Isolated aortic valve replacement in patients older than 65 years.

The results of 196 isolated aortic valve replacements in patients older than 65 years were analyzed. Eighty-four percent of patients were in New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class III or IV preoperatively. The operative mortality was 12% for all cases and 9% for elective cases. Actuarial probability of five-year survival was 55% for the entire group and 61% for discharged patients. Myocardial failure and congestive heart failure were the most common causes of early and late postoperative death, respectively. Embolic strokes occurred in 16% of discharged patients and caused substantial disability in 9%. At the termination of the study, 94% of surviving patients were in NYHA class I or II, and none were in class IV. Aortic valve replacement in elderly patients entails reasonable operative risk, and results in satisfactory postoperative rehabilitation.