Background: Primary coronary angioplasty (PCI) is the reference treatment for acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), but elderly patients (>80 years) are underrepresented in clinical trials that support the guideline recommendations. The aim of this study was to assess in-hospital and 1-year total mortality of octogenarians and over treated with primary PCI at a large referral center.
Methods: Single-center analysis of all consecutive patients with STEMI aged ≥80 years treated with primary PCI between 2010 and 2016. Patients were divided into three age groups: 80-84 years, 85-89 years, and ≥90 years. For each group, clinical and procedural data, in-hospital and 1-year mortality were analyzed.
Results: During the study period, 2127 patients were treated with primary PCI, 463 of them (22%) were aged ≥80 years (mean 85 ± 3 years). Of these, 51% were aged ≥80 and ≤84 years, 32% were aged ≥85 and ≤89 years, and 17% were aged ≥90 years. An increase of female gender prevalence and a decrease of risk factor prevalence as well as PCI success were observed with ageing. In-hospital and 1-year total death rates increased with age as well, mainly after 85 years.
Conclusions: Primary PCI for STEMI among octogenarians and over is feasible and has good procedural results. Nevertheless, in-hospital and 1-year total mortality is high, with a marked deterioration after 85 years of age, when it doubles. Considering population demographics, specific studies in this very elderly population are needed to improve treatment and outcomes.