Effectiveness of percutaneous coronary interventions in nonagenarians

Data on percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in nonagenarians are very scarce. The investigators present a series of 26 nonagenarians who underwent PCI (29 lesions, 1.1 ± 0.3 per patient). Most (96%) had acute coronary syndrome at presentation, 27% underwent primary PCI for acute myocardial infarctions, and 54% had multivessel disease. Angiographically successful results were obtained in 24 patients (92%), and coronary stents were used in 81%. Five patients (19%) died during hospitalization. In-hospital mortality was significantly greater in patients with Killip class III or IV at presentation (100% vs 9%, p = 0.001), in those in whom the procedure was a primary PCI for acute myocardial infarction (57% vs 5%, p = 0.010), and in the presence of angiographic failure (100% vs 13%, p = 0.031). In-hospital mortality was 0% after excluding patients in cardiogenic shock and those with primary PCI. Thus, most nonagenarians who undergo PCI have a high-risk profile. However, PCI achieves a successful angiographic result in most patients. Mortality is high but concentrated in patients in cardiogenic shock and with primary angioplasty as PCI.