Anticholinergic burden and poor oral health are associated with frailty in geriatric patients undergoing inpatient rehabilitation: A cross-sectional study.

Background: Poor oral health is known to be associated with frailty in geriatric populations. Recent exposure to anticholinergic medications is responsible for features of poor oral health. Anticholinergic medications pose a cumulative risk for frailty.

Left ventricular contractile reserve as a determinant of adverse clinical outcomes: a systematic review.

An abnormal left ventricular contractile reserve is often seen in patients undergoing stress echocardiogram and may indicate the presence of obstructive coronary artery disease. The techniques and indexes used to identify abnormal left ventricular contractile response and its prognostic value in the absence of known causes has not been well studied. To describe the characteristics and clinical outcomes associated with an abnormal left ventricular contractile response, we performed a systematic review that identified 27 eligible studies.

Frailty, oral health and nutrition in geriatrics inpatients: A cross-sectional study.

Background: Poor nutritional status is a risk factor for the development of frailty. Likewise, oral health is independently associated with nutrition. The potential association between oral health and frailty in hospitalised elderly adults has, however, not previously been investigated.

Predictors of acute hospital mortality and length of stay in patients with new-onset atrial fibrillation: a first-hand experience from a medical emergency team response provider.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) occurs frequently following cardiothoracic surgery and treatment decisions are informed by evidence-based clinical guidelines. Outside this setting there are few data to guide clinical management.

Aim: To describe the characteristics, management and outcomes of hospitalised adult patients with new-onset AF.

A Small Change Can Make a Big Difference: A Lesson from Evolocumab.

Background: Evolocumab is an expensive proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitor which has been shown to significantly improve cardiovascular outcomes in high risk patients.

Methods: This is a case study describing a stepwise approach to "PCSK9 inhibitor non-response" in a patient with familial hypercholesterolaemia. There are a few described pathophysiological mechanisms for "PCSK9 inhibitor non-response" including homozygous LDL-C receptor-negative mutations and alteration in the binding site of PCSK9 inhibitors.

The utility of personal activity trackers (Fitbit Charge 2) on exercise capacity in patients post acute coronary syndrome [UP-STEP ACS Trial]: a randomised controlled trial protocol.

Background: The benefits of physical activity and cardiovascular rehabilitation on the reduction of cardiovascular risk are well documented. Despite this, significant barriers and challenges remain in optimizing patient risk factors post acute coronary syndromes (ACS) and ensuring patient compliance. Consumer wearable personal activity trackers represent a cost effective and readily available technology that may aid in this endeavour.

Preoperative Use of Oral Beta-Adrenergic Blocking Agents and the Incidence of New-Onset Atrial Fibrillation After Cardiac Surgery. A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Current epidemiological data suggests that postoperative atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter (POAF) causes significant morbidity and mortality after cardiac surgery. The literature for prophylactic management of POAF is limited, resulting in the lack of clear guidelines on management recommendations.

Aim: To examine the efficacy of prophylactic rate control agents in reducing the incidence of new-onset POAF in patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery.