Isolated aortic valve replacement in patients older than 65 years
J. G. Copeland, R. B. Griepp, E. B. Stinson and N. E. Shumway
The results of 196 isolated aortic valve replacements in patients older
than 65 years were analyzed. Eighty-four percent of patients were in New
York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class III or IV preoperatively.
The operative mortality was 12% for all cases and 9% for elective cases.
Actuarial probability of five-year survival was 55% for the entire group
and 61% for discharged patients. Myocardial failure and congestive heart
failure were the most common causes of early and late postoperative death,
respectively. Embolic strokes occurred in 16% of discharged patients and
caused substantial disability in 9%. At the termination of the study, 94%
of surviving patients were in NYHA class I or II, and none were in class
IV. Aortic valve replacement in elderly patients entails reasonable
operative risk, and results in satisfactory postoperative rehabilitation.
