BACKGROUND/AIM: The effect of left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD), a risk factor for postoperative mortality, in older adult patients with gastric cancer has not been fully elucidated. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of low preoperative left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) on short- and long-term outcomes in older adult patients with gastric cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This retrospective study enrolled 237 older adult patients with gastric cancer (≥75 years old) who underwent preoperative echocardiography and curative gastrectomy. LVSD was defined as an EF <50%. Postoperative complications and prognosis were compared between patients with low- and normal-EF using the Fisher's exact or Chi-square test, log-rank test, Kaplan-Meier method, and Cox regression analysis.

RESULTS

Thirteen patients (5.4%) exhibited LVSD. The incidence of postoperative complications was not significantly different between the two groups (p=0.470), although the incidence of pneumonia was high (p=0.003) and overall survival was significantly worse in the low-EF group compared to the normal-EF group (p=0.016). Multivariate analysis revealed that decreased EF, low preoperative body mass index, and advanced pathological stage were significant prognostic factors in older adult patients with gastric cancer.

CONCLUSION

LVSD increases the risk of postoperative pneumonia and has a negative prognostic impact on older adult patients with gastric cancer.