Approach to ischemic heart disease, coronary care, and severe heart failure (including cardiogenic shock).

ABSTRACT

Elderly patients with cardiovascular disease require slightly different management strategies compared with younger patients. Diagnosis is more difficult. Procedures, both diagnostic and therapeutic, are more dangerous. Despite higher risks, elderly patients have much to gain from aggressive therapies such as angioplasty, surgery, and thrombolysis. Decisions regarding these therapies are based on an incomplete data base and an understanding of the patients' needs. A review of the available data on cardiac surgery, angioplasty, myocardial infarction, and heart failure in the elderly is presented.