Background: The value of coronary angioplasty in elderly patients with angina pectoris is disputed.
Material and methods: We studied the effects of coronary angioplasty in patients more than 70 years of age during a four-year follow-up.
Results: Successful coronary angioplasty was done in 136 patients with the age 70-83 years. All patients had high-grade angina, and 58% had multivessel disease. One procedure-related death occurred. The symptomatic effect of coronary angioplasty was good and persisting during the follow-up period. Additional revascularizations were done in 23% of the patients, most of these in the first year due to restenosis. Complete revascularization was done in 54%. After four years, 88% of the patients were alive.
Interpretation: In selected elderly patients coronary angioplasty can be performed safely and provides good symptomatic relief and favourable long-term outcome. There is need for additional revascularizations especially during the first year, mainly because of restenosis.