Immediate and long-term results of percutaneous coronary angioplasty in patients aged 70 years or older

Percutaneous coronary angioplasty (PTCA) nowadays appears as an attractive alternative to coronary artery by-pass grafting not only in young adults, but also in elderly patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the primary success, complications and long-term efficacy of PTCA in a consecutive series of 63 patients aged 70 years or over. Results are analysed in comparison to a younger group of423 subjects who were submitted to PTCA during the same period of time. In the older group, PTCA was applied to 108 lesions. The angiographic success rate was 88%. Primary success was 87%, with a majority (91%) of complete revascularization. Failure of the procedure was recorded in eight patients (13%). Complications of PTCA were observed in three patients, (among these: one death). The outcome was excellent: out of 55 patients with successful angioplasty, 52 (94.6%) were asymptomatic at the time of hospital discharge. At follow-up (close to one year), 84.6% of the patients remained asymptomatic. The comparison with the younger group of patients showed no difference in terms of primary success, failure rate or incidence of complications. We therefore conclude that PTCA can be performed with safety and efficiency in patients aged 70 years or over.