Comparison of acute coronary syndromes among elderly African Americans, elderly whites, and elderly patients of other races.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate acute coronary syndromes (ACS) in elderly persons of different races. A prospective study was performed in which 177 consecutive unselected patients aged > or = 70 years hospitalized for ACS had coronary angiography. The patients included 11 blacks, 140 whites, and 26 patients of other races. Obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) was present in 8 of 11 blacks (73%), 121 of 140 whites (86%), and 25 of 26 patients of other races (96%) (P < 0.05 comparing black patients with those of other races). Left main CAD was present in 0 of 11 blacks (0%), 9 of 140 whites (6%), and in 1 of 26 patients of other races (4%) (P not significant). Left anterior descending or diagonal CAD was present in 4 of 11 blacks (36%), 96 of 140 whites (67%), and 18 of 26 patients of other races (69%) (P < 0.05 comparing blacks with whites). Left circumflex or obtuse marginal disease was present in 5 of 11 blacks (45%), 72 of 140 whites (51%), and in 17 of 26 patients of other races (65%) (P not significant). Right CAD was present in 5 of 11 blacks (45%), 81 of 140 whites (58%), and 18 of 26 patients of other races (69%) (P not significant). Coronary revascularization was performed in 7 of 11 blacks (64%), 72 of 140 whites (52%), and 17 of 26 patients of other races (66%) (P not significant).