Effect of restoring sinus rhythm in hypertensive patients with atrial fibrillation undergoing electrical cardioversion.

Introduction: Little is known about the effects of atrial fibrillation (AF) on blood pressure (BP) levels in hypertensive patients. Some studies suggest a role for rhythm control in managing such patients' BP, but the improvement observed in cardiac performance after restoring sinus rhythm (SR) may coincide with an increase in BP. The aim of this study was to apply ambulatory BP monitoring to analyze BP changes in hypertensive patients after electrical cardioversion for persistent AF.

Advanced dementia: opinions of physicians and nurses about antibiotic therapy, artificial hydration and nutrition in patients with different life expectancies.

Aim: The aim of the present study was to investigate the proportion of physicians and nurses who agree with the administration of antibiotic therapy (AT), artificial hydration (AH), and artificial nutrition (AN) in patients with advanced dementia and different life expectancies. Furthermore, we aimed at analyzing the correlates of the opinion according to which medical treatments should no longer be given to advanced dementia patients once their life expectancy falls.

Methods: End-of-life decisions and opinions were measured with a questionnaire that was sent to geriatric units, hospices and nursing homes in three different regions of Italy.

Short- and longer-term predictive capacity of the Multidimensional Prognostic Index: The timing of the assessment is of no consequence.

Background: Several studies have tested the ability of the Multidimensional Prognostic Index (MPI) to predict mortality for acute elderly patients admitted to hospital. We compared the reliability of MPI scores obtained both on admission to, and at discharge from hospital. We tested MPI performance in predicting short- and longer-term mortality grouped into three risk groups and according to single MPI scores.

Reliability of Oscillometric Blood Pressure Monitoring in Atrial Fibrillation Patients Admitted for Electric Cardioversion.

The reliability of automated oscillometric blood pressure (BP) monitors in atrial fibrillation (AF) has been poorly investigated, only comparing different patients with AF and sinus rhythm (SR), and is a method influenced by individual characteristics. This study compared the reliability of the oscillometric device A&D TM-2430 (A&D Company, Tokyo, Japan) with that of a mercury sphygmomanometer in AF patients whose SR was restored after electric cardioversion (ECV). Three consecutive BP measurements were obtained on the day before and about 30 days after ECV in stable treatment conditions.

Artificial nutrition and hydration in terminally ill patients with advanced dementia: opinions and correlates among Italian physicians and nurses.

Background: Although their benefits are controversial, artificial nutrition and hydration are often administered as a form of basic care to terminally ill patients. An important reason for this may be that these treatments have strong emotional and psychological meanings.

Aims: In the present article we investigated the opinions of Italian physicians and nurses on the administration of artificial nutrition and hydration to terminally ill patients with advanced dementia.

Physicians' and nurses' experiences of end-of-life decision-making in geriatric settings.

Background And Aims: In Italy there is a paucity of empirical data on practices concerning end-of-life decisions (ELDs) in geriatrics. We aimed to investigate the frequency and characteristics of ELDs made by Italian physicians and nurses in the geriatric setting.

Methods: In 2009, an anonymous questionnaire was sent to 54 geriatric units, 21 hospices, and 382 nursing homes in the Veneto and Trentino Alto Adige regions, and to professionals in the area who are members of the Italian Gerontology and Geriatrics Association.