Clinical Outcomes of Elderly Patients with Chest Pain Discharged from Internal Medicine Wards

Background: Age is an important risk factor for coronary artery disease and elderly patients presenting with ACS are at increased risk for early and late adverse outcomes. We aim to evaluate the clinical outcomes of elderly patients (aged ≥ 75) with chest pain who were discharged from internal medicine wards following ACS rule-out.

Methods: We accessed medical records of patients who were admitted to internal medicine wards at a single medical center during 2010-2016 and discharged following an ACS rule-out. Patients were divided into 2 age groups: 75≤ and 75> years. The primary endpoint was the composite of 30-day mortality and a hospital admission due to ACS.

Results: Of 12 449 patients, 1,440 (12%) were 75≤ years old and 11,009 (88%) were 75> years. The composite endpoint of 30-day all-cause mortality and hospital admission for ACS occurred more frequently among patients 75≤ years (0.8% and 2.6% for patients

Conclusions: Elderly patients with chest pain discharged from internal medicine wards following ACS rule-out are at increased risk for adverse outcomes within the first year following discharge.