Percutaneous coronary interventions in patients with frailty syndrome – risk and challenges

Frailty is a geriatric syndrome characterized by reduced physiological reserve and resistance to stress factors. With the aging population and increasing life expectancy, the frailty syndrome is gaining significant importance in clinical practice, including in the context of percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI), as it considerably complicates patient management. The presence of frailty is an independent and powerful predictor of adverse outcomes following PCI, such as increased mortality, a higher incidence of major bleeding events, and prolonged hospital stays. This condition necessitates a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to optimize and personalize therapeutic strategies, particularly the choice of antithrombotic therapy. Active screening for frailty and adapting clinical management accordingly are crucial for improving clinical outcomes and the quality of life for this vulnerable patient population.