There are very few data about percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in very elderly patients. This study was aimed at assessing the demographic, clinical and angiographic features, procedural characteristics and in-hospital results of very elderly patients (VEP), aged ≥85 years undergoing PCI and comparing their results with those of a control group (CG) of patients younger than 85 years undergoing PCI throughout the same period of time.

Between November 2004 and January 2007, 1699 consecutive PCI procedures were evaluated, 102 (6%) PCI procedures were performed in VEP and 1597 (94%) in patients <85 years. The mean age in the VEP group was 87.4±2.4 years vs. 66.7±11.2 years in the CG (p<0.0001). There were more females in the VEP group 49% vs. 22% than in the CG p<0.0001. Acute coronary syndromes (ACS) were a more frequent indication for PCI in VEP than in the CG: ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) 14.7% vs. 8.3%, p=0.025 and non-ST segment elevation acute coronary syndromes 54.9% vs. 43.5%, p=0.024. The proportion of drug-eluting stents used, although high in both groups, was lower in VEP than in the CG (86.5% vs. 92.9%, p=0.005). Angiographic lesion success rates were similar in both groups (95.9%). Global unadjusted in-hospital mortality was higher in the VEP group in comparison with the CG 3.9% vs. 0.68%, p=0.01. The difference in mortality was due only to PCI in patients presenting with STEMI (26.6% in VEP group vs. 3.7% in the CG p=0.007). There were no in-hospital deaths in VEP presenting with stable coronary syndromes or other ACS. There were no differences in unadjusted in-hospital myocardial infarction, new revascularisation or stroke between both groups.

In patients ≥85 years old, PCI seems effective and carries an acceptable in-hospital mortality rate. The presence of STEMI substantially increases the risk of in-hospital death.