title: [Percutaneous coronary intervention in the elderly].
abstract: Developed countries are experiencing an unprecedented growth in the number of elderly citizens. Elderly patients represent one third of all admissions for non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome in the coronary care unit. Treatment is more complex due to comorbidities. The safety and efficacy of percutaneous coronary intervention in elderly patients have not been extensively studied. Despite their high-risk characteristics and worse outcomes, compared with younger patients, the elderly receive less aggressive treatments. The risk of major bleeding and renal failure are increased with percutaneous coronary intervention; in addition the functional condition remains an important concern. Revascularization in elderly patients is not to be aimed at perfection, but at functional results.
authors.affiliation: U.O. di Cardiologia, A.O. Istituti Ospitalieri, Cremona. fedecosta@tin.it
authors.forename: Federico
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Costa
authors.forename: Enrico
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Passamonti
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pedroni
authors.forename: Elva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Calvaruso
authors.forename: Bianca Maria
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Fadin
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pirelli
mesh_terms: D054058:Acute Coronary Syndrome / Q000628:therapy*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D006801:Humans; D015425:Myocardial Reperfusion / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome