title: [Should older patients be admitted for coronary evaluation and treatment? With special emphasis on a survey and catheter-based revascularization of patients over 70 years of age].
abstract: A three year survey of patients undergoing diagnostic left heart catheterization and PTCA treatment is presented from Feiringklinikken. Data on patients over and under 70 years have been analysed separately. The fraction of patients over 70 years admitted for catheterization increased significantly from 18.8% to 23.4% during the survey period. Angiography was associated with a low mortality of 0.04% and incidence of cerebrovascular complications with 0.1%, with no increased risk in patients over 70 years. The proportion of patients treated with PTCA increased significantly during the survey from 25% to 39% for patients over 70 years and from 31% to 42% for patients under 70 years (p < 0.01). The initial success rate of PTCA was 89% and 92% for patients over and under 70 years respectively (not significant). The rate of serious complications was low in both age groups, 3.2% and 1.0% in patients over and under 70 years respectively (p < 0.01). Older patients can be examined invasively with low risk of complications. A substantial number of patients, also among the elderly, can be treated safely with PTCA with good initial results. Thus, elderly patients should be offered the benefit of invasive diagnosis and treatment for coronary heart disease.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Golf
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Myreng
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mølstad
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Sirnes
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000401:mortality; D006328:Cardiac Catheterization / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000401:mortality; D006801:Humans; D009204:Myocardial Revascularization / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000401:mortality; D009664:Norway / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
vernacular_title: Bør eldre henvises til koronar utredning og behandling? Saerlig omtale av utredning og kateterbasert revaskularisering av pasienter over 70 år.