Health Status Outcomes in Older Adults Undergoing Chronic Total Occlusion Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

BackgroundAlthough chronic total occlusions (CTOs) are common in older adults, they are less likely to be offered CTO percutaneous coronary intervention for angina relief than younger adults. The health status impact of CTO percutaneous coronary intervention in adults aged >= 75 years has not been studied. We sought to compare technical success rates and angina-related health status outcomes at 12 months between adults aged >= 75 and <75 years in the OPEN-CTO (Outcomes, Patient Health Status, and Efficiency in Chronic Total Occlusion) registry. Methods and ResultsAngina-related health status was assessed with the Seattle Angina Questionnaire (score range 0-100, higher scores denote less angina). Technical success rates were compared using hierarchical modified Poisson regression, and 12-month health status was compared using hierarchical multivariable linear regression between adults aged >= 75 and <75 years. Among 1000 participants, 19.8% were >= 75 years with a mean age of 79.5 +/- 4.1 years. Age >= 75 years was associated with a lower likelihood of technical success (adjusted risk ratio=0.92 [95% CI, 0.86-0.99; P=0.02]) and numerically higher rates of in-hospital major adverse cardiovascular events (9.1% versus 5.9%, P=0.10). There was no difference in Seattle Angina Questionnaire Summary Score at 12 months between adults aged >= 75 and <75 years (adjusted difference=0.9 [95% CI, -1.4 to 3.1; P=0.44]). ConclusionsDespite modestly lower success rates and higher complication rates, adults aged >= 75 years experienced angina-related health status benefits after CTO-percutaneous coronary intervention that were similar in magnitude to adults aged <75 years. CTO percutaneous coronary intervention should not be withheld based on age alone in otherwise appropriate candidates.

Automated summary

Although older adults are less likely to receive CTO percutaneous coronary intervention for angina relief compared to younger adults, this study found that adults aged >= 75 years experienced similar angina-related health status benefits after the procedure compared to adults aged <75 years.