LAUSR

Exercise capacity is impaired in patients with heart failure (HF) with a major impact on their poorer quality of life and frequent hospitalizations.3–5 Nijholt et al. 6 reviewed the most recent findings in the field, focusing on newly discovered pathways associated with muscular growth, mechanisms of exercise intolerance and potential therapeutic options. The role of nutritional status in HF patients is well-established.7,8 Malnutrition refers also to specific micronutrient deficiencies (i.e. selenium). The levels of selenium were measured in a cohort of 5973 Dutch subjects. Higher levels of selenium were independently associated with a lower risk of death and new-onset HF. A significant interaction was found between smoking status and the impact of selenium levels on clinical events.9