Frailty is a short-term prognostic marker in acute coronary syndrome of elderly patients

Frailty is a biological condition that reflects a state of decreased physiological reserve and vulnerability to stressors. The role of frailty in acute coronary syndrome patients has not been fully explored. Our study aims to assess the prevalence of frailty and its impact on in-hospital adverse outcomes of patients aged ⩾75 years admitted for acute coronary syndrome.

This prospective, observational study included patients aged ⩾75 years admitted due to type 1 myocardial infarction in four tertiary hospitals. Frailty was assessed by the SHARE-FI index. The primary endpoint was the combination of in-hospital death or non-fatal myocardial (re)infarction. Secondary endpoints included the assessment of individual rates of (re)infarction, mortality, stroke, major bleeding and the combination of in-hospital death, (re)infarction and mortality.

A total of 202 patients were analysed. Frail patients (n=71, 35.1%) were older, more often women, had higher rates of comorbidities, and a higher risk profile according to GRACE, TIMI and CRUSADE scores at admission. The primary endpoint was significantly more frequent among frail patients (9.9% vs. 1.5%; P=0.006), as well as the combination of death, myocardial infarction and stroke (11.3% vs. 1.5%; P=0.002), driven mainly by a higher mortality rate (8.5% vs 0.8%; P=0.004). On multivariate analysis, frailty phenotype was an independent predictor of major adverse cardiac events (odds ratio 7.13; 95% confidence interval 1.43–35.42).

Over one third of elderly patients with high-risk acute coronary syndrome are frail. Frailty phenotype is an important and independent prognostic marker in these patients.