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Introduction Heart failure (HF) is a complex clinical syndrome. Accurate risk stratification and early diagnosis of HF are challenging as its signs and symptoms are non-specific. We propose to address this global challenge by developing the STRATIFYHF artificial intelligence-driven decision support system (DSS), which uses novel analytical methods in determining the risk, diagnosis and prognosis of HF. The primary aim of the present study is to collect prospective clinical data to validate the STRATIFYHF DSS (in terms of diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity and specificity) as a tool to predict the risk, diagnosis and progression of HF. The secondary outcomes are the demographic and clinical predictors of risk, diagnosis and progression of HF.Methods and analysis STRATIFYHF is a prospective, multicentre, longitudinal study that will recruit up to 1600 individuals (n=800 suspected/at risk of HF and n=800 diagnosed with HF) aged ≥45 years old, with up to 24 months of follow-up observations. Individuals suspected of HF will be divided into two categories based on current definitions and predefined inclusion criteria. All participants will have their medical history recorded, along with data on physical examination (signs and symptoms), blood tests including serum natriuretic peptides levels, ECG and echocardiogram results, as well as demographic, socioeconomic and lifestyle data, and use of complete novel technologies (cardiac output response to stress test and voice recognition biomarkers). All measurements will be recorded at baseline and at 12-month follow-up, with medical history and hospitalisation also recorded at 24-month follow-up. Cardiovascular MRI assessment will be completed in a subset of participants (n=20–40) from eligible clinical centres only at baseline. Each clinical centre will recruit a subset of participants (n=30) who will complete a 6-month home-based monitoring of clinical characteristics and accelerometry (wrist-worn monitor) to determine the feasibility and acceptability of the STRATIFYHF mobile application. Focus groups and semistructured interviews will be conducted with up to 15 healthcare professionals and up to 20 study participants (10 at risk of HF and 10 diagnosed with HF) to explore the needs of patients and healthcare professionals prior to the development of the STRATIFYHF DSS and to evaluate the acceptability of this mobile application.Ethics and dissemination Ethical approval has been granted by the East Midlands - Leicester Central Research Ethics Committee (24/EM/0101). Dissemination activities will include journal publications and presentations at conferences, as well as development of training materials and delivery of focused training on the STRATIFYHF DSS and mobile application. We will develop and propose policy guidelines for integration of the STRATIFYHF DSS and mobile application into the standard of care in the HF care pathway.Trial registration number NCT06377319.

Study aim: Dietary and non-dietary weight loss methods are highly prevalent among combat sports athletes (CSA). Most CSA undergo rapid weight loss (RWL) usually a week before the competition to reduce their body mass and thus compete in the lowest weight category possible. The objective of the study was to distinguish the impact of high-intensity sport-specific training (HISST) combined with RWL (phase 1 – P1) on muscle damage markers as well as the effects of HISST alone (phase 2 – P2).

Percutaneous closure of the patent foramen ovale (PFO) is generally regarded as a safe and effective procedure, indicated in patients with a prior PFO-associated stroke. While it is highly safe, rarely, it could be accompanied by a migration of the device, mainly caused by the interplay of a specific PFO morphology and inappropriate device sizing. Herein, we outline a seldom-observed complication of an unintentional detachment of the PFO closure device during implantation, leading to its migration into the abdominal aorta, and a unique management approach. Due to the inability to recapture the occluder with a snare, which is considered to be a mainstay of endovascular retrieval methods, two coronary guidewires were maneuvered through the mesh of the occluder and then captured with a snare proximally to the occluder. This innovative dual-wire–snare system was carefully pulled to the common femoral artery, a position deemed suitable for surgical extraction via arteriotomy, which was achieved successfully. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study aim: To asses and compare the aerobic capacity and respiratory parameters in recreational basketball-engaged university students with age-matched untrained young adults.