Open heart surgery in elderly patients: early and long-term results

The aim of the study was to analyze in-hospital mortality and long-term survival of elderly patients who underwent open heart surgery and meet the criterion of “frailty”. Material and Methods. The study included 266 “frail” patients over 75 years old (F-index ≤5). 155 operations of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), 47 operations of aortic valve replacement (AVR), 64 operations of CABG in combination with AVR were performed. They were divided in groups depending on type of surgery. Postoperative complications, early and long-term outcomes were compared. Results. In-hospital mortality in general group was 5.3 %, in CABG+AVR group — 9.4 %, in CABG group — 3.9 %, in AVR group — 4,2 %. There was no significant difference in in-hospital mortality between groups (р>0.05). Long-term survival in general group was: 1‑year survival — 98.3 %, 3‑year survival — 94.6 %, 5‑year survival — 82.1 %. Type of surgery has no significant impact on outcome (р>0.05). Conclusion. Early and long-term results of CABG, AVR, and combination of CABG with AVR in the group of elderly patients who meet the criterion of “frailty” are characterized by low mortality and low incidence of non-fatal complications. The type of cardiac surgery and old age do not significantly affect the outcome of surgical treatment.