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Abstract Background Perioperative myocardial injury/infarction (PMI) following noncardiac surgery is a frequent cardiac complication. This study aims to evaluate PMI risk and explore preoperative assessment tools of PMI in patients at increased cardiovascular (CV) risk who underwent noncardiac surgery under the surgical and medical co-management (SMC) model. Methods A prospective cohort study that included consecutive patients at increased CV risk who underwent intermediate- or high-risk noncardiac surgery at the Second Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, between January 2017 and December 2022. All patients were treated with perioperative management by the SMC team. The SMC model was initiated when surgical intervention was indicated and throughout the entire perioperative period. The incidence, risk factors, and impact of PMI on 30-day mortality were analyzed. The ability of the Revised Cardiac Risk Index (RCRI), frailty, and their combination to predict PMI was evaluated. Results 613 eligible patients (mean [standard deviation, SD] age 73.3[10.9] years, 94.6% male) were recruited consecutively. Under SMC, PMI occurred in 24/613 patients (3.9%). Patients with PMI had a higher rate of 30-day mortality than patients without PMI (29.2% vs. 0.7%, p = 0.00). The FRAIL Scale for frailty was independently associated with an increased risk for PMI (odds ratio = 5.91; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.34–14.93; p = 0.00). The RCRI demonstrated adequate discriminatory capacity for predicting PMI (area under the curve [AUC], 0.78; 95% CI, 0.67–0.88). Combining frailty with the RCRI further increased the accuracy of predicting PMI (AUC, 0.87; 95% CI, 0.81–0.93). Conclusions The incidence of PMI was relatively low in high CV risk patients undergoing intermediate- or high-risk noncardiac surgery under SMC. The RCRI adequately predicted PMI. Combining frailty with the RCRI further increased the accuracy of PMI predictions, achieving excellent discriminatory capacity. These findings may aid personalized evaluation and management of high-risk patients who undergo intermediate- or high-risk noncardiac surgery.

Abstract Background Little is known about the safety and efficacy of discontinuing antiplatelet therapy via LMWH bridging therapy in elderly patients with coronary stents implanted for > 12 months undergoing non-cardiac surgery. This randomized trial was designed to compare the clinical benefits and risks of antiplatelet drug discontinuation via LMWH bridging therapy. Methods Patients were randomized 1:1 to receive subcutaneous injections of either dalteparin sodium or placebo. The primary efficacy endpoint was cardiac or cerebrovascular events. The primary safety endpoint was major bleeding. Results Among 2476 randomized patients, the variables (sex, age, body mass index, comorbidities, medications, and procedural characteristics) and percutaneous coronary intervention information were not significantly different between the bridging and non-bridging groups. During the follow-up period, the rate of the combined endpoint in the bridging group was significantly lower than in the non-bridging group (5.79% vs. 8.42%, p = 0.012). The incidence of myocardial injury in the bridging group was significantly lower than in the non-bridging group (3.14% vs. 5.19%, p = 0.011). Deep vein thrombosis occurred more frequently in the non-bridging group (1.21% vs. 0.4%, p = 0.024), and there was a trend toward a higher rate of pulmonary embolism (0.32% vs. 0.08%, p = 0.177). There was no significant difference between the groups in the rates of acute myocardial infarction (0.81% vs. 1.38%), cardiac death (0.24% vs. 0.41%), stroke (0.16% vs. 0.24%), or major bleeding (1.22% vs. 1.45%). Multivariable analysis showed that LMWH bridging, creatinine clearance < 30 mL/min, preoperative hemoglobin < 10 g/dL, and diabetes mellitus were independent predictors of ischemic events. LMWH bridging and a preoperative platelet count of < 70 × 109/L were independent predictors of minor bleeding events. Conclusions This study showed the safety and efficacy of perioperative LMWH bridging therapy in elderly patients with coronary stents implanted > 12 months undergoing non-cardiac surgery. An alternative approach might be the use of bridging therapy with half-dose LMWH. Trial registration ISRCTN65203415.

Summary: Background: Azvudine and nirmatrelvir/ritonavir are approved to treat mild-to-moderate coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in adults with a high risk for progression to severe infection. We sought to compare the antiviral effectiveness and clinical outcomes of elderly severe patients with COVID-19 receiving these two antiviral agents. Methods: In this observational study, we identified 249 elderly patients with severe COVID-19 infection who were admitted to the Second Medical Center of the People's Liberation Army General Hospital from December 2022 to January 2023, including 128 azvudine recipients, 66 nirmatrelvir/ritonavir recipients and 55 patients not received antiviral treatments. We compared the cycle threshold (Ct) value dynamic change of all three groups. The primary outcome was a composite outcome of disease progression, including all-cause death, intensive care unit admission, and initiation of invasive mechanical ventilation. The outcomes of all enrolled patients were followed up from the electronic medical record system. Kaplan–Meier and Cox risk proportional regression analyses were used to compare the clinical outcomes of all three groups. To more directly compare the effectiveness of the two antiviral drugs, we performed propensity-score matching between the two antiviral groups and compared antiviral efficacy and clinical outcomes in the matched population. Findings: Among 249 patients (mean age, 91.41 years), 77 patients died during the follow-up period. When compared to patients who did not receive any antivirals, neither nirmatrelvir/ritonavir nor azvudine demonstrated a survival benefit. The Cox analysis of the all-cause death of the three groups showed that the risk of death was 0.730 (0.423–1.262) in the azvudine group 0.802 (0.435–1.480) and in the nirmatrelvir/ritonavir group compared with the non-antiviral group. After propensity score matching, we included 58 azvudine recipients and 58 nirmatrelvir/ritonavir recipients. The fitted curve of the Ct value after matching illustrated that the rate of viral decline in the early stage of nirmatrelvir/ritonavir treatment seems to surpass that of azvudine, but there was no statistical significance. Azvudine was seemly associated with a lower risk of composite outcomes (HR:1.676, 95% CI:0.805–3.488) and short-term all-cause death (HR: 1.291, 95%CI: 0.546–3.051). Interpretation: Patients who received azvudine have a similar antiviral effectiveness and survival curve trend compared to nirmatrelvir/ritonavir. In this limited series, antiviral treatment was not associated with a significant clinical benefit. This lack of clinical benefit might be attributed to potential bias. Funding: This study was supported by the “National Key R&D Program of China” (Funding No. 2020YFC2008900) and the National Defense Science and Technology Innovation Special Zone Project (223-CXCY-N101-07-18-01).

BackgroundThe incidence of coexisting myocardial ischemia and neurological symptoms in Takayasu arteritis (TA) is currently unknown. There is no standardized treatment algorithm in complex cases involving the coronary and intracranial arteries.ObjectiveThis study aimed to describe the clinical characteristics and outcomes in patients with TA coexisting with myocardial ischemia and neurological symptoms.MethodsWe retrospectively collected and assessed 1,580 patients with TA, and enrolled patients with myocardial ischemia and neurological symptoms from January 2002 to December 2021 in several hospitals. The incidence, clinical features, management strategy, and prognosis of these patients were evaluated.ResultsNinety-four (5.9%, 94/1,580) patients with TA coexisting with myocardial ischemia and neurological symptoms were included in the present study. Imaging results showed that the subclavian arteries were the most frequently affected arteries and 37 patients had intracranial vascular abnormalities, comprising the basilar artery (6.1%, 17/279), middle cerebral artery (2.5%, 7/279), anterior cerebral artery (2.9%, 8/279), and posterior cerebral artery (1.9%, 5/279). Among patients with neurological symptoms, 25 patients underwent percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and 20 patients underwent stent implantation. The most common site of stenosis was the ostial and proximal segments of the coronary artery, with 142 lesions among 188 (75.5%) lesions. Thirty-eight patients adopted interventional therapy, 21 patients underwent surgical treatment, and the remaining 35 patients received conservative treatment. There were 20 (21.27%, 20/94) late deaths during a mean follow-up of 57.79 months. The mortality rate in the conservative treatment group was significantly higher than that in the interventional therapy and surgical treatment groups.ConclusionPatients with TA involving both the coronary and intracranial vessels are not rare. Stenosis and occlusion lesions most frequently involve the ostia and proximal segment of the arteries. Severe vascular lesions should be revascularized as soon as possible. These patients should be supplemented with glucocorticoids, antiplatelet, nitrates, and statins.

At present, we have entered an aging society. Many diseases suffered by the elderly, such as malignant tumors, cardiovascular diseases, fractures, surgical emergencies and so on, need surgical intervention. With the improvement of Geriatrics, surgical minimally invasive technology and anesthesia level, more and more elderly patients can safely undergo surgery. Elderly surgical patients are often complicated with a variety of chronic diseases, and the risk of postoperative myocardial injury/infarction (PMI) is high. PMI is considered to be the increase of cardiac troponin caused by perioperative ischemia, which mostly occurs during operation or within 30 days after operation, which can increase the risk of short-term and long-term death. Therefore, it is suggested to screen troponin in elderly patients during perioperative period, timely identify patients with postoperative myocardial injury and give appropriate treatment, so as to improve the prognosis. The pathophysiological mechanism of PMI is mainly due to the increase of myocardial oxygen consumption and / the decrease of myocardial oxygen supply. Preoperative and postoperative risk factors of myocardial injury can be induced by mismatch of preoperative and postoperative oxygen supply. The treatment strategy should first control the risk factors and use the drugs recommended in the guidelines for treatment. Application of cardiovascular drugs, such as antiplatelet β- Receptor blockers, statins and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors can effectively improve postoperative myocardial ischemia. However, the risk of perioperative bleeding should be fully considered before using antiplatelet and anticoagulant drugs. This review is intended to describe the epidemiology, diagnosis, pathophysiology, risk factors, prognosis and treatment of postoperative myocardial infarction /injury.

BackgroundPostoperative myocardial injury (PMI) is associated with short- and long-term mortality. The incidence of PMI in very old patients is currently unknown. There is currently neither known effective prophylaxis nor a uniform strategy for the elderly with PMI.ObjectiveTo share our 10 years of experience in the comprehensive management of PMI after non-cardiac surgery in patients aged ≥ 80 years.MethodsIn this case series, we retrospectively collected and assessed the 2,984 cases aged ≥ 80 years who accepted non-cardiac surgery from 2011 to 2021 at the second Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital. The incidence, risk factors, management strategy, and prognosis of surgical patients with PMI were analyzed.ResultsA total of 2,984 patients met our inclusion criteria. The overall incidence of PMI was 14%. In multivariable analysis, coronary artery disease, chronic heart failure, and hypotension were independently associated with the development of PMI. The patients with PMI were at a higher risk of death (OR, 2.69; 95% CI, 1.78–3.65). They were more likely to have received low molecular heparin, anti-plantlet therapy, beta-blocker, early coronary angiography, and statin than patients without PMI. The 30-day (0.96% vs. 0.35%; OR 3.46; 95% CI, 1.49–7.98; P < 0.001) and 1-year mortality (5.37% vs. 2.60%; OR 2.35; 95% CI, 1.12–6.53; P < 0.001) was significantly higher in patients with PMI compared with those without PMI.ConclusionsThe incidence of PMI in very old patients was high. The PMI is associated with an increased risk of 30 days and 1-year mortality. These patients can benefit from intensification of assessment and individualized care of multi-morbidities during the perioperative period. Especially cardiovascular medical treatments, such as antiplatelet, anticoagulation, β-blockers, and statins are very important for patients with PMI.

The aim of this study was to analyze the clinicopathological features and prognosis of esophageal signet ring cell (SRC) carcinoma in China.Patients with poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma were identified in two hospitals from January 2006 to June 2016. The patients were divided into three groups according to component of SRCs: SRC≥50% group, SRC < 50% group and non-SRC poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma group.Fifty-seven patients had carcinoma (SRC≥50%), and 79 patients had tumors containing

Polypharmacy is a problem of growing interest in geriatrics with the increase in drug consumption in recent years, is defined according to the WHO criteria as the, ''concurrent use of five or more different prescription medication". We investigated the clinical characteristics of polypharmacy and identified the effects of polypharmacy on clinical outcome among patients aged 80+ admitted to Chinese PLA general hospital.Older men aged ≥80 years (n = 1562) were included in this study. The included participants attended a structured clinical examination and an interview carried out by a geriatrician and trained nurses. A follow-up survey in 2014 was carried out on survivors in the same way as in 2009. The clinical outcome measured were adverse drug reactions, falls, frailty, disability, cognitive impairment, mortality. The association between polypharmacy and clinical outcome was assessed by logistic regression.The mean (range) age of the included participants was 85.2 (80-104) years. Medication exposure was reported by 100% of the population. Mean number of medications reported in this population was 9.56±5.68. The prevalence of polypharmacy (≥6 medications) in the present study was 70%. At the time of the follow-up survey, an increase in the number of taken medicines had occurred among half of the survivors. The risk of different outcomes in relation to number of medications rises significantly, the odds ratios were 1.21 (95% confidence interval [CI]1.17-1.28) for adverse drug reactions, 1.18 (95% CI 1.10-1.26) for falls, 1.16 (95% CI 1.09-1.24) for disability, and 1.19 (95% CI 1.12-1.23) for mortality. There was no association between increasing number of medications and cognitive impairment.Our study demonstrates that polypharmacy is very common in the very old patients, and observed that number of medications was a factor associated with difference clinical outcome independently of the age, type of medications prescribed and accompanied comorbidities.