[Elderly patients with acute myocardial infarction receive less medical therapy]

Elderly patients with acute myocardial infarction represent a large and increasing group in Norwegian hospitals. Few studies of treatment have included patients above 75 years. The objective of this study was to determine differences in the treatment of patients older and younger than 75 years with acute myocardial infarction. We also wanted to determine the in-hospital mortality in these patient groups.

A retrospective chart review of all 957 patients with acute myocardial infarction admitted to Sørlandet sykehus Arendal, Norway was conducted for the period November 1998 to December 2003. We recorded clinical facts, information on treatment and in-hospital mortality.

Patients older than 75 years represented 43% of all patients with acute myocardial infarction. These patients received less acute medical therapy than younger patients. 26,4% of the patients older than 75 years died in the hospital.

Elderly patients represent a large proportion of patients with acute myocardial infarction, but they receive less medical therapy than younger patients.