Patient characteristics, operative complications and long-term survival of patients aged 75 years or older subjected to carotid endarterectomy.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study is to report risk factors, operative results and long-term survival of old patients operated on for carotid stenosis in order to evaluate their candidature for surgery.


METHODS
Fifty-two patients aged 75 years or older subjected to 56 carotid endarterectomies performed during the years 1992 to 2001 were examined and compared to data concerning 161 younger patients (172 operations) operated during the same period.


RESULTS
Preoperatively registered hypertension, cardiac disease, renal impairment, diabetes mellitus, cerebrovascular symptoms and involvement of the contralateral carotid artery distributed similarly among the old and young patients. The older patients suffered an operative combined stroke and mortality rate non-significantly higher than the younger. The older patients experienced a 3-year survival rate of 92%. This was significantly superior to that of a demographically matched population, and similar to the survival of the younger patients. The younger patients had a survival rate significantly inferior to the expected.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients aged 75 years or older operated on for carotid stenosis appear to have similar preoperative characteristics, similar early operative complication rates and a significantly better long-term relative survival, as compared to younger patients going through carotid endarterectomy.
Aune
S
S
Department of Surgery, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway. steinar.aune@haukeland.no
Laxdal
E
E
Pedersen
G
G
Dregelid
E
E
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016894:Endarterectomy, Carotid / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D015996:Survival Rate; D013997:Time Factors