title: [The efficiency of fast track protocol in elderly patients who underwent coronary artery surgery].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study is planned to display the efficiency of fast track protocol and its difference from the conventional anesthesia in patients older than 65 years.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred patients older than 65 years underwent coronary artery surgery between October 2000-March 2001 in cardiovascular surgery clinic were considered in this study. Fifty patients in whom fast track protocol was applied were included into the study group, group A; fifty patients underwent conventional anesthesia technique were referred to the control group, group B. In both groups demographic characteristics, early hospital mortality, operation time, total drainage, number of transfusions, stay in the intensive care unit and discharge time were recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean age was 69.0+/-3.0 years in group A and 70.4+/-3.6 years in group B. Early hospital mortality was 2% in group A, 10% in group B (p>0.05). Intensive care unit stay was 22.01+/-10.12 hours in group A and 60.18+/-32.23 hours in group B (p<0.05). Discharge time was on 5.5+/-1.3 day in group A and on 6.9+/-2.3 day in group B (p<0.05). There were no statistical differences between the two groups in respect to other parameters.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Fast track protocol in patients older than 65 years is a suitable technique by using modern cardiac surgery methods. This protocol is successfully used by selecting the suitable patients and following the patients carefully in the postoperative period.
authors.affiliation: Türkiye Yüksek Ihtisas Hastanesi kalp Damar Cerrahisi Kliniği, Sihhiye/Ankara. www.kericagli@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Kerim
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Cağli
authors.forename: Hasan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Uncu
authors.forename: Zafer
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Işcan
authors.forename: Garip
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Altintaş
authors.forename: Umit
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Karadeniz
authors.forename: Kerem
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Vural
authors.forename: Oğuz
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Taşdemir
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000768:Anesthesia, General / Q000379:methods / Q000401:mortality*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass / Q000401:mortality* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006299:Health Services for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014421:Turkey