In-Hospital Outcome and Angiographic Profile of Elderly Patients with Non-ST Segment Elevation Myocardial Infraction

Abstract

Background: Non-ST Segment elevation myocardial infarction is heterogeneous in its presentation. Like ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction is life-threatening of a major cause of emergency medical care and hospitalization. Patients with non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction are at risk for adverse cardiac events, so the initial treatment is very important. Increasing age is a strong predictor of adverse events in non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction patients. Objective: To determine the in-hospital outcome and severity of coronary artery disease of older patients with Non-ST Segment elevation myocardial infarction. Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study. The study was carried out in the cardiology department, National Heart Foundation Hospital, and Research Institute from June 2011 to May 2012. Patients of Non-ST Segment elevation myocardial infarction admitted at National Heart Foundation & Research Institute who fulfill the inclusion criteria were the study population. Patients were recruited by nonrandom sampling. One hundred and thirty-four patients were recruited in this study. Data were prospectively collected in a pre-designed data collection form and analyzed using SPSS - 16 software. Results: In this study, patients had a greater prevalence of hypertension diabetes mellitus. Chest pain and shortness of breath were common presentations observed in study patients during admission. They had a lower left ventricular ejection fraction than their younger counterparts. The older group was associated with an increased risk of triple vessel disease. In-hospital complications were significantly higher in older patients. Duration of hospital stay was longer in older patients. Conclusion: Older patients with Non-ST Segment myocardial infarction strongly predict adverse in-hospital outcomes and severe coronary artery disease profiles. Older patients should alert physicians to an increased risk of morbidity and mortality, which may, in turn, support more judicious treatment, including appropriate utilization of cardiovascular diagnostic tests and therapeutics used in current cardiovascular care to optimize outcomes in these high- risk patients.