The effect of aortic stenosis on elderly hip fracture outcomes: A case control study.

Introduction: Aortic stenosis (AS) is an established predictor of perioperative complications following both cardiac and non-cardiac surgery. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the risk of mortality and perioperative complications among surgically treated hip fractures in elderly patients with moderate or severe AS compared to those without AS (negative controls).

Materials And Methods: A retrospective case-controlled review (1:2) of elderly (≥65 years) surgically treated hip fractures from 2011 to 2015 with moderate/severe AS (according to American Heart Association criteria) was conducted.

Addition of angiotensin II receptor blockade to maximal angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition improves exercise capacity in patients with severe congestive heart failure.

Background: Incomplete suppression of the renin-angiotensin system during long-term ACE inhibition may contribute to symptomatic deterioration in patients with severe congestive heart failure (CHF). Combined angiotensin II type I (AT1) receptor blockade and ACE inhibition more completely suppresses the activated renin-angiotensin system than either intervention alone in sodium-depleted normal individuals. Whether AT1 receptor blockade with losartan improves exercise capacity in patients with severe CHF already treated with ACE inhibitors is unknown.

Angiotensin II-receptor blockade further reduces afterload safely in patients maximally treated with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors for heart failure.

Combined therapy with an angiotensin-II type I receptor (AT1) antagonist and an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor results in more complete suppression of the renin-angiotensin system. Accordingly, the blood-pressure response and safety of combining AT1-receptor blockade with losartan for ACE inhibition were evaluated in patients with congestive heart failure who were already treated with maximally recommended or tolerated doses of an ACE inhibitor. Forty-three patients with symptomatic congestive heart failure were evaluated biweekly for 1 month before addition of losartan and weekly during administration of losartan at a daily dose of 25 mg for the first week and 50 mg for the second week.

The renin-angiotensin system in left ventricular remodeling.

Left ventricular remodeling is a dynamic process that occurs in reaction to an insult to the myocardium. The response to either loss of cells, as may occur following myocardial infarction, or to hemodynamic overload, as may occur in aortic stenosis, is an attempt to maintain cardiac output and normalize wall tension. This is accomplished through the activation of the renin-angiotensin system and hypertrophy of noninfarcted segments of the myocardium.

beta-blockers. Drug interactions of clinical significance.

The clinician prescribing beta-blockers for his or her patients is faced with an often difficult situation. There are many beta-blockers, each with its own pharmacological profile. Patients are often taking multiple medications, thus increasing the risk of both anticipated and unexpected drug interactions.