Efficacy of primary percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction over 75 years old

Objectives To evaluate the safety and efficacy of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) over 75 years old. Methods The data of patients who were underwent PCI within 12 h from beginning symptom onset during April 2005 to April 2008 were analyzed retrospectively. They were divided into the elderly acute myocardial infarction (AMI) group (≥75 years,n=46) and the younger group (≤60 years,n=64). The immediate success rate and major adverse cardiac events (MACE) in two groups were analyzed during in-hospital duration and follow-up period. Results Compared with the younger group,the elder group were likely to have multi-vessels lesions. The time of procedure was longer in elder group than in the younger group. There was no significant on the immediate success rate and the rate of thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) flow 3 between two groups. Compared with the younger group,the incidence of MACE were higher in elder group during in-hospital and follow-up period,too. There were 6 patients missed follow-up and 2 death in the elder group,while there were 5 patients missed follow-up and no death in the younger group during follow-up. Conclusions Primary PCI is also a relatively safe and effective reperfusion method in elder patients with STEMI.