ROTATIONAL CORONARY ATHERECTOMY IS SAFE AND EFFICACIOUS IN ELDERLY PATIENTS - A REPORT OF SHORT-TERM RESULTS

Background: Suboptimal results of coronary angioplasty in elderly pati ents have been attributed to the higher incidence of unstable angina a nd diffuse coronary artery disease, complex lesions, calcification, an d ulceration. Rotational atherectomy, providing an initial debulking o f the lesions, should facilitate coronary angioplasty and improve the final result in such patients. Methods: Among 159 patients treated wit h coronary rotational atherectomy, 53 (33%) were 70 years or older. Pr ocedural results in these patients were compared with those in younger patients. Results: Procedural success was achieved in 50 patients (94 %) 70 years or older and in 103 (97%) younger patients (P not signific ant). Conclusions: These initial results suggest that rotational ather ectomy may be a safe and effective therapy in selected elderly patient s.