Percutaneous coronary intervention in elderly patients: is it beneficial?

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Madhan Shanmugasundaram1

  • 1Department of Internal Medicine, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA. smadhan13@gmail.com

Texas Heart Institute Journal
|August 16, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Elderly patients with acute coronary syndrome often benefit from percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). This review supports PCI for older adults, challenging the "treatment-risk" paradox that limits revascularization in this population.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Geriatric Medicine

Background:

  • Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death in individuals aged 65 and older.
  • Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) significantly contributes to mortality in the elderly population.
  • Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is a standard treatment for ACS and symptomatic coronary artery disease.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review clinical trials and evidence supporting PCI in elderly patients.
  • To address the underutilization of revascularization in older adults with ACS.
  • To challenge the "treatment-risk" paradox that may deny elderly patients beneficial treatments.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing clinical trials and scientific literature.
  • Analysis of evidence regarding PCI outcomes in elderly populations.
  • Examination of factors contributing to the avoidance of PCI in older patients.

Main Results:

  • Evidence suggests elderly patients can benefit from PCI for ACS.
  • Age alone should not be a contraindication for revascularization.
  • Studies indicate a potential benefit of PCI in reducing morbidity and mortality in this demographic.

Conclusions:

  • Percutaneous coronary intervention is a viable and beneficial treatment option for elderly patients with acute coronary syndrome.
  • Clinical decisions regarding PCI in older adults should be based on comprehensive risk-benefit assessments, not solely on age.
  • Further research and clinical practice should aim to reduce disparities in PCI utilization among elderly patients.

Keywords:
Age factorsangina, unstable/complications/prevention & control/therapyattitude of health personnelcardiovascular diseases/complications/mortality/prevention & control/therapyhealth services for the aged/standardsheart catheterization/utilizationmyocardial revascularization/utilizationrandomized controlled trials as topic/statistics & numerical datarisk factorssurvival analysistreatment outcome

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