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Clot-Busters Ineffective for Older Attack Victims

Wed, 05/24/2000 - 12:00am — Karen Stevenson
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Clot-dissolving drugs given to heart attack victims don't help patients over age 75, and may actually increase the risk of death, according to a study published in the current issue of Circulation, the Journal of the American Heart Association. The researchers found that patients over 75 who were given the clot-busters were nearly 40% more likely to die within 30 days of treatment than patients who did not get the drugs. In an editorial, Harvard Medical School's Dr. John Ayanian said the findings support the use of angioplasty over thrombolytic therapy in the elderly.

Clot-dissolving drugs given to heart attack victims don't help patients over age 75, and may actually increase the risk of death, according to a study published in the current issue of Circulation, the Journal of the American Heart Association. The researchers found that patients over 75 who were given the clot-busters were nearly 40% more likely to die within 30 days of treatment than patients who did not get the drugs. In an editorial, Harvard Medical School's Dr. John Ayanian said the findings support the use of angioplasty over thrombolytic therapy in the elderly.