A HOSPITAL BASED PROSPECTIVE STUDY ANALYSING THE CLINICAL AND PROGNOSTIC DIFFERENCES IN ACUTE MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION IN ELDERLY VERSUS YOUNG

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:- The normal physiologic and pathologic changes associated with aging make the elderly population vulnerable to cardiovascular diseases irrespective of the presence or absence of the other cardiovascular disease risk factors. The ageing changes can play a determinative role that affects pathophysiology, presentation, and management of Myocardial infarction to be different in elderly as compared to the young.

MATERIALS & METHODS:- The study included 100 cases of acute MI admitted in our hospital with 57 patients in group 1 elderly ( age >/= 65 years) and  43 patients in group 2 young ( age < 65 years ). Data regarding the complete clinical profile of the patient was collected and analysis done by using the Student’s t test & SPSS software.

RESULTS:- Around 61% of elderly patients presented to the hospital with atypical symptoms. When compared to the young (11.62%), more percentage of elderly patients (26.3 %) came with cardiogenic shock on admission. Arrythmias post thrombolysis was more in the elderly (35.08% vs 21% in young). The mortality rates following an acute MI were higher among the elderly when compared to the young (33.33%  vs 13.9%).

CONCLUSIONS:- Owing to the difference in the risk factors, clinical presentation and the prognosis, treatment of MI in the elderly is difficult and challenging due to comorbidities associated. Considering the subtle features of MI in the older population, a needful watch is necessary in this group of patients so as to decrease the mortality rate due to cardiovascular diseases.