Objective To analyze the risk factors of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) in very olderly hypertensive patients. Methods According to the electrocardiograph (ECG) and history data, two hundred and six older old-hypertensive patients were divided into PAF group (n=66) and sinus rhythm (SR) group (n=140). Data of age, gender, body mass index (BMI), the use of angiotension-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs), angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) and statin drug history, 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM), echocardiography, pulse wave velocity (PWV), blood lipid profile and renal function were recorded in two groups. Logistic regression analyses of the relevant factors were compared between groups. Results Data of age, the diameter of the left atrium (LAD), the 1eft ventricular mass index (LVMI) and the PWV were significantly higher in PAF group than those of SR group [(88.92±3.42) years old vs. (86.36±4.67) years old, (39.00±6.66) mm vs. (33.54±7.77) mm, (132.49±14.83) g vs. (119.00±11.35) g, (13.45±4.85) m/s vs. (9.89±2.74) m/s, respectively]. Values of three acyl glycerin (TG), blood pressure smoothing index (SI) were lower in PAF group than those of SR group [(1.33±0.91) mmol/L vs. (1.95±1.29) mmol/L, 0.75±0.06 vs. 0.79±0.04, respectively]. Results of two classification Logistic regression analyses showed that the reduced SI, the enlarged LAD and LVMI and the increased PWV were the risk factors of PAF in very olderly hypertensive patients. Conclusion Unstable blood pressure, left atrial enlargement, left ventricular hypertrophy and arterial stiffness are the risk factors of PAF in very olderly hypertensive patients.

Objective To compare the effects of levosimendan (Levo) and recombinant human brain natriuretic peptide (rhBNP) in patients with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF). Methods Seventy-five patients were included into this randomized positive-controlled and parallel-group study to receive either Levo (Levo group), rhBNP (rhBNP group) or dobutamine therapy (control group). Heart rate, respiratory rate, 24-hour urine volume,improvement in six-minute walk-test after 72-h treatment were compared between three groups. The blood level of BNP and values of left ventricular end dia?stolic diameter (LVEDD) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) after one-week treatment were compared between three groups. Results After 72-h treatment, heart rate and respiratory rate were significantly decreased, and 24-hour urine volume, six-minute walk-test were significantly increased in three groups (P<0.05). The NT-proBNP and LVEF were im?proved after one week treatment (P>0.05), but the LVEDD was improved barely (P>0.05). The improvements were more significant in Levo group and rhBNP group compared to those of control group (P<0.05). There were no significant differenc?es in improvements between Levo group and rhBNP group. The common adverse reactions were hypotension and ventricular premature beats. There were no significant differences in adverse event rates between three groups (P<0.05). Conclusion As compared with dobutamine, Levo and rhBNP have optimized efficacy, fewer side effects and good safety in the treatment of ADHF. They are worth of clinical application.