Outcome of cardiac and thoracic aortic operation in patients over 80 years old.

A retrospective analysis was performed to determine the early outcome of cardiac and thoracic aortic surgery in patients over 80 years old. Between 1994 and 2000, 41 octogenarians (mean age, 82.6 +/- 2.5 years) underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (25), valve surgery (8), thoracic aortic aneurysm repair (7), or combined valve and bypass surgery (1). Overall hospital mortality was 9.8%. Mortality rates for specific procedures were 12% for coronary bypass, 0% for valve surgery, and 14% for thoracic aortic aneurysm repair. Major postoperative complications affected 27% of patients and included severe low cardiac output, respiratory failure, and acute renal failure, with a low incidence of perioperative stroke (2.4%). Cardiac and thoracic aortic operations can be performed with acceptable mortality and morbidity when appropriately applied in selected octogenarians.