A 92 year old man suffered from an acute myocardial infarction. He was hospitalized and thrombolized.In spite of full 15 day medical therapy, he continued to have symptoms, and option of angiography was suggested.However as he was 92 years old the patient and family were apprehensive about invasive procedures.We felt the patient had been fairly active prior to the episode and as he was remaining unstable we did his coronary angiogram. This revealed a severe stenosis in the LAD and after once again further long discussion with the relatives we went ahead and did angioplasty and stent implantation. He did remarkably well and became pain free and was infact discharged two days later.
This case shows that age alone should not be a consideration but the overall health of the patient and ofcourse the present clinical situation. The patients angio revealed a single lesion with the rest of the arteries being normal, suggesting that aging is not always associated with severity.
We have done several cases above 80 years but above 90 years is indeed rare atleast in India.However this case illustrates that whatever the age, relatively less invasive procedures like angioplasty can be done safely.
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