Recognizing symptoms in elderly patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) can be a challenge. Serum biomarkers such as Galectin-3 or N-terminal prohormone B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) are involved in remodeling and heart failure (HF) development and could support the diagnosis of AS. We set out to test the usefulness of NT-proBNP and Galectin-3 in predicting events in this population. We designed a prospective observational case–control study, including 50 asymptomatic patients older than 70 years, diagnosed with severe degenerative AS, and 50 control individuals. The NT-proBNP and Galectin-3 levels were measured. A follow-up was carried out at 12 months to determine the occurrence of hospital admission for HF, all-cause mortality or the appearance of symptoms. The patients with severe AS had higher Galectin-3 and NT-proBNP concentrations. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the NT-proBNP was 0.812 (95% CI, 0.646–0.832), and that of the Galectin-3 was 0.633 (95% CI, 0.711–0.913). NT-proBNP was a good predictor of events [HR 3.45 (95% CI 1.32–9.03), p = 0.011]. A Kaplan–Meier analysis showed that the probability of freedom from events was significant in patients who exhibited a combination of higher NT-proBNP and Galectin-3 levels (log-rank p = 0.032). Therefore, NT-proBNP was the most reliable predictor of events in asymptomatic patients with severe AS. A combination of NT-proBNP and Galectin-3 levels may be vital in the clinical follow-up of these patients and in the decision-making process.

PurposeThe geriatric population is especially vulnerable to coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and its potential complications. We sought to analyze the incidence of cardiological complications in an elderly population hospitalized for COVID-19.MethodsA prospective observational longitudinal that included patients ≥75 years of age with diagnosis of COVID-19 admitted to the Geriatric Department from March to May 2020. Epidemiological, geriatric, clinical and laboratory test variables were collected. Cardiovascular events, including de novo atrial fibrillation (AF), acute coronary syndrome (ACS), congestive heart failure (CHF), pulmonary embolism and in-hospital death, were documented. A follow-up was carried out at 12 months through a telephone interview as well as using electronic medical records, collecting cardiac events and mortality.Results305 patients were included; 190 (62.3%) were female, with median age of 87 years (interquartile range (82–91)). More than half of the patients had a history of cardiac disease, with AF being the most common and affecting 85 (27.9%) patients. During hospitalization, 112 (36.7%) patients died. Eighty-nine (29.2%) patients presented cardiac complications. Acute heart failure was the most prevalent (46; 15.1%), followed by new-onset AF (20; 6.5%), pulmonary embolism (17; 5.6%), and ACS (5; 1.6%). Patients with cardiac complications had a longer hospital stay (p<0.001). During follow-up, 29 (15.1%) died, and 40 (20.8%) patients had a cardiovascular event being CHF the most prevalent complication (16.7%).ConclusionThe incidence of cardiovascular complications in geriatric patients is high and is associated with a longer hospital stay. CHF was the most frequent event, followed by AF.

El pronóstico de la estenosis aórtica (EAo) grave asintomática en la población anciana, que a menudo asocia fragilidad y comorbilidades no ha sido estudiado. Se propuso analizar qué factores podrían influir en la mortalidad precoz esta población. Estudio ambispectivo de cohortes en 104 pacientes con edad ≥ 70 años y EAo grave asintomática. Se recogieron variables epidemiológicas, geriátricas, clínicas y ecocardiográficas y se compararon entre pacientes frágiles y no frágiles. Durante el seguimiento se recogió el tiempo desde el diagnóstico hasta la mortalidad. El 59,6% de los pacientes eran frágiles. El 69,4% de los pacientes frágiles fallecieron, con una mediana de supervivencia de 2,52 años (IC95%, 1,36-3,69). La tasa de supervivencia global al año en estos sujetos fue del 76%. En el análisis multivariante la edad (HR = 2,47; IC95%, 1,00-6,12), el índice de Charlson ≥ 5 (HR = 3,75; IC95%, 1,47-9,52) y la fragilidad (HR = 6,67; IC95%, 1,43-9,52) se asociaron independientemente a la mortalidad. Un 8,7% de los pacientes presentaron un índice de Charlson ≥ 5 y tuvieron una mediana de supervivencia de 1,01 años (IC95%, 0,36-1,67). El área bajo la curva receiver operating characteristic del índice de Charlson fue 0,739 (IC95%, 0,646-0,832). Los valores ≥ 5 mostraron una elevada especificidad (100%) pero baja sensibilidad. Existe una elevada prevalencia de fragilidad en pacientes ancianos con EAo grave asintomáticos. La edad, un índice de Charlson ≥ 5 y la fragilidad son marcadores independientes de mortalidad, asociando un pronóstico desfavorable a corto plazo. The prognosis of asymptomatic severe aortic stenosis (AS) has not been widely documented in elderly patients who are frequently frail and have comorbidities. We sought to analyze the factors that influence early mortality in geriatric patients with asymptomatic severe AS. This ambispective cohort study included 104 patients aged 70 years or older with asymptomatic severe AS. Epidemiological, geriatric, clinical and echocardiographic variables were collected and compared between frail and nonfrail patients. During follow-up, the time from diagnosis to mortality and the causes of death were recorded. Overall, 59.6% of the patients were frail. During follow-up, 69.4% of the frail patients died, with a median time to mortality of 2.52 years (95%CI, 1.36-3.69). The overall 1-year survival rate in frail patients was 76%. On multivariate analysis, age (HR, 2.47; 95%CI, 1.00-6.12), a Charlson comorbidity index ≥ 5 (HR, 3.75; 95%CI, 1.47-9.52) and frailty (HR, 6.67; 95%CI, 1.43-9.52) were independently related to mortality. In total, 8.7% of the patients had a Charlson comorbidity index ≥ 5, and all these patients died during follow-up, with a median survival of 1.01 years (95%CI, 0.36-1.67). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the Charlson index was 0.739 (95%CI, 0.646-0.832). In this population, values ≥ 5 showed high specificity (100%) but low sensitivity. A high prevalence of frailty was present in geriatric patients with asymptomatic severe AS. Age, a Charlson index ≥ 5 and frailty were independent factors for mortality, conferring an unfavorable short-term prognosis.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES:The prognosis of asymptomatic severe aortic stenosis (AS) has not been widely documented in elderly patients who are frequently frail and have comorbidities. We sought to analyze the factors that influence early mortality in geriatric patients with asymptomatic severe AS. METHODS:This ambispective cohort study included 104 patients aged 70 years or older with asymptomatic severe AS. Epidemiological, geriatric, clinical and echocardiographic variables were collected and compared between frail and nonfrail patients. During follow-up, the time from diagnosis to mortality and the causes of death were recorded. RESULTS:Overall, 59.6% of the patients were frail. During follow-up, 69.4% of the frail patients died, with a median time to mortality of 2.52 years (95%CI, 1.36-3.69). The overall 1-year survival rate in frail patients was 76%. On multivariate analysis, age (HR, 2.47; 95%CI, 1.00-6.12), a Charlson comorbidity index ≥ 5 (HR, 3.75; 95%CI, 1.47-9.52) and frailty (HR, 6.67; 95%CI, 1.43-9.52) were independently related to mortality. In total, 8.7% of the patients had a Charlson comorbidity index ≥ 5, and all these patients died during follow-up, with a median survival of 1.01 years (95%CI, 0.36-1.67). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the Charlson index was 0.739 (95%CI, 0.646-0.832). In this population, values ≥ 5 showed high specificity (100%) but low sensitivity. CONCLUSIONS:A high prevalence of frailty was present in geriatric patients with asymptomatic severe AS. Age, a Charlson index ≥ 5 and frailty were independent factors for mortality, conferring an unfavorable short-term prognosis.