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eComment: Prospective assessment of quality of life of octogenarians after cardiac surgery

Bakoulev Center for Cardiovascular Surgery, 121552 Moscow, Russia

Prospective assessment of quality of life of octogenarians after cardiac surgery: factors predicting long-term outcome

We read with great interest the article by J.J. Jokinen et al. [1], in which the authors reported the long-term functional outcomes and quality of life of elderly patients after cardiac surgery. The relatively similar postoperative survival and quality of life in the young and elderly patients are encouraging factors for considering surgery in the elderly. We support, that the elderly should not be denied cardiac surgery on the basis of age alone but only on the basis of comorbidity. The aging process and atherosclerosis have reduced the reserve of many organs that are bound for postoperative dysfunction. Furthermore, atherosclerosis frequently involves the aorta. Any manipulation of the aorta (cannulation for arterial inflow during cardiopulmonary bypass, cross clamping) may fragment a plaque and induce embolisation [2, 3].

In the presented publication the mean age at primary cardiac surgery was 72±2.9 years (range 70–83). It is not clear how many patients >80 years were included in this study? It is known, that octogenarians have a higher hospital mortality, longer hospital stay compared to younger patients. Long-term survival and quality of life is largely determined by concurrent medical disease.

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1. Jokinen JJ, Hippelainen MJ, Hanninen T, Turpeinen AK, Hartikainen JEK. Prospective assessment of quality of life of octogenarians after cardiac surgery: factors predicting long-term outcome. Interact CardioVasc Thorac Surg 2008;7:813–818.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
2. Prtre R, Turina MI. Cardiac valve surgery in the octogenarian. Heart 2000;83:116–121.[Free Full Text]
3. Zaidi AM, Fitzpatrick AP, Keenan DJ, Odom NJ, Grotte GJ. Good outcomes from cardiac surgery in the over 70s. Heart 1999;82:134–137.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Personal Folders Download to citation manager Author home page(s): Leo A. Bockeria Permission Requests Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Bockeria, L. A. Articles by Kuts, E.V. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Bockeria, L. A. Articles by Kuts, E.V. Related Collections Related Article