PTCA in the elderly: results and expectations.

Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) is an excellent and safe alternative mode of revascularization in selected elderly (greater than 65 years) patients. The initial success rate at our institution for elective and non-elective procedures is essentially equal when compared with a younger (less than or equal to 65 years) population. Although the 24-hour mortality of 1.0% was higher during elective PTCA for the elderly versus 0.3% in those 65 and under, this is still very acceptable when compared with coronary artery bypass grafting. In a small number of patients, we found no increased mortality between the two groups during non-elective PTCA. We conclude that PTCA may be the procedure of choice for symptomatic single discrete stenosis in the elderly patient.