In their 5-year, retrospective cohort study, Baskett and colleagues found that people over the age of 80 represented 5% of patients undergoing CABG (coronary artery bypass grafting), had more comorbid conditions, a higher acuity level than younger patients, and a higher overall mortality. The authors state these findings are of concern since Canada's elderly population is increasing and more and more people 80 years of age and older are being referred for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).

The authors found that, while the mortality decreased over the study period for both older and younger patients, the risk of postoperative stroke did not change among the older patients.

The authors conclude that advanced patient age should not on its own deter a decision to perform CABG if there is a clinical need for it and that older patients undergoing elective procedures may experience outcomes equivalent to those of younger patients.

p. 1183 Outcomes in octegenarians undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting
- R. Baskett et al

Contact: Dr. Roger Baskett
rbaskettdal.ca
Canadian Medical Association Journal
cma.ca/cmaj