Aortic valve replacement in the elderly.

In order to determine the risk of aortic valve replacement in the elderly, 77 patients over the age of 60 who had undergone this procedure were reviewed. Hypothermic-hyperkalemic cardioplegia was used in all patients. In 55 patients with isolated aortic valve replacement there were three deaths (5.5 per cent). In the entire series of 77 patients there were 13 deaths (13 per cent). In seven patients of an organ other than the heart. In only two patients did the operative death have a myocardial cause. Ninety-two per cent of the patients were in functional class I or II following surgery. Patients should come to surgery before reaching class IV. Aortic valve replacement can be carried out safely in the elderly, and the indications should be the same as for younger patients.