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Published on: September 22, 2020
[Coronary angioplasty in octogenarians]
1Service de cardiologie, HIA Val-de-Grâce, 74, boulevard Port-Royal, 75005 Paris, France. patrick.schiano@orange.fr
Insights
Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is a viable treatment for patients over 80, despite potential complications. Careful patient selection and procedural advancements can improve outcomes for this growing demographic.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Interventional Cardiology
- Geriatric Cardiology
Context:
- Coronary angioplasty is a frequent revascularization method with established guidelines.
- The elderly population has a high prevalence of ischemic heart disease, often presenting unstably.
- Older adults are frequently excluded from clinical trials and face higher complication risks.
Purpose:
- To provide an updated perspective on coronary angioplasty in patients over 80 years old.
- To evaluate the suitability of octogenarians for percutaneous coronary interventions.
- To identify factors influencing the safety and efficacy of angioplasty in the elderly.
Summary:
- Registries indicate octogenarians can be good candidates for angioplasty, though complications must be considered.
- Patient selection, improved devices, approach strategy, and new pharmacologic agents can mitigate procedural risks.
- Enhanced inclusion of elderly individuals in clinical trials is crucial for refining treatment recommendations.
Impact:
- Coronary angioplasty can be safely and effectively performed in octogenarians.
- Optimizing patient selection and utilizing advanced techniques can reduce morbidity associated with angioplasty in the elderly.
- Further research and trial inclusion are needed to tailor guidelines for older cardiac patients.
Abstract:
Coronary angioplasty is the most frequent method used for coronary revascularisation. Recommendations about its application are well-established. The elderly are a growing population with a high prevalence of ischaemic heart disease, especially with unstable presentation. Despite the worse prognostic reliable to these patients, aggressive treatments are often lacking, particularly the achievement of percutaneous coronary interventions. Most of the time excluded from the largest clinical trials, subject to more complications, bleeding and renal failure for example, the recommendations seem more difficult to implement. The authors propose an update about angioplasty over 80 years. The results of many important registries suggest that octogenarians are potential good candidates for angioplasty, without underestimating the complications inherent with the procedure. However, the selection of patients, improved materials, the choice of the route approach and the development of new molecules can significantly reduce this morbidity. In addition, largest inclusion of elderly in clinical trials and specific studies should allow for more focused recommendations.
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