Abstract
Finds that, although about 75% of patients with acute myocardial infarction are older than 70 years, patients in this age group are commonly treated less vigorously than younger patients. However, the prognosis of acute myocardial infarction is substantially affected by the development of left ventricular failure and other clinical indices, such that many older patients have a better outlook than younger patients with adverse clinical factors. Suggests that, in planning risk-based management, consideration of age independently of clinical status is inappropriate. (Original abstract - amended)