Acute myocardial infarction mortality is disproportionately high in the elderly, with in-hospital case-fatality rates increasing from 5% in patients <55 years to 32% in those >75 years.
CARDIOVASCULAR disease ranks as the leading cause of disability and death in the elderly. Although those 65 years of age or older constitute only 13% of the US population,180% of all deaths due to acute myocardial infarction (MI) occur in those over the age of 65 years. Of these, 60% occur in patients 75 years of age or older.2The in-hospital case-fatality rate for initial acute MI increases from 5% in those less than 55 years of age to 32% in those older than age 75.3Patient age at the time of onset of acute MI also affects survival after hospital discharge.4For example, results of the Worcester Heart Attack Study indicate a 94% 1-year survival rate among patients with acute MI who are less than 55 years of age and are discharged alive from the hospital, compared with only 77% for those 75 years
Jerry H. Gurwitz (Wed,) conducted a editorial in Acute myocardial infarction. Coronary Thrombolysis was evaluated. Acute myocardial infarction mortality is disproportionately high in the elderly, with in-hospital case-fatality rates increasing from 5% in patients <55 years to 32% in those >75 years.