Association between frailty and long-term outcomes among patients undergoing thoracic aortic surgery via median sternotomy

Objective Preoperative assessment of frailty is important for predicting postoperative outcomes. This study investigated the association between frailty and late outcomes among patients who underwent thoracic aortic surgery via median sternotomy. Methods A total of 1010 patients underwent thoracic aortic surgery via median sternotomy between April 2008 and December 2016. Patients < 65 years of age, those who underwent urgent or emergent surgery, and those with incomplete data were excluded; as such, 374 patients were ultimately included in the present study. Frailty was evaluated using an index comprising history of dementia, body mass index < 18.5 kg/m(2), and hypoalbuminemia. A frailty score from 0 to 3 was determined by assigning 1 point for each criterion met. Frailty was defined as a score >= 1. Patients were categorized into of 2 groups: frail (n = 52) and non-frail (n = 322). The mean follow-up was 6.1 +/- 3.1 years. Results Overall in-hospital mortality did not differ between the frail and non-frail groups. However, the incidence of re-exploration for bleeding and discharge to a health care facility was higher in the frail group than in the non-frail group. Multivariable analysis revealed that preoperative frailty was an independent predictor of late mortality during follow-up [hazard ratio 3.71 (95% confidence interval 2.16-6.37); P < 0.001]. Conclusion Preoperative frailty was associated with late mortality after thoracic aortic surgery. Assessment of preoperative frailty using a simple frailty index may be useful in the decision-making process for elderly patients.