Comparison between stenting and balloon in elderly patients undergoing primary angioplasty for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction

Background Coronary stenting has been shown to improve clinical outcome in comparison with balloon angioplasty in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). However, few data have been reported so far in the elderly. Thus, the aim of the current study was to evaluate the benefits from routine stenting in this high-risk subset of patients. Methods In the Zwolle-6 randomized trial a total of 1683 consecutive patients with STEMI was randomized to stenting or balloon angioplasty without any exclusion criteria. One year follow-up data were available from all patients. Results Among a total of 143 patients older than 75 years, 73 were randomized to stent and 67 to balloon angioplasty. No difference was observed in 1-year mortality (17.1% vs 11.9%, p = NS), reinfarction (9.2% vs 11.9%, p = NS), target vessel revascularization (15.8% vs 14.9%, p = NS) or major adverse cardiac events (28.9% vs 26.9%, p = NS) between the groups at 1-year follow-up. Conclusion In conclusion, our study showed that as compared to balloon angioplasty, the clinical benefits of routine coronary stenting in the setting of acute myocardial infarction may not be necessarily applicable to elderly patients.