Intervention therapy for coronary artery disease in the elderly.

Abstract

The central aim of this review was to examine the application of intervention therapy for CAD in the elderly population. The data reviewed indicates that it is no longer appropriate to use age 70 or 75 as the upper limit of eligibility for thrombolytic intervention in patients with acute myocardial infarction. Elderly who are physiologically active without contraindications to thrombolytic therapy should be considered eligible. Additional controlled trials specifically targeted at the elderly population are needed to better define the precise dosing regimen and the magnitude and extent of bleeding complications in this group. Nevertheless, it appears appropriate to recommend thrombolytic intervention for most eligible elderly patients presenting with acute myocardial infarction. This recommendation is based on the fact that the higher mortality in the elderly results in more lives saved per patient treated than for younger patients. It is important to reemphasize that this recommendation is for treating elderly patients with acute infarction as suggested by ST-segment elevation and/or Q waves, without contraindications to thrombolytic therapy. Those with non-Q-wave infarctions, hypertension, recent stroke, history of bleeding, or other contraindications are not candidates. Regarding intervention therapy in other elderly patients with acute and chronic manifestations of coronary disease, results also appear very encouraging. Elderly patients appearing to tolerate PTCA include those with all forms of angina from chronic stable angina to unstable angina. Although only observational data are on hand at present, our review suggests these elderly patients tolerate PTCA well and indeed may benefit. The elderly patients who have co-morbid factors that adversely influence the application of CABG for revascularization may be the best candidates for PTCA. At present, the challenge for the physician is to carefully assess each elderly patient on an individual basis for intervention therapy. This evaluation should be aimed at identifying factors that may permit application of intervention treatment to the elderly patients who are most likely to receive the greatest benefit.