Does coronary artery bypass surgery carry extra risk for patients older than 75 years of age?

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To examine early (30 day) results of patients 75 years of age or older who underwent coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG). METHODS: Seventy-five patients 75 years of age or older who underwent isolated CABG surgery between January 2009 and December 2011 in the authors' department constituted group 1, and 1019 patients younger than 75 years of age constituted group 2. The two groups were compared in terms of postoperative 30 day mortality and postoperative complications such as drainage, need for revision operation, amount of blood transfusion, occurence of atrial fibrillation or stroke, need for inotropics or intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 76.7 +/- 1.6 years in group 1 and 57.8 8.7 years in group 2. The incidence of patients 75 years of age or older was 6.8%, with more females in this group (P=0.017). Among postoperative complications, only the need for inotropic agents after abolition of the cardiopulmonary bypass was greater in group 1 than in group 2 (P<0.05). Mortality rates were 4% in group 1 and 1.4% in group 2, with no statistically significant difference (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: It is obvious that mortality rates in patients older than 75 years of age is rapidly decreasing compared with previous years, with improving technology and enhancing surgical skills. No difference in mortality and morbidity was observed; only the need for inotropics in elderly was increased.