Jeppesenmorris9869

Pathological studies have suggested that features of vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques likely to progress and lead to acute cardiovascular events have specific characteristics. Given the progress of intravascular coronary imaging technology, some large prospective studies have detected features of vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques using these imaging modalities. However, the rate of cardiovascular events, such as acute coronary syndrome, has been found to be considerably reduced in the limited follow-up period available in the statin era. Additionally, not all disrupted plaques lead to thrombus formation with clinical presentation. If sub-occlusive or occlusive thrombus formation does not occur, a thrombus on a disrupted plaque will organize without any symptoms, forming a "healed plaque". Although vulnerable plaque detection using intracoronary imaging is focused on "thin-cap fibroatheroma" leading to plaque rupture, superficial plaque erosion is increasingly recognized; however, the underlying mechanism of thrombus formation on eroded plaques is not well understood. One of intravascular imaging, optical coherence tomography (OCT) has the highest image resolution and has enabled detailed characterization of the plaque in vivo. Here, we reviewed the status and limitations of intravascular imaging in terms of detecting vulnerable plaque through mainly OCT studies. We suggested that vulnerable plaque should be reconsidered in terms of eroded plaque and healed plaque and that both plaque and circulating blood should be assessed in greater detail accordingly.Acute heart failure (AHF) is a major cause of unplanned hospitalisations in the elderly and is associated with high mortality. Its prevalence has grown in the last years due to population aging and longer life expectancy of chronic heart failure patients. Although international societies have provided guidelines for the management of AHF in the general population, scientific evidence for geriatric patients is often lacking, as these are underrepresented in clinical trials. Elderly have a different risk profile with more comorbidities, disability, and frailty, leading to increased morbidity, longer recovery time, higher readmission rates, and higher mortality. Furthermore, therapeutic options are often limited, due to unfeasibility of invasive strategies, mechanical circulatory support and cardiac transplantation. Thus, the in-hospital management of AHF should be tailored to each patient's clinical situation, cardiopulmonary condition and geriatric assessment. Palliative care should be considered in some cases, in order to avoid unnecessary diagnostics and/or treatments. selleck compound After discharge, a strict follow-up through outpatient clinic or telemedicine is can improve quality of life and reduce rehospitalisation rates. The aim of this review is to offer an insight on current literature and provide a clinically oriented, patient-tailored approach regarding assessment, treatment and follow-up of elderly patients admitted for AHF.

Aging is a multifactorial process associated with an impairment of autonomic nervous system (ANS) function. Progressive ANS remodeling includes upregulation of expression of circulating catecholamines and depletion of cardiac autonomic nerve fibers, and it is responsible, in part, for the increased susceptibility to cardiac diseases observed in elderly subjects. Neurotrophic factors, such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and nerve growth factor (NGF), are involved in synaptogenesis and neurite outgrowth processes, supporting neuronal cell differentiation and maturation. However, whether and how these factors and their downstream signaling are involved in cardiac aging remains unclear. Here, we tested whether, in the aged heart, the overall extent of autonomic fibers is reduced, owing to lower production of trophic factors such as BDNF and NGF.

, we used young (age 3 months;

= 10) and old (age 24 months;

= 11) male Fisher rats, whereas, we used human neuroblastoma (SH-SY5Y) cells

.

Comture and function and that reduced BDNF levels are responsible, at least in part, for these phenomena.

Our data indicate that physiological aging is associated with an impairment of ANS structure and function and that reduced BDNF levels are responsible, at least in part, for these phenomena.The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has hit the healthcare system worldwide. The risk of severe infection and mortality increases with advancing age, especially in subjects with comorbidities such as cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, obesity and cancer. Moreover, cardiovascular complications such as myocardial injury, heart failure and thromboembolism are frequently observed in COVID-19 cases, and several biomarkers (troponin, NTproBNP and D-Dimer) have been identified as prognostic indicators of disease severity and worst outcome. Currently, there is no specific therapy against SARS-CoV-2, although many medications are under investigation. The aim of this review will be to explore the intertwined relationship between COVID-19 disease and the cardiovascular system, focusing on elderly population. The available supportive treatments along with the related concerns in elderly patients, due to their comorbidities and polypharmacotherapy, will be explored.

To investigate the prevalence and modifiable risk factors of degenerative valvular heart disease (DVHD) among elderly population in southern China.

A stratified multistage sampling method was used to recruit subjects. The contents of the survey included the questionnaire, laboratory examination, echocardiography, and other auxiliary examinations. The possible risk factors of DVHD were analyzed by logistic regression analysis.

A total of 3538 subjects ≥ 65 years of age were enrolled. One thousand three hundred and seven subjects (36.9%) were diagnosed with DVHD. Degenerative was the most common etiology of VHD. Prevalence of DVHD increased with advancing age. The prevalence of DVHD differed by living region (



= 45.594,

< 0.001), educational level (



= 50.557,

< 0.001), and occupation (



= 36.961,

< 0.001). Risk factors associated with DVHD included age (two-fold increased risk for each 10-year increase in age), elevated level C-reactive protein (OR = 1.346, 95% CI 1.100-1.646), elevated level low density lipoprotein (OR = 1.243, 95% CI 1.064-1.451), coronary artery disease (OR = 1.651, 95% CI 1.085-2.513), smoking (OR = 1.341, 95% CI 1.132-1.589), and hypertension (OR = 1.414, 95% CI 1.221-1.638). Other significant risk factors included reduced or elevated level red blood cell (OR = 1.347, 95% CI 1.031-1.761; OR = 1.599, 95% CI 1.097-2.331; respectively), elevated level platelets (OR = 1.891, 95% CI 1.118-3.198), elevated level uric acid (OR = 1.282, 95% CI 1.112-1.479), and stroke (OR 1.738, 95% CI = 1.085-2.513).

The survey characterized the baseline conditions of DVHD cohort of elderly population in Guangzhou city. The established and emerging risk factors for DVHD may represent challenges and opportunities for therapy.

The survey characterized the baseline conditions of DVHD cohort of elderly population in Guangzhou city. The established and emerging risk factors for DVHD may represent challenges and opportunities for therapy.

Coronary atherosclerosis and cognitive impairment are both age-related diseases, with similar risk factors. Coronary artery calcium (CAC), a marker of coronary atherosclerosis, may play a role in early detection of individuals prone to cognitive decline. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between CAC and cognitive function, and the capability of CAC to identify participants with a high risk of dementia in a Chinese community-based population.

A total of 1332 participants, aged 40-80 years and free of dementia from a community located in Beijing were included. All participants completed neurocognitive questionnaires and noncontrast CT examinations. Cognitive performance tests (including verbal memory, semantic fluency, executive function, and global cognitive function tests), the Cardiovascular Risk Factors, Aging, and Incidence of Dementia (CIDE) risk score, and the CAC score (CACS) were evaluated by questionnaires and CT. A CAIDE score ≥ 10 was considered to indicate a high risk of dementiaactors.

CAC, a marker of subclinical atherosclerosis, was significantly associated with cognitive performance in verbal memory and global cognitive function. CAC had a moderate capability to identify participants with a high risk of dementia, independent of age, education, and other risk factors.

Management of pacemaker (PM) infections among advanced aged patients possesses particular clinical challenges due to higher rates of concurrent cardiovascular disease and medical comorbidities. Novel leadless cardiac pacemakers (LCPs) may provide new opportunities for better management options in this population, however, there is limited data especially in Asian populations to guide the decision making.

We reviewed 11 octogenarians (median age 86 [minimum 82-maximum 90] years; male 73%; median body mass index (BMI) 20.1 kg/m

) who received Micra Transcatheter Pacing System (Medtronic Inc, Minneapolis, MN) implantations following transvenous lead extractions (TLEs) for PM infections.

All patients had more than two medical comorbidities (average 3.7 comorbidities). The indications for LCP implantations were atrioventricular block in four patients, atrial fibrillation bradycardia in five, and sinus node dysfunction in two. Eight patients (73%) were bridged with temporary pacing using active fixation leadrly those with severe frailty and PM dependency.The importance of hydroxyl ions concentration measurement in solution necessitates the development of suitable and simple sensing methods for online detection. To address this need, an electrochemical sensor was developed using nickel as the working electrode that enabled specificity towards hydroxyl ions and their successfully quantification. The electrochemical reaction between nickel and hydroxyl ions in solution generates a current which is proportional to the concentration of hydroxyl ions and consequently is also correlated to the pH of the solution. Cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry techniques were used to prepare and activate the nickel electrode for detection. The analysis of chronoamperometric experiments in different solutions exhibited three calibration curves between the current and hydroxyl ion concentrations for three regions in the range of 0.3 µM to 4.8 M with a short response time of 14 s. Up to now, no other hydroxyl ion sensor has been reported that can reach this detection limit. This sensor also holds promise to work perfectly in highly alkaline environments where only costly commercial electrodes are available to quantify pH. The results show three linear calibration curves between the current and pH of the solution over the pH range of 7.4 to 14.6. In addition to the wide detection range, the sensor exhibits a relative standard deviation percentage lower than 7% over 9 months of experiments, confirming repeatability of measurements and stability of the electrode. The potential of the proposed method to measure pH in real applications was demonstrated by testing the sensor in solutions containing urea, nitrates, phosphates, and sulfates.