Management of myocardial infarction in the elderly: admission and outcome on a coronary care unit.
A data base of 1,511 patients admitted to a single Coronary Care Unit was analysed to examine the potential impact of thrombolytic therapy in elderly patients with myocardial infarction. Age was confirmed as a highly significant prognostic factor, and cost utility analysis showed that the cost of thrombolytic therapy with streptokinase in the elderly was lower per quality adjusted life year than in younger patients. However, median delay time of admission from onset of symptoms was significantly greater in this age-group, suggesting a need for a greater awareness of the benefits of thrombolytic therapy in elderly people.
Haigh
R
R
Leicester General Hospital.
Castleden
M
M
Woods
K
K
Fletcher
S
S
Bowns
I
I
Gibson
M
M
Soper
J
J
D000368:Aged; D003325:Coronary Care Units / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004739:England; D017052:Hospital Mortality; D006801:Humans; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics* / Q000401:mortality; D010343:Patient Admission / Q000191:economics; D011788:Quality of Life; D013300:Streptokinase / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015912:Thrombolytic Therapy / Q000191:economics*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D026712:Value of Life
D013300:Streptokinase