ABSTRACT
Rich, M. (1996) Therapy for acute myocardial infarction. Clinics in Geriatric Medicine, 12(1): 141-167.
This review summarises the evidence for the current pharmacological regimens for the treatment of an acute myocardial infarction in elderly patients. Thrombolytic therapy, aspirin, betablockers and angiotensin converting agents all reduce mortality and the latter three have been shown to reduce morbidity as well. Thrombolytic therapy in particular has been shown in several large randomised prospective trials to have a greater reduction in mortality in elderly patients than the young. This is likely to be a reflection of the fact that mortality of the untreated individual rises with age. This evidence, however, is tempered by numerous studies which show that the elderly are less likely to receive thrombolytic therapy.
