[Aortic valve replacement in older patients].

From 1971 to 1976, 72 patients over 60 years old underwent aortic valve replacement. At the moment of the operation 6 patients were older than 70 (8%), 25 patients were between 65 and 69 (35%) and 41 patients between 60 and 64 years old (57%). The early postoperative mortality was 5.5% and the late postoperative mortality 12.5%. The average observation period was 34 months. The frequency of death was comparable in the three age groups. The operative risk and functional postoperative recovery are unrelated to the age of the patients. The patients with combined aortic disease have the best prognosis.