National survey on the management of heart failure in individuals over 80 years of age in French geriatric care units.

Background: To evaluate the prevalence and management of heart failure (HF) in very old patients in geriatric settings.

Methods: Members of the French Society of Geriatrics and Gerontology throughout France were invited to participate in a point prevalence survey and to include all patients ≥80 years old, hospitalized in geriatric settings, with HF (stable or decompensated) on June 18, 2012. General characteristics, presence of comorbidities, blood tests and medications were recorded.

Pulse Wave Velocity Is Associated With Greater Risk of Dementia in Mild Cognitive Impairment Patients.

To investigate the association between pulse wave velocity, intima-media thickness, carotid artery diameter, carotid plaques, and conversion from mild cognitive impairment to dementia. Three hundred and seventy-five elderly ambulatory subjects with mild cognitive impairment were followed yearly to examine potential conversion to dementia. Vascular function was assessed by carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity.

Mortality and cardiovascular events are best predicted by low central/peripheral pulse pressure amplification but not by high blood pressure levels in elderly nursing home subjects: the PARTAGE (Predictive Values of Blood Pressure and Arterial Stiffness in Institutionalized Very Aged Population) study.

Objectives: The aim of the longitudinal PARTAGE study was to determine the predictive value of blood pressure (BP) and pulse pressure amplification, a marker of arterial function, for overall mortality (primary endpoint) and major cardiovascular (CV) events, in subjects older than 80 years of age living in a nursing home.

Background: Assessment of pulse indexes may be important in the evaluation of the CV risk in very elderly frail subjects.

Methods: A total of 1,126 subjects (874 women) who were living in French and Italian nursing homes were enrolled (mean age, 88 ± 5 years).

[Preventing the risk of infection in nursing homes].

The risk of infection in an institution has been clearly established. However, effective strategies exist, as well as a specific policy, based on standard precautions and organisational measures. Despite the recommendations, an important question arises concerning professionals' capacity to implement this objective, while keeping in mind that a nursing home is a living environment.

Blood pressure and pulse wave velocity values in the institutionalized elderly aged 80 and over: baseline of the PARTAGE study.

Objective: The aim of the longitudinal study PARTAGE (predictive values of blood pressure and arterial stiffness in institutionalized very aged population) was to determine the predictive value of blood pressure (BP) and arterial stiffness for overall mortality, major cardiovascular events and cognitive decline in a large population of institutionalized patients aged 80 and over. In the study herein, we present the baseline data values of this study.

Methods: A total of 1130 patients were recruited (878 women), living in French and Italian nursing homes.