Second Pivotal Research in Cardiovascular Syndromes in the Elderly (PRICE-2) Symposium: Acute Coronary Syndromes in the Elderly: Mechanisms and Management

ACs impose a tremendous burden on society in terms of loss of life and productivity, long-term functional disability, and both direct and indirect costs; moreover, the toll of ACS is disproportionately greatest in the elderly. Although much is known about normative cardiovascular aging and the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis and ACS, there are major gaps in knowledge of both fundamental molecular and cellular processes that predispose older individuals to the development of cardiovascular diseases and associated adverse outcomes, as well as clinical strategies for preventing and treating ACS in older adults. The PRICE-2 symposium has concisely reviewed current knowledge on a broad range of topics relevant to ACS in the elderly and had defined specific areas where additional research is urgently needed. The challenge over the next several years will be to translate these recommendations into new initiatives that will advance our understanding of basic and clinical aspects of ACS in the elderly, ultimately leading to improved preventive and therapeutic strategies to reduce the devastating impact of ACs in our progressively aging population.