Heart rhythm in 90+ years old fallers - 13/03/13
Abstract |
Introduction |
R-test (event recording), ecg, and antithrombotic medicine were studied retrospectively in 90+years old falls patients.
Material and methods |
Hundred and twenty-two R-tests were made in 111 90+years old falls patients, between 2008–2011 in the Falls Clinic of the Department of Geriatrics, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre; 95 women and 27 men, mean age 92.6 (90–99), were included. The results were compared to the patients 12 lead ecg. In cases of atrial fibrillation (AF) or supraventricular arrhythmias that were not with certainty AF, the rhythm was defined as supraventricular tachycardia (SVT). Antithrombotic treatment was studied.
Results |
Ecg was available in 95 patients. Sixty patients (49.2%) had sinus rhythm (SR) on ecg, 34 (27.9%) had AF. Two patients with AF received vitamin K antagonists, 24 received ASA (70.6%). Seventy-three percent (44 patients) with SR on ecg showed SVT (37) and/or AF (7) on R-tests. Of these patients two patients received vitamin K antagonist, 32% (14 patients) ASA, two clopidogrel, and eight dipydiramol/dipydiramol+ASA.
Conclusion |
The incidence of AF is increasing with increasing age, the complications are numerous and serious (falls, cerebral insults, dementia, death, etc.), therefore it is of uttermost importance to reveal these arrhythmias for example by routine event recordings when the patients are referred to the hospital, and subsequently start treatment in order to minimize or even better prevent these serious cerebral complications and potential falls that will undoubtedly disable these frail oldest old further.
Le texte complet de cet article est disponible en PDF.Keywords : +90years old, Oldest old, Supraventricular tachycardia, Falls patients
Plan
Vol 4 - N° 1
P. 5-7 - février 2013 Retour au numéroBienvenue sur EM-consulte, la référence des professionnels de santé.
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