A Five Year Study of Comparison of Characteristics and In-hospital Complications of Acute Myocardial Infarction Between Elderly and Younger Patients.
Elderly patients suffering from acute myocardial infarction (AMI) can present differently and their outcome may be different from those of younger patients. A prospective study looking into the characteristics and in-hospital complications of AMI in the elderly patients, comparing to those of the younger patients, was conducted. All AMI patients admitted into our hospital from April 1991 to March 1996 were enrolled. Those patients greater than 70 years were classified as elderly patients. During the 5 year period, there were 241 elderly AMI patients (mean age of 77 years) and 357 younger patients (mean age of 60 years). In the elderly group, 48.0% were female as compared to 24.0% in the younger group (p is less than 0.0001). For the in-hospital complications, 29.5% of elderly patients had cardiogenic shock as compared to 14.6% in younger patients (p is less than 0.0001). There were also significantly more elderly patients suffering from atrial arrhythmias (11% vs. 6% in younger patients, p is less than 0.05). Both groups of patients had similar incidence of ventricular arrhythmias and various types of heart block. Health care professionals taking care of these patients should be aware of these differences and well prepared to tackle these complications.
Chan Wk
Wai-kwong
Department of Medicine and Geriatrics, United Christian Hospital; Hong Kong.
Chan Tf
Tsan-fai
Yue Cs
Chiu-sun
Ma
Lawrence
L