Prognosis and outcomes of elderly (75-84 years) patients with acute myocardial infarction 1-2 years after the event: AMI-elderly study of the MONICA/KORA Myocardial Infarction Registry.

BACKGROUND

With increasing life expectancy the management of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in patients of an older age is of growing importance. However, long-term data are limited regarding 'hard' endpoints and quality of life in unselected elderly patients in 'real world' settings.

METHODS AND RESULTS

From March 2005 to March 2006 all 75-84-year old patients consecutively hospitalised due to an incident AMI in a large community teaching hospital were analyzed (N=235). Evidence-based therapy included the treatment with aspirin (93%), clopidogrel (65%), betablockers (93%), angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers (84%), and statins (83%). Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) was performed in 45.5% and bypass grafting (CABG) in 10.2%. The 28-day-case fatality was 17.4%. Long-term follow-up was obtained in 95.9% of all hospital survivors at a mean of 18.7 ± 6.4 months; during this time 19.9% of patients died. After multivariate analysis the only significantly negative predictor for survival and MACCE was diabetes, and the only significantly positive predictor was revascularisation during hospital stay. Patients with PCI/CABG had lower NYHA class (81% vs. 48%; p<0.04). Patients with PCI also had a higher EQ-5D index score (75 ± 18 vs. 67 ± 17, p<0.04) compared to patients not receiving PCI.

CONCLUSION

The positive long-time effect of revascularisation procedures during hospitalisation, not only on 'hard' endpoints but also on functional outcome and quality of life emphasizes that invasive therapies should not be considered less valuable in elderly people and that age alone should not preclude aggressive treatment during AMI.