Lower Extremity Arterial Calcification Predicts Referral to a Closed Unit After Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to determine the association between lower extremity arterial calcification (LEAC) and referral to a closed unit (CU), length of stay, 90-day readmissions, and 1-year mortality in primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) patients. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 705 patients who underwent primary THA, identifying 64 patients (9.13%) who had LEAC and 641 who did not have LEAC. Patients who had LEAC were older (77 ± 10.0 versus 67 ± 11.5 years; P < 0.001) and had more comorbidities, except for a history of thromboembolic and oncologic diseases (P > 0.05). A preoperative antero-posterior pelvic radiograph was used to assess the presence of LEAC. Admission to CU, length of stay, 90-day readmissions, and 1-year mortality were recorded. A logistic regression model was used to identify risk factors for referral to CU. RESULTS: Patients who had LEAC had a higher incidence of admission to the intensive care unit (8 of 64 [12.5%] versus 8 of 641 [1.09%]; P < 0.001), a longer hospital stay (4.7 ± 1.8 versus 4.2 ± 1.3 days; P = 0.006), more readmissions (16 of 64 [25%] versus 33 of 641 [5.15%]; P < 0.001), and a higher 1-year mortality rate (6 of 64 [9.3%] versus 0 of 641 [0%]; P < 0.001) than patients who did not have LEAC. Of the patients who had LEAC admitted to CU, only 3 of 8 had a previous indication to do so in the preoperative assessment performed by the Department of Anesthesiology, while all non-LEAC ones referred to CU did so. Logistic regression analysis showed that LEAC was a risk factor for admission to CU (odds ratio = 4.77; 95% confidence interval: 1.12 to 20.25; P = 0.034). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of LEAC was a risk factor for transfer to CU, longer in-hospital stays, more readmissions, and a higher 1-year mortality rate. Identifying patients who have LEAC can aid in the preoperative assessment and risk stratification of patients planned for primary THA.

Distribution of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins and their remnants and their contribution to cardiovascular risk in the Mexican population.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: In recent years, scientific interest in triglyceride-rich lipoproteins (TRL) and remnant cholesterol has increased, focusing on the evidence that these lipoproteins are a causal factor for developing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Furthermore, a high remnant concentration (>38 mg/dL) has been associated with several non-cardiovascular risks. We aimed in this study to describe the percentile distribution of remnant cholesterol. Additionally, we evaluated the association between remnant cholesterol plasma concentration and epidemiologically relevant cardio-metabolic outcomes such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes (T2D), and ASCVD. METHODS: We analyzed data from 9,591 adults from the National Survey of Health and Nutrition (ENSANUT) 2018 with fasting blood samples and complete medical history questionnaires. We built multivariate models to evaluate the association between chronic diseases and blood remnant concentration. To compare our 2018-sub-sample against a population reference, we used the NHANES (2005-2014) publicly available datasets by ethnicity. RESULTS: Remnants were independently associated with cardiovascular risk, diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and metabolic syndrome. For all outcomes, the blood remnant concentration was a stronger predictor than LDL. At all deciles, the blood remnant concentration was higher in ENSANUT-2018. CONCLUSIONS: A remnant blood concentration above 38 mg/dL was highly prevalent among Mexicans. Remnants were significantly associated with a higher risk of diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and cardiovascular risk. This association occurred independently of other lipid markers.

Influencia de factores de riesgo en la predicción de un evento cardiovascular adverso en población adulta de prevención primaria en El Salvador / Influence of risk factors in the prediction of an adverse cardiovascular event in the adult population of primary prevention in El Salvador

Resumen En la región latinoamericana son escasos los modelos de predicción que permitan conocer cuáles factores de riesgo son más prevalentes y los pocos estudios disponibles no funcionan bien en esta población. Objetivo: Determinar la probabilidad y predicción que tiene los factores de riesgo de sexo, edad, presión arterial sistólica (PAS), índice de masa corporal (IMC), diabetes mellitus y tabaquismo sobre la aparición de un evento cardiovascular adverso (ECA) de una población salvadoreña. Metodología: Estudio de casos y controles de tipo retrospectivo y predictivo. Participaron 527 personas adultas que acudieron a consulta externa de cardiología sin eventos cardiovasculares previos registrados. Se utilizó la prueba de la ji al cuadrado (X2) y V de Cramer para hacer la comparación de frecuencias y la regresión logística binaria para determinar la predicción y las probabilidades estimadas de presentar un ECA en un periodo de cinco años. Resultados: Se encontró una correlación significativamente baja entre los ECA y el sexo (rΦ= -.164; p < .001), diabetes (rΦ=-.244; p < .001) y con el fumando (rΦ= -.159; p < .001). Además, un efecto moderado con la estratificación de riesgo (V de Cramer= .359; p < .001). Existe una predicción significativa (X2= 82.1; p < .001), la cual responde el 32,6 % del modelo. Conclusiones: Las variables de sexo, la edad, la presencia de diabetes mellitus y el fumado predicen la aparición de un ECA en un periodo de cinco años, mientras que el IMC y PAS no influyen significativamente en la probabilidad de padecer de un ECA.

Abstract Influence of risk factors in the prediction of an adverse cardiovascular event in the adult population of primary prevention in El Salvador In the Latin American region, there are few prediction models that allow us to know which risk factors are more prevalent and the few available studies do not work well in this population. Purpose: Determine the probability and prediction that the risk factors of sex, age, systolic blood pressure (SBP), body mass index (BMI), diabetes mellitus and smoking have on the appearance of an adverse cardiovascular event (ACE) in a Salvadoran population. Methods: Retrospective and predictive case-control study. A total of 527 adults participated in the outpatient cardiology consultation with no prior recorded cardiovascular events. Chi Square (X2) and Cramer's V were used to compare frequencies and binary logistic regression to determine the prediction and estimated probabilities of presenting an ACE in a period of 5 years. Results: A significantly low correlation was found between ACEs and sex (rΦ= -.164; p <.001), diabetes (rΦ= -.244; p <.001) and with smoking (rΦ= -.159; p <.001). Also, a moderate effect with risk stratification (Cramer's V = .359; p <.001). There is a significant prediction (X2 = 82.1; p <.001), which responds to 32.6% of the model. Conclusion: The variables of sex, age, the presence of diabetes mellitus and smoking predict the appearance of an RCT in a period of 5 years, while BMI and SBP do not significantly influence the probability of suffering from an ACE.

High ankle-brachial index predicts cardiovascular events and mortality in hemodialysis patients with severe secondary hyperparathyroidism / Índice tornozelo-braquial elevado prediz eventos e mortalidade cardiovasculares nos pacientes em hemodiálise com hiperparatireoidismo secundário grave

Abstract Introduction: Vascular calcification related to severe secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) is an important cause of cardiovascular and bone complications, leading to high morbidity and mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) undergoing hemodialysis (HD). The present study aimed to analyze whether ankle-brachial index (ABI), a non-invasive diagnostic tool, is able to predict cardiovascular outcomes in this population. Methods: We selected 88 adult patients on HD for at least 6 months, with serum iPTH>1,000pg/mL. We collected clinical data, biochemical and hormonal parameters, and ABI (sonar-Doppler). Calcification was assessed by lateral radiography of the abdomen and by simple vascular calcification score (SVCS). This cohort was monitored prospectively between 2012 and 2019 for cardiovascular outcomes (death, myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, and calciphylaxis) to estimate the accuracy of ABI in this setting. Results: The baseline values were: iPTH: 1770±689pg/mL, P: 5.8±1.2 mg/dL, corrected Ca: 9.7±0.8mg/dL, 25(OH)vit D: 25.1±10.9ng/mL. Sixty-five percent of patients had ABI>1.3 (ranging from 0.6 to 3.2); 66% had SVCS≥3, and 45% aortic calcification (Kauppila≥8). The prospective evaluation (51.6±24.0 months), provided the following cardiovascular outcomes: 11% of deaths, 17% of nonfatal MI, one stroke, and 3% of calciphylaxis. After adjustments, patients with ABI≥1.6 had 8.9-fold higher risk of cardiovascular events (p=0.035), and ABI≥1.8 had 12.2-fold higher risk of cardiovascular mortality (p=0.019). Conclusion: The presence of vascular calcifications and arterial stiffness was highly prevalent in our population. We suggest that ABI, a simple and cost-effective diagnostic tool, could be used at an outpatient basis to predict cardiovascular events in patients with severe SHPT undergoing HD.

Resumo Introdução: A calcificação vascular relacionada ao hiperparatireoidismo secundário (HPTS) grave é uma causa importante de complicações cardiovasculares e ósseas, levando a alta morbidade e mortalidade em pacientes com doença renal crônica (DRC) em hemodiálise (HD). O presente estudo objetivou analisar se o índice tornozelo-braquial (ITB), uma ferramenta diagnóstica não invasiva, pode predizer desfechos cardiovasculares nesta população. Métodos: Selecionamos 88 adultos em HD há pelo menos 6 meses, com PTHi sérico>1.000pg/mL. Coletamos dados clínicos, parâmetros bioquímicos e hormonais, e ITB (sonar-Doppler). A calcificação foi avaliada por radiografia lateral do abdome e por escore de calcificação vascular simples (ECVS). Esta coorte foi monitorada prospectivamente entre 2012 e 2019 para desfechos cardiovasculares (óbito, infarto do miocárdio (IM), acidente vascular cerebral e calcifilaxia) para estimar a precisão do ITB neste cenário. Resultados: Os valores basais foram: PTHi: 1770±689pg/mL, P: 5,8±1,2 mg/dL, Ca corrigido: 9,7±0,8mg/dL, 25(OH)vit D: 25,1±10,9ng/Ml; 65% dos pacientes apresentaram ITB>1,3 (variando de 0,6 a 3,2); 66% tiveram ECVS≥3, e 45% calcificação da aorta (Kauppila≥8). A avaliação prospectiva (51,6±24,0 meses) forneceu os seguintes desfechos cardiovasculares: 11% de óbitos, 17% de IM não fatal, um AVC, 3% de calcifilaxia. Após ajustes, pacientes com ITB≥1,6 tiveram risco 8,9 vezes maior de eventos cardiovasculares (p=0,035), e ITB≥1,8 apresentaram risco 12,2 vezes maior de mortalidade cardiovascular (p=0,019). Conclusão: A presença de calcificações vasculares e rigidez arterial foi altamente prevalente em nossa população. Sugerimos o ITB, uma ferramenta diagnóstica simples e econômica, para ser usada em ambulatório para prever eventos cardiovasculares em pacientes com HPTS grave em HD.

Diferencia de presentación del síndrome coronario agudo por género en pacientes llevados al laboratorio de cateterismo en población dominicana: un estudio retrospectivo / Acute Coronary Syndrome presentation difference by gender in patients taken to catheterization laboratory in Dominican population: A retrospective study

Introducción: el síndrome coronario agudo (SCA) es una serie de signos y síntomas que se refieren a isquemia miocárdica repentina. Estas condiciones clínicas son Síndrome Coronario agudo sin Elevación del Segmento ST (SCASEST) y Síndrome Coronario Agudo con Elevación del Segmento ST (SCACEST). A nivel mundial hay hallazgos controversiales con respecto a la diferencia de presentación de SCA en hombres y mujeres. Objetivo: determinar las diferencias en presentación del síndrome coronario agudo según el género en República Dominicana. Métodos: en este estudio observacional retrospectivo unicéntrico, 3,548 pacientes con SCA llevados al laboratorio de cateterismo fueron observados durante el período de agosto de 2016 a septiembre de 2019. Resultados: la edad promedio de presentación fue mayor en las mujeres, con una media de 63 años (DE ± 12.2). El SCACEST fue más frecuente en hombres (69.35 %) y la Angina Inestable en mujeres (50.14 %, p <0.0001). Angiográficamente, la enfermedad coronaria multivascular fue más común en hombres y la angiografía coronaria normal en mujeres (41.30 % y 35.37 %, p < 0.0001). Conclusión: dentro de la población dominicana, la mujer tiende a ser mayor al momento de presentación de SCA, con menor tendencia a someterse a intervención coronaria terapéutica.

Introduction: Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) is a series of signs and symptoms referring to sudden myocardial ischemia. These clinical conditions are: Non-ST-Acute Coronary Syndromes (NST-ACS) and ST-segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI). Globally there are controversial findings regarding the difference in SCA presentation in both men and women. Objective: Determine differences in presentation of acute coronary syndrome by gender in the Dominican Republic. Methods: In this retrospective single-centered observational study 3,548 patients with ACS taken to the catheterization laboratory underwent observation, during the time frame of August 2016 to September 2019. Results: The average age of presentation was higher in females, with a mean of 63 years old (SD ± 12.2). STEMI was greater in males (69.35%) and females presented more with UA (50.14%, p<0.0001). Angiography findings showed that multi-vascular coronary artery disease was more common in males and normal coronary angiography more frequent in females (41.30% and 35.37%, p<0.0001). Conclusion: Within the Dominican population, females tend to be older at the time of appearance of ACS with a lower tendency of undergoing coronary intervention.

Cytomegalovirus Disease, Short-Term Cardiovascular Events and Graft Survival in a Cohort of Kidney Transplant Recipients With High CMV IgG Seroprevalence.

INTRODUCTION: Both cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and CMV disease have been linked with several long-term indirect effects in kidney transplant recipients. Research questions: We conducted a retrospective study to assess the association between cytomegalovirus disease and risks of death, shortterm cardiovascular events and graft loss in a cohort of renal transplant recipients. DESIGN: The associations between CMV disease and death and cardiovascular events were determined using Cox regression models, while the association between viral disease and graft loss risk was analyzed through a competing risks regression according to the Fine and Gray method. Death with a functioning graft was considered as a competing risk event. RESULTS: A total of 865 consecutive renal transplant recipients were included. The prevalence of seropositive donor/seronegative recipient (D+/R-) group was 89.9% with the remaining patients classified as seropositive recipient (R+). After median follow-up time of 24.4 months, CMV disease was not a risk factor for all-causes mortality (HR = 1.75; 95% CI 0.94-3.25), early cardiovascular events (HR = 0.54; 95% CI 0.16-1.82) or graft loss (subhazard ratio [the HR adjusted for competing risk of death with functioning graft] = 0.99; 95% CI 0.53-1.84). CONCLUSIONS: In this cohort with high prevalence of CMV IgG antibodies, we found no association between cytomegalovirus disease and risk of death or graft loss. The relationship between CMV and cardiovascular disease remains to be unraveled and probably corresponds to a multifactorial phenomenon involving individual risk factors and the immune response to infection rather than the virus effect itself.

Meta-analysis of the relationship between interleukin-6 levels and the prognosis and severity of acute coronary syndrome

This study aimed to explore the relationship between plasma interleukin 6 (IL-6) levels, adverse cardiovascular events, and the severity of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). A literature review was performed of studies regarding IL-6 and ACS extracted from databases including EMBASE, Cqvip, MEDLINE, Web of Knowledge, PubMed, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Wanfang data. The Newcastle-Ottawa scale (NOS) was used to evaluate the quality of the literature. The literature was screened, its quality was evaluated, and relevant data were extracted for performing meta-analysis using RevMan software (version 5.3). A total of 524 studies were included in the initial survey. After several rounds of screening and analysis, six studies met the inclusion criteria and underwent meta-analysis using a fixed-effect model. Patients were divided into non-severe and severe groups based on the concentration of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein. Meta-analysis of the relationship between IL-6 and the severity of ACS showed that the plasma IL-6 level of patients in the severe group was significantly higher than that of patients in the non-severe group (p<0.00001). Additionally, patients with experience of major adverse cardiovascular events had significantly higher plasma IL-6 levels than did patients without experience of such events (p<0.00001). In summary, patients with ACS and high IL-6 levels tended to be in a critical condition, with a higher risk of adverse cardiovascular events and worse prognosis. Thus, IL-6 levels could indicate whether patients with ACS may have adverse cardiovascular events and determine the severity of ACS.

Bioelectrical impedance analysis-derived phase angle is related to risk scores of a first cardiovascular event in adults.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between phase angle (PhA) and first cardiovascular (CV) event risk. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study. PhA was determined using a single-frequency bioelectrical impedance analyzer. Scores from the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA; N = 455; 49% men) and the Framingham General Cardiovascular (FRS-CVD; N = 489; 49% men) were used to estimate the risk for a first CV event in adults. Logistic and multinomial regressions were used to evaluate the relationship between ACC/AHA and FRS-CVD risk scores (outcomes) and PhA. Additionally, the consumption of in natura or minimally processed foods was included in the models as an adjustment variable. RESULTS: Men and women, classified according to ACC/AHA (P < 0.001; P = 0.035) and FRS-CVD scores (P = 0.002; P = 0.012) as low risk for first event CV, presented higher PhA values than participants with elevated risk. However, only in men categorized as CV high risk, the third PhA tertile (>7.3°) was associated with a CV lower risk (ACC/AHA, odds ratio, 0.28; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.14-0.56; FRS-CVD, relative risk ratio, 0.11; 95% CI, 0.03-0.37). The adjustment of all models for consumption of in natura or minimally processed foods did not change the results. CONCLUSION: Higher PhA values were associated with lower risk for a first CV event in men classified in higher-risk categories. In natura or minimally processed food consumption did not influence the relationship between PhA and CV risk. These results may encourage future research about possible applications of PhA as an additional index in primary prevention of CV events.

Budget impact analysis of the adoption of new hypertension guidelines in Colombia.

BACKGROUND: Hypertension represents a high burden of disease in different healthcare systems. Recent guideline published in 2017 by the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology has generated a debate between clinicians and policymakers due to the lowering of diagnosis threshold and the subsequent increase of the prevalence and healthcare costs. No empirical research exists addressing the question about the pressure on healthcare costs generated by new standards. This study aims to quantify the impact on the hypertension diagnosis and treatment costs for healthcare system using the new hypertension guideline. METHODS: We conducted a budget impact analysis from a Colombian healthcare payer's perspective with a 3-year time horizon (2018-2020), in which we estimated the difference in total medical care costs between previous hypertension cut-off points (140/90 mmHg) and new guideline cut-off points (130/80 mmHg). RESULTS: Our results show that the impact of the adoption of the new hypertension guideline would represent a decrease close to 22% in total annual high blood pressure costs in Colombia. This reduction is mainly driven by a lower number of cardiovascular complications. It is worth noting that these results should be taken with caution due to local available data. CONCLUSIONS: A high-middle income country such as Colombia should carry out an exhaustive revision of the recommendations of the new hypertension guideline, due to its high probability of saving medical treatment costs for the healthcare system.

Interplay between circulating nitric oxide and interleukin-17 in elderly outpatients with non-inflammatory conditions.

Nitric oxide (NOx) availability in biological systems is associated with either favorable or unfavorable outcomes. In this sense, several studies bring about evidence that unbalanced NOx production may be underlying to the pathophysiology of vascular disorders. Our study investigated the possible association of clinical, biochemical and inflammatory variables with total circulating levels of NOx in elderly patients devoid of major inflammatory conditions. Clinical (demographics, lifestyle, anthropometry, pressoric traits) and biochemical characteristics (lipemic, glycemic and hormonal profiles) were assessed from 168 geriatrics outpatients eligible for primary care for age-related disorders. Furthermore, circulating levels of 10 inflammatory mediators and of NOx were measured. Correlation tests analyzed categorical or continuous traits according to serum NOx and found no association between NOx and any of the clinical or laboratory data but a negative correlation between plasma NOx concentrations and levels of the immune mediator IL17a (r = -0.236; P = 0.004). Evidence for a correlation between circulating NOx and IL17 is already present in the literature, mostly from studies conducted under inflammatory conditions. Our hypothesis is that such negative correlation can be attributed to an endogenous homeostatic system that IL17 production by the constitutively produced NOx from the vascular endothelium.

Factors associated with postoperative atrial fibrillation and other adverse events after cardiac surgery.

OBJECTIVE: The study objective was to evaluate the impact of various surgical characteristics and practices on the risk of postoperative atrial fibrillation and other adverse outcomes after cardiac surgery. METHODS: By using the prospectively collected data of patients who underwent cardiac surgery in 28 centers across the United States, Italy, and Argentina, the details of surgery characteristics were collected for each patient and the outcomes, including postoperative atrial fibrillation, major adverse cardiovascular events, and mortality. These were evaluated via multivariable-adjusted models. RESULTS: In 1462 patients, a total of 460 cases of postoperative atrial fibrillation, 33 major adverse cardiovascular events, 23 cases of 30-day mortality, and 46 cases of 1-year mortality occurred. We found that type of surgery and cardiopulmonary bypass use predicted the occurrence of postoperative atrial fibrillation. Compared with coronary artery bypass grafting alone, there was a higher risk of postoperative atrial fibrillation with valvular surgery alone (odds ratio, 1.4; 95% confidence interval, 1.1-1.9), and the risk was even higher with concomitant valvular and coronary artery bypass grafting surgery (odds ratio, 1.8; 95% confidence interval, 1.2-2.7). Compared with no bypass, use of cardiopulmonary bypass was associated with higher risk of postoperative atrial fibrillation (odds ratio, 2.4; 95% confidence interval, 1.7-3.5), but there were significant age and sex differences of the impact of bypass use among patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (P for interaction = .04). In addition, compared with spontaneous return of rhythm, ventricular pacing was associated with a higher risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (odds ratio, 5.0; 95% confidence interval, 1.4-18), whereas concomitant coronary artery bypass grafting and valvular surgery was associated with a higher risk of 30-day mortality (hazard ratio, 4.3; 95% confidence interval, 1.2-14) compared with coronary artery bypass grafting alone. Occurrence of postoperative atrial fibrillation was associated with greater length of stay and 1-year mortality (hazard ratio, 2.2; 95% confidence interval, 1.2-3.9). CONCLUSIONS: In this multicenter trial, we identified specific adverse outcomes that are associated with concomitant valvular and coronary artery bypass graft surgery, cardiopulmonary bypass, ventricular pacing, and occurrence of postoperative atrial fibrillation.

Serum Klotho (but not haplotypes) associate with the post-myocardial infarction status of older adults

OBJECTIVES: The number of deaths from vascular diseases is incredibly high worldwide, and reliable markers for major events are still needed. The current cross-sectional study investigated the association of Klotho haplotypes and Klotho serum levels with classic risk factors and a clinical history of vascular events. METHODS: Clinical, anthropometric, biochemical and nutritional assessments were conducted with 168 older adults, complemented by genotyping (rs9536314 and rs9527025) and the detection of serum Klotho (ELISA). RESULTS: Klotho levels and haplotypes did not associate with most classic risk factors for vascular events, including markers such as C-reactive protein and homocysteine. A positive association was only found between Klotho levels and the previous occurrence of a myocardial infarction by both correlational (p=0.006) and variance analyses (p<0.001), and these associations were independent of the context. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that serum Klotho is higher in individuals with a clinical history of myocardial infarction but not with a history of coronary artery disease or stroke. None of the Klotho haplotypes were associated with the variables investigated herein.

Adding carotid total plaque area to the Framingham risk score improves cardiovascular risk classification.

INTRODUCTION: Cardiovascular events (CE) due to atherosclerosis are preventable. Identification of high-risk patients helps to focus resources on those most likely to benefit from expensive therapy. Atherosclerosis is not considered for patient risk categorization, even though a fraction of CE are predicted by Framingham risk factors. Our objective was to assess the incremental value of combining total plaque area (TPA) with the Framingham risk score (FramSc) using post-test probability (Ptp) in order to categorize risk in patients without CE and identify those at high risk and requiring intensive treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was performed in the primary care setting in an Argentine population aged 22-90 years without CE. Both FramSc based on body mass index and Ptp-TPA were employed in 2035 patients for risk stratification and the resulting reclassification was compared. Total plaque area was measured with a high-resolution duplex ultrasound scanner. RESULTS: 57% male, 35% hypertensive, 27% hypercholesterolemia, 14% diabetes. 20.1% were low, 28.5% moderate, and 51.5% high risk. When patients were reclassified, 36% of them changed status; 24.1% migrated to a higher and 13.6% to a lower risk level (κ index = 0.360, SE κ = 0.16, p < 0.05, FramSc vs. Ptp-TPA). With this reclassification, 19.3% were low, 18.9% moderate and 61.8% high risk. CONCLUSIONS: Quantification of Ptp-TPA leads to higher risk estimation than FramSc, suggesting that Ptp-TPA may be more sensitive than FramSc as a screening tool. If our observation is confirmed with a prospective study, this reclassification would improve the long-term benefits related to CE prevention.

Evaluation and management of hypertension in the elderly / Evaluación y tratamiento de la hipertensión en las personas mayores

Treatment of hypertension in the elderly is a challenge. Elevated blood pressure (> 140/80 mmHg) in the elderly (60+ years) can be either systolic, diastolic or combination of both. Arterial stiffness, intimal hyperplasia and non-compliance of the vascular tree have been underlying factors. Prevalence of hypertension increases with advancing age and varies with the population under study; therefore screening this population should not only be limited to those at risk. Presentation is often due to complications such as stroke, cardiovascular events, and erectile dysfunction or due to presentation of an unrelated disorder. The presence of comorbidity, drug interaction and their side effects should be considered in the management of hypertension in the elderly. With the advent of several classes of antihypertensives, there is no shortage of drug options for treatment of hypertension in the elderly, but a careful and individualized approach is needed.

El tratamiento de la hipertensión en las personas mayores es sin duda un reto. La tensión arterial alta (> 140/80 mmHg) en las personas mayores (60+ años) puede ser sistólica, diastólica, o bien una combinación de ambas. La rigidez arterial, la hiperplasia intimal, y la falta de compliancia del árbol vascular, han sido los factores subyacentes. La prevalencia de la hipertensión aumenta a medida que avanza la edad, y varía según la población bajo estudio. Por esa razón, el tamizaje de esta población no debe limitarse sólo a aquéllos en riesgo. La manifestación se debe frecuentemente a complicaciones como accidentes cerebrovasculares, accidentes cardiovasculares y disfunción eréctil, o puede ocurrir también como resultado de trastornos no relacionados. La presencia de comorbilidad, la interacción de los medicamentos y sus efectos colaterales deben ser tenidos en cuenta a la hora de tratar la hipertensión en las personas mayores, por cuanto se ha visto que esto reduce tanto la morbilidad como la mortalidad. Con el advenimiento de varias clases de antihipertensivos, ya no hay escasez en cuanto a opciones de medicamentos para el tratamiento de la hipertensión en personas mayores, pero se requiere un enfoque cuidadoso e individualizado del asunto.