Age related issues in reperfusion of myocardial infarction.

Abstract

Advances in pharmacological treatment and effective early myocardial revascularization have led to improved clinical outcomes in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). However, it has been suggested that compared to younger subjects, elderly AMI patients are less likely to receive evidence-based treatment. Several reasons have been postulated to explain this trend, including uncertainty regarding the benefits of the commonly used interventions in the older age group as well as increased risk associated with comorbidities. The diagnosis, management, and post-hospitalization care of elderly patients presenting with an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) pose many difficulties at present due, at least in part, to the fact that trial data are scanty as elderly patients have been poorly represented in most clinical trials. Thus it appears that these high-risk individuals are often managed with more conservative strategies, compared to younger patients. This article reviews current evidence regarding management of AMI in the elderly.

• Authors: Amelia Carro, Rachel Bastiaenen, Juan Carlos Kaski
• Journal: Cardiovascular drugs and therapy (Cardiovasc Drugs Ther) Vol. 25 Issue 2 Pg. 139-48 (Apr 2011) ISSN: 1573-7241 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 21437669 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Fibrinolytic Agents

Topics

• Age Factors
• Aged
• Aging
• Fibrinolytic Agents (therapeutic use)
• Humans
• Myocardial Infarction (epidemiology, therapy)
• Myocardial Reperfusion (statistics & numerical data)
• Myocardial Revascularization
• Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
• Treatment Outcome