[Treatment of ischemic cardiopathy in the elderly: risk and benefits].
Epidemiological data have shown a "demographic revolution" in our society which induced a progressive increase in the elderly population, and coronary heart disease occurs more frequently in this group of subjects. Moreover, the presence of other pathologies entails specific diagnostic and therapeutic aspects in the elderly. In acute coronary syndromes percutaneous coronary angioplasty and thrombolytic agents are ever more employed despite the higher morbidity and mortality rates in the elderly. Chronic ischemic heart disease therapy, even if not different from that in younger patients, requires careful evaluation of the risk/benefit ratio.
Santangelo
L
L
Dipartimento di Scienze Cardio-Toraciche e Respiratorie Sezione di Cardiologia Seconda Università degli Studi Piazza L. Miraglia, 2 80138 Napoli.
Nigro
G
G
Panico
F
F
Montefusco
A
A
Iacono
A
A
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D006801:Humans; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D012307:Risk Factors