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[Clinico-functional particularities of cardiac dysfunction in the elderly]
F Mitu1, Magda Mitu, Elena Livadariu
1Clinica a VI-a Medicală, Facultatea de Medicină, Universitatea de Medicină şi Farmacie Gr.T. Popa Iaşi.
Summary
Elderly patients with ischaemic heart disease show more severe systolic and diastolic left ventricular dysfunction, with lower ejection fraction, despite less frequent myocardial infarction. Exercise capacity remains similar across age groups.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Geriatrics
- Internal Medicine
Background:
- Ischaemic left ventricular dysfunction presents unique clinical and functional characteristics in the elderly.
- Understanding these peculiarities is crucial for effective patient management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To define the clinical, biochemical, and echocardiographic features of older patients (over 60 years) with ischaemic heart disease.
- To compare these features with younger patients (<60 years).
Main Methods:
- 189 patients with ischaemic heart disease were divided into two groups: Group A (n=101, >60 years) and Group B (n=88, <60 years).
- Analysis included symptoms, cardiovascular risk factors, lipid profile, echocardiography, and bicycle exercise testing.
Main Results:
- Older patients (Group A) exhibited more prevalent symptomatic heart failure (20% vs 1%) and arterial hypertension (73% vs 58%).
- Group A showed more severe systolic dysfunction (lower ejection fraction: 49% vs 53%) and diastolic dysfunction (63% vs 36%).
- Myocardial infarction was more frequent in younger patients (Group B: 61% vs 42% in Group A).
Conclusions:
- Elderly patients with ischaemic left ventricular dysfunction have more severe systolic and diastolic dysfunction and a lower ejection fraction.
- Despite these findings, exercise capacity did not significantly differ between age groups.
- Myocardial infarction is less frequent in older individuals with this condition.