Eighteen-year follow-up demonstrates prolonged survival and enhanced quality of life for octogenarians after coronary artery bypass grafting.

OBJECTIVE

Octogenarians comprise the fastest growing population segment. Numerous reports have documented improved accomplishment of coronary artery bypass grafting in this high-risk cohort. But what is the quality of life after surgery, and how sustainable are the clinical benefits?

METHODS

Sequential cross-sectional analyses were performed on 1062 consecutive patients 80 years old and older who underwent isolated on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting at a single institution from 1989 to 2001. After mean follow-up of 3.4 years (1 month-12.6 years), the Short Form 36 quality of life survey was administered to all survivors. Late follow-up for survival was performed after a mean 5.6 years (1 month-17.9 years). Multivariate analyses assessed risk factors associated with operative mortality, Short Form 36 self-assessment, and late survival.

RESULTS

Mean age at operation was 83.1±2.8 years (range, 80-99 years). Overall in-hospital mortality was 9.7%, decreasing progressively to 2.2% during the course of the study. At midterm follow-up, 97.1% of patients were in Canadian Cardiovascular Society class I or II; Short Form 36 scores were comparable to age-adjusted norms in both physical and mental health summary scores. Actuarial survivals were 42.2%±1.5% at 7 years and 9.9%±1.4% at 14 years. Median survival was 5.9 years; 5.2 years for male patients and 6.7 for female patients (P=004).

CONCLUSIONS

The risk of coronary artery bypass grafting for octogenarians now rivals that of a younger population. Midterm quality of life and long-term survival approach those of the general population.