Akhtar Ali, Iqbal Saif Ullah Khan, Muhammad Faisal Khan, Hasan Abbas Zaheer.
Acute myocardial infarction in elderly; differences compared with young patients.
Ann Pak Inst Med Sci Jan ;1(4):191-3.

Objective: The aim of the study was to determine the characteristics of elderly patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI), their presentation, management, and outcome and to compare them with young. Design and Duration of Study: It was a prospective cohort study conducted at Cardiology Department, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences from April - August 2004. Patients and Methods: A total of 150 consecutive patients presenting with AMI in coronary care unit were included in the study and categorized into two groups according to age: Group 1= Elderly patients, >65 years of age & Group II= Young patients, <65 years of age. Two groups were compared with respect to patient characteristics, pre-hospital delays, treatment strategies employed and clinical outcome. Results: Most of the admissions in hospital with AMI were young. Females suffered AMI more in elderly age. Chest pain was the most common presentation in both age groups. Atypical presentations were more likely in the elderly and prevalence of associated co-morbidities as well as cardiac failure was higher. Elderly patients had more severe acute myocardial infarction and more extensive disease, a lower index of successful reperfusion, more complications and greater in-hospital mortality. Conclusion: Elderly patients with AMI should be treated aggressively.

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