AGE-RELATED AND GENDER-RELATED DIFFERENCES IN SUCCESS, MAJOR AND MINOR COMPLICATION RATES AND THE DURATION OF HOSPITALIZATION AFTER PERCUTANEOUS TRANSLUMINAL CORONARY ANGIOPLASTY

This report describes the effect of age and gender on the results of b alloon angioplasty using current technique and indications. A consecut ive group of 2,067 patients who underwent angioplasty at a single inst itution after 1990 is described. Angioplastic success was 92.2% and si milar among men and women and the various age groups. Sixteen patients (0.8%) died, and mortality among women was significantly higher (1.4 vs. 0.6%, p < 0.001). There were no age or gender differences in the r ate of Q-wave myocardial infarction and the need for coronary artery b ypass. Minor complications such as groin complications (10.5% women, 5 .0% men; p < 0.001)and infections (6.4% women, 3.7% men; p < 0.05) wer e more common in women, and as a result the duration of hospitalizatio n after angioplasty was longer. The length of hospitalization after an gioplasty was longer with advanced age, mainly as a result of higher g roin complications (p < 0.001), infections (p < 0.01) and renal failur e (p < 0.05). We conclude that using current indications and technique , angioplasty can be performed safely with a high success rate. Mortal ity is higher among women. The length of hospitalization after angiopl asty is longer in women and, at advanced age, due to higher rate of mi nor complications.