[Coronary artery bypass surgery in the elderly].

In recent years it has become apparent that the number of persons 70 years of age or older is increasing. Between June, 1980, and December, 1990, 75 patients 70 years of age and older (range, 70-79 years; mean 73.1) underwent isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). During this same interval, 507 patients less than 70 years old underwent isolated CABG. Preoperative status in the elderly showed a significantly greater prevalence of women, urgent or emergent operation, triple vessel disease and diabetes. Operative mortality was higher among the elderly compared with the younger patients (p < 0.05). The increased frequency of urgent or emergent operation in the elderly was associated with postoperative complications. Major complications related CABG in the elderly were serious cerebrovascular accidents and low cardiac output syndrome. In order to improve the results of CABG in the elderly, it is essential to perform the elective operation following careful evaluation of both cardiac function and central nervous system.