Risk stratification of cardiovascular events in very elderly patients with known or suspected coronary artery disease who had normal single-photon emission computed tomographic myocardial perfusion imaging findings

Objective We aimed to stratify the risk of major cardiovascular (MCV) events in Japanese patients with known or suspected coronary artery disease (CAD) who had normal single-photon emission computed tomographic myocardial perfusion imaging (SPECT MPI) findings and to compare the risk by generation. Methods This was a retrospective study. The composite endpoint was the occurrence of cardiovascular death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, or non-fatal stroke. Patients The study subjects were 2,035 patients with normal SPECT MPI findings at baseline who had been followed up to confirm their prognosis for 3 years. The patients were categorized into 3 age groups: very elderly (≥80 years old, n=311), elderly (65-79 years old, n=1,097), and younger (<65 years old, n=542). Results During the follow-up, 68 patients experienced MCV events: cardiovascular death (n=29), non-fatal myocardial infarction (n=15), and non-fatal stroke (n=24). The MCV event rate was significantly higher in very elderly patients than in other patients. Multivariate predictors were age categories, the estimated glomerular filtration rate, atrial fibrillation, and stress left ventricular ejection fraction. The MCV event rate was 6.1% in very elderly patients. However, the MCV event rate in those with normal cardiac and renal functions without atrial fibrillation was 3.3%, which was similar to that in elderly and younger patients. Conclusion The MCV event rate was high in very elderly patients despite their normal SPECT MPI findings at baseline. Therefore, very elderly patients with multivariate risks should be carefully followed to avoid a poor prognosis.