BackgroundAs population growth leads to an increase in the number of the elderly with coronary artery disease, an evaluation of the clinical outcomes of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in the elderly patients seems to be essential.MethodsA prospective, observational cohort study was performed on 468 patients in two groups of elderly and non-elderly patients (mean age: 60.01 ± 10.84 years; ≥ 70 years, 20.1%; men, 62%) who underwent PCI, to evaluate the procedural success and in-hospital major and minor adverse cardiovascular events in the elderly patients.ResultsThe procedural success rate was significantly lower (95.7% vs. 99.5%, P = 0.017) and the rates of in-hospital complications were significantly higher (10.6% vs. 0.8%, P < 0.0001) in elderly (+70) than in non-elderly patients. On the basis of a multivariate analysis, being elderly was not an independent predictor of procedural failure, but increased the chance of in-hospital complications to 8% higher (odds ratio: 0.08; 95% confidence interval: 0.01 - 0.39; P = 0.002).ConclusionRegardless of the difference in the procedural success and in-hospital complication rates between our two study groups, aging is not an important predictor of them. Furthermore, PCI should not be refused in elderly patients if indicated.

Background and Aim: Treatment of hyperlipidemia, as a significant risk factor of cardiovascular disease with a leading role in atherosclerosis and adverse cardiovascular effects, is now a medical dilemma worldwide. Despite the comprehensive knowledge about the impact of this factor on the cardiovascular system, the achievement of therapeutic goals of medical therapy remains an unattained desire. This study aims to evaluate the underlying causes apart from the medication itself. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted for 6 months from March 2016. During which, 50 patients were thoroughly evaluated and followed up. The inclusion criteria were patients with acute myocardial infarction who were newly diagnosed when the first total dose of statin (atorvastatin 80 mg) was started. The exclusion criteria were a history of taking fat-reducing drugs before the study. Predetermined data extraction forms, including medical and laboratory variables and the multidimensional scale of perceived social support questionnaire (MSPSS), were completed for all patients at the first visit and after 6 months. The obtained data were analyzed using SPSS software. Results: Among 50 studied patients, 28 were men (56%), and 22 were women (44%) (P˃0.05), with Mean±SD age of 60±10.19 years. Only 20 patients (40%) could achieve the therapeutic goal of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (˃70 mg/dL). Irregular drug consumption was the only factor that significantly differed between patients who achieved the goals and those who could not (P=0.034). Subgroup analysis among patients with regular and irregular drug consumption demonstrates that low educational levels and poor socioeconomic support significantly differed between these patients (P˃0.05). Conclusion: Some conditions independently influence the efficacy of a medical treatment to improve hyperlipidemia, including educational and socioeconomic determinants. These factors are independent of the medication. Therefore, patient’s lifestyle and their condition have to be considered in planning medical therapy.