The elderly as heart surgery patients. Pre- and postoperative analysis of the quality of life
Lass, M.; Oertel, F.; Welz, A.; Hannekum, A.
Zentralblatt für Chirurgie 117(10): 547-551
1992
ISSN/ISBN: 0044-409X PMID: 1441778 Document Number: 387996
The aim of the study was to measure pre- and postoperative quality of life of the old patient to find out his profit of open heart surgery. 71 patients ranging from 75 to 86 years (mean 77.6 years) were examined by using a standard interview about their quality of life on the day of hospital admittance and one year after returning home (range 11-14 months). There was an improvement of postoperative quality of life. These results were similar to data reported in the literature after investigating younger patients. No one should be excluded from open heart surgery because of old age.