[Early and late results of cardiac and thoracic aortic surgery in patients older than 75 years from a quality of life point of view].

To determine the early and late results of cardiovascular surgery in patients older than 75 years old, we performed a retrospective study of 28 consecutive elderly patients between January, 1987 and July, 1996. Fourteen patients had cardiac surgery, and 14 had thoracic aortic surgery. Among all of them, nine patients had an emergency operation. The follow-up time ranged 7 to 76 months (mean 20.7 +/- 25.0). The total follow-up time was 561 patients months. The hospital mortality rate was 32.1% (9/28) over all and 15.8% (3/19) for the elective procedures. The early result during the latter five years decreases more than during the early five years (55% vs. 18%, respectively). Three patients died during the follow-up period. One patient dropped out of the follow-up. All 15 survivors were satisfied with their quality of life. Among the survivors of cardiac surgery, the mean New York Heart Association functional classification score decreased significantly (preoperative 3.0 +/- 0.89, follow-up 1.5 +/- 0.55). Though the early mortality is unsatisfactory, it is improving. This follow-up study demonstrates the benefits of cardiovascular surgery in elderly patients in terms of social integration and quality of life.