Centenarians and their hearts: A prospective registry with comprehensive geriatric assessment, electrocardiogram, echocardiography, and follow-up

• Published in: The American heart journal Vol. 169; no. 6; pp. 798 - 805.e2
• Main Authors: Martínez-Sellés, Manuel, García de la Villa, Bernardo, Cruz-Jentoft, Alfonso J., Vidán, Maria Teresa, Gil, Pedro, Cornide, Luis, Ramos Cortés, Miriam, González Guerrero, José Luis, Barros Cerviño, Sonia María, Díaz Castro, Óscar, Pareja, Teresa, Sánchez, Elisabet, Cimera, Danitza, Vigara, Marta, Balaguer, Javier, Mogollón Jiménez, María Victoria, Veiga Fernández, Fernando, González Juanatey, Carlos, Testa Fernández, Ana, Mateos del Nozal, Jesús, Vázquez, Sandra, Urueña, Noelia, López Diaz, Javier
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.06.2015; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Age; Aged, 80 and over; Anatomy & physiology; Cardiovascular; Cardiovascular Diseases - diagnosis; Cardiovascular Diseases - diagnostic imaging; Cardiovascular Diseases - physiopathology; Comorbidity; Disease; Electrocardiography; Family medical history; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Geriatric Assessment; Heart - physiopathology; Heart attacks; Hospitalization; Hospitals; Humans; Laboratories; Male; Mortality; Multivariate analysis; Nursing homes; Older people; Oldest old people; Prospective Studies; Registries; Studies; Ultrasonography; Variables
• ISSN: 0002-8703; 1097-6744; 1097-6744
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ahj.2015.03.005

Data on the cardiac characteristics of centenarians are scarce. Our aim was to describe electrocardiogram (ECG) and echocardiography in a cohort of centenarians and to correlate them with clinical data. We used prospective multicenter registry of 118 centenarians (28 men) with a mean age of 101.5±1.7 years. Electrocardiogram was performed in 103 subjects (87.3%) and echocardiography in 100 (84.7%). All subjects underwent a follow-up for at least 6 months. Centenarians with abnormal ECG were less frequently females (72% vs 93%), had higher rates of previous consumption of tobacco (14% vs 0) and alcohol (24% vs 12%), and scored lower in the perception of health status (6.8±2.0 vs 8.3±6.8). Centenarians with significant abnormalities in echocardiography were less frequently able to walk 6 m (33% vs 54%). Atrial fibrillation/flutter was found in 27 subjects (26%). Mean left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction was 60.0±10.5%. Moderate or severe aortic valve stenosis was found in 16%, mitral valve regurgitation in 15%, and aortic valve regurgitation in 13%. Diastolic dysfunction was assessed in 79 subjects and was present in 55 (69.6%). Katz index and LV dilation were independently associated with the ability to walk 6 m. Age, Charlson and Katz indexes, and the presence of significant abnormalities in echocardiography were associated with mortality. Centenarians have frequent ECG alterations and abnormalities in echocardiography. More than one fifth has atrial fibrillation, and most have diastolic dysfunction. Left ventricular dilation was associated with the ability to walk 6 m. Significant abnormalities in echocardiography were associated with mortality.