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Interventional Diagnostic Procedure: A Practical Guide for the Assessment of Coronary Vascular Function
10:28

Interventional Diagnostic Procedure: A Practical Guide for the Assessment of Coronary Vascular Function

Published on: March 15, 2022

[Peri-interventional risk in 1,384 cardiac catheterizations in patients aged 80 years or older]

J Niebauer1, S Sixt, P Sick

  • 1Universität Leipzig, Herzzentrum GmbH, Klinik für Innere Medizin/Kardiologie. j.niebauer@salk.at

Deutsche Medizinische Wochenschrift (1946)
|February 8, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Cardiac catheterization and interventions are safe for patients over 80. These procedures should not be withheld due to age, as risks are justifiable for this growing demographic.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Interventional Cardiology
  • Geriatric Medicine

Context:

  • Increasing life expectancy leads to more elderly patients (≥80 years) undergoing cardiac procedures.
  • Limited data exists on peri-interventional event rates in this specific age group.
  • Cardiac catheterization and interventions are crucial for managing cardiovascular disease in older adults.

Purpose:

  • To determine the incidence of peri-interventional events in patients aged 80 years or older undergoing cardiac catheterization and intervention.
  • To assess the safety and risk profile of these procedures in the elderly population.

Summary:

  • A study of 1,085 patients (mean age 82.6 years) found significant coronary stenoses in 77%.
  • Peri-interventional event rates were 2.1% for diagnostic catheterization and 11.6% for interventions.
  • Mortality was 2.9% (31 deaths), with higher rates in patients with cardiogenic shock.

Impact:

  • Cardiac catheterization and interventions are associated with justifiable risks in patients aged 80 and older.
  • Age alone should not be a reason to withhold necessary cardiac investigations or interventions.
  • Findings support the continued use of these procedures in the elderly to manage cardiovascular conditions.
Abstract

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