PURPOSE:

To evaluate the immediate and long term results of percutaneous transluminal coronary balloon angioplasty (PTCA) in patients over 80 years old.

METHODS:

From 1/1/89 to 6/31/95, 97 patients with 80 years of age or older were submitted to PTCA and were divided into three groups: group A (GrA)-30 patients with stable angina, mean age of 82.5 years, 24 (80) men; group B(GrB)-40 patients with unstable angina, mean age 81.2 years, 31 (77.5) men; group C (GrC)-27 patients with myocardial infarction (MI), mean age of 82 years, 16 (59.2) men.

RESULTS:

Early outcome-general success rate of 84.5 and mortality rate of 5.1. The success and mortality rate were in GrA 83.3 and 3.3, in GrB 85 and 5 and in GrC 85.2 and 7.4, respectively. Late outcome-the number and percentage of patients with late follow-up and the clinic-angiographic and angiographic restenosis rates were for GrA 19(76), 52.9, 75; GrB 30(88.2), 30.8, 61.5 and GrC 12(52.2), 66.6, 85.7, respectively.

CONCLUSION:

PTCA can be considered an important revascularization alternative in octogenarian patients because of high early success rate, low mortality and acceptable long-term outcome.