Safety and efficacy of pulse-induced contour cardiac output monitoring in elderly patients with coronary artery disease and severe heart failure at coronary care units.

Background: The optimal treatment for elderly patients with severe heart failure depends on the accurate assessment of their hemodynamic status. Due to its less invasive nature, the safety and efficacy of invasive pulse-induced contour cardiac output (PiCCO)-based hemodynamic monitoring remains uncertain.

Methods: This was a prospective observational study.

Association factors of target organ damage: analysis of 17,682 elderly hypertensive patients in China.

Background: Hypertensive target organ damage (TOD) is the main reason for mortality or disability in elderly hypertensive patients. The studies on TOD of hypertension in Asia, especially in Chinese elderly hypertensive patients, are very limited. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and correlative factors of TOD in older Chinese hypertensive inpatients.

Effects of autoantibodies against M2 muscarinic acetylcholine receptors on rabbit atria in vivo.

Background: Evidence has shown that autoantibodies against M2 muscarinic acetylcholine receptors may play a role in the development of atrial fibrillation. The goal of this study was to evaluate the effects of anti-M2 receptor autoantibodies on rabbit atria in vivo.

Methods: Rabbits were immunized monthly with a synthetic peptide corresponding to the M2 receptor.