[Heart operations in patients older than 75. Results and postoperative rehabilitation]

A total of 164 patients with a mean age of 78.6 +/- 2.7 years and often critical preoperative conditions [New York Heart Association (NYHA) class III + IV, 78.7%] underwent cardiac operations [coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) 97; valve replacement, 33; CABG + valve replacement, 18; replacement of ascending aorta and others, 18] with an in-hospital mortality of 8.5% (n = 14). Follow-up was completed for 147 patients (98%) after 16.5 +/- 10.8 months. Most patients were in a good clinical condition (NYHA I + II, 79.6%; late deaths, 8 patients, 5.4%) and more than 95% of patients lived at home or with relatives. Charges for hospital treatment dropped to one third after the hospitalization period for surgery in the first postoperative year compared to the year immediately preceding the cardiac operation.