The treatment of coronary artery disease in the elderly

Changing population demographics dictate that in the next decade physicians will be increasingly faced with treating coronary artery disease in the elderly. Despite this, there is a paucity of data to guide management decisions in this population. Currently, it appears that "low-risk" or mild coronary artery disease can be treated medically so long as appropriate adjustments are made for aging changes in renal function, hepatic metabolism, noncompliance, multisystem disease, etc. Unfortunately, most elderly patients have "high-risk" or severe coronary artery disease. Balloon dilatation can yield excellent results in certain highly selected "high-risk" patients, but its role in the frequently encountered multivessel disease patient is unclear until current studies are completed. Coronary bypass grafting in selected patients clearly prolongs survival, but careful patient selection and meticulous preoperative and postoperative is required. Finally, the importance of issues such as quality of life, function independence, and cost must be addressed in more detail if physicians are to make rational decisions in treating this expanding population.     

Noninvasive pacemaker stress echocardiography for diagnosis of coronary artery disease: a multicenter study

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the feasibility, safety, and diagnostic accuracy of noninvasive pacemaker stress echocardiography (PASE) test as a potential alternative to exercise or pharmacologic stress in patients with suspected or known coronary artery disease (CAD). BACKGROUND: Transesophageal atrial pacing echocardiography is an accurate test for detection of CAD, but its practical impact has been blunted by semi-invasiveness. In the expanding population of patients with permanent pacemakers (PMs), a pacing stress test can be administered noninvasively by external programming of the PM. METHODS: In a prospective, multicenter, international study design, transthoracic stress-pacing echocardiography was performed in 46 consecutive patients with a permanent PM (33 men, 13 women; age 66.6 +/- 11.1 years) with suspected or known CAD. All patients underwent noninvasive PM-stress test by external programming (10 beats/min increments up to ischemia or target heart rate). Coronary angiography was performed in all patients independently of test results. Significant CAD was defined as >/=50% visually assessed diameter reduction in at least one major epicardial coronary artery. All coronary angiograms were scored by Duke prognostic weight values. RESULTS: Fifteen patients were stimulated in atrial, and the remaining 31 in ventricular mode during stress. No significant side effects were observed. Echocardiographic images were interpretable in all patients. The average duration of stress was 8.9 +/- 3.5 min. Significant CAD was found in 27 patients. Sensitivity of PASE for identifying patients with significant CAD was 70%, specificity was 90%, and accuracy was 78%. When any abnormal wall motion at rest that remained unchanged at peak stress was regarded as a positive result of PASE, then the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy levels for identifying patients with significant CAD were 85%, 84%, and 85%, respectively. Four of the eight patients with a false negative did not reach the target heart rate. The Duke values had significant correlation with values of wall motion score index at peak stress (r = 0.67) and with peak heart rate (r = -0.3). CONCLUSIONS: Noninvasive PASE is a simple, rapid, safe, and diagnostically efficient option for patients with permanent PM and suspected or known CAD.     

Invasive treatment for coronary artery disease in the elderly

The widespread availability of coronary artery bypass grafting and percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty presents important treatment options for the older patient. The findings from a number of surgical series of coronary artery bypass grafting and percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty are summarized. Certain trends are evident. Perioperative mortality, cardiovascular morbidity, and other complications, while declining, remain somewhat higher in elderly patients. However, the impact of age alone is slight. In both coronary artery bypass grafting and percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, complications are more closely correlated with the presence of serious concomitant disease. Long-term survival and pain relief after coronary artery bypass grafting are excellent in older patients, and percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty may be the treatment of choice in some elderly patients with coronary artery disease. As in younger patients, prolongation of survival should not be the exclusive goal. Rather, a focus on quality of life and freedom from dependency should be seriously considered.     

老年人冠状动脉疾病的外科治疗

目的探讨老年人冠状动脉疾病外科治疗的疗效。方法３５例老年患者接受了冠状动脉旁路移植术。按ＮＹＨＡ心功能分级,Ⅲ级１７例,Ⅳ级１８例。其中３支血管病变２４例,左主干病变６例;左室射血分数小于５０％者２５例。结果人均移植血管３．１根,无手术死亡。术后所有患者心绞痛均消失,心功能恢复至Ⅰ级者３３例,Ⅱ级２例。随访３～６４个月,平均３７个月,无死亡。结论对于老年冠状动脉疾病患者,冠状动脉旁路移植术是一种安全、有效的治疗方法。     

老年冠心病患者的抗栓治疗

抗栓治疗可使冠心病患者明显获益,老年冠心病患者接受抗栓药物治疗获益的同时,出血的风险较非老年患者明显增高。对老年冠心病患者应用抗栓药物,应当熟知其作用机制,谨慎权衡抗栓药物的有效性和安全性。在治疗过程中需重视监测出血副作用,给药剂量和联合用药方案力争实现个体化,使其既达到预期的治疗效果,又能避免出血等不良事件的发生。     

Impact of coronary artery remodeling on clinical presentation of coronary artery disease: an intravascular ultrasound study

OBJECTIVES: We examined the association between the features of the culprit lesion in coronary artery disease (CAD) and clinical presentation as shown by intravascular ultrasound (IVUS). BACKGROUND: The association between coronary remodeling pattern and clinical presentation of CAD is unclear. METHODS: We analyzed 125 selected patients who underwent preintervention IVUS. Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and unstable angina pectoris (UAP) were categorized as an acute coronary syndrome (ACS), and stable angina pectoris (SAP) and old myocardial infarction (OMI) as stable CAD. Coronary remodeling patterns and plaque morphology of the culprit lesion obtained by IVUS were analyzed in terms of their association with clinical presentation or angiographic morphology. RESULTS: Angiographically complex lesions were associated with ACS and OMI. In patients with a complex lesion, positive remodeling was observed more frequently than in those with a simple lesion. In AMI and UAP, positive remodeling was observed more frequently than in SAP and OMI (82% vs. 78% vs. 33% vs. 40%, respectively, p < 0.0001). The remodeling ratio was greater in AMI and UAP than in SAP and OMI (1.26 +/- 0.15 vs. 1.11 +/- 0.10 vs. 0.94 +/- 0.11 vs. 0.96 +/- 0.13, respectively, p < 0.0001). Furthermore, within ACS, the remodeling ratio was greater in AMI than in UAP (1.26 +/- 0.15 vs. 1.11 +/- 0.10, respectively, p < 0.05), whereas the frequency of positive remodeling was not different. CONCLUSIONS: Positive remodeling was more frequently observed in ACS than in stable CAD. Moreover, the degree of positive remodeling was greater in AMI than in UAP. These results may reflect the impact of remodeling types and its degree in the culprit lesion of CAD on clinical presentation.     

Management and risk factor control of coronary artery disease in elderly versus nonelderly: a multicenter registry

Background Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a leading cause of death in elderly because aging is the important non-modifiable risk factors of atherosclerosis and also a predictor of poor outcomes. Underuse of guideline directed therapy may contribute to suboptimal risk factor control and worse outcomes in the elderly. We aimed to explore the management of CAD, risk factors control as well as goal attainment in elderly compared to nonelderly CAD patients. Methods The CORE-Thailand is an ongoing multicenter, prospective, observational registry of patients with high atherosclerotic risk in Thailand. The data of 4120 CAD patients enrolled in this cohort was analyzed comparing between the elderly (age ≥ 65 years) vs. nonelderly (age < 65 years). Results There were 2172 elderly and 1948 nonelderly patients. The elderly CAD patients had higher prevalence of hypertension, dyslipidemia, atrial fibrillation and chronic kidney disease. The proportion of patients who received coronary revascularization was not different between the elderly and nonelderly CAD patients. Antiplatelets were prescribed less in the elderly while statin was prescribed in the similar proportion. Goal attainments of risk factor control of glycemic control, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, and smoking cessation except the blood pressure goal were higher in the elderly CAD patients. Conclusions The CORE-Thailand registry showed the equity in the treatment of CAD between elderly and non-elderly. Elderly CAD patients had higher rate of goal attainment in risk factor control except blood pressure goal. The effects of goal attainment on cardiovascular outcomes will be demonstrated from ongoing cohort.     

维吾尔族与汉族老年冠心病患者冠状动脉病变的临床研究

目的探讨维吾尔族与汉族老年冠心病患者的冠状动脉病变特点。方法回顾性分析1007例老年冠心病患者病例资料,根据民族分为汉族组(604例)和维吾尔族组(403例)。从冠状动脉血管优势型、病变部位、病变血管支数、病变分型、病变血管狭窄程度加以分析。结果维吾尔族组Gensini积分高于汉族组(P<0.01);两组男性Gensini积分均高于同组女性(P<0.05,P<0.01)。维吾尔族组C型病变发生率明显高于汉族组,而A型病变发生率明显低于汉族组(P<0.01)。汉族组男、女性患者C型病变发生率分别低于维吾尔族相同性别患者(P<0.05,P<0.01)。维吾尔族组单支病变发生率明显低于汉族组,而3支病变发生率明显高于汉族组(P<0.01)。汉族组男、女性患者3支病变发生率分别低于维吾尔族相同性别患者(P<0.05)。两组男性患者3支病变发生率均高于同组女性(P<0.05.P<0.01)。结论相同民族老年冠心病患者,男性冠状动脉病变严重程度较女性重。维吾尔族老年冠心痛患者3支病变率高,C型病变多,冠状动脉病变严重程度均较汉族相同性别重。     

12导联动态心电图对老年冠心病患者的诊断价值

目的　评价 12导联动态心电图对老年冠心病的诊断价值。方法　选择 10 0例临床疑为冠心病的老年患者 ,将12导联动态心电图检测心肌缺血的结果与冠状动脉造影结果进行对比分析。结果　 12导联动态心电图诊断冠心病的敏感性为 6 3.8% ,特异性为 79.2 % ,阳性预测值为 73.2 % ,阴性预测值为 71.2 % ,准确性为 72 %。 12导联动态心电图对于 3支及左主干病变敏感性高达 10 0 % ,而对于前降支、回旋支或右冠状动脉病变敏感性没有区别。结论　 12导联动态心电图在诊断老年冠心病方面敏感性及特异性不高 ,但对左主干及 3支病变的敏感性很高 ,有一定的临床应用价值     

Comparison study of echocardiography and dual-source CT in diagnosis of coronary artery aneurysm due to Kawasaki disease: coronary artery disease

The identification of coronary artery aneurysm (CAA) in the acute and chronic phase of the disease is of prime importance for assessing the likelihood of acute lesions and cardiovascular sequelae. Occasionally, recognition of distal coronary artery has been proven challenging by traditional echocardiography. Our purpose was to evaluate the clinical application of two-dimensional echocardiography (2DE) for detecting CAA caused by Kawasaki disease (KD) and compare with dual-source computed tomography (DSCT). A total of 24 patients with known KD and CAAs were studied by two imaging modalities, i.e., 2DE and DSCT; that is to say, the number, position, shape, and size of each CAA and its association with thrombus, were detected first from echocardiography and then compared with those obtained from DSCT performed on the same day. Meanwhile the diameters of all coronary segments were measured for each patient. Giant aneurysms (GAs) were detected in 5 patients, small and medium coronary aneurysms were identified in 19 patients. The 2DE and DSCT have the same results of proximal coronary artery, whereas conclusion of our comparison of coronary artery visualization indicated that DSCT provided more explicit distal coronary artery than 2DE. A mural thrombus could be clearly delineated in the GAs by DSCT. The 2DE has been demonstrated to be an accurate technique to quantify CAAs in KD. However, DSCT is superior to 2DE for distal coronary artery visualization. Therefore, a combination of echocardiography and DSCT can offer an overview of coronary artery anatomy.     

非阻塞性冠状动脉疾病发病机制及诊治

非阻塞性冠状动脉疾病（NOCAD）是指患者发生心绞痛甚至心肌梗死,且符合冠状动脉粥样硬化性心脏病的所有临床表现,排除非冠脉因素,行冠脉造影未见50%以上狭窄的临床综合征。在所有接受血管造影的冠状动脉疾病患者中,约有40%的患者表现为冠状动脉造影正常,考虑为NOCAD。发病机制主要包括易损斑块与血栓栓塞、冠脉微循环障碍和冠状动脉血管痉挛等。因行冠脉造影时往往未发现有意义的血管狭窄,使得本病易被忽视,且预后不佳。本文就可能的发病机制、诊断及治疗等方面进行综述。     

Coronary calcification in the diagnosis of coronary artery disease.

Clinical, postmortem and angiographic studies of coronary calcification are reviewed to define the value of fluoroscopy in the diagnosis and management of coronary artery disease. Autopsy studies consistently show a unique association between calcification of the coronary arteries and atherosclerosis. The relation of coronary calcification to the presence of major stenosis is more variable but is strong enough to be of clinical value, particularly in the younger subject. The diagnostic value of fluoroscopy can be improved by attention to the detailed features of calcification observed with the technique. Combined use of fluoroscopy and exercise testing appears to be a valid and as yet unexploited approach to the noninvasive diagnosis of coronary stenosis. Fluoroscopy has been a neglected method of noninvasive diagnosis and is sufficiently promising to warrant greater clinical use.     

Interventional treatment and outcome in elderly patients with stable coronary artery disease

Background

The number of elderly and very elderly patients undergoing percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) is increasing. We therefore analyzed data from the German ALKK registry (Arbeitsgemeinschaft Leitende Krankenhausärzte; Working Group of Hospital Cardiologists) to determine differences in procedural features, antithrombotic treatment, and in-hospital outcome in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) according to age in a large series of patients.

Methods and results

The present analysis was based on the data of 35,534 consecutive patients undergoing elective PCI who were enrolled in the ALKK registry. Of these 27,145 (76.4?%) were younger than 75 years, 7,645 (21.5?%) were aged between 75 and 84 years, and 744 (2.1?%) patients were older than 85 years. Mean age was 68.5 years (60.9–74.5 years), and 25,784 patients (72.6?%) were male. Overall intraprocedural events were very low (1.1?%) and there was no significant difference between the three age groups [<?75 years (1.1?%); 75-<?85 years (1.2?%); ≥?85 years (0.5?%) (p?= not significant)]. Rates of in-hospital death, stroke and transient ischemic attack (TIA), as well as the combined endpoint in-hospital major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) were also very low (0.6?% vs. 0.9?% vs. 0.9?%; p?<?0.001) but significantly higher in elderly patients with no further increase in the very elderly patient group.

Conclusion

We found no differences in this registry in intraprocedural complications during elective PCI between younger and elderly patients. Although in-hospital MACCE were somewhat higher in the elderly, the overall event rate was low and thus elderly patients should not be deprived from this therapy because of age alone.     

老年急性冠状动脉综合征

急性冠状动脉综合征(acutecoronary syndromes,ACS),是以冠状动脉粥样硬化斑块破溃,继发完全或不完全闭塞性血栓形成为病理基础的一组临床综合征。以老年人发病居多。美国急性心肌梗死(AMI)住院病人中,≥65岁的老年人≥60%,其病死者≥80%;再者>75岁的老年人占AMI住院病人的37%,     

老年冠心病患者冠状动脉病变特点

目的探讨老年冠心病患者冠状动脉的病变特点。方法临床诊断冠心病患者602例,其中老年女性207例(老年女性组),经冠状动脉造影确诊123例,中青年女性129例(中青年女性组),老年男性266例(老年男性组)。对比分析老年女性组与中青年女性组患者冠状动脉造影阳性率,老年女性组与老年男性组患者冠状动脉病变的不同特点。结果老年女性组不稳定性心绞痛和急性心肌梗死冠状动脉造影阳性率显著高于中青年女性组(77.3%vs57.7%,95.8%vs66.7%,P<0.01),两组患者稳定性心绞痛和陈旧性心肌梗死无统计学差异((78.2%vs76.5%,95.0%vs100.0%,P>0.05)。冠状动脉造影阳性的老年女性组与老年男性组患者不同临床类型的冠状动脉病变血管支数无统计学差异(P>0.05),老年女性组稳定性心绞痛和陈旧性心肌梗死冠状动脉Gensini积分均显著高于老年男性组[(54±7)分vs(46±5)分,(78±9)分vs(68±4)分,P<0.05],两组患者冠状动脉病变分布无统计学差异(P>0.05)。结论老年女性患者冠状动脉病变阳性率高于中青年女性,部分老年女性患者冠状动脉病变程度较老年男性患者重。