J Korean Geriatr Soc.  2003 Dec;7(4):313-320.

The of First Symptom and Diagnosis of Acute Coronary Syndrome in Elderly Patients of Korea

• Eom WS
• Kim DK
• Kim YJ
• Ryu JS
• Cho JH
• Joo SB
• Lee HS

Abstract

BACKGROUNDS: As Korea has advanced into the aging society, Acute Coronary Syndrome is increased in number, especially elderly age group. The symptoms of acutecoronary syndrome in eldery were presented in atypical feature frequently. We studied the relation of the first symptom and diagnosis of acutecoronary syndrome and distribution of risk factor and coronary angiographic finding in elderly patient of korea society.
METHODS
The subjects who were under went coronary angiography between 2002.5 and 2003.8 were dividedunder 65 years old group and over 65 years old group. And each group described diagnosis, risk factor, first symptom and coronary angiographic finding retrospectively.
RESULTS
The diagnosis of unstable angina are more higher(46.5% vs. 26.1%, p<0.01) in the over 65 years old group and the first significant symptom of typical chest pain was more higher(57.4% vs. 47.6%, p<0.01) in the under 65 years old group and dyspnea was more higher(22.8% vs. 9.2%, p<0.01) in the over 65 years old group. The number of abnormal vessel were more higher(66.3% vs. 46.9%, p<0.01) in the over 65 years old group.
CONCLUSION
Over 65 years old group compared with younger age group were prewented more frequently angina equivalent symptom than typical chest pain. And at the diagnosis of Acute Coronary Syndrome, over 65 years old group showed more severe coronary angiographic finding. Consequently, early stage of diagnostic approach and treatment need scrupulous attention in the elderly patients.

Keyword

Acute Coronary Syndrome; Old age; First symptom; Risk factor; Coronary angiographic finding

MeSH Terms

Acute Coronary Syndrome*
Aged*
Aging
Angina, Unstable
Chest Pain
Coronary Angiography
Diagnosis*
Dyspnea
Humans
Korea*
Retrospective Studies
Risk Factors