The outcome of prolonged mechanical ventilation in elderly patients: are the efforts worthwhile?

We studied the outcome of prolonged (> 3 days) mechanical ventilation in 181 patients aged 70 and over and determined the risk factors for in-hospital mortality. The overall in-hospital mortality for the entire study group was 57.5%. The previous medical history did not influence the final outcome. Shock during the intensive care unit (ICU) stay and an admission diagnosis of cardiac arrest were independently correlated with in-hospital mortality. We conclude that the prognosis for patients aged 70 and over who need prolonged mechanical ventilation is mainly dependent on the acute health status and the occurrence of complications during the ICU admission.