There were 10,964 patients undergoing emergency PCI and 71,176 patients undergoing non-emergency PCI.

For patients undergoing emergency PCI, the in-hospital mortality rates were 1.0 percent, 4.1 percent and 11.5 percent for patients in the youngest, middle and oldest age groups, respectively. Among patients undergoing non-emergency PCI, mortality rates were 0.1 percent, 0.4 percent and 1.1 percent, respectively.

"Therefore, in the very elderly patients, a thorough discussion about risks and benefits of percutaneous revascularization is needed, particularly if emergency PCI is being considered," Dr. Feldman commented to Reuters Health.

"Our overall mortality in the 60-80 group was 0.8 percent and in the older-than-80 group it was 2.2 percent, which is lower than previously reported in patients undergoing PCI in the late 1990's. This suggests that PCI outcomes have improved," he pointed out.

Feldman concluded that "elective PCI procedures in the elderly are safe and have an acceptable short-term mortality when performed at experienced institutions."

SOURCE: American Journal of Cardiology, November 15, 2006.

Copyright © 2006 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon. Reuters and the Reuters sphere logo are registered trademarks and trademarks of the Reuters group of companies around the world.