Deutsche Stiftung Für Herzforschung

The goal of this clinical trial is to answer the question whether a transcutaneous stimulation of a certain nerve (Nervus vagus) with a dedicated device reduces the recurrence of the heart rhythm disorder atrial fibrillation.
Participants will receive a dedicated nerval stimulation device and will treat themselves on a daily basis for at least an hour per day. Treatment will last for 3 months. Researchers will compare this group with a similar group that uses an ineffective device. Both researcher and patients will be blinded so they do not know which device they will be using.

Detailed knowledge about the association between systemic inflammation and endothelial progenitor cell (EPCs) activation during extracorporeal circulation (ECC) is lacking.
This pilot study aims to clarify the relationship between CD34-positive EPCs and cytokine release during ECC using the cytokine adsorber to make a predictive statement regarding the clinical expression of inflammation.

The aim of the mCAV study is a comprehensive characterization of the genetic, morphological and functional phenotype of isolated microvascular graft vasculopathy (mCAV) after orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT).
The utilized methods include dynamic echocardiography, magnetic resonance imaging, invasive microvascular resistance measurements, histology, cellular calcium-signaling and magnetocardiography as well as molecular genetic expression analysis (miRNA based).