Adverse cardiovascular outcomes and sex-specific differences among older adults with cardiac ageing

Abstract Background Despite growing calls to tackle aging-related cardiovascular disease (CVD), the role of detecting early diastolic dysfunction such as those observed in aging, prior to clinical disease, is of unclear clinical benefit. Methods Myocardial function determined by echocardiography was examined in association with incident cardiovascular outcomes or all-cause death by Cox proportional hazards model. Sex-based differences in outcomes were included. Results 956 participants [mean age 63±12.9 years, n=424 males (44%)] were categorized based on mitral peak early to late diastolic filling velocity (E/A) ratios: E/A 2.0 (4%). Incidence rate (IR) for non-fatal cardiovascular outcomes was 2.83 per 100 person-years (95% CI 2.24-3.56), and 0.45 per 100 person-years (95% CI 0.26-0.80) for all-cause death. Event-free survival from non-fatal cardiovascular outcomes were significantly different among E/A categories (log-rank p=0.0269). E/A