Variability in Alzheimer's disease mortality from European vital statistics, 2012-2020.

OBJECTIVE: Data regarding the trends in Alzheimer's disease (AD) mortality in the modern European Union (EU-27) member states are lacking. We assess the sex- and age-specific trends in AD mortality in the EU-27 member states between years 2012 and 2020. METHODS: Data on cause-specific deaths and population numbers by sex for each country of the EU-27 were retrieved through publicly available European Statistical Office (EUROSTAT) dataset from 2012 to 2020. AD-related deaths were ascertained when the ICD-10 code G30 was listed as the primary cause of death in the medical death certificate. To calculate annual trends, we assessed the average annual percent change (AAPC) with relative 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using Joinpoint regression. RESULTS: During the study period, 751,493 deaths (1.7%, 233,271 males and 518,222 females) occurred in the EU-27 because of AD. Trends in the proportion of AD-related deaths per 1000 total deaths slightly increased from 16.8% to 17.5% (p for trend <0.001). The age-adjusted mortality rate was higher in women over the entire study period. Joinpoint regression analysis revealed a stagnation in age-adjusted AD-related mortality from 2012 to 2020 among EU-27 Member States (AAMR: -0.1% [95% CI: -1.8-1.79], p = 0.94). Stratification by Country showed relevant regional disparities, especially in the Northern and Eastern EU-27 member states. CONCLUSIONS: Over the last decade, the age-adjusted AD-related mortality rate has plateaued in EU-27. Important disparities still exist between Western and Eastern European countries.

Optimal hemodynamic parameters for risk stratification in acute pulmonary embolism patients.

Hemodynamic assessment of patients with pulmonary embolism (PE) remains a fundamental component of early risk stratification that in turn, influences subsequent monitoring and therapeutic strategies. The current body of literature and international evidence-based clinical practice guidelines focus mainly on the use of systolic blood pressure (SBP). The accuracy of this single hemodynamic parameter, however, and its optimal values for the identification of hemodynamic instability have been recently questioned by clinicians. For example, abnormal SBP or shock index may be a late indicator of adverse outcomes, signaling a patient in whom the cascade of hemodynamic compromise is already well underway. The aim of the present article is to review the current evidence supporting the use of SBP and analyze the potential integration of other parameters to assess the hemodynamic stability, impending clinical deterioration, and guide the reperfusion treatment in patients with PE, as well as to suggest potential strategies to further investigate this issue.

Trends of Pulmonary Embolism-Related Sudden Cardiac Death in the United States, 1999-2019.

OBJECTIVES: Up-to-date population-based data on pulmonary embolism (PE)-related sudden cardiac death (SCD) mortality trends in the United States (US) are scant. We assess the current trends in PE-related SCD mortality in US over the past two decades and determine differences by sex, race, ethnicity, age, and census region. METHODS: We extracted PE-related SCD mortality rates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Wide-Ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research (CDC WONDER) database from 1999 to 2019, in patients aged ≥ 15 years old. Age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMRs) were assessed using the Joinpoint regression modeling and expressed as estimated average annual percentage change (AAPC) with relative 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: Between 1999 and 2019, the AAMR from acute PE-related SCD mortality in the US linearly increased [AAPC: +2.4% (95% CI: 2.2 to 2.6), p < 0.001)]. The AAMR increase was more pronounced in men [AAPC: +2.8% (95% CI: 2.6 to 2.9), p < 0.001], Whites [AAPC: +2.7% (95% CI: 2.3 to 3.1), p < 0.001], Latinx/Hispanic patients [AAPC:+2.0% (95% CI: 1.2 to 2.8), p < 0.001], subjects younger than 65 years [AAPC: +2.4% (95% CI: 2.1 to 2.6), p < 0.001] and in residents of rural areas [AAPC: +3.6% (95% CI: 3.3 to 3.9), p < 0.001]. Moreover, higher percentages of PE-related SCD and the relative absolute number of deaths were observed in the South compared with other geographical regions. CONCLUSIONS: PE-related SCD mortality in the US has increased over the last two decades. Stratification by race, ethnicity, urbanization, and census region demonstrates ethnoracial and regional disparities that require further investigation and remedy.

Acetyl-cholinesterase-inhibitors reconsidered. A narrative review of post-marketing studies on Alzheimer's disease.

The real efficacy of Acetyl-cholinesterase-inhibitors (AChEI) has been questioned. In this narrative review we evaluated their effect on cognitive decline, measured by Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), and on total mortality rates in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) recruited into post-marketing open/non-randomized/retrospective studies. In AD patients treated with AChEI, the mean MMSE loss ranged from 0.2 to 1.37 points/years, compared with 1.07-3.4 points/years in non-treated patients. Six studies also reported data about survival; a reduction in total mortality relative risk between 27% and 42% was observed, over a period of 2-8 years. The type of studies and the use of MMSE to assess cognitive decline, may have introduced several biases. However, the clinical effects of AChEI seem to be of the same order of magnitude as the drugs currently used in most common chronic disorders, as regards progression of the disease and total mortality. In the absence of long-term randomized trials on "standard" unselected AD outpatients, open/retrospective studies and health databases represent the best available evidence on the possible effect of AChEI in the real-word setting. Our data support the clinical benefit of AChEI in older patients affected by AD.

Risk of incident heart failure after COVID-19 recovery: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Patients recovered from COVID-19 have an increased incidence of cardiovascular disease and heart structural changes. The aim of the present manuscript is to assess the risk of incident heart failure (HF) after COVID-19 infection. Data were obtained searching MEDLINE and Scopus for all studies published at any time up to September 1, 2022 reporting the risk of incident HF in COVID-19 recovered patients. The cumulative post-COVID-19 incidence and risk of incident HF were pooled using a random effects model and presented with the corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI). Statistical heterogeneity was measured using the Higgins I2 statistic. Overall, 21,463,173 patients (mean age 54.5 years, 58.7% males) were analyzed. Among them, 1,628,424 had confirmed COVID-19 infection while the remaining 19,834,749 represented the controls. The mean length of follow-up was 9.2 months. A random effect model revealed a pooled incidence of post COVID-19 HF in 1.1% of cases (95% CI: 0.7-1.6, I2: 99.8%). Moreover, recovered COVID-19 patients showed an increased risk of incident HF (HR: 1.90, 95% CI: 1.54-3.24, p < 0.0001, I2 = 96.5%) in the same follow-up period. Meta-regression showed a direct relationship for the risk of incident HF using age (p = 0.001) and hypertension (HT) (p = 0.02) as moderators, while an inverse association was observed when the follow-up length was adopted as moderating variable (p = 0.01). COVID-19 survivors had an additional 90% risk of developing HF after COVID-19 infection in the long-term period. This risk was directly related with age and previous history of HT especially in the early post-acute phase of the infection.

Ultrasound-guided distal transradial access for cardiac catheterization: Technical notes for the interventionalist.

Over the latest years, the use of distal radial access (dTRA), also called "snuffbox," has become more and more popular for cardiac catheterization. Indeed, dTRA has several advantages compared to the traditional proximal radial approach, such as a lower risk of hand ischemia, radial artery occlusion (RAO) and faster post-procedural hemostasis. However, due to the presence of different muscular-skeletal structures, as well as to the small diameter of the distal radial artery (dRA), an ultrasound-guided cannulation would be preferred since a blind puncture increases the risk of tendon damage and/or the irritation of the underlying periosteum. The present article is aimed to provide the key tips for performing US-guided access using the dRA in patients undergoing percutaneous cardiac procedures.

Trends in ventricular fibrillation/flutter mortality in US population, 1999 to 2019.

BACKGROUND: The Ventricular fibrillation and flutter (VF/VFL)-related mortality trends in the United States (US) population have not yet been investigated. We aimed to assess the trends of VT/VFL-related mortality from 1999 to 2019 among subjects aged more than 15 years old in the US. METHODS: Data derived from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) WONDER were analyzed between 1999 and 2019 for VF/VFL-related mortality in subjects aged more than 15 years of age. Adjusted mortality rates (AAMRs) per 100,000 people by year, sex, race and urban-rural status with relative confidence intervals (CIs) were determined. Both the average annual percent change (AAPC) and the annual percent change (APC) with 95% Cis were calculated. RESULTS: Between 1999 and 2019, 242,125 VT/VFL-related deaths occurred in the US. The overall AAMR steadily declined [AAPC -4.4% (95% CI: -4.7 to -4.0, p < .0001)]. Women showed a more pronounced AAMRs decline [AAPC: -4.8% (95% CI: -5.3 to -4.3, p < .0001). AAMR steadily declined in white subjects and in those of other races [AAPC: -4.5 (95% CI: -4.7 to -4.2, p < .0001) and AAPC: -4.3 (95% CI: -5.1 to -3.5, p < .001), respectively]. Conversely, African Americans showed a steadily AMMR decline between 1999 and 2007 [APC: -8.3 (95% CI: -9.2 to -7.3, p < .0001)], followed by a period of stability from 2007 to 2019 (p = .73). A similar decline was observed for the AAMR among subjects living in urban and rural areas. CONCLUSIONS: VT/VFL-related mortality steadily decreased between 1999 and 2019 in US. Despite the encouraging results, further efforts are needed to prevent VF/VFL-related mortality in US subjects.

Impact of clinical profile at admission on the outcomes in patients hospitalized for acute pulmonary embolism: data from the IPER Registry.

Acute pulmonary embolism (PE) is characterized by a large heterogeneity of clinical presentation and disease course. We investigate whether different symptom PE phenotypes in hemodynamically stable PE could be associated with 30-day mortality risk. Hemodynamically stable patients from the multicentre, prospective Italian Pulmonary Embolism Registry (IPER) (September 2006-August 2010) presenting the most common four clinical phenotypes (< 24 h onset dyspnoea, chest pain, pleuritic pain and phlebitis) at admission were included and compared to those who were asymptomatic at admission. Overall, 1365 (mean age 68.7 ± 15.3 years, 609 males) were evaluated. Recent onset dyspnoea (< 24 h), chest pain, pleuritic pain and phlebitis were observed in 28.4%, 19.7%, 12.9% and 25.2%, respectively while asymptomatic patients represented the remaining 13.6% of cases. PE presenting with recent dyspnoea onset and chest pain had a lower 30-day overall survival (log-rank p = 0.01 and p < 0.001, respectively). By contrast, there were no significant differences when comparing patients with pleuritic pain or phlebitis (log-rank p = 0.2). Similar findings were confirmed at the Cox multivariate regression analysis which indicated a higher mortality risk in patients with chest pain [HR 3.21, 95% CI 2.16-4.78, p < 0.001] or recent dyspnoea [HR 2.12, 95% CI 1.22-3.87, p = 0.002] independent of age, heart rate, presence of right ventricular dysfunction, positive cardiac troponin and administration of systemic thrombolysis. Hemodynamically stable PE patients presenting with chest pain or recent onset dyspnoea had a lower 30-day survival compared to those asymptomatic or presenting pleuritic or phlebitis pain.Trial registry ClinicalTrials.gov; No: NCT01604538).

Risk of venous thromboembolic events after COVID-19 infection: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Data regarding the occurrence of venous thromboembolic events (VTE), including acute pulmonary embolism (PE) and deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in recovered COVID-19 patients are scant. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the risk of acute PE and DVT in COVID-19 recovered subject. Following the PRIMSA guidelines, we searched Medline and Scopus to locate all articles published up to September 1st, 2022, reporting the risk of acute PE and/or DVT in patients recovered from COVID-19 infection compared to non-infected patients who developed VTE over the same follow-up period. PE and DVT risk were evaluated using the Mantel-Haenszel random effects models with Hazard ratio (HR) as the effect measure with 95% confidence interval (CI) while heterogeneity was assessed using Higgins I2 statistic. Overall, 29.078.950 patients (mean age 50.2 years, 63.9% males), of which 2.060.496 had COVID-19 infection, were included. Over a mean follow-up of 8.5 months, the cumulative incidence of PE and DVT in COVID-19 recovered patients were 1.2% (95% CI:0.9-1.4, I2: 99.8%) and 2.3% (95% CI:1.7-3.0, I2: 99.7%), respectively. Recovered COVID-19 patients presented a higher risk of incident PE (HR: 3.16, 95% CI: 2.63-3.79, I2 = 90.1%) and DVT (HR: 2.55, 95% CI: 2.09-3.11, I2: 92.6%) compared to non-infected patients from the general population over the same follow-up period. Meta-regression showed a higher risk of PE and DVT with age and with female gender, and lower risk with longer follow-up. Recovered COVID-19 patients have a higher risk of VTE events, which increase with aging and among females.

Prevalence of pre-existing peripheral artery disease in COVID-19 patients and relative mortality risk: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: This study aims to assess prevalence and prognostic implications of pre-existing peripheral artery disease (PAD) in patients infected by the SARS-CoV-2 by means of a systematic review and meta-analysis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We searched MEDLINE and Scopus to locate all the articles published up to 10 December 2021, reporting data on pre-existing PAD among COVID-19 survivors (S) and non survivors (NS). The pooled prevalence of pre-existing PAD in COVID-19 patients was calculated using a random effects model and presenting the related 95% confidence interval (CI), while the mortality risk was estimated using the Mantel-Haenszel random effects models with odds ratio (OR) and related 95% CI. Statistical heterogeneity was measured using the Higgins I2 statistic. RESULTS: Eight investigations, enrolling 13,776 COVID-19 patients (mean age: 67.1 years, 3.863 males), met the inclusion criteria and were included in the final analysis. The pooled prevalence of pre-existing PAD was 5.7% of cases (95% CI: 3.8-8.4%, p < 0.0001), with high heterogeneity (I2 = 84.5%), which was directly correlated with age (p < 0.0001), previous hypertension (p = 0.003), and dyslipidaemia (p = 0.02) as demonstrated by the meta-regression. Moreover, pre-existing PAD was significantly associated with higher risk of short-term death in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection (OR: 2.78, 95% CI: 2.37-3.27, p < 0.0001 I2 = 0%); the sensitivity analysis confirmed yielded results. CONCLUSIONS: Pre-existing PAD represents a comorbidity in about 1 out of 6 COVID-19 patients, but it is associated with a twofold higher risk of short-term mortality.

Coronary artery cavitation as a trigger for atherosclerotic plaque progression: a simplified numerical and computational fluid dynamic demonstration.

BACKGROUNDS: Coronary cavitation is supposed to be generated by both concentric and eccentric coronary artery stenosis which propagates downstream the vessel, creating microbubbles which exploded when the fluid pressure was lower than the vapor pressure at a local thermodynamic state. OBJECTIVE: To assess, using numerical and computational fluid dynamic analysis (CFD), the potential of cavitation to both induce damage to coronary artery endothelium and to promote atherosclerotic plaque progression. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the data 12 consecutive patients evaluated between 1st January 2013 and 1st January 2014 with an isolated hemodynamically significant Left Main (LM) disease. The patient specific geometries have been reconstructed. Bubble velocity has been calculated in accordance with Newton's second law. Both the forces arising from the bubbles' interaction with the continuous phase and impact with the endothelium have been evaluated. The impact of turbulence on the motion of bubbles have been modelled with a dispersion model. RESULTS: Among the 12 patients retrospectively analysed [8 males, mean age 68.2 ± 12.8 years old], the mean LM stenosis was 72.3 ± 3.6%. As expected, in all subjects, LM stenoses induced cavitation which propagates downstream the vessel creating microbubbles. The higher concentration of vapor region was detected before the carina (within 0.8 to 1.3 cm from the stenosis). Due to the pressure gradient generated by the stenosis, formation of a re-entry jet which penetrates each bubble generated a shock wave. Before the carina, the mean bubbles radius observed was 4.2 ± 1.4 µm, which generated a mean peak pressure of 3.9 ± 0.5 MPa when they explode. CONCLUSION: The cavitation phenomenon is effectively generated in a model of LM bifurcation and instantaneous pressure-peaks due to collapses of vapor bubbles resulted in a measurable dynamic load on vessel wall potentially able to induce endothelial damage.

"Reverse Spider View" for left stem coronary artery angiographic evaluation.

Among the angiographic views used to evaluate left coronary system, the so-called "spider view" represents one of the most iconic, in particular for its ability to evaluate the Left Main stem (LM) and/or to guide percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs) on LM bifurcation disease. Unfortunately, the use of such view is graved by a high X-ray exposure for both the operator and the patient. To overcome these limitations, we described an alternative coronary angiographic view, called "reverse spider" which is able to give more information about LM body and bifurcation disease with less X-ray exposure for the operator.

Gender-related differences in clinical outcomes after either single or double left main bifurcation stenting.

We sought to examine the impact of gender differences in clinical outcomes at 3 years also comparing the role of double versus single stenting approach for the treatment of coronary unprotected LM bifurcation lesions. We retrospectively analyzed both the procedural and medical data of patients referred to our hub center for complex LM bifurcation disease, treated using Crossover provisional stenting, T or T-and-Protrusion (TAP), Culotte, and Nano-inverted-T (NIT) techniques between January 1st, 2008 and May 1st 2018. The main outcome of the study was to evaluate the association between gender and target lesion failure (TLF) based on the different stenting technique used. Five hundred and sixty-seven patients (251 females, mean age 70.0 ± 10 years, mean Syntax score 31.6 ± 6.3) were evaluated. Crossover, T or TAP, culotte and NIT techniques were performed in 171 (30.1%), 61 (10.7%), 98 (17.2%) and 237 (41.8%) patients, respectively with no differences in baseline and peri-procedural items among gender. At a mean follow-up of 37.1 ± 10.8 months (range 22.1-39.3 moths), the overall TLF rate, cardiovascular mortality and stent thrombosis were 12.1%, 3.1% and 1.0%, respectively. Female gender was associated with an increased rate of major bleeding when treated with double stent strategy (p = 0.02). No gender difference in TLF was noted among gender, independently from the stenting approach used. Among patients with ULM bifurcation disease undergoing PCI, TLF rates were not different between genders at 3-year follow-up either using a single or double stent technique.

Orthostatic hypotension and vitamin D deficiency in older adults: systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Over the latest years different studies have investigated the possible relationship between D deficiency and occurrence of orthostatic hypotension (OH), often reaching controversial results. We perform an update meta-analysis providing an update overview on the association between hypovitaminosis D and orthostatic hypotension (OH) in older adults. METHODS: Data extraction was independently performed by two authors and based upon predefined criteria. The meta-analysis was performed using a random-effects model. Statistical heterogeneity between groups was measured using the Higgins I2 statistic. RESULTS: Eight investigations enrolling 16.326 patients (mean age 75.5 years) met the inclusion criteria and were considered for the analysis. Patients with vitamin D deficiency were more likely to have OH compared to those without (OR: 1.36, 95% CI 1.14-1.63, p = 0.0001, I2 = 43.6%). A further sub-analysis, based on three studies, estimating the risk of OH in patients with hypovitaminosis D receiving antihypertensive treatment, did not reach the statistical significance (OR: 1.40, 95% CI 0.61-3.18, p = 0.418, I2 = 53.3%). Meta-regression performed using age (p = 0.12), BMI (p = 0.73) and gender (p = 0.62) as moderators did not reveal any statistical significance in influencing OH. Conversely, physical activity, Vitamin D supplementation and use of radioimmunoassay for the measurement of vitamin D serum levels showed a significant inverse relationship towards the risk of OH (Coeff.-0.09, p = 0.002, Coeff. - 0.12, p < 0.001 and Coeff. - 0.08, p = 0.03, respectively) among patients with hypovitaminosis D. A direct correlation between the administration of antihypertensive treatment and the risk of OH in older patients with low vitamin D level was observed (Coeff. 0.05, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Hypovitaminosis D is significantly associated with OH in older adults and directly influence by the administration of antihypertensive drugs. Conversely, physical activity, vitamin D supplementation and use of radioimmunoassay as analytic method inversely correlated with the risk of OH in older patients.

Inflammatory bowel disease as a new risk factor for dementia.

The prognostic impact of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), chronic inflammatory conditions consisting of ulcerative colitis (UC), and Crohn's disease (CD) on the risk of dementia has been poorly investigated. We evaluated the risk of dementia in IBD patients by a systematic review and meta-analysis of the available data. Three studies, enrolling 121.827 patients [14.839 IBD (12.1%) and 106.961 (87.7%) controls, respectively] were included in the analysis. Of these, 57.7% (n = 8.571) had UC, while 42.2% (n = 6268) had CD. The mean follow-up period was 21.3 years. A random effect model revealed an aHR of 1.52 (95% CI 1.04-2.020, p = 0.01; I2 = 91.1%) for dementia in IBD patients. Sensitivity analysis confirmed yielded results. Subjects having a CD showed an aHR for dementia of 1.48 (95% CI 1.07-2.03, p = 0.001, I2 = 68.9%), while the risk among those with a history of UC did not reach the statistical significance (aHR: 1.47, 95% CI 0.95-2.82, p = 0.81, I2 = 89.9%). IBD males had an increased risk of dementia compared to women. IBD patients and in particular those with CD have an increased risk of dementia in the long-term period.

Dementia and in-hospital mortality: retrospective analysis of a nationwide administrative database of elderly subjects in Italy.

AIMS:  To evaluate the relationship between comorbidity and in-hospital mortality in elderly patients affected by dementia. METHODS: Data were obtained from the Italian Ministry of Health and included all discharge records from Italian hospitals concerning subjects aged ≥ 65 years admitted to acute Internal Medicine or Geriatrics wards between January 2015 and December 2016 (3.695.278 admissions). The variables analyzed included age, sex, and in-hospital death. Twenty-five homogeneous clusters of diseases were identified in discharge codes according to the ICD-9-CM classification. RESULTS: Patients with dementia represented 7.5% of the sample (n. 278.149); they were older, more often males (51.9%), and had a higher in-hospital mortality (24.3%) compared to patients without dementia (9.7%). Dementia per se doubled the odds of death (OR 1.98; 95% CI 1.95-2.00), independent of age, sex, and comorbidities. Seven clusters of disease (pneumonia, heart failure, kidneys disease, cancer, infectious diseases, diseases of fluids/electrolytes and general symptoms) were associated with increased in-hospital mortality, independent of the presence/absence of dementia. Among patients with dementia, heart failure, pneumonia and kidney disease on their own substantially doubled/tripled mortality risk. The risk increased from 10.1% (none of selected conditions), up to 28.9% when only one of selected comorbidities was present, rising to 52.3% (OR: 9.34; p < 0.001) when two or more comorbidities were simultaneously diagnosed, besides general symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Our study confirmed an important increase of in-hospital mortality in older subjects with dementia. Despite a different comorbidity, the conditions associated with in-hospital mortality were substantially the same in patients with or without dementia. Heart failure, pneumonia, and kidney disease identified a high risk of in-hospital mortality among subjects with dementia.

Risk of dementia in patients with atrial fibrillation: Short versus long follow-up. A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: No previous meta-analyses have compared the risk of dementia, due to an underlying atrial fibrillation (AF), in the short-term versus the long-term period. AIM: To perform an update meta-analysis of studies examining the association between AF and dementia and the relative impact of follow-up period. METHODS: Data were obtained searching MEDLINE and Scopus for all investigations published between 1 January 2000 and March 1, 2021 reporting the risk of dementia in AF patients. The following MeSH terms were used for the search: "Atrial Fibrillation" AND "Dementia" OR "Alzheimer's disease". From each study, the adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) with the related 95% confidence interval (CI) was pooled using a random effect model. RESULTS: The analysis was carried out on 18 studies involving 3.559.349 subjects, of which 902.741 (25.3%) developed dementia during follow-up. A random effect model revealed an aHR of 1.40 (95% CI: 1.27-1.54, p < 0.0001; I2  = 93.5%) for dementia in subjects with AF. Stratifying the studies according to follow-up duration, those having a follow-up ≥10 years showed an aHR for dementia of 1.37 (95% CI: 1.21-1.55, p < 0.0001, I2  = 96.6%), while those with a follow-up duration <10 years has a slightly higher aHR for dementia (HR: 1.59, 95%CI: 1.51-1.67, p < 0.0001, I2  = 49%). Nine studies showed that the aHR for Alzheimer's disease (AD) in AF patients was 1.30 (95%CI: 1.12-1.51, p < 0.0001, I2  = 87.6%). CONCLUSIONS: Evidence suggests that patients with AF have an increased risk of developing dementia and AD. The risk of dementia was slightly higher when the follow-up was shorter than 10 years.

Metabolic syndrome and the risk of late onset Alzheimer's disease: An updated review and meta-analysis.

AIMS: This study aims to provide an updated systematic review and meta-analysis on the risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD) in patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS) and to analyze the contribution of each MetS component on AD onset. DATA SYNTHESIS: The study was performed according to the PRISMA guideline. Data were obtained searching MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, and EMBASE for studies published between January 1, 2010 and July 30, 2020, evaluating the association between MetS and AD risk. A total of 255 articles were retrieved and 6 investigations (4 prospective and 2 retrospective) met the inclusion criteria. Overall, 9.788.021 patients with a mean follow-up of 4.5 years were analyzed. The pooled analysis revealed a slight increased risk of AD in MetS (hazard ratio, HR: 1.10, 95% and confidence interval, CI: 1.05-1.15). Egger's test indicated the absence of publication bias (t = 2.095 and p = 0.104). However, while analysis based on prospective studies failed to show a significant association between MetS and AD (HR: 0.80 and 95% CI: 0.61-1.05), analysis based on retrospective studies demonstrated a significant, slight increased risk (HR:1.11 and 95% CI: 1.08-1.66). With regard to MetS components, the risk was: arterial hypertension, HR: 1.05 (95% CI: 1.04-10.6); hyperglycemia/diabetes, HR: 1.19 (95% CI: 1.18-1.99); low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), HR: 1.07 (95% CI: 1.06-1.07); hypertriglyceridemia, HR: 1.06 (95% CI: 1.05-1.06); and abdominal obesity, HR: 0.84 (95% CI: 0.74-0.95). CONCLUSIONS: We found a significant association between MetS and AD, mainly driven by large retrospective studies. Our data also support the association of single MetS components with AD incidence, while increased waist circumference seems to have a "protective role" probably due to reverse causality.

Relationship between echocardiographic tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion and mortality in COVID-19 patients: A Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The evaluation of the tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) is recommended to assess the right ventricular (RV) systolic function. We performed an updated meta-analysis of the association between TAPSE and short-term mortality in COVID-19 patients. METHODS: MEDLINE and Scopus databases were searched to locate all the articles published up to May 1, 2021, reporting data on TAPSE among COVID-19 survivors and non-survivors. The difference of TAPSE between the two groups was expressed as mean difference (MD) with the corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) using the Mantel-Haenszel random effects model. Both Q value and I2 statistics were used to assess heterogeneity across studies. Sensitivity analysis, meta-regression, and evaluation of bias were performed. RESULTS: Twelve studies, enrolling 1272 COVID-19 patients (778 males, mean age 69.3 years), met the inclusion criteria and were included in the final analysis. Non-survivors had a lower TAPSE compared to survivors (MD =  -3.089 mm, 95% CI =  -4.087 to -2.091, p < 0.0001, I2  = 79.0%). Both the visual inspection of the funnel plot and the Egger's tests (t = 1.195, p = 0.259) revealed no evidence of publication bias. Sensitivity analysis confirmed yielded results. Meta-regression analysis evidenced that the difference in TAPSE between the two groups was only influenced by pre-existing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD, p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: COVID-19 non-survivors have a lower TAPSE when compared to survivors, especially in COPD subjects. Current data suggest that the TAPSE assessment may provide useful information regarding the short-term prognosis of COVID-19 patients during the infection.