23 (Fibroblast Growth Factor 23), and Growth Differentiation Factor 15 (GDF-15), in a sample of a subject. The method may further encompass the assessment of the presence or absence of (i) abnormal midwall fractional shortening or (ii) left ventricular hypertrophy. Further envisaged by the present invention are devices adapted to carry out the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for diagnosing a recent paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. The method is based on the determination of the at least one marker selected from the group consisting of a cardiac Troponin, NT-proBNP (N-terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide), hsCRP, IL-6 (Interleukin-6) and IGFBP7 (Insulin like growth factor binding protein 7) in a sample from the subject, and on the comparison of the, thus, determined amount(s) with a reference amount (reference amounts). Further, the present invention relates to a method for identifying a subject being treatable with anticoagulation therapy. Further envisaged are systems, reagents and kits used in performing the methods disclosed herein.

Abstract: A modular operating table comprises a support (10) and a base part (20) attached to the support (10), the base part (20) providing a first region of a support surface for a patient's body during surgery, the base part (20) comprising side bars (21) extending parallel to a longitudinal axis of the support surface in lateral edge regions of the support surface. A seat element (30) is attached to the base part (20), the seat element (30) providing a second region of the support surface, a width of the second region decreasing in a distal direction, symmetric to a central longitudinal axis of the support surface, the seat element (30) having at least two first connection elements for the distal attachment of functional components, the at least two first connection elements being arranged along main axes of the side bars. A first functional component (40.1, 40.2) comprising a generally triangular plate (42.1, 42.2) provides a third region of the support surface. The first functional component (40.1, 40.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for diagnosing and/or grading diastolic dysfunction or at least one structural or functional abnormality associated with diastolic dysfunction. The method comprises measuring the level of IGFBP7 (Insulin like growth factor binding protein 7) and, optionally, the level of at least one further marker in a patient suffering from heart failure, and comparing the level to a reference level. Further envisaged is a method of monitoring diastolic function in a patient suffering from heart failure. Also encompassed by the present invention are kits and devices adapted to carry out the method of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for identifying a patient who is eligible to an intensification of heart failure therapy. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for optimizing BNP-type peptide guided heart failure therapy. The methods are based on the measurement of the level of at least one marker in a sample from a patient who has heart failure and who receives BNP-type peptide guided heart failure therapy. Further envisaged by the present invention are kits and devices adapted to carry out the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of identifying a patient having heart failure as likely to respond to a therapy comprising a statin. The method is based on measuring the level of at least one marker selected from GDF-15 (Growth Differentiation Factor 15), Urea, SHBG (Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin), Uric acid, PLGF (Placental Growth Factor), IL-6 (Interleukin-6), Transferrin, a cardiac Troponin, sFlt-1 (Soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1), Prealbumin, Ferritin, Osteopontin, sST2 (soluble ST2), and hsCRP (high sensitivity C-reactive protein) in a sample from a patient. Further envisaged is a method of predicting the risk of a patient to suffer from death or hospitalization, wherein said patient has heart failure and undergoes a therapy comprising a statin. The method is also based on the measurement of the level of at least one of the aforementioned markers.

Abstract: According to a first aspect the invention relates to the use of fumaric acid derivatives selected from the group consisting of dialkyl fumarates, monoalkyl hydrogen fumarates, fumaric acid monoalkyl ester salts, fumaric acid monoamides, monoamido fumaric acid salts, fumaric acid diamides, monoalkyl monoamido fumarates, carbocyclic and oxacarbocyclic oligomers of these compounds and mixtures thereof for preparing a drug for the treatment or prevention of cardiac insufficiency, in particular left ventricular insufficiency, myocardial infarction and angina pectoris.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for identifying a subject being eligible to the administration of at least one medicament selected from the group consisting of a beta blocker, an aldosterone antagonist, a diuretic, and an inhibitor of the renin-angiotensin system. The method is based on the determination of the amount of at least one biomarker selected from the group consisting of GDF-15 (Growth Differentiation Factor 15), endostatin, mimecan, IGFBP7 (IGF binding protein 7), a cardiac Troponin, a BNP-type peptide, uric acid, Gal3 (Galectin-3), osteopontin, sST2 (soluble ST2), PlGF, sFlt-1, P1NP, Cystatin C, Prealbumin, and Transferrin in a sample from a subject suffering from heart failure. Further, the method comprises the step of comparing the, thus, determined amount with a reference amount. Further envisaged by the present invention are kits and devices adapted to carry out the method of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for guiding heart failure treatment in a subject suffering from heart failure. The method is based on the determination of the amount of a BNP-type peptide and a cardiac troponin in a sample from said subject. Further envisaged by the present invention are kits and devices adapted to carry out the present invention. The present invention also relates to a system for guiding heart failure treatment in a subject suffering from heart failure as disclosed herein and to reagents and kits used in performing the methods disclosed herein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for diagnosing a recent paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. The method is based on the determination of the at least one marker selected from the group consisting of a cardiac Troponin, NT-proBNP (N-terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide), hsCRP, IL-6 (Interleukin-6) and IGFBP7 (Insulin like growth factor binding protein 7) in a sample from the subject, and on the comparison of the, thus, determined amount(s) with a reference amount (reference amounts). Further, the present invention relates to a method for identifying a subject being treatable with anticoagulation therapy. Further envisaged are systems, reagents and kits used in performing the methods disclosed herein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for assessing whether a subject shall be subjected to an imaging based diagnostic assessment. The method is based on the determination of the amount(s) of a cardiac Troponin and/or Fibroblast Growth Factor 23 (FGF-23) in a sample from the subject, and on the comparison of the, thus, determined amount(s) with a reference amount (reference amounts). The present invention also relates to a system for performing an assessment whether a subject shall be subjected to an imaging based diagnostic assessment and to reagents and kits used in performing the methods disclosed herein. Moreover, the present invention is directed to a method for predicting the risk of mortality and/or of a cardiovascular event. Also encompassed is a method for diagnosing an early stage of LVH in a subject having a preserved left ventricular ejection.

Abstract: A modular operating table comprises a support (10) and a base part (20) attached to the support (10), the base part (20) providing a first region of a support surface for a patient's body during surgery, the base part (20) comprising side bars (21) extending parallel to a longitudinal axis of the support surface in lateral edge regions of the support surface. A seat element (30) is attached to the base part (20), the seat element (30) providing a second region of the support surface, a width of the second region decreasing in a distal direction, symmetric to a central longitudinal axis of the support surface, the seat element (30) having at least two first connection elements for the distal attachment of functional components, the at least two first connection elements being arranged along main axes of the side bars. A first functional component (40.1, 40.2) comprising a generally triangular plate (42.1, 42.2) provides a third region of the support surface. The first functional component (40.1, 40.

Abstract: According to a first aspect the invention relates to the use of fumaric acid derivatives selected from the group consisting of dialkyl fumarates, monoalkyl hydrogen fumarates, fumaric acid monoalkyl ester salts, fumaric acid monoamides, monoamido fumaric acid salts, fumaric acid diamides, monoalkyl monoamido fumarates, carbocyclic and oxacarbocyclic oligomers of these compounds and mixtures thereof for preparing a drug for the treatment or prevention of cardiac insufficiency, in particular left ventricular insufficiency, myocardial infarction and angina pectoris.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for diagnosing myocardial infarction in a subject presenting with chest pain. The method is based on the determination of an amount of a cardiac troponin in a first sample from the subject obtained at presentation to a physician, and in a second sample obtained within one hour after the first sample. Moreover, the present invention envisages a method for ruling in myocardial infarction and a method for ruling out myocardial infarction. The said methods are also based on the determination of the amount of a cardiac troponin in a first sample from the subject obtained at presentation to a physician, and in a second sample obtained within one hour after the first sample.

Abstract: According to a first aspect the invention relates to the use of fumaric acid derivatives selected from the group consisting of dialkyl fumarates, monoalkyl hydrogen fumarates, fumaric acid monoalkyl ester salts, fumaric acid monoamides, monoamido fumaric acid salts, fumaric acid diamides, monoalkyl monoamido fumarates, carbocyclic and oxacarbocyclic oligomers of these compounds and mixtures thereof for preparing a drug for the treatment or prevention of cardiac insufficiency, in particular left ventricular insufficiency, myocardial infarction and angina pectoris.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition and method of achieving a therapeutic effect including, but not limited to, the treatment of hypertension, kidney or heart disease in an animal, preferably a mammal including a human subject, using (i) SPP100/aliskiren or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof in combination with (ii) SPP301/avosentan or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and (iii) a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: According to a first aspect the invention relates to the use of fumaric acid derivatives selected from the group consisting of dialkyl fumarates, monoalkyl hydrogen fumarates, fumaric acid monoalkyl ester salts, fumaric acid monoamides, monoamido fumaric acid salts, fumaric acid diamides, monoalkyl monoamido fumarates, carbocyclic and oxacarbocyclic oligomers of these compounds and mixtures thereof for preparing a drug for the treatment or prevention of cardiac insufficiency, in particular left ventricular insufficiency, myocardial infarction and angina pectoris.