Yixin Hu

Clinical value of mean platelet volume for impaired cardiopulmonary function in very old male patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

High mean platelet volume (MPV) is a marker of platelet activation. The present study was designed to test if high MPV is associated with impaired cardiopulmonary function in patients with COPD. One hundred and sixteen male outpatients (mean age, 86.03±4.29 years) with COPD were recruited. Blood samples were collected for measurements of MPV and other laboratory data. Lung function and cardiac function were also assessed. Multiple linear regression analyses revealed that MPV was negatively correlated with left ventricular ejection fraction (β=-0.252, p=0.008) and the predicted value of forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV(1)% predicted) (β=-0.384, p=0.0001), whereas MPV was positively correlated with right pulmonary arterial diameter (β=0.311, p=0.005). The present study showed an association between high MPV, a marker of platelet activation, and impaired cardiopulmonary function in elderly COPD male patients. High MPV may be regarded as an early predictive marker of impaired cardiopulmonary function in COPD.

Frequency, risk factors, prognosis, and genetic polymorphism of the cyclooxygenase-1 gene for aspirin resistance in elderly Chinese patients with cardiovascular disease.

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is an important cause of mortality in elderly patients worldwide. Aspirin resistance has been well reported in CVD. Objective: The frequency, risk factors, prognosis, and genetic polymorphism of the cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) gene for aspirin resistance have not been reported in elderly patients with CVD. We therefore undertook this study to evaluate these associations among elderly Chinese patients with CVD. Methods: Four hundred thirty-one elderly Chinese patients with CVD receiving daily aspirin therapy (≥75 mg) over 1 month were enrolled. Platelet aggregation was measured by light transmission aggregometry (LTA) and thromboelastography platelet mapping assay (TEG) using arachidonic acid (AA) as a stimulus. The median follow-up was 1.8 years. Results: After the median follow-up, aspirin-resistant patients were at an increased risk of the composite endpoint compared to nonresistant patients by LTAAA + TEGAA (23.7 vs. 9.2%, p = 0.025). Additionally, Cox proportional hazards regression modeling demonstrated that aspirin resistance and cerebrovascular disease were associated with major adverse long-term outcomes (HR for aspirin resistance = 2.31, 95% CI 1.11-4.81, p = 0.026). The variant G-allele of COX-1 rs1330344 (-1676 A/G) significantly increased the risk of aspirin resistance defined by LTAAA + TEGAA (OR = 1.82, 95% CI 1.13- 2.92, p = 0.01). Conclusions: Aspirin resistance, evaluated by LTAAA + TEGAA, is associated with an increased risk of adverse clinical events in elderly Chinese patients with CVD. The variant G-allele of COX-1 rs1330344 is significantly associated with aspirin resistance defined by LTAAA + TEGAA.

Association factors of target organ damage: analysis of 17682 older hypertensive patients in China

Background Hypertensive target organ damage (TOD) is the main reason for mortality or disability in older hypertensive patients. The studies on hypertensive TOD in Asia, especially in Chinese older hypertensive patients, are very limited. The aim of our study was to evaluate the prevalence and correlative factors of TOD in Chinese older hypertensive inpatients. Methods This is a retrospective survey and data were collected from the computerised medical files of hypertensive inpatients from January of 1993 to December of 2008. The analysis was done on 17682 inpatients, aged 60 years or older, with the diagnosis of essential hypertension (EH). The evidences of hypertensive TOD and associated factors with TOD were collected. Results The prevalence of any hypertensive target organ involvement among these subjects was high. In multivariable logistic regressions adjusted for potentially confounding factors, older age, male gender, diabetes, EH grade 3, SBP, LDL-C, were independently associated with coronary artery disease. Age, duration of EH, EH grade 3, SBP, PP and Hcy were independently associated with cerebrovascular disease. Age, diabetes, duration of EH, EH grade 3, SBP, PP and eGFR were independently associated with chronic kidney disease. Male gender, EH grade 3 and SBP was independently associated with aortic dissection. Conclusion The prevalence of hypertensive TOD is high in Chinese older hypertensive inpatients. Various cardiovascular risk factors are associated with hypertensive TOD. The level of SBP and severe hypertension (grade 3 hypertension) are common independent risk factors of TOD.

The prevalence, risk factors and prognosis of aspirin resistance in elderly male patients with cardiovascular disease

Aim:Aspirin resistance is recognized in different population. However, the prevalence and clinical events of aspirin resistance in elderly male patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) have not been reported. Methods: We enrolled 304 elderly male patients with CVD receiving daily aspirin therapy (≥ 75 mg) more than 1 month. Platelet aggregation was measured by light transmission aggregometry (LTA) and thrombelastography platelet mapping assay (TEG). The median follow-up time was 1.8 years. The primary outcome was the composite of death, myocardial infarction, unstable angina, stroke and transient ischemic attack. Results: By LTA, 25 (8.2%) of elderly patients were aspirin resistant and 106 (34.9%) patients were semiresponders. According to TEG, 62 patients (20.4%) were found to be resistant to aspirin therapy. Of the 62 patients with aspirin resistance by TEG, 21 patients were aspirin resistant by LTA. Twenty-two of the 106 semiresponders by LTA were aspirin resistant by TEG. Patients with aspirin resistance or aspirin semiresponders were at increased risk of the composite outcome compared with aspirin-sensitive patients by LTA (18.3% vs 9.8%, Hazard ratio (HR) = 1.864, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.046–3.324 p = 0.039). However, aspirin resistance was not associated with an increased risk of clinical vascular events compared to aspirin-sensitive patients by TEG (17.7% vs 10.9%, p = 0.452). In addition, Cox proportional hazard regression modeling demonstrated that aspirin resistance or semiresponders (HR = 3.050, 95% CI: 1.464–6.354, p = 0.003) and diabetes (HR = 2.055, 95% CI: 1.060–3.981, p = 0.033) were associated with major adverse long-term outcomes.Conclusions: Aspirin resistance or semiresponders, defined by LTA, are associated with an increased risk of adverse clinical events in elderly male patients with CVD.

Prevalence of and risk factors for aspirin resistance in elderly patients with coronary artery disease

Objective To assess the prevalence of and related risk factors for aspirin resistance in elderly patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods Two hundred and forty-six elderly patients (75.9 ± 7.4 years) with CAD who received daily aspirin therapy (≥ 75 mg) over one month were recruited. The effect of aspirin was assessed using light transmission aggregometry (LTA) and thrombelastography platelet mapping assay (TEG). Aspirin resistance was defined as ≥ 20% arachidonic acid (AA)-induced aggregation and ≥ 70% adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-induced aggregation in the LTA assay. An aspirin semi-responder was defined as meeting one (but not both) of the criteria described above. Based on the results of TEG, aspirin resistance was defined as ≥ 50% aggregation induced by AA. Results As determined by LTA, 23 (9.3%) of the elderly CAD patients were resistant to aspirin therapy; 91 (37.0%) were semi-responders. As determined by TEG, 61 patients (24.8%) were aspirin resistant. Of the 61 patients who were aspirin resistant by TEG, 19 were aspirin resistant according to LTA results. Twenty-four of 91 semi-responders by LTA were aspirin resistant by TEG. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that elevated fasting serum glucose level (Odds ratio: 1.517; 95% CI: 1.176–1.957; P = 0.001) was a significant risk factor for aspirin resistance as determined by TEG. Conclusions A significant number of elderly patients with CAD are resistant to aspirin therapy. Fasting blood glucose level is closely associated with aspirin resistance in elderly CAD patients.

High prevalence of aspirin resistance in elderly patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and hyperhomocysteinaemia

Although aspirin resistance is well reported in CVD, little is known about aspirin response in elderly patients with hyperhomocysteinaemia. The aim of the present study was to explore the prevalence of aspirin resistance in elderly patients with CVD and hyperhomocysteinaemia. A total of 370 elderly patients with CVD were recruited. The study included 216 patients with hyperhomocysteinaemia and 154 patients with normohomocysteinaemia receiving daily aspirin therapy (≥ 75 mg) over 1 month. The effect of aspirin was assessed using by light transmission aggregometry (LTA). Aspirin resistance was defined as ≥ 20% arachidonic acid induced aggregation according to LTA. Aspirin resistance was defined in 48 (13.0%) of 370 patients. The prevalence of aspirin resistance was higher in hyperhomocysteinaemic patients than normohomocysteinaemic patients (16.7% vs. 7.8%, odds ratio (OR)=2.367; 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.188-4.715, p=0.012). In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, hyperhomocysteinaemia (OR=2.406, 95% CI=1.201-4.820, p=0.013) was a significant risk factor for aspirin resistance. A significant number of CVD patients with hyperhomocysteinemia are resistant to aspirin therapy. Hyperhomocysteinemia is a significant risk factor for aspirin resistance in elderly patients with CVD.

Association of cardiac and renal function with extreme N-terminal fragment Pro-B-type natriuretic peptide levels in elderly patients

BackgroundThe data are inconsistent regarding whether extreme N-terminal fragment pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT pro-BNP) levels are associated with impaired renal function. Furthermore, the relationship between extreme NT pro-BNP levels and cardiac and renal function in elderly patients has not been reported. The aim of the present study was to examine a hypothesis that extreme NT pro-BNP levels may be associated with impaired cardiac and renal function in elderly patients.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the data of demographic, clinical, and echocardiographic features on 152 consecutive elderly patients aged more than 80 years old (average age, 83.65 ± 3.58 years) with NT pro-BNP levels ≥ 3000 pg/ml. The participants were divided into two categories according to their NT pro-BNP levels: (1) 3000–10000 pg/mL and (2) >10000 pg /mL.ResultsThe number of patients with impaired renal function (P = 0.019) and the mortality (P < 0.001) in the period of inpatient was higher in the group with NT pro-BNP > 10000 pg /mL. The levels of serum creatinine and creatine kinase MB (CK-MB) in the group of NT pro-BNP > 10000 pg / mL were higher than those in the group of NT pro-BNP = 3000-10000 pg/mL (P = 0.001 and P = 0.023, respectively). Furthermore, no significant difference in the distribution by NYHA class in different NT pro-BNP levels was observed. Multiple linear regression analyses demonstrated that with NT pro-BNP levels as the dependent variable, NT pro-BNP levels were positively correlated with CK-MB (β = 0.182, P = 0.024) and creatinine levels (β = 0.281, P = 0.001). The area under the receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve of NT pro-BNP levels and clinical diagnosis of impaired renal function was 0.596 and reached significant difference (95%CI:0.503-0.688, P = 0.044).ConclusionThese data suggest that the extreme elevation of NT pro-BNP levels (≥3000 pg/ml) is mainly determined by impaired renal function in elderly patients above 80 years. Extreme NT pro-BNP levels may be useful for assessing the severity of impaired renal function.

High prevalence of aspirin resistance in elderly patients with cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome.

Background Metabolic syndrome is known to be a prothrombotic state. We undertook this study to examine a hypothesis that aspirin resistance may be associated with metabolic syndrome, and to assess other potential determinants of aspirin resistance in patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD). Methods A total of 469 elderly patients with CVD were recruited. One hundred and seventy-two patients with metabolic syndrome and 297 without metabolic syndrome (control group) received daily aspirin therapy (≥ 75 mg) over one month. Platelet aggregation was measured by light transmission aggregometry (LTA). Aspirin resistance was defined as ≥ 20% arachidonic acid (AA)- and ≥ 70% adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-induced aggregation according to LTA. Aspirin semi-responders were defined as meeting one (but not both) of these criteria. Results By LTA, 38 of 469 (8.1%) patients were aspirin resistant. The prevalence of aspirin resistance was higher in the metabolic syndrome group compared with the control group [11.6 % vs. 6.6%, odds ratio (OR) = 2.039; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.047–3.973]. In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, metabolic syndrome (OR = 4.951, 95% CI: 1.440–17.019, P = 0.011) was a significant risk factor for aspirin resistance. Conclusions A significant number of patients with CVD and metabolic syndrome are resistant to aspirin therapy. This might further increase the risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in these patients.

Prevalence of and risk factors for postprandial hypotension in older Chinese men

Objective To assess the prevalence of and risk factors for postprandial hypotension (PPH) among old and very old Chinese men. Methods The study included 349 Chinese men aged 65 and older, grouped into two age categories: group 1 (old) included 163 men aged 65 to 80 years; group 2 (very old) included 186 men aged over 80 years. Blood pressure changes after meals were assessed every 15 min by ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. Symptoms after meal ingestion and after standing up and changes in the baseline condition relative to blood pressure changes were observed continuously. Additional baseline data included body mass index, medical history, and medication use. Results The prevalence of PPH was 59.3% overall and was significantly higher in group 2 than group 1 (63.4% vs. 54.6%, P < 0.05). In group 2, the prevalence of PPH after breakfast (33.8%) and lunch (32.1%) were higher than that after supper (20.9%), P < 0.05. Hypertension and age were significant risk factors for PPH (OR = 2.188, 95% CI: 1.134−4.223, P = 0.02; OR = 1.86, 95% CI: 1.112−3.11, P = 0.018, respectively). In contrast, acarbose use was protective against PPH (OR = 0.4, 95% CI: 0.189−0.847, P = 0.017). The decrease in blood pressure during PPH was 20−40 mmHg and the maximum was 90 mmHg. PPH usually occurred at 30−60 min after a meal and lasted 30−120 min. Conclusions These findings demonstrate that the prevalence of PPH in men aged over 80 years is significantly higher than those in men aged 65 to 80 years, and the blood pressure decline is also higher for men aged over 80 years. In addition, hypertension and age were main risk factors for PPH in the older men, which suggest that preventing and treating PPH is worthwhile.

Establishing a predictive model for aspirin resistance in elderly Chinese patients with chronic cardiovascular disease.

Background Resistance to anti-platelet therapy is detrimental to patients. Our aim was to establish a predictive model for aspirin resistance to identify high-risk patients and to propose appropriate intervention. Methods Elderly patients (n = 1130) with stable chronic coronary heart disease who were taking aspirin (75 mg) for > 2 months were included. Details of their basic characteristics, laboratory test results, and medications were collected. Logistic regression analysis was performed to establish a predictive model for aspirin resistance. Risk score was finally established according to coefficient B and type of variables in logistic regression. The Hosmer–Lemeshow (HL) test and receiver operating characteristic curves were performed to respectively test the calibration and discrimination of the model. Results Seven risk factors were included in our risk score. They were serum creatinine (> 110 μmol/L, score of 1); fasting blood glucose (> 7.0 mmol/L, score of 1); hyperlipidemia (score of 1); number of coronary arteries (2 branches, score of 2; ≥ 3 branches, score of 4); body mass index (20–25 kg/m2, score of 2; > 25 kg/m2, score of 4); percutaneous coronary intervention (score of 2); and smoking (score of 3). The HL test showed P ≥ 0.05 and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve ≥ 0.70. Conclusions We explored and quantified the risk factors for aspirin resistance. Our predictive model showed good calibration and discriminative power and therefore a good foundation for the further study of patients undergoing anti-platelet therapy.