The aim of this study was to determine temporal trends, in-laboratory complications, mortality, and predictors of mortality among nonagenarians undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).
Nonagenarians (patients 90 years of age or older) undergoing PCI are often underrepresented in clinical trials, and their management remains challenging and controversial.
All veterans undergoing PCI with data recorded in the Veterans Affairs Clinical Assessment, Reporting, and Tracking program from 2005 to 2014 were evaluated. Temporal trends in the use of PCI, occurrence of in-laboratory complications, and 30-day and 1-year mortality were assessed. Using a frailty model, predictors of 30-day and 1-year mortality in nonagenarians were evaluated.
Among all veterans undergoing PCI (n = 67,148) between 2005 and 2014, 274 (0.4%) were nonagenarians. The proportion of nonagenarians increased from 0.25% in 2008 to 0.58% in 2014. Compared with younger patients, nonagenarians had a greater risk for acute cardiogenic shock post-procedure (0.73% vs. 0.12%; p = 0.04) and no reflow (2.9% vs. 1.0%; p = 0.02). Unadjusted (10.6% vs. 1.4%; p < 0.0001) and adjusted 30-day mortality (odds ratio: 2.14; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.42 to 3.22) and unadjusted (16.3% vs. 4.2%; p < 0.0001) and adjusted 1-year mortality (odds ratio: 1.82; 95% CI: 1.27 to 2.62) were higher among PCI patients who were nonagenarians. The National Cardiovascular Data Registry risk score was highly predictive of both 30-day (hazard ratio: 2.29; 95% CI: 1.86 to 2.82) and 1-year (hazard ratio: 1.43; 95% CI: 1.07 to 1.90) mortality among nonagenarians.
Nonagenarians were a small but growing population with worse 30-day and 1-year mortality. The National Cardiovascular Data Registry risk score was a strong predictor of mortality in these patients.