The quality of life after cardiac surgery in octogenarians and evaluation of its early and mid-term results

Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate our early and mid- term results and the qualities of life of the patients aged eighty years or older who underwent heart surgery. Methods: Eighty- eight patients aged 80 years and older who underwent open-heart surgery at Goztepe Safak Hospital between May 2004 and December 2010 have been included to the study. This study was designed as two-stage: in the first stage, determinants of survival were analyzed retrospectively. In the second stage, the quality of life of survived patients was evaluated by using Short- Form 36 (SF-36), Turkish version in the cross-sectional study. The statistical analysis was performed using Fischer's exact, Pearson Chi-square test, Student t-test, Mann-Whitney U test and logistic regression analysis. Results: In the logistic regression analysis; the left ventricular ejection fraction as <50% (OR: 11.02,95% CI: 2.6-46.6, p<0.05), application of redo surgery (OR: 8.3, 95% CI: 1.04-66.6, p<0.05), coronary bypass and mitral surgery procedures in the same session (OR: 9.2, 95% CI: 1.6-53.7, p<0.05), left main coronary lesion as >50% (OR: 4.3, 95% CI: 1.1-17.7, p<0.05), preoperative creatinine as >1.8 mg/dl (OR: 14.1, 95% CI: 2.6-76.1, p<0.01), New York Heart Association class III-IV (OR: 4.9, 95% CI: 1.2-20.1, p<0.05), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (OR: 10.3, 95% CI: 2.5-41.7, p<0.01) were found to be risk factors of hospital mortality. Physical functions, social functions and all sub-scales other than the role limitation depending on the emotional situation were evaluated as general population mean or above. Conclusion: We think that with a successful heart surgery in patients aged 80 years and older under appropriate conditions, their life qualities and mean life expectations can return to normal and they can lead a symptomless life. (Anadolu Kardiyol Derg 2012; 12:352-8)