[Prognosis of acute myocardial infarction in the elderly. SPRINT Study Group].

In countries with aging populations acute myocardial infarction (MI) in the elderly is increasing rapidly and hospital and long-term mortality remain high. During 1981-83, 5839 consecutive patients with acute MI were hospitalized in 13 coronary care units in Israel. Of these, 653 (11%) were older than 75 years, 41% were women, and 70% had a first MI. The hospital mortality in these very elderly patients was 35%. The mortality rates 1 and 5 years postdischarge were 24% and 55%, respectively. In view of this high risk and the promising results obtained elsewhere with thrombolysis, particularly in the elderly, this treatment should be routinely considered in elderly patients with acute MI when there are no specific contraindications.