Cardiac Surgery in Octogenarians

Abstract

Open heart surgery for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) or valve replacement in octogenarians has risen dramatically since 1980, increasing by 67% from 1987 to 1990.¹ In 2000 the average life expectancy at birth for the US population was 76.9 years.² According to the Administration on Aging, there were 4.2 million Americans aged 85 years or older in 2000, and this number is projected to increase to 8.9 million by 2030.³ Approximately 40% of all octogenarians have symptomatic cardiovascular disease, including 18% with ischemic heart disease.⁴ Increasingly, elderly patients with ischemic heart disease are being referred for coronary artery revascularization by surgical and percutaneous means. However, these strategies are being questioned because of reports of poor outcomes in the elderly.