IS THE OUTCOME OF CORONARY STENTING WORSE IN ELDERLY PATIENTS

initial reports of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTC A) in the elderly (greater than or equal to 75 years) showed a signifi cantly lower primary success rate, higher in-hospital mortality, and a higher risk of emergency or elective coronary artery bypass graft (CA BG) compared to younger patients. There are few data concerning acute outcomes and clinical follow-up after the use of coronary stenting in the elderly compared to < the 75-year-old age group. We evaluated 82 e lderly patients and 280 younger patients who received Palmaz-Schatz st ents during 1995, at a time when high pressure deployment and antiplat elet therapy was routinely used. The success rate and acute major comp lications were nor significantly different between the elderly and you nger patients. Clinical events (death, myocardial infarction [MI], rep eat PTCA, or CABG) during 6-month follow-up were also not significantl y different Coronary stenting in the elderly can be carried out with a high success rate and law incidence of acute major complications. Thu s, short-term clinical outcomes in elderly patients appear similar to results obtained in younger patients.