Pulmonary arterial hypertension in critically ill elderly patients.

Objective: To assess the incidence, possible risk factors and prognosis of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in critically ill elderly patients.

Methods: We selected 122 cases admitted to the ICU, ages 60-93 years old. An echocardiography examination was performed within four days after admission to the ICU.

Iptakalim attenuates hypoxia-induced pulmonary arterial hypertension in rats by endothelial function protection.

The present study aimed to investigate the protective effects of iptakalim, an adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-sensitive potassium channel opener, on the inflammation of the pulmonary artery and endothelial cell injury in a hypoxia-induced pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) rat model. Ninety-six Sprague-Dawley rats were placed into normobaric hypoxia chambers for four weeks and were treated with iptakalim (1.5 mg/kg/day) or saline for 28 days.

Efficacy of linezolid on gram-positive bacterial infection in elderly patients and the risk factors associated with thrombocytopenia.

Unlabelled: Objective : Linezolid is active against drug-resistant gram-positive bacteria. However, the efficacy and safety of linezolid in the treatment of the elderly have not been well characterized. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of linezolid in the treatment of the elderly with gram-positive bacterial infection and to investigate the risk factors associated with the development of thrombocytopenia in these patients.

Ruscogenin attenuates monocrotaline-induced pulmonary hypertension in rats.

Inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, and thrombosis contribute to the pathogenesis and development of human pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of ruscogenin, a natural anti-inflammatory and anti-thrombotic agent, on the development of monocrotaline (MCT)-induced PAH in rats. Our results revealed that ruscogenin had favorable effects on hemodynamics and pulmonary vascular remodeling, preventing the development of PAH 3 weeks after MCT.

Nicorandil prevents right ventricular remodeling by inhibiting apoptosis and lowering pressure overload in rats with pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Background: Most of the deaths among patients with severe pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) are caused by progressive right ventricular (RV) pathological remodeling, dysfunction, and failure. Nicorandil can inhibit the development of PAH by reducing pulmonary artery pressure and RV hypertrophy. However, whether nicorandil can inhibit apoptosis in RV cardiomyocytes and prevent RV remodeling has been unclear.