THE OCTOGENARIANS - A NEW CHALLENGE IN CARDIAC-SURGERY

The peri- and early postoperative outcomes of 75 consecutive octogenar ians (38 male, 37 female, mean age 81.7 years) who underwent open hear t surgery were analysed to identify independent variables of risk fact ors influencing morbidity and mortality. There were 48 coronary bypass es, 20 valve replacements, and 7 combined procedures. Multivariate ana lysis revealed that functional class (New York Heart Association), ope rative procedure, aortic cross clamp time, total bypass time, and age are independent predictors for morbidity and motality (p < 0.05). Ther e were 6 postoperative deaths (8%). Postoperative complications includ ed haemorrhage (2), stroke (1), unstable sternum (2), acute cholecysti tis (1), pneumothorax (2), and urinary tract infection. It is conclude d that octogeniarians may benefit from open heart surgery at an accept able risk.