PERCUTANEOUS TRANSLUMINAL CORONARY ANGIOPLASTY IN PATIENTS 80 YEARS OF AGE AND OLDER

Elderly patients undergoing percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) are thought to be at an increased risk for complications and mortality. More experience, improved technique and careful patient selection have resulted in higher success rates for elderly patients in recent years. Coronary artery bypass grafting has a higher operative morbidity and mortality in the elderly than in younger patients with comparative disease.1 However, elderly patients undergoing PTCA have been reported to be at a risk similar to that in younger patients.2-5 Angioplasty, therefore, can play a role in the treatment of coronary artery disease in some elderly patients. As the percentage of the elderly in our population increases it is important to continue to evaluate their indications for interventional procedures. Although studies2-4 support the efficacy of PTCA in patients >65 years of age, only 1 study has examined the role of PTCA in octogenarians.6 Accordingly, we reviewed the results of PTCA in octogenarians at our institution over a 14month period. © 1990.