Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 7, 2026

Interventional Diagnostic Procedure: A Practical Guide for the Assessment of Coronary Vascular Function
Published on: March 15, 2022
Evaluation on curative effect and safety of interventional treatment for patients with acute myocardial infarction
Yinchuan Zhu1, Jianmin Tang1, Feifei Pei1
1Deparment of Vasculocardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.
Insights
Emergency percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is safe for elderly patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). While complications were higher, outcomes support its promotion in this demographic.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Geriatric Medicine
- Interventional Cardiology
Background:
- Elderly patients (>80 years) with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) present unique challenges.
- Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is a key treatment for AMI, but its safety and efficacy in the oldest patients require evaluation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the effectiveness and safety of emergency versus selective PCI in elderly patients (>80 years) with AMI.
- To compare outcomes including major adverse cardiac events (MACE) and complications.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 120 elderly patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) was studied, divided into AMI (n=55) and control (n=65) groups.
- Within the AMI group, 18 patients underwent emergency PCI (<12 hours) and 37 underwent selective PCI.
- Lesion severity was classified using ACC/AHA guidelines; MACE and complications were recorded and analyzed.
Main Results:
- The AMI group exhibited higher Gensini scores and lower LVEF compared to controls.
- Immediate PCI success rates were lower in the AMI group (80%) versus controls (96.9%).
- The incidence of total complications was higher in the AMI emergency PCI group compared to non-emergency and selective PCI groups.
Conclusions:
- Emergency PCI in elderly patients with AMI is associated with a higher complication rate but is deemed safe and effective.
- The findings support the promotion of emergency PCI for selected elderly patients experiencing AMI.
Abstract:
To evaluate the effectiveness and recent safety of emergency and selective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in elderly patients (>80 years old) with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). 120 elderly patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) were divided into AMI group (with 55 cases) and non-myocardial infarction group (control group with 65 cases). Among the AMI group, there were 18 cases underwent emergency PCI within 12 hours after the onset, (AMI emergency PCI group), the rest 37 cases were AMI selective PCI group. In the control group, 2 cases had stable angina pectoris, 59 cases unstable angina pectoris and 4 patients old myocardial infarction. The lesions were classified according to the practice guidelines of American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA). The hospitalized major adverse cardiac events (MACE) and complications in the patients were recorded and statistically analyzed. The AMI group had a higher total Gensini score, lower left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), less mean stents and contrast agent dosage and shorter operation time, compared with the control group. The difference was statistically significant. Though the average postoperative length of stay in AMI emergency PCI group was longer than that of AMI selective PCI group, but the difference had no statistical significance. To all the included patients, there were 50 cases with lesions in one branch, 43 cases in two branches and 27 cases in three branches. And the immediate PCI success ratio in AMI group was lower than that in control group (80% VS. 96.9%, P= 0.003), without significant difference in the distribution number of diseased vessels and complete reconstruction ratio (P>0.05). The incidence of the total complications in AMI emergency PCI group was higher, compared with the non-emergency group (with 102 cases) and AMI selective PCI group (P<0.001, P=0.039); and the occurrence rate of complication in AMI group was higher than that of the control group (P<0.001). The emergency PCI for elder patients with AMI is safe and worthy of promotion.
Related Concept Videos
Acute Coronary Syndrome IV: Interprofessional Care
Acute Coronary Syndrome III: Diagnostic Studies
Acute Coronary Syndrome I: Introduction
Coronary Artery Disease V: Interprofessional Care
Myocarditis III: Medical Management
Angina V: Nursing Management

