Surgery Plays a Leading Role in Breast Cancer Treatment for Patients Aged ≥90 Years: A Large Retrospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: The population aged ≥90 years is increasing worldwide, yet nearly 50% of elderly breast cancer (BC) patients receive suboptimal treatments, resulting in high rates of BC-related mortality. We analyzed clinical and survival outcomes of nonagenarian BC patients to identify effective treatment strategies. METHODS: This single-institution retrospective cohort study analyzed patients aged ≥90 years diagnosed with stage I-III BC between 2007 and 2018. Patients were categorized into three treatment groups: traditional surgery (TS), performed according to local guidelines; current-standard surgery (CS), defined as breast surgery without axillary surgery (in concordance with 2016 Choosing Wisely guidelines) and/or cavity shaving; and non-surgical treatment (NS). Clinicopathological features were recorded and recurrence rates and survival outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: We collected data from 113 nonagenarians with a median age of 93 years (range 90-99). Among these patients, 43/113 (38.1%) underwent TS, 34/113 (30.1%) underwent CS, and 36/113 (31.9%) underwent NS. The overall recurrence rate among surgical patients was 10.4%, while the disease progression rate in the NS group was 22.2%. Overall survival was significantly longer in surgical patients compared with NS patients (p = 0.04). BC-related mortality was significantly higher in the NS group than in the TS and CS groups (25.0% vs. 0% vs. 7.1%, respectively; p = 0.01). There were no significant differences in overall survival and disease-free survival between the TS and CS groups (p = 0.6 and p = 0.8, respectively), although the TS group experienced a significantly higher overall postoperative complication rate (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Individualized treatment planning is essential for nonagenarian BC patients. Surgery, whenever feasible, remains the treatment of choice, with CS emerging as the best option for the majority of patients.

In-hospital safety outcomes of left atrial appendage occlusion in octogenarians and nonagenarians.

AIMS: Data on safety outcomes of left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) in elderly patients are limited. This study aimed to compare the outcomes of LAAO between octogenarians (age 80-89) and nonagenarians (age ≥90) vs. younger patients (age ≤79). METHODS AND RESULTS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study using the National Inpatient Sample database to identify patients hospitalized for LAAO from 2016 to 2020 and to compare in-hospital safety outcomes in octogenarians and nonagenarians vs. younger patients. The primary outcome was a composite of in-hospital all-cause mortality or stroke. Secondary outcomes included procedural complications, length of stay (LOS), and total costs. Outcomes were determined using logistic regression models. Among 84 140 patients hospitalized for LAAO, 32.9% were octogenarians, 2.8% were nonagenarians, and 64.3% were ≤79 years of age. Over the study period, the volume of LAAO increased in all age groups (all Ptrend < 0.01). After adjustment for clinical and demographic factors, octogenarians and nonagenarians had similar odds of in-hospital all-cause mortality or stroke [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.41, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.93-2.13 for octogenarians; aOR 1.69, 95% CI 0.67-3.92 for nonagenarians], cardiac tamponade, acute kidney injury, major bleeding, and blood transfusion, in addition to similar LOS and total costs compared with younger patients (all P > 0.05). However, octogenarians and nonagenarians had higher odds of vascular complications compared with younger patients (aOR 1.47, 95% CI 1.08-1.99 for octogenarians; aOR 1.60, 95% CI 1.18-2.97 for nonagenarians). CONCLUSION: Octogenarians and nonagenarians undergoing LAAO have a similar safety profile compared with clinically similar younger patients except for higher odds of vascular complications.

Acute limb ischemia in nonagenarians: Characteristics and factors related to outcomes in a single-center consecutive series.

BACKGROUND: The increasing aging and frailty of the population make the management of acute limb ischemia (ALI) more difficult, with decision-making far from being guided by evidence. The aim of the study was to evaluate the characteristics and results of ALI treatment in nonagenarians. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of a consecutive series of nonagenarian patients with ALI attended at our institution between 2008 and 2021. The primary outcomes of the study were 1-year limb salvage and survival rates. RESULTS: A total of 102 patients were included (mean age 92.38, 78.4% women). In 83 cases (81.4%) ALI was attributed to embolism, and 19 (18.6%) to acute arterial thrombosis. One-month overall survival was 70.6%. Fifteen patients (14.7%) were treated palliatively, including 8 (53.3%) irreversible ALI with associated malignancy/advanced dementia, 5 (33.3%) with associated cerebral/intestinal ischemia and 2 (13.3%) with aortic occlusion and poor medical condition. None of these patients survived after 10 days. The remaining 87 patients (85.3%) were treated with isolated anticoagulation (n = 8, 9.1%), primary major amputation (n = 1, 1.1%) or revascularization (n = 78, 89.6%), including 69 (67.6%) embolectomies, 6 (5.9%) bypass and 3 (2.9%) endovascular techniques. One-year limb salvage and survival rates were 96% and 48%, respectively. Predictive factors of lower survival included anemia (HR = 1.81, p = 0.014) and ALI severity (HR = 1.73, p = 0.032), but not cognitive or functional status. Patients surviving the ALI episode had a 1-year survival rate significantly below that of a similar matched population. CONCLUSION: Although nonagenarians with an ALI are often functionally and cognitively impaired and have a limited life expectancy, most patients need revascularization for limb salvage and this can be done successfully with a low invasive surgery.

Understanding the interplay between APO E polymorphism and cognition in the Italian oldest old: results from the "Mugello study".

INTRODUCTION: Recent data suggest that the deleterious effect on general health and cognition of ε4 allele of Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) observed in the elderly population, may attenuate in extreme aging. This study aimed to describe the ApoE genotype distribution and its relationship with cognition in a group of nonagenarians living in the Mugello area, Italy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cognition was evaluated using the Mini-Mental-State-Examination (MMSE). DNA was extracted from blood samples to determine ApoE genotyping. Participants were classified into three ApoE groups (ε2, ε3, ε4). Logistic and linear regression models were created, to assess the relationship between ApoE genotype group and dementia diagnosis and cognitive performance, respectively. RESULTS: 169 subjects were included. ApoE ε3 was the most prevalent genotype (76.3%). Dementia prevalence was 26.6% and it was not associated with the presence of ApoE ε4. Participants of ε4 group were significantly more likely to have lower cognitive performances than ε2 and ε3, independently of a dementia diagnosis. DISCUSSION: Results support that ApoE genotype no longer plays a role in the health condition of the oldest old, however, an interaction is detectable between ApoE polymorphism and cognitive performances at this extreme age.

Utility of Thrombectomy in Nonagenarians: A Scoping Review.

BACKGROUND: Mechanical thrombectomy represents a mainstay of management for acute ischemic stroke in the setting of large vessel occlusion. However, there are no clinical practice guidelines defining the role of thrombectomy at the extremes of age. In this scoping review, we aimed to summarize the existing medical and neurosurgical literature pertaining to mechanical thrombectomy in nonagenarians. The PubMed database was queried using the following terms and relevant citations assessed: "thrombectomy nonagenarian," "thrombectomy age 90," "stroke nonagenarian," and "ischemic stroke thrombectomy." Common measurable outcomes, including mortality, modified Rankin scale (mRS) score, and thrombolysis in cerebral infarction (TICI) scale score, were utilized to compare results. SUMMARY: Thrombectomy was shown to improve functional outcomes in all eight of the studies included in the analysis. Mortality was assessed in only two reported studies, and thrombectomy was shown to provide a mortality benefit in 1 study among patients for whom first-pass reperfusion was achieved. Other outcomes of reported interest included greater early neurologic recovery at discharge and improved functional outcomes at 90 days among nonagenarians who underwent thrombectomy as compared to those who received thrombolytic therapy alone. Nonagenarians with good functional status at baseline were the most likely to have favorable outcomes. KEY MESSAGES: Mechanical thrombectomy improves outcomes among nonagenarians presenting with acute ischemic stroke due to large vessel occlusion. Further large-scale prospective studies are warranted to optimize patient selection and develop clinical practice guidelines specific to this important patient demographic.

Comparison of acute outcomes from elective total hip replacements and after fragility femoral neck fractures in nonagenarians.

BACKGROUND: Hip hemiarthroplasty has traditionally been used to treat displaced femoral neck fractures in older, frailer patients whilst total hip replacements (THR) have been reserved for younger and fitter patients. However, not all elderly patients are frail, and some may be able to tolerate and benefit from an acute THR. Nonagenarians are a particularly heterogenous subpopulation of the elderly, with varying degrees of independence. Since THRs are performed electively as a routine treatment for osteoarthritis in the elderly, its safety is well established in the older patient. The aim of this study was to compare the safety of emergency THR to elective THR in nonagenarians. METHODS: A retrospective 10-year cohort study was conducted using data submitted to the National Hip Fracture Database (NHFD) across three hospitals in one large NHS Trust. Data was collected from 126 nonagenarians who underwent THRs between 1st January 2010 - 31st December 2020 and was categorised into emergency THR and elective THR groups. Mortality rates were compared between the two groups. Secondary outcomes were also compared including postoperative complications (dislocations, revision surgeries, and periprosthetic fracture), length of stay in hospital, and discharge destination. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in mortality between the two groups, with 1-year mortality rates of 11.4% and 12.1% reported for emergency and elective patients respectively (p = 0.848). There were no significant differences in postoperative complication rate and discharge destination. Patients who had emergency THR spent 5.56 days longer in hospital compared to elective patients (p = 0.015). CONCLUSION: There is no increased risk of 1-year mortality in emergency THR compared to elective THR, in a nonagenarian population. Therefore, nonagenarians presenting with a hip fracture who would have been considered for a THR if presenting on an elective basis should not be precluded from an emergency THR on safety grounds. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Not necessary as this was deemed not to be clinical research, and was considered to be a service evaluation.

Hearing acuity in nonagenarians aged 90 and 95 assessed in a home setting using standardized pure-tone audiometry.

OBJECTIVE: Knowledge regarding hearing acuity in the nonagenarian age group is sparse. In this study we aimed to advance our understanding of hearing loss in the 10th decade of life. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study in which standardised hearing measurements were performed during home visits, which included care home facilities and nursing homes to maximise participation. STUDY SAMPLE: Two unselected groups of individuals aged 90 (n = 42) and 95 (n = 49), sampled from the population-based Gothenburg H70 Birth Cohort Studies. RESULTS: 98% of the participants (95% CI [95, 100]) had some degree of hearing loss in their better ear, with 83% (95% CI [73, 89]) having a potentially disabling hearing loss of moderate degree or worse, according to WHO criteria. Furthermore, differences between the two age groups (five years apart) indicate an increasing hearing loss, primarily at frequencies ≥ 2 kHz. CONCLUSION: Hearing loss was present in almost all of the participants in the nonagenarian age group and among a majority of them potentially to a degree that would warrant rehabilitation. Carrying out standardised hearing measurements in a home setting was feasible in this age group and enhanced the representativeness of the study population.

Bilateral hearing loss affected almost all of the individuals in the nonagenarian age group with 8 in 10 having hearing loss of a degree severe enough to warrant intervention or hearing aid prescription.The findings provide valuable insight into hearing acuity among nonagenarians. Many earlier studies were limited to subjective hearing assessments, reviews of medical records and/or screening tests performed by non-audiologists.The final sample size was smaller than initially planned due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, measures were taken to optimise the representativeness of the study sample.

In-hospital outcomes following primary and revision total hip arthroplasty in nonagenarian patients.

PURPOSE: The primary goal of this study was to assess the risk of postoperative surgical and medical complications and problems among nonagenarian patients operated with hip arthroplasty. METHODS: Data from a specific high-volume arthroplasty clinic, were collected to evaluate postoperative morbidity and complication rates after hip arthroplasty in nonagenarians, compared with a control group of younger, but similar patients. Outcomes evaluated included length of stay, transfusion rate, and postoperative medical and surgical complication rates. RESULTS: A total of 97 nonagenarian patients (mean age 91.4 years) were included, and compared with 89 control group patients (mean age 70.18 years). Nonagenarian patients had significantly longer length of stay (11.44 vs. 7.98 days, p < 0.01), significantly higher risk of needing a transfusion (11.30% vs. 3.40%, p = 0.04), and significantly higher risk of a postoperative medical complication (28.90% vs. 11.20%, p = 0.03). There was no difference in postoperative surgical complication rate (7.20% vs. 2.20%, p = 0.12). CONCLUSION: Nonagenarian patients, when compared to a younger control group, experience significantly longer hospital stays, and risk of non-surgical complications. Arthroplasty in nonagenarian patients carries with it a high risk of complications, and thus careful pre-operative evaluation and the care of these patients at high volume, specialized clinics is important to optimize outcomes. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III retrospective cohort analysis.

Factors influencing home discharge of hospitalized oldest-old patients (≥90 years): A retrospective quantitative case-control study.

The purpose of this retrospective study was to identify factors that could predict the discharge destination of oldest-old patients (patients aged ≥90 years). Information on the nutritional status, activities of daily living (ADL), nursing care needs based on nursing need degree (NND), rehabilitation therapy, and discharge destination was obtained from the medical records of 90 oldest-old patients aged ≥90 years admitted to our hospital, excluding orthopedic inpatients and short-term (≤5 days) inpatients. Of these, 64 were discharged home while 4 died during hospitalization. More than half had moderately low total lymphocyte count (<1200/µL). Home discharge was correlated with living with someone else and little need for assistance during eating and getting/standing-up at admission. The cutoff value for ability for basic movement scale (ABMS) at admission for home discharge was 18 points. Nutritional management and early mobilization are important aspects of clinical management of the oldest-olds.

Mechanical thrombectomy in very elderly people: shortand long-term outcomes of endovascular stroke treatment in nonagenarians.

AIM OF STUDY: To assess outcomes of mechanical thrombectomy (MT) in nonagenarians suffering from acute ischaemic stroke (AIS) in a 1-year follow-up. CLINICAL RATIONALE FOR STUDY: Age is a factor associated with both the occurrence of AIS and a poorer prognosis. As the population ages, the prevalence of AIS among the very old (90 and older) is expected to rise. Data on long-term outcomes of MT, being the optimal treatment of AIS caused by large vessel occlusions, is scarce in the population of nonagenarians. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We analysed all AIS patients treated with MT in a single Comprehensive Stroke Centre. We compared two subgroups: nonagenarians (people aged 90-99) and controls ( < 90 years) in terms of cardiovascular risk factors profile, stroke severity, treatment course, presence of in-hospital complications, and outcomes (mortality and good functional outcome defined as modified Rankin Scale ≤ 2) at discharge and at 90- and 365-day follow-ups. RESULTS: Nonagenarians were more commonly female and suffering from atrial fibrillation. They more often developed urinary tract infection during hospitalisation. Stroke severity, treatment course and in-hospital outcomes were comparable between the groups. Nonagenarians had non-significantly higher 90-day and 365-day mortality, and a significantly lower rate of good functional outcomes after 90 days (25.0% vs 57.7%, p = 0.011) and 365 days (31.5% vs 61.0%, p = 0.020). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Despite worse outcomes than in younger patients, 25% of nonagenarians were functionally independent three months after MT, and almost one in three of them were so a year after the procedure, thereby showing the benefits of the treatment in this group.

White matter microstructural correlates of associative learning in the oldest-old.

The ability to learn associations between events is critical for everyday functioning (e.g., decision making, social interactions) and has been attributed to structural differences in white matter tracts connecting cortical regions to the hippocampus (e.g., fornix) and striatum (e.g., internal capsule) in younger-old adults (ages 65-85 years). However, evidence of associative learning has not been assessed within oldest-old adults (ages 90+ years), despite its relevance to other extensively characterized cognitive abilities in the oldest-old and the relatively large effect of advanced age on the microstructural composition of these white matter tracts. We acquired multicompartment diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging data from 22 oldest-old adults without dementia (mean age = 92.91 ± 1.44 years) who also completed an associative learning task. Behavioral results revealed significantly better associative learning performance during later task stages, as expected if participants incidentally learned the cue-cue-target associations for frequently occurring event triplets. Moreover, better learning performance was significantly predicted by better microstructure of cortico-striatal white matter (posterior limb of the internal capsule). Finding that associative learning abilities in the 10th decade of life are supported by better microstructure of white matter tracts connecting the cortex to the striatum underscores their importance to learning performance across the entire lifespan.

Laser lead extraction in octo- and nonagenarians. A subgroup analysis from the GALLERY registry.

INTRODUCTION: In an aging population with cardiac implantable electronic devices, an increasing number of octo- and even nonagenarians present for lead extraction procedures. Those patients are considered at increased risk for surgical procedures including lead extraction. Here, we investigated safety and efficacy of transvenous lead extraction in a large patient cohort of octo- and nonagenarians. METHODS AND RESULTS: A subgroup analysis of all patients aged ≥80 years (n = 499) in the German Laser Lead Extraction Registry (GALLERY) was performed. Outcomes were compared to the nonoctogenarians from the registry. Primary extraction method was Laser lead extraction, with additional use of mechanical rotational sheaths or femoral snares, if necessary. An analysis of patient- and device characteristics, as well as an assessment of predictors for adverse events via multivariate analyses was conducted. Mean patients age was 84.3 ± 3.7 years in the octogenarians group and 64.1 ± 12.4 years in the nonoctogenarians group. The median lead dwell time was 118.0 months (78; 167) and 92.0 months [60; 133], p < .001 in the octogenarians and nonoctogenarians group, respectively. Clinical procedural success rate was achieved in 97.6% of the cases in octogenarians and 97.9% in nonoctogenarians (p = .70). Overall complication rate was 4.4% in octogenarians and 4.3% in nonoctogenarians (0.91). In octogenarians procedure-related mortality was 0.8% and all-cause in-hospital mortality was 5.4%, while in nonoctogenarians, procedure related and all-cause in-hospital mortality were 0.5% and 3.1%, respectively. A body mass index (BMI) <20 kg/m2 , was the only statistically significant predictor for procedure-related complications in octogenarians, while systemic infection, BMI ≤20 kg/m2 , procedural complications and chronic kidney disease were predictors for in-hospital mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Laser lead extraction in octo- and nonagenarians is safe and effective. BMI ≤20 kg/m2 was the only statistically significant predictor for procedural complications. According to our data, advanced age should not be considered as contraindication for laser lead extraction.

Active stone removal is a safe option for ocotogenarians and nonagenarians with nephrolithiasis.

PURPOSE: To assess the contemporary in-hospital management of octogenarians and nonagenarians with renal calculi. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A multicentric retrospective evaluation of patients aged ≥ 80 years hospitalized with kidney stones between 01/2000 and 12/2019. Stone and patient related data were collected, including stone size and location, geriatric status and comorbidities. Surgical treatment patterns and outcome were assessed. RESULTS: A total of 299 patients (57% female) with kidney stones were analyzed. Mean age was 84.7 years. Patients were largely multimorbid (ASA ≥ 3 in 70%) and about 25% were classified as frail. Active stone treatment was performed in 65% and 35% were treated with urinary diversion (stent or nephrostomy). Prognostic factors for receiving an active stone treatment were age < 90 years, male sex, stone size and quantity, and performance status. Mean overall survival was 23.7 months and when stratified to treatment mean survival were 21 months after urinary diversion, 28 months after URS, 29 months after PCNL and 45 months after SWL. CONCLUSION: Age, frailty and performance-status as well as stone size and quantity are predictors for active stone treatment. Octogenarians and nonagenarians, who are considered fit for surgery, tend to live long enough to profit from active stone treatment.

The Independent Impact of Peripheral Arterial Disease on Mortality in Nonagenarians and Centenarians Who Were Treated in an Intensive Care Unit: A Consecutive Cohort of 1 108 Patients.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical characteristics, risk factors, and outcomes of inpatients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) including lower extremity PAD, abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), and carotid artery disease in a large cohort of critically ill patients aged ≥ 90 years. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted of all adult patients aged ≥ 90 years consecutively admitted to the intensive care unit at a tertiary care centre in Hamburg, Germany, between 1 January 2008 and 30 April 2019. Multivariable regression and Kaplan-Meier methods were used to determine the independent impact of PAD on short and long term mortality endpoints. The analyses were adjusted for confounding by several sociodemographic and clinical parameters including Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) and established clinical risk scores. RESULTS: A total of 1 108 eligible patients were identified (92.3 years, 33% men). Of these, 24% had PAD (9% lower extremity PAD, 2% AAA, 15% coronary artery disease) and 76% did not have any history of PAD and were used as a comparison group. When compared with the comparison group, patients with PAD had a higher CCI (2 vs. 1, p < .001), more often had chronic kidney disease (28% vs. 21%, p = .019), and renal replacement therapy (5% vs. 2%, p = .016). Furthermore, they needed vasopressors (48% vs. 40%, p = .027) and parenteral nutrition (10% vs. 6%, p = .041) more often. After adjusting for confounding, PAD was independently associated with increased in hospital (hazard ratio [HR] 1.97, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.39 - 2.81, p < .001) and long term mortality rates (HR 1.32, 95% CI 1.05 - 1.66, p = .019). CONCLUSION: One of four critically ill nonagenarians and centenarians in an ICU in Germany had PAD. PAD was associated with both higher short and long term mortality rates while its impact outweighed higher age. Future studies should address this increasingly important population beyond 89 years of age.

Impact of periprocedural bleeding on mid-term outcome in nonagenarians who underwent transcatheter aortic valve implantation: insights from LAPLACE registry.

Data from several recent studies have demonstrated the safety and efficacy of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) for severe aortic stenosis (AS) even in nonagenarians. However, the impact of periprocedural bleeding following TAVI on their outcome remains unclear. In the aLliAnce for exPloring cLinical prospects of AortiC valvE disease (LAPLACE) registry, we compared outcomes between the bleeding and no-bleeding groups among 1953 patients < 90 years old (mean age, 83.0 ± 4.6 years old) and 316 nonagenarians (mean age, 91.7 ± 1.9 years old) who underwent TAVI with a median follow-up period of 628 days. The group with any periprocedural bleeding showed a higher 30-day mortality than the no-bleeding group in patients < 90 years old (3.3% vs. 0.5%, p = 0.001) and nonagenarians (7.9% vs. 0.7%, p = 0.001). In patients < 90 years old, severe periprocedural bleeding (n = 85) was associated with a higher mid-term all-cause mortality rate than no severe bleeding (n = 1,868), even after adjusting for covariates (hazard ratio [HR], 1.994; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.287-2.937; p = 0.002). On the other hand, in nonagenarians, any periprocedural bleeding (n = 38) was associated with a higher mid-term cardiovascular (CV) mortality rate (21.1% vs. 4.3%, log-rank p = 0.014) than no bleeding (n = 278), even after adjusting for covariates (HR, 3.104; 95% CI 1.140-8.449; p = 0.027). In conclusion, any periprocedural bleeding after TAVI was associated with mid-term CV mortality in nonagenarians, whereas severe bleeding was associated with mid-term all-cause mortality in patients < 90 years old.

Occurrence, Characteristics, and Outcome of Hypoxic Liver Injury among Patients Aged ≥90 Years Admitted to the Intensive Care Unit: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

INTRODUCTION: Hypoxic liver injury (HLI) is a frequent and life-threatening complication occurring in up to 10% of critically ill patients. Heart failure and age were previously identified as risk factors for occurrence of HLI. However, there is lack of data on incidence of HLI and its clinical implications on outcome in very old (≥90 years) patients. The aim of this study was to investigate occurrence, clinical characteristics, and outcome of HLI in critically ill patients ≥90 years. METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis of all consecutive critically ill patients ≥90 years admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of a tertiary care university hospital in Hamburg, Germany. Clinical course and laboratory data were analyzed for all patients. HLI was defined according to established criteria as elevation of aminotransferase levels (>20-fold upper limit of normal). Predictors of HLI occurrence, clinical course, and outcome were assessed and compared to those of patients without HLI. RESULTS: In total, 1,065 critically ill patients ≥90 years were included. During the ICU stay, 3% (n = 35) developed HLI. Main causes of HLI were cardiogenic shock (51%, n = 18), septic shock (23%, n = 8), and cardiac arrest (20%, n = 7). Presenting characteristics including age, gender, and BMI were comparable between patients with and without HLI. The admission cause was primary medical (HLI: 49% vs. No-HLI: 34%, p = 0.07), surgical - planned (9% vs. 38%, p < 0.001), and surgical - emergency (43% vs. 28%, p = 0.06). The median Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) and the median updated CCI were 2 (1-3) and 2 (1-2) points in patients with HLI and 1 (0-2) and 1 (0-2) in patients without HLI (p < 0.01 and p = 0.08). Patients with HLI presented with higher SAPS II (55 vs. 36 points p < 0.001) score on admission and required mechanical ventilation (66% vs. 34%, p < 0.001), vasopressor therapy (91% vs. 40%, p < 0.001), renal replacement therapy (20% vs. 2%, p < 0.001), and parenteral nutrition (29% vs. 7%, p < 0.001). The ICU mortality and hospital mortality in patients with HLI were 66% (n = 23) and 83% (n = 29) compared with 17% (n = 170) and 28% (n = 292) in patients without HLI, respectively (both p < 0.001). Regression analysis identified SAPS II (OR 1.05, 95% CI: [1.02-1.07]; p < 0.001) and vasopressor therapy (OR 9.21, 95% CI: [2.58-32.86]; p < 0.01) as factors significantly associated with new onset of HLI. Occurrence of HLI was independently associated with mortality (HR 2.23, 95% CI: [1.50-3.30]; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: HLI is an uncommon but not rare condition in critically ill patients aged ≥90 years. Occurrence of HLI is associated with high mortality and is mainly caused by cardiogenic or septic shock. HLI may serve as early prognostic marker in critically ill patients aged ≥90 years.

Nonagenarians admission and prognosis in a tertiary center intensive coronary care unit - a prospective study.

BACKGROUND: With increasing life expectancy, the prevalence of nonagenarians with cardiovascular disease is steadily growing. However, this population is underrepresented in randomized trials and thus poorly defined, with little quality evidence to support and guide optimal management. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the clinical management, therapeutic approach, and outcomes of nonagenarians admitted to a tertiary care center intensive coronary care unit (ICCU). METHODS: We prospectively collected all patients admitted to a tertiary care center ICCU between July 2019 - July 2022 and compared nonagenarians to all other patients. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: A total of 3807 patients were included in the study. Of them 178 (4.7%) were nonagenarians and 93 (52%) females. Each year the prevalence of nonagenarians has increased from 4.0% to 2019, to 4.2% in 2020, 4.6% in 2021 and 5.3% in 2022. Admission causes differed between groups, including a lower rate of acute coronary syndromes (27% vs. 48.6%, p < 0.001) and a higher rate of septic shock (4.5% vs. 1.2%, p < 0.001) in nonagenarians. Nonagenarians had more comorbidities, such as hypertension, renal failure, and atrial fibrillation (82% vs. 59.6%, 23% vs. 12.9%, 30.3% vs. 14.4% p < 0.001, respectively). Coronary intervention was the main treatment approach, although an invasive strategy was less frequent in nonagenarians in comparison to younger subjects. In-hospital mortality rate was 2-fold higher in the nonagenarians (5.6% vs. 2.5%, p = 0.025). CONCLUSION: With increasing life expectancy, the prevalence of nonagenarians in ICCU's is expected to increase. Although nonagenarian patients had more comorbidities and higher in-hospital mortality, they generally have good outcomes after admission to the ICCU. Hence, further studies to create evidence-based practices and to support and guide optimal management in these patients are warranted.

Study of neuropathological changes and dementia in 100 centenarians in The 90+ Study.

INTRODUCTION: The association between neuropathological changes and dementia among centenarians and nonagenarians remains unclear. METHODS: We examined brain tissue from 100 centenarians and 297 nonagenarians from The 90+ Study, a community-based longitudinal study of aging. We determined the prevalence of 10 neuropathological changes and compared their associations with dementia and cognitive performance between centenarians and nonagenarians. RESULTS: A total of 59% of centenarians and 47% of nonagenarians had at least four neuropathological changes. In centenarians, neuropathological changes were associated with higher odds of dementia and, compared to nonagenarians, the odds were not attenuated. For each additional neuropathological change, the Mini-Mental State Examination score was lower by 2 points for both groups. DISCUSSION: Neuropathological changes continue to be strongly related to dementia in centenarians, highlighting the importance of slowing or preventing the development of multiple neuropathological changes in the aging brain to maintain cognitive health. HIGHLIGHTS: Individual and multiple neuropathological changes are frequent in centenarians. These neuropathological changes are strongly associated with dementia. There is no attenuation of this association with age.

Phenotyping Self-Reported Health Profiles in Octogenarians and Nonagenarians After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: A Latent Profile Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about self-reported health in octogenarians (≥80 years) and nonagenarians (≥90 years) following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), including characteristics of different health outcomes. This study aimed to phenotype latent health profiles of self-reported health in older adults 2 months post-PCI. METHODS: A prospective, multicentre, real-world study (CONCARDPCI) of 270 octogenarians and nonagenarians was performed with five validated and standardised measures of self-reported health at 2 months post-PCI. Latent profile analysis was used to identify health profiles, and multinomial logistic regression analyses were used to investigate the associations between patient characteristics and health profiles. RESULTS: Three latent health profiles were identified: The Poor health profile included 29%, the Moderate health profile included 39%, and the Good health profile included 32% of the participants. Older adults who were frail (OR 2.50, 95% CI 1.17-5.33), had a low exercise level (OR 0.49, 95% CI 0.39-0.95), and low alcohol intake (OR 0.61, 95% CI 0.39-0.95) were more likely to belong to the Poor health profile relative to the Good health profile. Furthermore, older age (OR 1.19, 95% CI 1.03-1.37) and lower exercise level (OR 0.64, 95% CI 0.43-0.97) were associated with belonging to the Moderate health profile relative to the Good health profile. CONCLUSION: Two months after PCI, most participants displayed having Moderate to Good health profiles. Those with a Poor health profile were more likely to be frail and less active. These findings highlight that follow-up care has to be patient-centred and tailored to improve the health status of older adults.

Is there a difference in mobility and inpatient physical therapy need after primary total hip and knee arthroplasty? A decade-by-decade analysis from 60 to 99 years.

INTRODUCTION: Extended inpatient rehabilitation (PT) after total hip (THA) and knee arthroplasty (TKA) has a significant impact on total care costs. As patients age, extended PT might be required following THA and TKA. This study examined the relationship between patient age, functional mobility, inpatient PT need, and discharge disposition in THA and TKA patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study included patients aged 60 + undergoing primary THA or TKA between 2018 and 2020 at an orthopedic hospital. Comparing by age-decade, 7374 (3600 THA, 3774 TKA) sexagenarians, 5350 (2367 THA, 2983 TKA) septuagenarians, 1356 (652 THA, 704 TKA) octogenarians, and 78 (52 THA, 26 TKA) nonagenarians were analyzed. We compared the number of PT sessions needed for discharge clearance and the postoperative functional mobility using the Activity Measure for Post-Acute Care (AM-PAC) tool. Statistical analyses included ANOVA with post-hoc Tukey's HSD for continuous data and Chi-squared test for categorical variables. RESULTS: The number of PT sessions required for discharge clearance increased with age after THA (3.3 ± 1.9 sessions vs 3.8 ± 2.1 vs 5.0 ± 2.7 vs 6.2 ± 3.0; p < 0.01) and TKA (4.0 ± 2.1 vs 4.7 ± 3.1 vs 5.2 ± 2.8 vs 5.0 ± 1.6; p < 0.01). The functional mobility improvement as measured by AM-PAC was significantly lower for nonagenarians after THA (4.9 ± 2.8 vs 5.1 ± 2.8 vs 4.6 ± 3.3 vs 3.3 ± 3.9; p < 0.01) and TKA (5.0 ± 2.9 vs 4.7 ± 3.2 vs 3.9 ± 3.4 vs 3.2 ± 2.6; p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Patients in their eighth and ninth decade had less improvement in functional mobility during in-hospital rehabilitation and utilized more PT services. However, clinical results in the elderly are still satisfying and the data may be helpful for resource utilization planning and risk-adjustment in value-based payment models.