CORONARY ARTERY SURGERY IN PATIENTS AGED 75 YEARS OR OLDER

Introduction: The present study aimed to investigate the results and early outcomes of coronary artery bypass (CAB) surgery in older patients. Materials and Method: A total of 73 patients aged 75 years or older (54 men, 19 women) who underwent CAB surgery were included in the study. Cardiopulmonary bypass was performed by dual stage or twin venous cannulation of ascending aorta with anterograde and/or retrograde cardioplegia and topical hypothermia in all patients. Results: Mean age was 77.01 +/- 2.59 years. Hypertension was the most common risk factor, which was found in 50 patients (68.4%). Cardiopulmonary bypass was performed in all patients and average number of grafted coronary arteries was 3.39 +/- 1.06. The most common concomitant surgical procedure was aortic valve replacement which was performed in four (5.4%) patients. Ejection fraction (EF) was found to be lower than 30% in 8 (10.9%) patients and left ventricle end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) was found to be higher than 20 mm Hg in 20 (27.4%) patients. Revision surgery was performed in 4 (5.4%) patients, and 8 (10.9%) cases required intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP). Early mortality rate within 30 days after the surgery was 5.4% (4 patients). Conclusion: Although the mortality rate of CAB surgery in elderly patients is decreasing, older age remains an important risk factor.