The prognosis of elderly patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction in Northeast China is poor

This study evaluated the prognosis in elderly patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in Northeast China and found key factors to improve prognosis. A total of 480 STEMI patients who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) were enrolled. Outcomes of in-hospital and long-term were collected. Patients were assigned into younger group (below 60 years old) and elderly group (equal or above 60 years old). Elderly group had higher rates of females and hypertension, lower incidences of dyslipidemia and smoking than the younger group. Elderly patients were more likely to have complications of heart failure, longer length of stay and less liable to receive β-blockers. Clinical outcomes showed the rate of 6-month, 12-month, and 18-month MACEs were higher in elderly group (P < 0.05 for all comparisons). Post - procedure TIMI 3 flow was an independent factor and was positively correlated with favorable outcomes. The elderly group presented significantly reduced MACEs-free survival and death-free survival than the younger group (Log-rank test, P < 0.05). We found advanced age was associated with a significantly increased risk of MACEs during follow-up than the younger patients and post-procedure TIMI 3 flow was positively related to favorable long-term outcomes in elderly patients.