Objective To determine the association between plasma brain natriuretic peptide （BNP） level in patients with heart failure （HF） and physical frailty as well as with each domain of physical frailty. Methods Two hun...Objective To determine the association between plasma brain natriuretic peptide （BNP） level in patients with heart failure （HF） and physical frailty as well as with each domain of physical frailty. Methods Two hundred and six outpatients of cardiovascular medicine aged 60 years and older who had been hospitalized for HF or had been given a prescription medication for HF were included. Physical frailty was assessed using the following five domains： slowness, weakness, exhaustion, low activity, and shrinking, according to the Cardiovascular Health Study. Patients were divided into nonfi-ailty and frailty groups according to frailty scores. Plasma BNP level was measured. The 6-min walk test was performed to measure endurance. Results Plasma BNP was significantly different between the two groups （frailty group： 158.0 i 214.7 pg/mL, nonfrailty group： 65.2 ~ 88.0 pg/mL, P 〈 0.01）. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed log-transformed plasma BNP （Log BNP） was significantly associated with physical frailty （OR： 1.68, 95% CI： 1.11-2.56）, and Log BNP was significantly associated with the slowness domain （walking speed 〈 1.0 m/s） of physical frailty （OR： 1.75, 95% Ch 1.15-2.67）. Additionally, Log BNP was negatively correlated to the 6-minute walk distance （6MWD） （p=0.37, P 〈 0.01）, while 6MWD was positively correlated to walking speed （p = 0.66, P 〈 0.01）. Conclusions Plasma BNP level was related to physical frailty, especially in the slowness domain. Endurance may intervene in the associations between plasma BNP level and walking speed.展开更多
To the Editor Cardiovascular disease （CVD） is the main cause of death in older adults. There is strong evidence that regular physical activity （PA） reduces the risk of CVD mortality in this population group. Howev...To the Editor Cardiovascular disease （CVD） is the main cause of death in older adults. There is strong evidence that regular physical activity （PA） reduces the risk of CVD mortality in this population group. However, these studies used baseline data and do not account for potential changes in PA.展开更多
Thiazide-induced hyponatremia is one of the main causes of decreased sodium levels in elderly individuals. This review presents the current evidence regarding the thiazide-associated hyponatremia. Thiazide-associated ...Thiazide-induced hyponatremia is one of the main causes of decreased sodium levels in elderly individuals. This review presents the current evidence regarding the thiazide-associated hyponatremia. Thiazide-associated hyponatremia is observed mainly in patients with certain risk factors such as those receiving large doses of thiazides, having much comorbidity, such as heart failure, liver disease or malignancy, and taking several medications, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors or tricyclic antide- pressants. Sodium concentration should be monitored in patients with risk factors for developing thiazide-associated hyponatremia and clini- cians should measure promptly serum sodium levels in patients with neurologic signs indicating reduced sodium levels. The clinical and biochemical profile of patients with thiazide-associated hyponatremia may be that of extracellular volume depletion or the syndrome of inap- propriate antidiuretic hormone secretion （SIADH）. The investigation of possible thiazide-associated hyponatremia includes the exclusion of other causes of decreased sodium levels and the identification of the characteristics of hyponatremia due to thiazides （extracellular volume depletion-related or SIADH-like）. Treatment should be carefully monitored to avoid serious neurologic complications due to overcorrection. Clinicians should discourage prescribing thiazides in patients with a history of diuretic-associated hyponatremia and should prefer low doses of thiazides in patients with risk factors for developing thiazide-associated hyponatremia.展开更多
Objective: To explore the role of thrombus precursor protein (TpP) in assessment of anticoagulation and predict the risk of thromboembolism in the patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) after mechanical heart valve re...Objective: To explore the role of thrombus precursor protein (TpP) in assessment of anticoagulation and predict the risk of thromboembolism in the patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) after mechanical heart valve replacement. Methods: TpP plasma concentration and international normalization ratio (INR) were measured in 45 patients with atrial fibrillation and 45 patients with sinus rhythm both after mechanical heart valve replacement. Twenty patients with non valvular heart diseases were selected as the control. Furthermore, the patients with AF were divided into groups based on different TpP plasma concentration and TpP plasma concentration and INR were analyzed. Results: After mechanical heart valve replacement, those with AF had higher TpP plasma concentration than those with sinus rhythm. It was found that discordancy existed between INR and TpP plasma concentration in the patients with AF. There were 28 AF patients with TpP plasma concentration lower than 6 μg/ml and without bleeding, who might be at the optimal anticoagulant state. The 95% confidence of the mean INR value was 1.90-2.30 in these patients and TpP plasma concentration was between 2.84-5.74 μg/ml. Conclusion: Patients with AF might face higher risk of thromboembolism after mechanical valve replacement; INR between 1.90-2.30 and TpP plasma concentration between 2.84-6 μg/ml might be the optimal anticoagulant range for patients with AF after mechanical valve replacement.展开更多
Hypertension is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity around the world and,prevalence of hypertension is increasing with aging.Hypertension in the elderly is associated with increased occurrence rates of sodium s...Hypertension is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity around the world and,prevalence of hypertension is increasing with aging.Hypertension in the elderly is associated with increased occurrence rates of sodium sensitivity,isolated systolic hypertension,and ＇white coat effect＇.Arterial stiffness and endothelial dysfunction also increase with age.These factors should be considered in selecting antihypertensive therapy.The prime objective of this therapy is to prevent stroke.The fmdings of controlled trials show that there should be no cut-off age for treatment.A holistic program for controlling cardiovascular risks should be fully discussed with the patient,including evaluation to exclude underlying causes of secondary hypertension,and implementation of lifestyle measures.The choice of antihypertensive drug therapy is influenced by concomitant disease and previous medication history,but will typically include a thiazide diuretic as the first-line agent;to this will be added an angiotensin inhibitor and/or a calcium channel blocker.Beta blockers are not generally recommended,in part because they do not combat the effects of increased arterial stiffness.The hypertension-hypoten-sion syndrome requires case-specific management.Drug-resistant hypertension is important to differentiate from faulty compliance with medication.Patients resistant to the third-line drug therapy may benefit from treatment with extended-release isosorbide mononitrate.A trial of spironolactone may also be worthwhile.展开更多
文摘Objective To determine the association between plasma brain natriuretic peptide （BNP） level in patients with heart failure （HF） and physical frailty as well as with each domain of physical frailty. Methods Two hundred and six outpatients of cardiovascular medicine aged 60 years and older who had been hospitalized for HF or had been given a prescription medication for HF were included. Physical frailty was assessed using the following five domains： slowness, weakness, exhaustion, low activity, and shrinking, according to the Cardiovascular Health Study. Patients were divided into nonfi-ailty and frailty groups according to frailty scores. Plasma BNP level was measured. The 6-min walk test was performed to measure endurance. Results Plasma BNP was significantly different between the two groups （frailty group： 158.0 i 214.7 pg/mL, nonfrailty group： 65.2 ~ 88.0 pg/mL, P 〈 0.01）. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed log-transformed plasma BNP （Log BNP） was significantly associated with physical frailty （OR： 1.68, 95% CI： 1.11-2.56）, and Log BNP was significantly associated with the slowness domain （walking speed 〈 1.0 m/s） of physical frailty （OR： 1.75, 95% Ch 1.15-2.67）. Additionally, Log BNP was negatively correlated to the 6-minute walk distance （6MWD） （p=0.37, P 〈 0.01）, while 6MWD was positively correlated to walking speed （p = 0.66, P 〈 0.01）. Conclusions Plasma BNP level was related to physical frailty, especially in the slowness domain. Endurance may intervene in the associations between plasma BNP level and walking speed.
文摘To the Editor Cardiovascular disease （CVD） is the main cause of death in older adults. There is strong evidence that regular physical activity （PA） reduces the risk of CVD mortality in this population group. However, these studies used baseline data and do not account for potential changes in PA.
文摘Thiazide-induced hyponatremia is one of the main causes of decreased sodium levels in elderly individuals. This review presents the current evidence regarding the thiazide-associated hyponatremia. Thiazide-associated hyponatremia is observed mainly in patients with certain risk factors such as those receiving large doses of thiazides, having much comorbidity, such as heart failure, liver disease or malignancy, and taking several medications, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors or tricyclic antide- pressants. Sodium concentration should be monitored in patients with risk factors for developing thiazide-associated hyponatremia and clini- cians should measure promptly serum sodium levels in patients with neurologic signs indicating reduced sodium levels. The clinical and biochemical profile of patients with thiazide-associated hyponatremia may be that of extracellular volume depletion or the syndrome of inap- propriate antidiuretic hormone secretion （SIADH）. The investigation of possible thiazide-associated hyponatremia includes the exclusion of other causes of decreased sodium levels and the identification of the characteristics of hyponatremia due to thiazides （extracellular volume depletion-related or SIADH-like）. Treatment should be carefully monitored to avoid serious neurologic complications due to overcorrection. Clinicians should discourage prescribing thiazides in patients with a history of diuretic-associated hyponatremia and should prefer low doses of thiazides in patients with risk factors for developing thiazide-associated hyponatremia.
基金Correspondingauthor:XiaoYing bin .Telephone:(0 2 3)6 875 5 6 0 7
文摘Objective: To explore the role of thrombus precursor protein (TpP) in assessment of anticoagulation and predict the risk of thromboembolism in the patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) after mechanical heart valve replacement. Methods: TpP plasma concentration and international normalization ratio (INR) were measured in 45 patients with atrial fibrillation and 45 patients with sinus rhythm both after mechanical heart valve replacement. Twenty patients with non valvular heart diseases were selected as the control. Furthermore, the patients with AF were divided into groups based on different TpP plasma concentration and TpP plasma concentration and INR were analyzed. Results: After mechanical heart valve replacement, those with AF had higher TpP plasma concentration than those with sinus rhythm. It was found that discordancy existed between INR and TpP plasma concentration in the patients with AF. There were 28 AF patients with TpP plasma concentration lower than 6 μg/ml and without bleeding, who might be at the optimal anticoagulant state. The 95% confidence of the mean INR value was 1.90-2.30 in these patients and TpP plasma concentration was between 2.84-5.74 μg/ml. Conclusion: Patients with AF might face higher risk of thromboembolism after mechanical valve replacement; INR between 1.90-2.30 and TpP plasma concentration between 2.84-6 μg/ml might be the optimal anticoagulant range for patients with AF after mechanical valve replacement.
文摘Hypertension is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity around the world and,prevalence of hypertension is increasing with aging.Hypertension in the elderly is associated with increased occurrence rates of sodium sensitivity,isolated systolic hypertension,and ＇white coat effect＇.Arterial stiffness and endothelial dysfunction also increase with age.These factors should be considered in selecting antihypertensive therapy.The prime objective of this therapy is to prevent stroke.The fmdings of controlled trials show that there should be no cut-off age for treatment.A holistic program for controlling cardiovascular risks should be fully discussed with the patient,including evaluation to exclude underlying causes of secondary hypertension,and implementation of lifestyle measures.The choice of antihypertensive drug therapy is influenced by concomitant disease and previous medication history,but will typically include a thiazide diuretic as the first-line agent;to this will be added an angiotensin inhibitor and/or a calcium channel blocker.Beta blockers are not generally recommended,in part because they do not combat the effects of increased arterial stiffness.The hypertension-hypoten-sion syndrome requires case-specific management.Drug-resistant hypertension is important to differentiate from faulty compliance with medication.Patients resistant to the third-line drug therapy may benefit from treatment with extended-release isosorbide mononitrate.A trial of spironolactone may also be worthwhile.
