Presenting symptoms, admission electrocardiogram, management, and prognosis in acute coronary syndromes: differences by age.

In a nationwide survey conducted in all 26 hospitals in Israel during February and March 2000, data were collected on 2133 consecutive acute coronary syndrome patients. The patients were divided into three age subgroups: <65 years (n=974), 65-74 years (n=500), and > or =75 years (n=639). The frequency of no anginal pain/atypical symptoms on presentation increased with age for all acute coronary syndrome patients (14%, 21%, and 32%, in the three age subgroups, respectively; p for trend <0.0001). The frequency of ST-elevation on admission electrocardiogram decreased with advancing age (59%, 46%, and 42%, in the three age subgroups, respectively; p for trend <0.0001), whereas ST-depression gradually increased (14%, 24%, and 28%, respectively; p for trend <0.0001). In multivariate analysis, variables associated with no anginal pain/atypical symptoms on presentation (in decreasing order) were: history of heart failure, age, lack of past angina, diabetes, and nonsmoking. ST-elevation was inversely associated with no anginal pain/atypical symptoms on admission (odds ratio, 0.48; 95% confidence interval, 0.37-0.63). The use of acute reperfusion therapy significantly declined with advancing age. Seven-day, 30-day, and 1-year mortality increased with advancing age. No anginal pain/atypical symptoms on presentation were associated with an increased early and late mortality in all three age subgroups.