Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty in elderly patients: a comparison with younger patients

Twenty-nine patients of 287 undergoing percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) were over 65 years old. These patients, mean age 67.2 years, were compared with 258 younger patients who had a mean age of 52.6 years. The primary success rate was 76% for the older and 79% for the younger patients. The rates for vessel occlusion, myocardial infarction, emergency surgery, and restenosis were similar in the two groups. When vessel occlusion occurred the results were more serious in the elderly and led to a fatality of 7%, compared with 0.4% for the younger patients. At 6 months' follow-up, 69% of those over 65 and 74% of those under 65 showed improvement in anginal symptoms. PTCA in older patients has similar immediate and short-term results to those in younger patients. However if complications occur, older patients have a higher fatality rate.