Atrial fibrillation in old age: risk management and features of the use of direct oral anticoagulants

Senile patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) are at a higher risk of thromboembolism and hemorrhage than younger patients. Three direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC), apixaban, dabigatran, and rivaroxaban, are registered in the Russian Federation and are extensively used for prevention of stroke in patients with AF. The DOAC treatment of older patients requires considering peculiarities of these patients, clinical situation and properties of individual drugs to achieve the balance of efficiency and safety and a comprehensive protection. According to studies of real clinical practice DOAC may have advantages over warfarin (reduced risk of fractures, diabetes mellitus, and dementia). Compliance with and constancy of the DOAC treatment are important for its efficiency, particularly in senile age. Results of clinical trials and real clinical practice studies have confirmed that rivaroxaban may provide a comprehensive protection for a senile patient with AF due to favorable indexes of efficiency and safety, beneficial effect on the risk of coronary events and impairment оf renal function, whereas once a day dosing of rivaroxaban improves the compliance with this treatment and its constancy.

Features of multimorbidity in elderly and senile people with hypertension

Aim. To reveal the features of multimorbidity in elderly and senile people with hypertension (HTN).Material and methods. A total of 70 elderly and senile hypertensive patients were examined at one of the Arkhangelsk outpatient clinics (from 60 to 90 years old; mean age — 69,14±1,34 years), including those aged 60-74 years (n=56; (80,0%) and 75 years and older (n=14; 20,0%). We assessed the questionnaire survey data, the outpatient medical records, the clinical status, and the cumulative illness rating scale for geriatrics (CIRS-G).Results. The analysis showed a high prevalence of multimorbidity in elderly and senile people with HTN, which was found in all patients. On average, an elderly patient with HTN has 6 diseases that are pathogenetically interrelated and unrelated, while a senile patient has 8 diseases. The most common comorbidities were gastrointestinal (81,43%), musculoskeletal (77,14%) and endocrine (77,14%) diseases. Among the cardiovascular comorbidities in the elderly with HTN, the following were more common: heart failure (54,29%), coronary artery disease (angina pectoris — 41,43%) and cerebrovascular diseases (28,57%) (stroke/transient ischemic attack, vascular encephalopathy). Patients with HTN took an average of 6 different drugs at the same time. There was moderate comorbidity level in the elderly patients and a high one in those of senile age.Conclusion. In elderly and senile patients with HTN, there is a high prevalence of multimorbidity, which must be taken into account when preventing polypharmacy.

Cerebrovascular disease in senile patient (clinical case)

The article presents a clinical observation of a comorbid elderly patient with complaints typical for chronic cerebrovascular disease. A careful analysis of the clinical picture and a thorough assessment of the patient’s condition, including testing of cognitive and non-cognitive neuropsychiatric functions, made it possible to identify characteristic syndromes of cerebrovascular disease, which was additionally confirmed by the magnetic resonance imaging. The patient’s therapy regimen was optimized with an emphasis on clinically and pathogenetically justified methods taking into account the main clinical syndromes. Patient’s follow-up assessment has shown that the treatment was accompanied by significant positive dynamic, in both cognitive and emotional signs and symptoms. The article discusses the epidemiology of cerebrovascular diseases, their relationship with other geriatric syndromes in elderly and senile people. The main problems associated with the therapy of cerebrovascular diseases in elderly patients and the ways to eliminate them are discussed.

Implant- and tooth-supported removable partial dentures: a case report

ABSTRACT This study aimed to report treatment of a patient with Kennedy’s class l maxillary and class II mandibular arch with removable partial dentures supported on an external hexagon (HE) anterior type implant of regular diameter fitted with an O’ring type of attachment. This clinical case reports the oral rehabilitation of a senile patient whose clinical examination revealed missing dentition in the upper and lower arches, attrition of the lower anterior teeth, caries, and motor impairment affecting hygiene, mastication, and esthetic functions. Due to few severely impaired teeth, the pre-prosthetic preparation included extractions and restorations, followed by the fabrication of upper and lower removable partial dentures supported by an HE-type implant. This study is important because it addresses the current challenges faced in the implementation of treatment involving removable partial dentures combined with implants, which is a topic that still needs long-term follow-up and research.

Clinical and functional characteristics of patients with colorectal cancer complicated by acute intestinal obstruction

Aim. To study the clinical and functional features of patients with colorectal cancer complicated by acute intestinal obstruction. Methods. A retrospective analysis of the data of 147 patients with colorectal cancer operated on from 2014 to 2016 for urgent indications for acute intestinal obstruction was performed. The study of lethality during the period from 1993 to 2016 was carried out separately. The study was performed in the clinic of urgent oncologic surgery of the State Autonomous Healthcare Institution “Republican Clinical Oncologic Dispensary” MH RT. Results. Among patients with acute intestinal obstruction in colorectal cancer, a constant increase of the ration of elderly and senile patients is observed, as well as high anesthesia risk. Statistically significant indices of decrease of nutritional status in the group of patients of elderly and senile age and subtle manifestations of hypovolemia were revealed. In the elderly and senile patient group, polypragmasia was registered in 50.5 %. Conclusion. Patients with colorectal cancer complicated by acute intestinal obstruction, have their own characteristics, different from patients operated on in clinics of urgent abdominal surgery with other diagnoses, the main ratio of which is made up of acute inflammatory diseases. This category of patients should be operated on in institutions where it is possible to provide specific highly skilled surgical and anesthesia-resuscitation care for malignant neoplasms.