Feasibility and risks of heart surgery in very elderly: analysis of 200 consecutive patients of 80 years and above

A continuing increase in the number of very elderly patients with symptomat ic heart disease referred for cardiac surgery has been observed in the past . Since 1990 all patients of so years and above have been included in a pro spective study. We report on the results of the first 200 consecutive patie nts (mean age: 82.2 +/- 2.1 years). Operative procedures ranged from isolat ed myocardial revascularization and valve replacement to very complex opera tions. In a majority of patients, the operations had to be performed as urg ent or emergency cases because of advanced heart disease. Overall 30 day mo rtality was 9.5%. More than two thirds of patients needed treatment of peri operative complications. During long-term followup, cardiac surgery in octo genarians has proved to be very effective with excellent functional status and quality of life. Because of favorable results elderly patients should n ot be denied the benefits of cardiac surgery requiring utilization of signi ficant medical resources. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.