Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Federico Rea, Giuseppe Mancia, Giovanni Corrao
Summary: This study aimed to assess the protective effect of statins in a large cohort of frail elderly subjects. The findings showed that adherence to statin treatment reduced the risk of all-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality. However, the benefit of statin treatment may be lower in frail elderly patients compared to those in good clinical conditions.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PREVENTIVE CARDIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Lidia Cobos-Palacios, Jaime Sanz-Canovas, Monica Munoz-Ubeda, Maria Dolores Lopez-Carmona, Luis Miguel Perez-Belmonte, Almudena Lopez-Sampalo, Ricardo Gomez-Huelgas, Maria Rosa Bernal-Lopez
Summary: Statins have been proven to reduce major vascular events in adults, but their benefits in older adults are not well-established, especially in primary prevention. Many factors need to be considered for their use in the elderly, such as age-related changes in pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, comorbidities, polypharmacy, and frailty, which may decrease their safety and efficacy.
FRONTIERS IN CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICINE
(2021)
Editorial Material
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Guy G. De Backer
Summary: This article discusses the evidence of statin treatment reducing the risk of death among elderly frail patients.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PREVENTIVE CARDIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Giovanni Zuliani, Massimo Gallerani, Cecilia Acuti Martellucci, Roberto Reverberi, Gloria Brombo, Carlo Cervellati, Marco Zuin, Chiara Pistolesi, Dario Pedrini, Maria Elena Flacco, Lamberto Manzoli
Summary: The study found that elderly patients with dementia have a higher in-hospital mortality rate, with dementia itself doubling the odds of death. Heart failure, pneumonia, and kidney disease were identified as high-risk diseases for in-hospital mortality among patients with dementia.
AGING CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Gang Huang, Junbo Xu, Zhen Zhang, Lin Cai, Hanxiong Liu, Xiuqiong Yu
Summary: This study investigated the potential association between total cholesterol and high density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (THR) and metabolic syndrome (MetS) in a very elderly population in Chengdu. The study found a significant association between THR and MetS in this community of very elderly individuals.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Sang-Hyup Lee, Yong -Joon Lee, Jung Ho Heo, Seung-Ho Hur, Hyun Hee Choi, Kyung-Jin Kim, Ju Han Kim, Keun-Ho Park, Jung Hee Lee, Yu Jeong Choi, Seung-Jun Lee, Sung-Jin Hong, Chul-Min Ahn, Byeong-Keuk Kim, Young-Guk Ko, Donghoon Choi, Myeong-Ki Hong, Yangsoo Jang, Jung-Sun Kim
Summary: This study compared the cardiovascular effects and tolerability of combination therapy with moderate-intensity statins and ezetimibe versus high-intensity statin monotherapy in elderly patients. The results showed no significant difference in the occurrence of cardiovascular events between the two treatment groups among patients aged ≥75 years and <75 years, but the combination therapy group had lower rates of adverse reactions. Therefore, combination therapy with moderate-intensity statins and ezetimibe has similar cardiovascular effects and greater tolerability in elderly patients.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF CARDIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Marco Canepa, Lucia Leporatti, Luca Persico, Pietro Ameri, Italo Porto, Filippo Ansaldi, Marcello Montefiori
Summary: This study used a large administrative database from Liguria to investigate hospital readmissions in elderly patients with heart failure. It found that a quarter of patients contributed to more than half of the readmissions, with a negative impact on prognosis. The study also identified male gender, lower educational level, and higher comorbidity index as predictors of increased readmissions and mortality.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CARDIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Salvatore Corrao, Alessandro Nobili, Giuseppe Natoli, Pier Mannuccio Mannucci, Francesco Perticone, Antonello Pietrangelo, Christiano Argano
Summary: This study evaluated the impact of hyperglycemia, disability, and multimorbidity on mortality in elderly patients admitted to internal medicine wards. The study found that higher glycemia levels, lower Barthel Index scores, higher CIRS-SI scores, and male sex were strong predictors of in-hospital mortality for older patients in general wards.
ACTA DIABETOLOGICA
(2021)
Article
Virology
Vanessa Bianconi, Massimo R. Mannarino, Elena Cosentini, Filippo Figorilli, Cecilia Colangelo, Giulia Cellini, Marco Braca, Rita Lombardini, Rita Paltriccia, Amirhossein Sahebkar, Matteo Pirro
Summary: This study found that preadmission statin therapy is associated with a reduced risk of intensive care unit admission or in-hospital death among patients with COVID-19 at high CV risk. Furthermore, statin therapy is associated with improved endothelial function. However, the interaction between endothelial function and statin therapy is not associated with in-hospital outcomes.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2023)
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Iad Alhallak, Hakan Paydak, Jawahar L. Mehta
Summary: Studies have shown that statins can reduce COVID-19 mortality in hospitalized patients. This paper evaluates the studies and reviews the mechanism of how statins modulate COVID-19 severity.
CURRENT PROBLEMS IN CARDIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Marianne Ask Torvik, Stig Haugset Nymo, Stale Haugset Nymo, Lars Petter Bjornsen, Hanne Winge Kvarenes, Eirik Hugaas Ofstad
Summary: A retrospective chart review of deceased adults in a Norwegian hospital found a high prevalence of advanced frailty, comorbidity, and age among sepsis-related deaths. The findings are significant for understanding sepsis-related mortality in similar populations, applicability of study results to clinical work, and future research designs.
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Nana He, Yuelin Zhang, Lu Zhang, Shun Zhang, Honghua Ye
Summary: With the global aging population, aging-related diseases have become a challenge for governments across the world. Sarcopenia, defined as age-related loss of skeletal muscle mass, strength, function, and physical performance, is common in elderly patients with chronic diseases and may play a crucial role in the pathophysiology and progression of cardiovascular diseases. Further research is needed to better understand the relationship, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic criteria, and mechanisms of sarcopenia and cardiovascular diseases in the elderly, which could lead to potential interventions for improved clinical outcomes.
FRONTIERS IN CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Widya N. Insani, Cate Whittlesea, Chengsheng Ju, Kenneth K. C. Man, Hassan Alwafi, Alaa Alsharif, Sarah Chapman, Li Wei
Summary: This study investigated the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) events and all-cause mortality in patients with statin-related adverse drug reactions (ADRs) and examined the impact of different treatments on subsequent outcomes. The results showed that statin-related ADRs were associated with an increased risk of CVD events, and continued use of lipid-lowering medication was important in preventing CVD events and mortality.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Chun-Hao Kao, Chi-Hsiang Chung, Wu-Chien Chien, Daniel Hueng-Yuan Shen, Li-Fan Lin, Chuang-Hsin Chiu, Cheng-Yi Cheng, Chien-An Sun, Ping-Ying Chang
Summary: The study found no direct association between RAI and cardiovascular disease in thyroid cancer patients, but highlighted the importance of cardiovascular disease surveillance in patients receiving RAI doses exceeding 3.7GBq.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Donald G. Lamprecht Jr, Joseph J. Saseen, Paul B. Shaw
Summary: Statins are important drugs for the prevention and treatment of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, but they can be affected by drug-drug interactions that increase the risk of statin-associated muscle symptoms. Recognition and avoidance of clinically significant statin DDIs is important for safe use, while concern over insignificant interactions may lead to underutilization or avoidance of statins in patients who would benefit from them.
PROGRESS IN CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES
(2022)
Letter
Medicine, General & Internal
Riccardo Sarzani, Federico Giulietti, Chiara Di Pentima, Andrea Filipponi, Francesco Spannella
INTERNAL AND EMERGENCY MEDICINE
(2020)
Editorial Material
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Riccardo Sarzani, Federico Giulietti, Chiara Di Pentima, Piero Giordano, Francesco Spannella
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PREVENTIVE CARDIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Riccardo Sarzani, Federico Giulietti, Chiara Di Pentima, Francesco Spannella
NUTRITION METABOLISM AND CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES
(2020)
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Francesco Spannella, Federico Giulietti, Andrea Filipponi, Riccardo Sarzani
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
M. Casula, M. Gazzotti, F. Bonaiti, E. OImastroni, M. Arca, M. Averna, A. Zambon, A. L. Catapano
Summary: The PROSISA study found that 9.6% of dyslipidaemic patients reported statin-associated muscle symptoms (SAMS), with only one third of patients still reporting SAMS after dechallenge/rechallenge.
JOURNAL OF INTERNAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Riccardo Sarzani, Francesco Spannella, Federico Giulietti, Chiara Di Pentima, Piero Giordano, Andrea Giacometti
Summary: The use of glucocorticoid drugs like dexamethasone for severe COVID-19 patients, especially those requiring mechanical ventilation or supplemental oxygen therapy, has shown the largest benefit. However, there may be no benefit for patients without hypoxemia. Administering dexamethasone after several days of symptoms can lead to positive outcomes, but early administration may have potential harm, with the optimum time for glucocorticoid administration still being debated.
INTERNAL AND EMERGENCY MEDICINE
(2022)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Riccardo Sarzani, Massimiliano Allevi, Federico Giulietti, Chiara Di Pentima, Serena Re, Piero Giordano, Francesco Spannella
Summary: Specific physiologic traits or health conditions like male sex, older age, overweight/obesity, arterial hypertension, metabolic syndrome, and type 2 diabetes mellitus have been found to be highly prevalent and associated with increased risk of adverse outcomes in hospitalized patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. These cardiovascular morbidities often coexist, leading to an imbalance in the RAS system and severe COVID-19.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Francesco Spannella, Federico Giulietti, Roberta Galeazzi, Anna Passarelli, Serena Re, Chiara Di Pentima, Massimiliano Allevi, Paolo Magni, Riccardo Sarzani
Summary: This study found an inverse association between plasma PCSK9 and NT-proBNP levels in older patients, supporting the hypothesis that NPs may regulate cholesterol metabolism through inhibitory action on PCSK9 concentrations.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Riccardo Sarzani, Massimiliano Allevi, Chiara Di Pentima, Paola Schiavi, Francesco Spannella, Federico Giulietti
Summary: Cardiac natriuretic peptides are true hormones produced by cardiomyocytes, exerting systemic effects and contributing to cardiovascular health. They also have paracrine and autocrine activities on the heart, preventing cardiac dysfunction and promoting heart protection.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Chiara Di Pentima, Sara Cecchini, Francesco Spannella, Federico Giulietti, Massimiliano Allevi, Paola Schiavi, Francesca Carnevali, Lorenzo Zoppi, Maria Carmela Ciociola, Fiammetta Ventura, Gina Dragano, Piero Giordano, Enrico Paci, Riccardo Sarzani
Summary: The aim of this study was to evaluate the lung sequelae and clinical consequences in older patients 3 and 6 months after hospitalization for COVID-19 pneumonia. The study included 55 patients aged 65 years and older. CT scans and assessments of daily living activities and clinical frailty were performed at baseline and after 3 and 6 months. The results showed that 22% of the subjects still had ground-glass opacities after 6 months, while consolidations were no longer visible. Fibrotic-like changes were found in 40% of the subjects, mainly males. Worsening daily living activities and clinical frailty were associated with comorbidities.
INTERNAL AND EMERGENCY MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Francesco Spannella, Federico Giulietti, Giorgia Laureti, Mirko Di Rosa, Chiara Di Pentima, Massimiliano Allevi, Caterina Garbuglia, Piero Giordano, Matteo Landolfo, Letizia Ferrara, Alessia Fumagalli, Fabrizia Lattanzio, Anna Rita Bonfigli, Riccardo Sarzani
Summary: This study aimed to identify clusters of hospitalized older COVID-19 patients and evaluate their association with in-hospital mortality. Three clusters were identified, with increasing mortality risk from cluster 1 to cluster 3. Patients in cluster 3 were older and had higher prevalence of comorbidities and inflammation markers. The addition of frailty assessment improved the predictive ability for in-hospital mortality.
Article
Peripheral Vascular Disease
Matteo Landolfo, Massimiliano Allevi, Francesco Spannella, Federico Giulietti, Alessandro Gezzi, Riccardo Sarzani
Summary: This study compared the CVR stratification and LDL-C control using different methods. The results showed that both SCORE2/SCORE2-OP and the 2021 ESC Guidelines led to significant reclassification of CVR and differences in LDL-C goals. The choice of LDL-C calculation method also had an impact on LDL-C control.
HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE & CARDIOVASCULAR PREVENTION
(2023)
Review
Peripheral Vascular Disease
Federico Giulietti, Andrea Filipponi, Giulia Rosettani, Piero Giordano, Corrado Iacoacci, Francesco Spannella, Riccardo Sarzani
HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE & CARDIOVASCULAR PREVENTION
(2020)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Francesco Spannella, Letizia Ristori, Federico Giulietti, Serena Re, Paola Schiavi, Piero Giordano, Riccardo Sarzani
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL CASE REPORTS
(2020)