title: Influence of fast-track recovery after coronary artery bypass in the elderly.
abstract: We retrospectively analyzed 711 consecutive patients who had isolated coronary artery bypass grafting between January 2000 and December 2004; 572 younger patients (< 70 years) were compared with 139 elderly patients (> or = 70 years). A rapid recovery program based on an anesthetic protocol for early extubation was applied to all patients. The overall hospital mortality rate was 3.3% for the younger group and 4.3% for the elderly group. There were no significant differences in rates of hospital mortality and postoperative complications between the two groups. Early extubation was achieved in significantly more younger (71%) compared to elderly (57%) patients. Rapid recovery with discharge before the 5(th) postoperative day was achieved in 19% of the elderly compared to 48% of the younger patients. Patients in the younger group were discharged from hospital earlier (6.8 +/- 0.3 vs 8.0 +/- 8.5 days). Application of fast-track treatment in an elderly population appears to be a safe and effective approach if used on a selective basis when criteria for early extubation are met.
authors: First Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, AHEPA University Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece. charokoposnick@hotmail.com
authors: Nicholas
authors: N
authors: Charokopos
authors: Polychronis
authors: P
authors: Antonitsis
authors: Michalis
authors: M
authors: Toumbouras
authors: John
authors: J
authors: Konstantinopoulos
authors: Efthymia
authors: E
authors: Rouska
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000762:Anesthesia Recovery Period; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass / Q000401:mortality; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors