@article{DrechslerRitzTomaschitzetal.2013,
  author    = {Drechsler, Christiane and Ritz, Eberhard and Tomaschitz, Andreas and Pilz, Stefan and Sch{\"o}nfeld, Stephan and Blouin, Katja and Bidlingmaier, Martin and Hammer, Fabian and Krane, Vera and M{\"a}rz, Winfried and Allolio, Bruno and Fassnacht, Martin and Wanner, Christoph},
  title     = {Aldosterone and cortisol affect the risk of sudden cardiac death in haemodialysis patients},
  series = {European Heart Journal},
  volume    = {34},
  journal   = {European Heart Journal},
  doi       = {10.1093/eurheartj/ehs361},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-132562},
  pages     = {578-585},
  year      = {2013},
  abstract  = {Background: Sudden cardiac death is common and accounts largely for the excess mortality of patients on maintenance dialysis. It is unknown whether aldosterone and cortisol increase the incidence of sudden cardiac death in dialysis patients. Methods and results: We analysed data from 1255 diabetic haemodialysis patients participating in the German Diabetes and Dialysis Study (4D Study). Categories of aldosterone and cortisol were determined at baseline and patients were followed for a median of 4 years. By Cox regression analyses, hazard ratios (HRs) were determined for the effect of aldosterone, cortisol, and their combination on sudden death and other adjudicated cardiovascular outcomes. The mean age of the patients was 66 ± 8 years (54\% male). Median aldosterone was <15 pg/mL (detection limit) and cortisol 16.8 µg/dL. Patients with aldosterone levels >200 pg/mL had a significantly higher risk of sudden death (HR: 1.69; 95\% CI: 1.06-2.69) compared with those with an aldosterone <15 pg/mL. The combined presence of high aldosterone (>200 pg/mL) and high cortisol (>21.1 µg/dL) levels increased the risk of sudden death in striking contrast to patients with low aldosterone (<15 pg/mL) and low cortisol (<13.2 µg/dL) levels (HR: 2.86, 95\% CI: 1.32-6.21). Furthermore, all-cause mortality was significantly increased in the patients with high levels of both hormones (HR: 1.62, 95\% CI: 1.01-2.62). Conclusions: The joint presence of high aldosterone and high cortisol levels is strongly associated with sudden cardiac death as well as all-cause mortality in haemodialysed type 2 diabetic patients. Whether a blockade of the mineralocorticoid receptor decreases the risk of sudden death in these patients must be examined in future trials.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{HaeuslerHermKunzeetal.2012,
  author    = {Haeusler, Karl Georg and Herm, Juliane and Kunze, Claudia and Kr{\"u}ll, Matthias and Brechtel, Lars and Lock, J{\"u}rgen and Hohenhaus, Marc and Heuschmann, Peter U. and Fiebach, Jochen B. and Haverkamp, Wilhelm and Endres, Matthias and Jungehulsing, Gerhard Jan},
  title     = {Rate of cardiac arrhythmias and silent brain lesions in experienced marathon runners: rationale, design and baseline data of the Berlin Beat of Running study},
  series = {BMC Cardiovascular Disorders},
  volume    = {12},
  journal   = {BMC Cardiovascular Disorders},
  number    = {69},
  doi       = {10.1186/1471-2261-12-69},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-133677},
  year      = {2012},
  abstract  = {Background: Regular exercise is beneficial for cardiovascular health but a recent meta-analysis indicated a relationship between extensive endurance sport and a higher risk of atrial fibrillation, an independent risk factor for stroke. However, data on the frequency of cardiac arrhythmias or (clinically silent) brain lesions during and after marathon running are missing. Methods/Design: In the prospective observational "Berlin Beat of Running" study experienced endurance athletes underwent clinical examination (CE), 3 Tesla brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), carotid ultrasound imaging (CUI) and serial blood sampling (BS) within 2-3 days prior (CE, MRI, CUI, BS), directly after (CE, BS) and within 2 days after (CE, MRI, BS) the 38\(^{th}\) BMW BERLIN-MARATHON 2011. All participants wore a portable electrocardiogram (ECG)-recorder throughout the 4 to 5 days baseline study period. Participants with pathological MRI findings after the marathon, troponin elevations or detected cardiac arrhythmias will be asked to undergo cardiac MRI to rule out structural abnormalities. A follow-up is scheduled after one year. Results: Here we report the baseline data of the enrolled 110 athletes aged 36-61 years. Their mean age was 48.8 \(\pm\) 6.0 years, 24.5\% were female, 8.2\% had hypertension and 2.7\% had hyperlipidaemia. Participants have attended a mean of 7.5 \(\pm\) 6.6 marathon races within the last 5 years and a mean of 16 \(\pm\) 36 marathon races in total. Their weekly running distance prior to the 38\(^{th}\) BMW BERLIN-MARATHON was 65 \(\pm\) 17 km. Finally, 108 (98.2\%) Berlin Beat-Study participants successfully completed the 38\(^{th}\) BMW BERLIN-MARATHON 2011. Discussion: Findings from the "Berlin Beats of Running" study will help to balance the benefits and risks of extensive endurance sport. ECG-recording during the marathon might contribute to identify athletes at risk for cardiovascular events. MRI results will give new insights into the link between physical stress and brain damage.},
  language  = {en}
}