Influence of age in estimating maximal oxygen uptake

Objective To assess the influence of age on the error of estimate （EE） of maximal oxygen uptake （VO2max） using sex and population specific-equations in cycle ergometer exercise testing, since estimated VO2 max is associated with a substantial EE, often exceeding 20%, possibly due to intrinsic variability of mechanical efficiency. Methods 1850 adults （68% men）, aged 18 to 91 years, underwent maximal cycle ergometer cardiopulmonary exercise testing. Cardiorespiratory fitness （CRF） was assessed relative to sex and age [younger （18 to 35 years）, middle-aged （36 to 60 years） and older （〉 60 years）]. VO2max [mL.（kg.min）-1] was directly measured by assessment of gas exchange and estimated using sex and population specific-equations. Measured and estimated values of VO2max and related EE were compared among the three age- and sex-specific groups. Results Directly measured VO2max of men and women were 29.5 ± 10.5 mL.（kg.min）-1 and 24.2 ± 9.0 mL.（kg·min） -1 （P 〈 0.01）. EE [mL·（kg·min）-1] and percent errors （%E） for men and women had similar values, 0.5 ± 3.2 and 0.4 ± 2.9 mL·（kg·min）-1, and -0.8 ± 13.1% and -1.7 ± 15.4% （P 〉 0.05）, respectively. EE and %E for each age-group were, respectively, for men： younger = 1.9 ± 4.1 mL·（kg·min）-1 and 3.8 ± 10.5%, middle-aged = 0.6 ± 3.1 mL.（kg·min）-1 and 0.4 ± 10.3%, older = -0.2 ± 2.7 mL·（kg·min） -1 and -4.2 ± 16.6% （P 〈 0.01）; and for women： younger = 1.2 ± 3.1 mL.（kg.min）-1 and 2.7 ±10.0%, middle-aged = 0.7 ± 2.8 mL·（kg·min）-1 and 0.5 ± 11.1%, older = -0.8 ± 2.3 mL-（kg·min）-1 and -9.5 ± 22.4% （P 〈 0.01）. Conclusion VO2max were underestimated in younger age-groups and were overestimated in older age groups. Age significantly influences the magnitude of the EE of VO2max in both men and women and should be considered when CRF is estimated using population specific equations, rather than directly measured.

Care of older adults

In the United States, approximately 40 million adults over the age 65 are affected by one or more forms of cardiovascular disease and it remains the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in this population. Among older adults, therapeutic goals for cardiovascular diseases （CVD） are often confounded by comorbid diseases and/or conditions that dominate their overall sense of health and well-being. Thus, even while CVD is usually considered a principal concern,

Stable ischemic heart disease in the older adults

1 Introduction Ischemic heart disease is caused by atherosclerotic and/or thrombotic obstruction of coronary arteries. Clinical spec- trum of ischemic heart disease expands from asymptomatic atherosclerosis of coronary arteries to acute coronary syn- dromes （ACS） including unstable angina, acute myocardial infarction （non-ST elevation myocardial infarction and ST elevation myocardial infarction）. Stable ischemic heart dis- ease （SIHD） refers to patients with known or suspected SIHD who have no recent or acute changes in their symp- tomatic status, suggesting no active thrombotic process is underway.

Medical decision making for older adults： an international perspective comparing the United States and India

There has been a significant decline in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality amidst pervasive advances in care, including percutane- ous revascularization, mechanical circulatory support, and transcatheter valvular therapies. While advancing therapies may add significant longevity, they also bring about new end-of-life decision-making challenges for patients and their families who also must weigh the advan- tages of reduced mortality to the possibility of longer lives consisting of high morbidity, frailty, pain, and poor quality of living. Advance care entails options of withholding or withdrawing therapies, and has become a familiar part of cardiovascular care for older patients in Western countries. However, as advanced cardiovascular practices extend to developing countries, the interrelated concept of advance care is rarely straight forward as it is affected by local cultural traditions and mores, and can lead to very different inferences and use. This paper discusses the concepts of advance care planning, surrogate decision-making, orders for resuscitation and futility in patients with cardiac dis- ease with comparisons of West to East, focusing particularly on the United States versus India.