Objectives To investigate the effects and security of emergency percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in elderly patients with acute myocardial infraction (AMl) complicated by cardiogenic shock (CS).

Methods 24 patients with AMI complicated by CS were treated by PCI in their 23 target lesions from 24 infarct related arteries (IRA). The mean age of patients was (69.2 ± 5.8) years. Before intervention the mean stenosis of IRA was 98.7% ± 0.6% and the blood flow was TIMI grade 0 in 19 patients and TIMI grade 1–2 in 5 patients, respectively. 23 stents were successfully implanted on 24 target lesions, but one implantation of stent failed of success.

Results The rate of successful treatment for IRA and target lesions was 95.8%. The TIMI grade 3 blood flow achieved in 87.5%. The average opening time of IRA was (32.3 ± 6.8) min. 6 patients died after the operation and the total mortality was 25% in hospital. During the period of 12-months follow-up, there was not any attack of angina pectoris in 18 patients. 16 examples (88.9%) could be competent in the daily life. They had the higher quality of life.

Conclusions Emergency percutaneous coronary intervention has significant effects and higher security in elderly high-risk patients with AMI complicated by CS.