title: [Cardiac surgery in elderly patients].
abstract: Due to demographic changes in average life expectancy, the age of patients undergoing cardiac surgery is increasing. We have reviewed the literature to analyse whether and how far octogenarians benefit from cardiac surgical procedures. Different studies analysed the outcome of patients in different age groups after cardiac surgery. Octogenarians can undergo cardiac surgical procedures at a reasonable risk. The perioperative mortality and other postoperative complications are strongly dependent on comorbidities rather than on patients' age. Elderly patients benefit from improved functional status and quality of life.
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Herz- Thorax- und Gefässchirurgie, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover. baraki@exch.thg.mh-hannover.de
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Baraki
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Karck
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Haverich
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000401:mortality; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006349:Heart Valve Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015337:Multicenter Studies as Topic; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000401:mortality; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011379:Prognosis; D011788:Quality of Life; D012307:Risk Factors; D020521:Stroke / Q000209:etiology; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome