How age shapes treatment decisions in chronic coronary disease
For many older adults with heart disease, age is a significant factor in treatment decisions. But a new Yale–led study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society suggests that overall health, function and medical conditions may be more important than age alone when physicians and patients consider percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), a common treatment for chronic coronary…
A Yale-led study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society reveals that for older adults with chronic coronary disease, age is not the sole determining factor in treatment decisions for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The researchers analyzed data from over 176,000 adults who underwent PCI for chronic coronary disease between 2016 and 2022.
While older adults (75 or older) initially appeared to have higher complication rates, they were found to have similar outcomes to younger patients once their overall health, function, and medical conditions were taken into account. Older adults had a slightly lower risk of major cardiovascular events and a 40% higher risk of being hospitalized for a heart-related cause within a year.
The study suggests that treatment decisions should consider factors beyond age, such as comorbidities, function, symptoms, and patient goals.
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