Percutaneous coronary intervention in the elderly.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the clinical risks and procedural outcomes for elderly patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).


METHODS
A retrospective case-load analysis was performed of all patients over the age of 80 years, undergoing PCI, over a two-year period, in a tertiary referral hospital. Patient demographics, procedural details and in-hospital complications were obtained by reviewing patient notes. Twelve-month outcomes were obtained from telephone follow-up to the general practitioners and all surviving patients.


RESULTS
There were 55 procedures. Procedural risk was high, with a median TIMI risk score of four (IQR 3-6) and a median additive EuroSCORE of nine (IQR 8-10). There was a 95% angiographic success rate. There were no in-hospital complications. Median Canadian Cardiovascular Society angina class fell from four (IQR 3-4) to one (IQR 0-1). At one year there were twelve deaths (10 cardiovascular), eight of these occurred in patients who had incomplete revascularisation.


CONCLUSIONS
PCI can be performed in an elderly, high-risk population with a low in-hospital mortality and marked symptomatic benefit. However, there is a significant 1-year mortality, particularly in patients who are only suitable for partial revascularisation.
Walsh
Simon J
SJ
Regional Medical Cardiology Centre, 1st Floor West Wing, Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast.
McAuley
Kathy
K
Johnston
Paul W
PW
D000367:Age Factors; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome