Percutaneous coronary revascularization in elderly patients: Impact on functional status and quality of life

Background: Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is frequently performe d in elderly patients, but little is known about its impact on overall heal th and quality of life. Objective: To examine changes in health-related quality of life among elder ly patients after PCI. Design: Observational study. Setting: 75 U.S. hospitals. Patients: Participants in two clinical trials of PCI. Measurements: Health-related quality of life was assessed by using the Medi cal Outcomes Study Short Form (SF-36) survey and the Seattle Angina Questio nnaire at baseline, 6 months, and 1 year. Results: Serial data on health-related quality of life were available for 2 95 elderly (greater than or equal to 70 years) and 1150 nonelderly (<70 yea rs) patients. At 6 months, physical health had improved in 51% of elderly p atients and mental health had improved in 29%. Cardiovascular-specific heal th status had improved in 58% to 75% of elderly patients. Improvement did n ot significantly differ between elderly and non-elderly patients at 6 month s or 1 year. Conclusions: Elderly patients selected for participation in a trial of PCI had substantial improvements in health-related quality of life after PCI th at were similar to those in younger patients.