Coronary artery bypass surgery in the elderly.

One hundred fifteen patients over 65 years of age were operated on at our institution for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). The operative mortality was 5% compared with an overall operative mortality of 2.5% in the last five years for 1,500 persons with CABG. Increased risk factors included qualification for New York Heart Association (NYHA) class IV, ejection fraction of less than 35%, diffuse disease requiring more than five grafts, and age over 75 years. At one year after operation, 81% of the patients were clinically improved, and the survival rate was 91%. Patients over 65 years of age in NYHA classes II and III with good left ventricular function requiring four or less bypass grafts appeared to have an excellent prognosis both acutely and during a one-year follow-up period.