Coronary angioplasty in octogenarians: comparisons to coronary bypass surgery

Acute and intermediate‐term results of percutaneous coronary stenting in octogenarian patients

BACKGROUND

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in octogenarian patients has been associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to assess acute and intermediate-term clinical outcomes among octogenarians undergoing PCI.

METHODS

The authors identified 97 consecutive patients aged > or =80 years who underwent PCI using stents between November 2000 and February 2002 at their institution. The patients were divided into three groups according to clinical presentation: (1) acute myocardial infarction (AMI, n = 31); (2) unstable angina pectoris (UAP, n = 28); and (3) stable angina pectoris (SAP, n = 38). Procedural data, and in-hospital and six-month clinical outcomes were obtained and adjudicated for all patients.

RESULTS

Overall mean age was 84 +/- 3 years, 67% of patients were males and 73% had multivessel coronary disease. In-hospital outcomes varied according to clinical presentation: procedural success was 78% in AMI patients (including shock patients), 93% in UAP, and 95% in SAP patients. Likewise, hospital mortality was 26% in AMI, 3.6% in UAP, and 0% in SAP patients (p = 0.0003). Among AMI patients, hospital mortality was extremely high in patients with cardiogenic shock (67% versus 4.6% in AMI without shock, p < 0.0001). Cumulative event rate at six months also varied according to clinical presentation: mortality/MI and target vessel revascularization (TVR) rates were 29%, 3.6%, and 0% in AMI, 7.1%, 7.4%, and 11% in UAP and 0%, 5.3%, and 7.9% in SAP patients. Multivariate analysis identified cardiogenic shock as the most powerful risk factor for predicting mortality (odds ratio = 42, p = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

These results show that clinically stable octogenarian patients undergoing PCI have favorable procedural and intermediate-term prognosis. In contrast, cardiogenic shock has a profound negative prognostic impact on octogenarians despite 'aggressive' PCI attempts.

Benefits on coronary restenosis from elective paclitaxel-eluting stent implantation in patients aged 75 years and older

OBJECTIVE

Elderly patients are increasingly referred for revascularisation yet have been underrepresented in some large clinical trials. Although the advent of drug-eluting stents has dramatically reduced clinical events related to restenosis, older age remains one of the most important correlates of adverse outcome, even after an elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We sought to evaluate the impact of paclitaxel-eluting stents on coronary restenosis in elderly patients undergoing elective PCI.

METHODS

Patients undergoing successful elective PCI with stenting of de novo coronary artery lesions were identified and screened for participation in this study. All patients included in our analysis were divided into two cohort groups: patients aged <75 years (younger cohort) and patients aged >or=75 years (elderly cohort). We evaluated the six-month incidence of target lesion revascularisation (TLR) and major adverse cardiac events, which included TLR, death and myocardial infarction.

RESULTS

A total of 171 (58 aged >or=75 years) consecutive patients were enrolled in the study. At six months, TLR rate was similar in both groups [1.77 vs. 1.72%, odds ratio (OR) 0.97, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.08-10.9, P = 0.98, in the younger and elderly group, respectively]. Even the rate of major adverse cardiac events was comparable between the two groups (7.96 vs. 8.62%, OR 1.09, 95% CI 0.34-3.41, P = 0.88, in the younger and elderly group, respectively). Also the angiographic restenosis rates were comparable between patients <75 or >or=75 years (4.42 vs. 3.46%, P = 0.76).

CONCLUSIONS

After elective paclitaxel-eluting stent implantation, there is no difference in coronary restenosis in younger and elderly patients, suggesting an age-independent efficacy.

Comparison of outcomes of percutaneous coronary interventions in patients of three age groups (<60, 60 to 80, and >80 years) (from the New York State Angioplasty Registry)

Octogenarians have been under-represented in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) trials despite an increase in referrals for PCI. As the United States population ages, the number of high-risk PCIs in the elderly will continue to increase. This study investigated the effect of age on short-term prognosis after PCI in 3 age groups. Using the 2000/2001 New York State Angioplasty Registry, we compared in-hospital mortality and major adverse cardiac events (MACEs; death, stroke, or coronary artery bypass grafting) in emergency and elective PCI cohorts across 3 age categories of patients: 10,964 patients who underwent emergency PCI (<60 years of age, n = 5,354; 60 to 80 years of age, n = 4,939; >80 years of age, n = 671) and 71,176 patients who underwent elective PCI (<60 years of age, n = 24,525; 60 to 80 years of age, n = 40,869; >80 years of age, n = 5,782). Patients were considered to have undergone an emergency PCI if they had an acute myocardial infarction within 24 hours, had thrombolytic therapy within 7 days, or presented with hemodynamic instability or shock. Elderly patients had more co-morbidities, including more extensive coronary atherosclerosis, hypertension, peripheral vascular disease, and renal insufficiency, and presented more frequently with hemodynamic instability or shock. In the emergency PCI group, in-hospital mortality (1.0% vs 4.1% vs 11.5%, p <0.05) and MACEs (1.6% vs 5.2% vs 13.1%, p <0.05) increased incrementally by age group. In the elective PCI group, rates of in-hospital complications were considerably lower, with an incremental increase in mortality (0.1% vs 0.4% vs 1.1%, p <0.05) and MACEs (0.4% vs 0.7% vs 1.6%, p <0.05). Age was strongly predictive of in-hospital mortality for emergency and elective PCI by multivariate analysis. In conclusion, elective PCI in the elderly has favorable outcome and acceptable short-term mortality in the stent era. Elderly patients, in particular octogenarians undergoing emergency PCI, have a substantially higher risk of in-hospital death.

Long-term clinical outcome of coronary artery stenting in elderly patients

BACKGROUND

The elderly constitute a rapidly expanding segment of our population and cardiovascular disease becomes more prevalent with increasing age. Existing data have shown that percutaneous coronary interventions in the elderly are associated with an increase risk of in-hospital complications compared to younger patients. In the present study we retrospectively assessed the long-term clinical outcome of coronary artery stenting in an elderly population and compared them with the cohort of younger patients.

METHODS

The study population included 402 consecutive patients with coronary artery disease who underwent coronary artery stenting; of these 69 were elderly (age > 70 years, group I) and 333 were younger (age <or= 70 years, group II). Percutaneous coronary intervention combined with stent implantation was performed using standard techniques. Clinical outcomes during follow-up (24 +/- 13 months, range 7-56 months) were obtained in all patients without major in-hospital complications. Survival curves and multivariate Cox proportional hazard models for any late clinical event were reported.

RESULTS

No difference in in-hospital complications or clinical success rate was observed between the two groups of patients. Complete revascularization was obtained more frequently in younger compared to elderly patients (P < 0.05). At 2 years, event-free survival was 62% in the elderly and 76% in younger patients (P < 0.001); this difference was mostly made-up by recurrence of angina in the elderly. Impaired left ventricular systolic function (ejection fraction < 40%) was an independent predictor of late death.

CONCLUSIONS

Coronary artery stenting is an effective therapeutic strategy in elderly with coronary artery disease and is associated with good short- and long-term results. Age per se should not preclude patients from undergoing coronary stenting.

Percutaneous coronary interventions in octogenarians in the American College of Cardiology-National Cardiovascular Data Registry: development of a nomogram predictive of in-hospital mortality

OBJECTIVES

We sought to evaluate the results of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in elderly patients in contemporary practice.

BACKGROUND

Prior studies of PCI in the elderly population demonstrate increased in-hospital mortality, but these studies are limited by small population size.

METHODS

Using the American College of Cardiology-National Cardiovascular Data Registry (ACC-NCDR) of 100,253 patients, the in-hospital outcomes in all 8,828 PCI procedures performed on octogenarians were evaluated. Patients underwent PCI between 1998 and 2000 at over 145 participating centers.

RESULTS

The mean age was 83.72 +/- 3.02 years, with female preponderance (53%). The PCI was considered angiographically successful in 93%, stents were placed in 75%, and the post-PCI length of stay was 3.3 +/- 5.1 days. Overall in-hospital mortality was 3.77% but was only 1.35% in PCI without recent myocardial infarction (MI) within one week (p < 0.0001). Patients having PCI within 6 h of the onset of their MI had an increase in mortality tenfold (13.79%) compared with patients without a recent MI (p < 0.0001). All groups that were defined based on time of PCI after MI onset up to seven days had increased mortality (all p < 0.0001). Older age (odds ratio [OR] of 1.03 per incremental year), depressed ejection fraction (EF) (OR 0.69 per 10 points for EF <60%), and time of PCI after MI onset (<6 h, OR 6.87; 6 to 24 h, OR 5.66; 24 h to one week, OR 2.93) were most strongly predictive of outcome by multivariate analysis. The predicted mortality from the multivariate model correlated well with the observed in-hospital mortality up to 20% mortality. A 254-point nomogram was constructed employing the logistic model using a weighted point system.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients > or = 80 years old, PCI has good success and acceptable mortality. The presence of an acute or recent MI substantially increases the risk of in-hospital death.

Off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting for elderly patients

BACKGROUND

The use of off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) has recently become widespread, and it has been proven to be less invasive and to facilitate early recovery. In this study, we investigated the efficacy of off-pump CABG for patients aged 75 years or more.

METHODS

A retrospective chart review was carried out for patients who underwent isolated off-pump and on-pump CABG at Shin-Tokyo Hospital between January 1997 and December 2000. The patients' demographic, operative data, and postoperative results were collected.

RESULTS

The off-pump group consisted of 60 men and 44 women with a mean age of 78.8 years, and the on-pump group consisted of 54 men and 20 women with a mean age of 77.6 years. Distal anastomoses were significantly fewer in the off-pump group (2.4 in off-pump group versus 3.7 in on-pump group), but total arterial bypass was more frequently achieved in off-pump group (82.7% versus 25.7%). Intubation time (8.4 versus 18.4 hours), intensive care unit stay (2.2 versus 3.5 days), and postoperative stay (13.8 versus 20.0 days) were significantly shorter in the off-pump group than in the on-pump group (p < 0.05). The frequency of the occurrence of major complications was significantly lower in the off-pump group than the on-pump group, especially in regard to postoperative stroke and respiratory failure (p < 0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that off-pump CABG significantly reduced patient recovery period and the incidence of postoperative complications. Early follow-up results, cardiac event-free and survival rates, did not significantly differ between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Off-pump CABG is safe for the elderly patient. Off-pump CABG successfully facilitates early recovery and reduces the incidence of postoperative complications among elderly patients.

Coronary artery stenting in the aged

OBJECTIVES

The study compared the safety and efficacy of coronary artery stenting in aged and nonaged patients and identified predictors of adverse clinical outcomes.

BACKGROUND

Limited data are available on the outcomes of stenting in the aged (> or = 80 years) compared to nonaged patients.

METHODS

The study was a pooled analysis of 6,186 patients who underwent coronary artery stenting in six recent multicenter trials. A clinical events committee adjudicated clinical end points, and quantitative angiography was performed by an independent core laboratory.

RESULTS

There were 301 (4.9%) aged patients (> or = 80 years). Compared to nonaged patients, aged patients had a higher prevalence of multivessel disease (16.5% vs. 9.6%, p = 0.001), unstable angina (50.8% vs. 42.1%, p = 0.003), moderate to severe target lesion calcification (30.4% vs. 15.3%, p = 0.001) and smaller reference vessel diameter (2.90 mm vs. 2.98 mm, p = 0.004). Procedural success rate (97.4% vs. 98.5%, p = 0.14) was similar in the two groups. In-hospital mortality (1.33% vs. 0.10%, p = 0.001), bleeding complications (4.98% vs. 1.00%, p < 0.001) and one-year mortality (5.65% vs. 1.41%, p < 0.001) were significantly higher for the aged patients. Clinical restenosis was similar for the two groups (11.19% vs. 11.93%, p = 0.78). Advanced age, diabetes, prior myocardial infarction and presence of three-vessel disease were independent predictors of long-term mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Coronary artery stenting can be performed safely in patients > or = 80 years of age, with excellent acute results and a low rate of clinical restenosis, albeit with higher incidences of in-hospital and long-term mortality, and vascular and bleeding complications compared to nonaged patients.

Contemporary outcome trends in the elderly undergoing percutaneous coronary interventions: results in 7,472 octogenarians. National Cardiovascular Network Collaboration

OBJECTIVES

We sought to define the risks facing octogenarians undergoing contemporary percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs).

BACKGROUND

The procedural risks of PCI for octogenarians have not been well established.

METHODS

We compared the clinical characteristics and in-hospital outcomes of 7,472 octogenarians (mean age 83 years) with those of 102,236 younger patients (mean age 62 years) who underwent PCI at 22 National Cardiovascular Network (NCN) hospitals from 1994 through 1997.

RESULTS

Octogenarians had more comorbidities, more extensive coronary disease and a two- to fourfold increased risk of complications, including death (3.8% vs. 1.1%), Qwave myocardial infarction (1.9% vs. 1.3%), stroke (0.58% vs. 0.23%), renal failure (3.2% vs. 1.0%) and vascular complications (6.7% vs. 3.3%) (p < 0.001 for all comparisons). Independent predictors of procedural mortality in octogenarians included shock (odds ratio [OR] 5.4, 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.3 to 8.8), acute myocardial infarction (OR 3.2, 95% CI 2.3 to 4.4), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <35% (OR 2.9, 95% CI 2.1 to 3.9), renal insufficiency (OR 2.8, 95% CI 2.0 to 3.8), first PCI (OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.7 to 3.3), age >85 years (OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.5 to 2.7) and diabetes mellitus (OR 1.5, 95% CI 1.1 to 2.0). For elective procedures, octogenarian mortality varied nearly 10-fold, and was strongly influenced by comorbidities (0.79% mortality with no risk factors vs. 7.2% with renal insufficiency or LVEF <35%). Despite similar case-mix, PCI outcomes in octogenarians improved significantly over the four years of observation (OR of 0.61 for death/myocardial infarction/stroke in 1997 vs. 1994; 95% CI 0.45 to 0.85).

CONCLUSIONS

Risks to octogenarians undergoing PCI are two- to fourfold higher than those of younger patients, strongly influenced by comorbidities, and have decreased in the stent era.

Influence of patient age on acute and late clinical outcomes following Palmaz-Schatz coronary stent implantation

Procedural success may be lower and complication rates higher after balloon angioplasty in older patients. Elective stent implantation improves procedural outcome in younger patients; however, few series have specifically analyzed the octogenarian population. Therefore, we studied 2,534 consecutive patients (3,965 native coronary artery stenoses) who were treated electively with Palmaz-Schatz stents and divided them into 3 groups: (1) < or = 70 years old (n = 1,805), (2) 71 to 80 years old (elderly, n = 607), and (3) > 80 years old (octogenarian, n = 122). Major in-hospital complications (death, myocardial infarction, and urgent bypass surgery) were significantly higher in the octogenarians than in the elderly and patients < or = 70 years of age (4.5% vs 2.0% and 1.5%; p = 0.001). At 1-year follow-up, cardiac events (death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, and need for any revascularization) did not differ among groups; however, there was a stepwise increase in late death in octogenarians (5%) compared with elderly patients (2%) and patients aged < or = 70 years (1%) (p = 0.001). Target lesion revascularization was similar among the groups (11% in octogenarian vs 14% in elderly and 15% in patients < or = 70 years, p = 0.791). By multivariate logistic regression analysis, age was an independent predictor of late mortality (odds ratio 1.05, p = 0.0001), but not a predictor of target lesion revascularization. Stent implantation in octogenarians is associated with (1) more acute complications, (2) a higher in-hospital mortality, (3) a higher late mortality, and (4) a target lesion revascularization similar to younger patients.

[Arterial myocardial revascularization in the 9th decade of life. Personal results and review of the literature]

The rate of the population being 80 years of age and even older, has an increasing tendency in the Federal Republic of Germany. In 1996, a total of 87,372 patients received surgery supported by the heart-lung-machine, 2,383 patients out of these (2.7%) were 80 years of age and older. In view of the limited life expectance, the arterial revascularization in this age category is faced with controverse discussions. We analysed our patients in relation to this aspect. Between January 1, 1995 and June 30, 1997, 4,338 patients underwent surgery supported by the heart-lung-machine. Hundred and fifty-five out of these (3.6%) were in the 9th decade of life. Seventy-seven patients out of the 155 (49.7%, 34 women, 43 men, 80 to 88 years old, mean: 82 years of age) underwent an isolated myocardial revascularization. We performed 55 (71%) elective, 16 (21%) urgent and 6 (8%) emergency surgeries. Twelve patients (15.6%) solely received venous bypasses (Group I), 65 (84.4%) additionally also received unilateral bypasses of the internal mammaria artery (IMA) (Group II). Three patients died at our facility (3.9%), 3 further patients died during the follow-up treatment in outlying hospitals, the in-patient mortality rate in Group I therefore presented a rate of 8.3%, in Group II 7.7% and in total, a rate of 7.8%. In 1996, the in-patient mortality rate could be reduced to 3.6%. The follow-up observation time ranged between 7 and 138 weeks (median 44 weeks). The survival rate for patients with an IMA-bypass after 1 year was 86.3%, after 2 years 77%, and for the entire collective 85.3% and 75%. Whereas 96% of the patients could pre-operatively be related to Class III or IV of the NYHA-classification, 55 of the 63 survivors (87%) belonged to Class I (6%) or II (81%). Two Group I patients (22.2%), 3 Group II patients (5.6%) and 7.9% of the total collective complained about repeated angina symptoms. The myocardial revascularization with the internal mammaria artery performed on patients in the 9th decade of life, achieves an acceptable morbidity and mortality compared to solely venous coronary bypasses. The more prolonged follow-up observation period will clarify, whether the arterial myocardial revascularization also proves to be the superior method in this age category.

The challenge of health care delivery to the elderly patient with cardiovascular disease. Demographic, epidemiologic, fiscal, and health policy implications

Old age as our society is experiencing it is a new phenomenon. Never before in history have societies of developed countries enjoyed such longevity of life. In the next several decades the United States will face an unparalleled increase in the absolute number of elderly persons in our population. How will health care professionals, policy-makers, and society in general face the mammoth task of providing quality cardiovascular care for the elderly in an environment of limited financial resources? This article discusses the demographic, fiscal, and health policy implications of our aging society with particular emphasis on existing and anticipated impediments to the delivery of cardiovascular care to this rapidly expanding segment of our population.

Coronary artery stenting in the elderly: short-term outcome and long-term angiographic and clinical follow-up

OBJECTIVES

This study sought to compare the short- and long-term outcomes of elderly patients undergoing coronary artery stenting with those of younger patients and to determine the long-term clinical outcome and survival of elderly patients post stent implantation.

BACKGROUND

Elderly patients undergoing coronary revascularization are considered a high-risk group. Few data exist that relate the results of stenting in treating coronary artery disease in the elderly population.

METHODS

All elderly patients >75 years of age who underwent coronary artery stenting between March 1993 and July 1997 (n=137) at our center were compared to the patients <75 who underwent coronary artery stenting during the same time period (n=2,551). Long-term clinical follow-up and survival were determined for the elderly group.

RESULTS

Elderly patients presented with lower ejection fractions (54% vs. 58%, p=0.0001), more unstable angina (47% vs. 28%, p=0.0001), and more multivessel disease (78% vs. 62%, p= 0.0001) than younger patients. These older patients had higher rates of procedure related complications including procedural myocardial infarction (MI) (2.9% vs. 1.7%, p=0.2), emergency CABG (3.7% vs. 1.4%, p=0.04), and death (2.2% vs. 0.12%, p=0.0001). Angiographic follow-up, obtained in both groups, demonstrated significantly higher restenosis rates in the elderly versus younger patients (47% vs. 28%, p=0.0007). Longer term clinical follow-up, which was obtained only in the elderly group, showed that at a mean follow-up period of 12 months post coronary stenting, elderly survival free from death, MI, revascularization and angina was 54% and that their overall survival was 91%. Subanalysis of the elderly patients who died showed much higher incidence of combined unstable angina (80%), prior MI (60%), lower ejection fraction (46%), multivessel disease (100%) and complex lesions (100%) than the overall group.

CONCLUSIONS

Elderly patients who undergo coronary artery stenting have significantly higher rates of procedural complications and worse six month outcomes than younger patients, especially those who present with combined unstable angina, history of MI, EF < 50%, multivessel disease and complex lesions. Overall survival in the elderly population at 12 months postcoronary artery stenting was 91% and event-free survival was 54%.

One-month results of coronary stenting in patients > or = 75 years of age

Coronary artery bypass operations are associated with increased morbidity and mortality in the elderly. Similarly, it has been shown that coronary angioplasty is associated with a higher risk of complications in the elderly than in younger patients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the 1-month outcome of elderly patients (>75 years old) who were included in the Stenting without Coumadin French Registry. From December 1992 to March 1995, 2,900 patients (mean age 61+/-11 years) were included in this registry. All patients were treated with ticlopidine (250 to 500 mg/day) for 1 month from the day of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty, aspirin (100 to 250 mg/day) for >6 months, and low-molecular-weight heparin (antiXa 0.5 to 1 IU/ml) for 1 month in phase II, 15 days in phase III, and 7 days in phase IV. No heparin was given in phase V. The study group included 233 patients (8.0%) > 75 years old (mean age 79+/-4), 44 (18%) of whom were women. All patients underwent dilatation of a native coronary vessel. One hundred seventeen had unstable angina (50.2%), 20 had postmyocardial infarction ischemia (8.6%), and 6 had acute myocardial infarction (2.6%). Indications for stenting were de novo lesion in 63 patients (27.0%), restenosis in 38 (16.3%), suboptimal result in 48 (20.6%), nonocclusive dissection in 56 (24.0%), and occlusive dissection in 28 (12.0%), respectively. Stented coronary arteries were the left anterior descending in 109 (46.8%), the right in 80 (34.3%), the left circumflex in 40 (17.2%), and the left main in 4 (1.7%). Palmaz-Schatz stents were used in 228 patients (82.0%), AVE microstents in 38 (13.7%), and other stents in 12 (4.3%). More than 1 stent was used in 48 patients (17.3%). The mean diameter of the balloon used for stenting was 3.31+/-0.38 mm and maximal inflation pressure was 12.2+/-2.9 atm. At one-month follow-up, vascular complications occurred in 5 patients, requiring surgery in 2 (1.3%), acute closure occurred in 1 (0.4%), subacute closure in 3 (1.3%), emergency or planned coronary artery bypass graft surgery in none, acute myocardial infarction in 4 (1.7%), stroke in 1 (0.4%), and death in 8 (3.4%). The composite end point of a major cardiac event was observed in 13 cases (5.6%). Coronary stenting using ticlopidine and aspirin appears to be a particularly safe approach in this high-risk subset.

Coronary angioplasty for elderly patients with "high risk" unstable angina: short-term outcomes and long-term survival

OBJECTIVES

We sought to compare the short- and long-term mortality rates in patients > or = 70 years old with unstable angina undergoing percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) with predicted coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) short-term and U.S. census long-term mortality rates.

BACKGROUND

Coronary angioplasty is an alternative revascularization strategy for patients with medically refractory rest angina and a high risk of adverse outcomes with CABG. Patients > or = 70 years old are a specific high risk subset.

METHODS

A total of 131 consecutive patients aged > or = 70 years with unstable angina underwent PTCA; 82 (62%) of 131 had been refused CABG. Mortality over time was obtained from the Veterans Affairs Beneficiary Index Records Locator Subsystem. Predicted 30-day CABG-associated mortality was obtained from the Veterans Affairs Cardiac Risk Assessment Model. Mortality over time was expressed with Kaplan-Meier curves.

RESULTS

The observed 30-day angioplasty survival rate was 87% compared with the predicted surgical 30-day survival rate of 85.5%. In those patients who survived 6 months after angioplasty (84%), their subsequent 1-, 2-, 3-, 4- and 5-year survival rates were comparable to age-matched subjects in the U.S. census. Mortality in certain subsets known to be at very high risk for CABG-for example, patients who had a previous CABG-was not high in this cohort of elderly subjects. The extremely high risk subsets identified in this PTCA cohort (shock, heart failure, pressors required, balloon pump required) were relatively infrequent subsets.

CONCLUSIONS

For selected elderly patients with unstable angina deemed to be at "high risk" or even "prohibitive risk" for CABG, PTCA is an alternative revascularization strategy. The long-term mortality of successfully treated elderly patients is comparable to age-matched subjects. A prospective, multicenter, randomized trial of CABG versus PTCA, which includes patients > or = 70 years old, is being conducted (Veterans Affairs Cooperative Study 385: AWESOME).

Arterial conduits in emergency coronary artery surgery

The internal thoracic artery (ITA) is considered to be the conduit of choice for coronary bypass (CABG), but there has been some reluctance to utilize the ITA for revascularization in emergency situations. In a 9-year retrospective analysis from 1986 through 1993, 484 patients had emergency CABG, 237 were not associated with failed PTCA (noninstrumented) and 247 were within 24 hours of PTCA (instrumented). About 62% of noninstrumented and 49.3% of instrumented patients received one or more ITA grafts, the others receiving only saphenous vein grafts (SVGs). Those who received an ITA graft tended toward male sex, better ejection fraction, and a generally lower clinical risk score. Instrumented patients tended toward a lower incidence of diabetes and left main coronary disease, higher ejection fraction, and lower clinical risk score than noninstrumented patients. The postoperative results were not significantly different between ITA and SVG groups with respect to new Q waves, need for reexploration, sternal wound infection, respiratory complications, or stroke. However, ITA patients more often had an event-free postoperative course, received fewer blood transfusions, and experienced fewer cardiac deaths (2.7% vs 9.4%, p < 0.01). There were few obvious differences in postoperative results between instrumented and noninstrumented patients. These results indicate that the ITA can be used for emergency CABG in selected patients with good results.

Morbidity and mortality rates in elderly patients undergoing percutaneous coronary transluminal angioplasty

Although successful dilatation of a target lesion by means of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) can be attained as frequently in elderly as in younger patients, elderly patients have a higher risk of complications. Furthermore, cohorts of patients older than 75 years and undergoing PTCA include more women and more cases of unstable angina, factors that increase the risk of complications. Included in this analysis of 3199 PTCAs performed between January 1991 and September 1992 were 474 (14.8%) patients who were > or = 75 years old. Age was an independent risk factor for death, acute myocardial infarction, need for transfusion, and need for arterial repair after PTCA. The frequency of successful dilatation of individual lesions, emergency coronary bypass surgery, or repeated PTCA of the same lesion was not related to age. In previous studies no association has been demonstrated between age and increased risk of in-hospital reclosure. The presence of more severe coronary disease and of the greater frequency of coexisting morbid conditions makes elderly patients less able to tolerate unsuccessful or complicated PTCA.

Coronary angioplasty in octogenarians: immediate and long-term results and comparison with a younger population

The safety and efficacy of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) was examined in a group of 91 octogenarians during 133 consecutive procedures and compared to the younger part of our PTCA population (3,443 procedures) during an 8-year study period. Most octogenarians presented with refractory or unstable angina pectoris and multivessel involvement, but had normal left ventricular function. The angiographic success rate was 84%. Technical failure was observed in 12% of cases and complications in 14%. Two early procedure related deaths were observed. Restenosis was estimated at 24%. The proportion surviving and the proportion without cardiac event estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method at 2 years were 0.89 and 0.60, respectively. In comparison to the younger population, the immediate angiographic success was lower as a result of a higher incidence of technical failure (P less than 0.05). Otherwise, no difference in terms of restenosis or overall related complication rate was noted (P greater than 0.1). It is concluded that PTCA is an efficient and safe therapeutic option for octogenarians with severe or refractory angina pectoris. Technical failure is more frequently observed than in younger patients and explains a lower immediate angiographic success. Nevertheless, at 2-years follow-up, a large majority of patients are alive and asymptomatic.

Myocardial revascularisation in the elderly: complementary roles for coronary angioplasty and bypass grafting

Coronary artery disease is a common finding, responsible for substantial morbidity and mortality in the elderly. Despite this, there is a general reluctance to refer elderly patients for further investigation as the perceived risks are thought to outweight any potential benefit. This is not however borne out by the available evidence, which suggests that revascularisation procedures carry little additional risk in appropriately selected elderly patients. Chronological age per se should, therefore, no longer be a bar to myocardial revascularisation.

Short and long-term results of coronary angioplasty in patients over 75 years

AIMS

This report reviews the outcome of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) on patients aged 75 years or over at this institution, in order to provide statistics that may be useful in managing elderly patients.

METHODS

All elderly patients undergoing PTCA between January 1984 and December 1990 were included. Data concerning the PTCA procedure and short term (hospital stay) outcome were compared to those of all patients less than 75 years who underwent PTCA during the same period. Long term outcome was obtained for all surviving elderly patients.

RESULTS

One hundred and eleven procedures were performed on patients over 75 years, compared to 3183 procedures on patients under 75. The incidence of PTCA in the elderly increased to 6.7% of all procedures in 1990. Elderly patients were more symptomatic (97% vs 79% in patients under 75 years had Canadian Cardiovascular Society grade 3 or 4 angina), more frequently had the procedure performed urgently (39% vs 14%) and often (67%) had risk factors for PTCA (3 vessel disease, significant left ventricular dysfunction, or a complicating medical illness). Primary success rates (86% vs 90% in patients under 75 years), urgent coronary artery bypass grafting (1.8% vs 1.9%) and Q wave infarction (1.8% vs 1.0%) were similar in the two age groups. In the elderly, procedural difficulties requiring non standard equipment were common (61%), and in-hospital mortality was increased (4.5% vs 0.7%). Additionally, three patients died after discharge resulting in a 30 day mortality of 7.2%. A favourable long term outcome was obtained in 50% of patients at a mean follow up of 20 months. Unfavourable or neutral outcome was due to one or more of the following; death (16%), coronary artery bypass grafting (19%), acute myocardial infarction (7.5%) or significant residual angina (17%).

CONCLUSIONS

Highly symptomatic patients over 75 years constitute a high risk group for PTCA, with approximately half obtaining a favourable long term outcome.

Invasive electrophysiologic evaluation in octogenarians: is age a limiting factor?

To assess the indications, diagnostic yield, and incidence of complications of electrophysiologic testing in the elderly we reviewed our experience with 60 procedures in 45 patients aged > or = 80 years (range 80 to 92 years, mean age 83) undergoing full electrophysiologic evaluation in our laboratory over the past 7 years. The yield of inducible ventricular tachycardia (31%), supraventricular tachycardia (4%), and previously unsuspected conduction abnormalities significant enough to warrant permanent pacemaker implantation (9%), together with the low incidence of complications (1 patient had a deep venous thrombosis and femoral artery pseudoaneurysm, representing an incidence of 2.2% of patients undergoing studies or 3.3% incidence of complications per procedure), suggest that invasive electrophysiologic procedures in the elderly can provide useful information at a complication rate comparable with that of younger patients.

Initial and long-term results of coronary angioplasty and coronary bypass surgery in patients of 75 or older

OBJECTIVE--To evaluate clinical outcome after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in patients of 75 or older who underwent either procedure between 1980 and 1987. SUBJECTS--93 patients aged 75-89 with angina pectoris class III-IV (Canadian Cardiovascular Society) who underwent PTCA and 81 patients aged 75-84 with angina class III-IV who underwent CABG. Follow up was 8.2 years in the PTCA group and 8.3 years in the CABG group. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES--In-hospital complications and survival at follow up. RESULTS--Primary success rate for PTCA was 84% (78/93). Two patients died, two had emergency CABG, three had a myocardial infarction, and one had a cerebrovascular accident. PTCA failed in seven patients (five underwent elective CABG and two were treated conservatively). Median hospital stay was 4.3 days. Primary success rate for CABG was 63% (53/81). Six patients died, two had a cerebrovascular accident, eight had a myocardial infarction, 10 had a rethoracotomy, and four the adult respiratory distress syndrome. Median hospital stay was 14.2 days. In the PTCA group during follow up eight patients died, three had a non-fatal myocardial infarction, two had elective CABG, 10 had repeat PTCA, and four had recurrence of angina. Sixty four patients were free of angina (69%). In the CABG group during follow up eight patients died, one had a non-fatal myocardial infarction, six had PTCA, and three had recurrence of angina. Fifty seven patients were free of angina AP (70%). Actuarial survival after 10 years was 92% for PTCA and 91% for CABG. CONCLUSIONS--PTCA is safe in elderly patients. The complication rate is lower and hospital stay significantly shorter compared with CABG (p < 0.05). Long-term follow up showed no significant difference between PTCA and CABG.

Late outcome and quality of life following percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty in octogenarians

Limited data are available concerning the long-term survival and quality of life of octogenarians treated with percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). We retrospectively compared the results of PTCA in 118 octogenarians to that of 500 younger subjects. Among the octogenarians, long term follow-up was obtained including survival, relief of angina, assessment of quality of life, and capacity for independent living. These results were compared between men and women. The clinical success rate was 93% for the octogenarians and 88% for the younger patients (p = NS). The lesion success rates were 89% and 88% for these groups, respectively. Results of multilesion PTCA and dilatation of coronary occlusions were similar in both age groups. Major complication rates were 5.9% for the elderly and 3.8% for the younger patients (p < .008). Hospital mortality was higher among the octogenarians (4.6% vs 0.2%, p < .05). Among long-term octogenarian survivors, > 90% indicated a high level of satisfaction with their quality of life and health status. If needed, 88% would undergo the procedure again. Independent living was possible for 66% of these patients and automobile driving for 55%. Octogenarian men and women had similar baseline clinical characteristics, procedural success, complications, relief of angina, and survival. Women indicated a slightly lower level of satisfaction and capacity for independent living. PTCA can achieve a success rate in octogenarians comparable to that of younger patients but with an increased risk of serious complications. Patient satisfaction remains high and a majority of octogenarians remain physically active and capable of independent living.

Inflated balloon entrapped in a calcified coronary stenosis

Balloon angioplasty in calcified coronary lesions may have a decreased success rate and an increased incidence of complications. Previous cases have been reported on the phenomena of catheter or wire entrapment, but this report highlights a new problem in association with a calcified stenoses. This case lead to the unusual problem of the inflated balloon being entrapped within the lesion while the distal portion of the balloon remained inflated even after balloon deflation.

Percutaneous coronary angioplasty in patients over 75 years old: immediate and mid-term results

Ninety-five patients 75 years or older (range 75-90, mean 79) underwent PTCA from 1987 to 1991. Forty-two patients were 80 years or older. Forty-four had prior MI, 5% had prior coronary bypass surgery (CBS), 13% had a prior history of recent cardiac failure, and 81% (77/95) presented with unstable angina, refractory to intravenous treatment in 31 cases. The mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 62% (range 34%-80%). Thirty-nine percent had single vessel disease, 41% had two vessel disease, and 20% had three vessel disease. Coronary calcifications were present in 28%. A single vessel was dilated in 81 patients, two vessels in 14 patients; complete revascularization was achieved in 41%. The clinical angiographic primary success rate was 79% (75/95). There were five procedural deaths, five MI, five CBS and, ten hematomas. Follow-up data were obtained in 100% cases, with a mean follow-up duration of 12 months (ranging from 1-36). There were four deaths, one MI, and two CBS. Twenty percent (15/74) of patients had a second PTCA with a 73% success rate. Finally, 70% of the initial population was asymptomatic after first or second PTCA at mid-term follow-up. We conclude that PTCA is safe and effective in elderly patients, with 70% clinical success rate at mid-term follow-up in spite of frequent incomplete revascularization limited to the culprit lesion.

Management of acute myocardial infarction in the very elderly

Coronary artery disease is highly prevalent among the elderly, and the incidence of myocardial infarction (MI) is high. Still, the notion of optimal treatment for the elderly patient with MI remains unclear. This review will first discuss some of the characteristics of the aging myocardium that impact on the care of elderly cardiac patients. Next, the therapeutic options and their appropriateness for the aged patient are presented. Thrombolytic and beta-blocker therapies are reviewed extensively since they remain among the controversial issues in geriatric cardiology. Other well-known as well as experimental therapies are also discussed.

Initial and long-term results of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty in patients 75 years of age and older

In 212 patients aged 75 years and older the immediate and long-term results of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) were assessed. For 293 stenoses the primary angiographic success rate was 96% and the overall clinical success rate was 90.6%. Angioplasty caused a myocardial infraction in 7 patients (3.3%), 2 patients (0.9%) needed emergency aorto coronary bypass surgery, and 4 patients (1.9%) died following the procedure. Actuarial 7 year survival was calculated at 69.3% with a standard deviation (SD) of 8%. Actuarial cardiac survival at 7 years was 92.1% (SD 3%), whereas non-cardiac survival at 7 years was 75.3% (SD 9%). Actuarially, at 7 years 98.5% (SD 1%) were estimated to remain free from myocardial infarction in the angioplasty-related area, 95.7% (SD 2%) to remain free from any myocardial infarction, 93.9% (SD 2%) to remain free from re-PTCA because of a recurrence, 84.7% (SD 5%) to remain free from any re-PTCA, and 97.1% (SD 2%) to remain free from (re)-operation. Fifty-two point three percent (SD 8%) were estimated to remain free from any cardiac event. If recurrence of angina is taken into account, only 25.8% (SD 13%) remain asymptomatic during 7 years follow-up. After successful angioplasty in patients aged 75 and older the chance of remaining free from any event or angina at 7 years actuarial follow-up gets as low as 15.7% (SD 9%). We conclude that in selected elderly patients angioplasty can be performed with a high success rate, although the periprocedural mortality and morbidity appear to be higher than in the younger age group. During long-term follow-up, most of the patients remain free of cardiac events and survival appears to be largely dependent on noncardiac factors. However, long-term relief from angina is probably less than in younger patients.

PTCA in the elderly: the "young-old" versus the "old-old"

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the use of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) in elderly coronary artery disease (CAD) patients.

DESIGN

A prospective study of patients 60 years and older undergoing de novo PTCA. We analyze patient risk factors, underlying disease, and clinical outcomes, with at least 3-year follow-up. Comparisons between different age strata among these patients are made to clarify differences between the young old (60 to 69 years), the middle old (70 to 79 years), and the very old (80 years and older).

SETTING

Beth Israel Hospital, Boston, both a primary care and tertiary care teaching hospital.

PATIENTS

907 consecutive elderly cardiac patients referred for PTCA are studied.

INTERVENTIONS

PTCA's were completed using the newest catheter technologies as they became available. All patients were premedicated with aspirin and dipyridamole, and all were anticoagulated with heparin.

RESULTS

Subdivision by age demonstrates that the majority (67%) of patients aged 60 to 69 were males, but females were preponderant (61%) in those aged 80 and older. Octogenarians also had lower incidence of hypercholesterolemia, tobacco use, and family history of CAD, and a higher frequency of CHF, angina, and previous MI. Although total procedure-complications increased with age, critical complications (MI, reocclusion, CABG, death) did not. Primary procedural success was similar in all age strata, but older patients had a higher prevalence of multi-vessel disease and longer hospital stay. Follow-up shows that most patients did well after PTCA; there was no increase in repeat PTCA, CABG, and MI with age.

CONCLUSIONS

While advanced age is associated with changes in risk and clinical parameters for CAD patients, age alone is not a reasonable criterion to limit the use of PTCA.

Emergency coronary artery bypass surgery following failed balloon angioplasty: role of the internal mammary artery graft

During a 4-year period (1986-1989), 3,502 patients had percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) in our institution. One hundred nineteen (3.4%) patients required emergency coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) because of abrupt vessel closure following PTCA. Factors associated with vessel closure included lesion angulation greater than or equal to 90 degrees (p less than 0.007), the presence of thrombus (p less than 0.02), or a long (greater than or equal to 2 cm) lesion (p less than 0.03). Of these 119 emergency CABG patients, 108 (91%) arrived in the operating room in a stable condition (group I) and 11 (9%) were in cardiogenic shock (group II). Five (45%) of the group II patients were admitted to the hospital with an acute myocardial infarction and all 11 patients had a higher incidence of multivessel disease (p less than 0.05) and lower left ventricular ejection fraction (p less than 0.001) than group I patients. The overall surgical mortality was 10.1%; however, in group I the mortality was 5.6% and in group II it was 54.5% (p less than 0.001). The vessel that abruptly closed ("culprit vessel") was the left anterior descending (LAD) in 60%, the right coronary artery in 27%, and the left circumflex in 13%. The internal mammary artery was utilized to bypass the culprit artery in 51 (43%) patients, including 50% of the culprit LADs. With group I culprit LAD patients, when the left IMA was the bypass conduit, there were no hospital deaths nor strokes and there was a 6.3% incidence of perioperative infarction.