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Good right ventricular function is one of the major determinants of long-term outcomes in patients with implanted left ventricular assist devices (LVADs). In the present study, a computer model was developed to assess the impact of mitral regurgitation on right ventricular workload at different levels of LVAD support. Left ventricular assist device was simulated by a model of HeartMate II. The computer model has shown that the regurgitant volume of the mitral valve falls significantly only after the systolic pressure in the left ventricle decreases, which occurs at higher LVAD revolutions per minute (RPM) when there is no ejection through the aortic valve. However, at low LVAD RPM, the pressures in the left atrium and the pulmonary artery decrease significantly, despite a small decrease in regurgitant volume. According to the computer model, LVAD support decreases mitral regurgitation. Furthermore, regurgitant volume has a smaller impact on the right ventricular afterload when compared with a heart without LVAD support.

The study confirmed that the TTFM measured at the proximal end of the coronary bypass could be viewed as a sum of graft capacitive flow and the flow that passes through the distal anastomosis. Graft capacitive flow increases the systolic and decreases the diastolic TTFM when measured at the proximal end of the graft. It explains the higher DF when the TTFM is measured at the distal end of the graft and the increase in the PI at the proximal end when Q decreases. As the influence of graft capacitive flow on the PI in low Q can be eliminated by performing the TTFM at the distal end of the graft, we believe that the value of PI is clinically irrelevant.

The HTA Core Model® for Rapid REA (version 3.0) was developed to produce standardised transparent RE information of pharmaceuticals. Further piloting can provide input for possible improvements, such as further refining the assessment elements and new methodological guidance on relevant areas.

Cancer is a major European public health issue and represents the second most important cause of death and morbidity in Europe. Moreover, as a result of constant advances in medicine, medical technology and other sciences, and due to improvements in economic circumstances, cancer survival rates are increasing in Europe and prevalent cases (i.e. number of subjects who have experienced cancer) represent a growing proportion of the population. In order to tackle cancer efficiently throughout the European Member states, the European Commission launched the Joint Action (JA) ‘European Partnership for Action Against Cancer’ (EPAAC) facilitated by the Community Health Programme, in September 2009. EPAAC is designed to fill a gap in cooperation, collaboration and shared experiences for countries with similar needs and diverse experience in the area of their national cancer control policies. Activities and studies are tackling the main challenges of cancer control in Europe as a whole and in the Member states, including the provision of services and health system responses, human resources and research. In contrast with previous European actions in the field of cancer, EPAAC joins different partners and stakeholders at various levels ranging from Member states (including Iceland and Norway) and Regions to patient representatives.

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ADVANTAGE Joint Action is a project co-founded by the European Commission and the Member States, with the aim of building a common understanding of frailty on which to base an approach for older people who are frail or at risk. Based on a systematic review of the literature, including grey literature and good practice, where possible, this paper proposes some key interventions to tackle frailty. Prevention should be based on a multifaceted approach, addressing factors that have resonance across the individual's life course. All older people (over 70 years of age) should be offered a screening test and, if positive, referred for diagnosis. The management of frailty must be based on comprehensive geriatric assessment, to enable effective planning. Multicomponent exercise programmes, adequate protein and vitamin D intake, when insufficient, as well as reduction in poly pharmacy and inadequate prescription are the most effective strategies to manage frailty. Objectives: ADVANTAGE Joint Action is a large collaborative project co-founded by the European Commission and its Member States to build a common understanding of frailty for Member States on which to base a common management approach for older people who are frail or at risk of developing frailty. One of the key objectives of the project is presented in this paper; how to manage frailty at the individual level. Methods: A systematic review of the literature was conducted, including grey literature and good practices when possible. Results: The management of frailty should be directed towards comprehensive and holistic treatment in multiple and related fields. Prevention requires a multifaceted approach addressing factors that have resonance across the individual's life course. Comprehensive geriatric assessment to diagnose the condition and plan a personalized multidomain treat ment improves outcomes. Multicomponent exercise programmes, adequate protein and vitamin D intake, when insufficient, and reduction in polypharmacy and inadequate prescription, are the most effective strategies found in the literature to manage frailty effectively. Conclusion: Frailty can be effectively prevented and managed with a multidomain intervention strategy based on comprehensive geriatric assessment.