Usefulness of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide to predict postoperative cardiac complications and long-term mortality after emergency lower limb orthopedic surgery.

After emergency orthopedic-geriatric surgery, cardiac complications are an important cause of morbidity and mortality. The utility of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-pro-BNP) for the prediction of cardiac complications and mortality was evaluated. NT-pro-BNP was tested pre- and postoperatively in 89 patients >60 years of age.

Incidence of post-operative troponin I rises and 1-year mortality after emergency orthopaedic surgery in older patients.

Objectives: to determine the incidence of post-operative troponin I rises and its association with 1-year all-cause mortality and cardiac events after emergency orthopaedic-geriatric surgery, which has not been studied before.

Methods: one hundred and two patients over the age of 60 were recruited and followed up at 1 year. All consented to serial troponin I measurements peri-operatively.

Primary progressive aphasia: a case report.

Primary progressive aphasia is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterised by deterioration in language function while other higher centre functions are relatively preserved initially. The diagnosis is made based on clinical presentation, linguistic testing and imaging, both functional and structural. Survival is similar to other dementias and the main form of intervention is speech therapy.