[Coronary angioplasty in elderly patients].
BACKGROUND
The value of coronary angioplasty in elderly patients with angina pectoris is disputed.


METHODS
We studied the effects of coronary angioplasty in patients more than 70 years of age during a four-year follow-up.


RESULTS
Successful coronary angioplasty was done in 136 patients with the age 70-83 years. All patients had high-grade angina, and 58% had multivessel disease. One procedure-related death occurred. The symptomatic effect of coronary angioplasty was good and persisting during the follow-up period. Additional revascularizations were done in 23% of the patients, most of these in the first year due to restenosis. Complete revascularization was done in 54%. After four years, 88% of the patients were alive.


CONCLUSIONS
In selected elderly patients coronary angioplasty can be performed safely and provides good symptomatic relief and favourable long-term outcome. There is need for additional revascularizations especially during the first year, mainly because of restenosis.
Lied
Arne
A
Medisinsk avdeling Molde sjukehus 6407 Molde. arne.lied@fsm.mr-fylke.org
Morstøl
Torstein Holm
TH
Vik-Mo
Harald
H
D000368:Aged; D000787:Angina Pectoris / Q000628:therapy; D000789:Angina, Unstable / Q000628:therapy; D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary; D023903:Coronary Restenosis / Q000628:therapy; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D009204:Myocardial Revascularization; D016896:Treatment Outcome