[Acute myocardial infarction in the elderly. A case-control study with a younger population and review of literature].

Background: ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in old and old-old patients presents several peculiarities in natural history, delay of hospitalization and response to treatment. Aim of this retrospective case control study was to determine presentation, complications and management of elderly patients with STEMI compared to a younger population.

Methods: 462 patients (205 M and 257 F) aged > or =75 years, hospitalized in CCU between 1999 and 2003 for STEMI, were evaluated.

Effectiveness of tirofiban for failed thrombolysis during acute myocardial infarction.

The clinical outcome of 48 consective patients with myocardial infarction who received tirofiban for unsuccessful thrombolysis was compared with that of 48 patients matched for age, gender, and infarct location who did not receive rescue treatment. Those who received tirofiban had more successful reperfusions, and there were few bleeding complications.

[Spontaneous dissection of 2 coronary branches in a young man. Report of a clinical case].

Spontaneous coronary dissection is responsible for acute coronary syndromes particularly in females during and in the peri-partum period. It rarely occurs in patients without atherosclerotic coronary plaques. We report a particular clinical course of a 39-year-old patient with spontaneous dissection of two coronary arteries.