[Effect of age on postoperative care in patients following heart surgery under extracorporeal circulation]

The mean age of patients with heart disease who require surgical treatment is increasing. In conjunction with the development of surgical and postoperative care techniques, the mortality rate of these patients has decreased. In our intensive care unit (ICU), we proposed to determine if older patients undergoing cardiac surgery had more morbidity and required more care than other patients. An evaluation was made of the differences in evolution and nursing requirements of patients over 70 and under 70 who had undergone heart surgery with extracorporeal circulation by assessing the complications. A retrospective comparative study was made of the records of 50 patients > or = 70 years and 50 patients < 70 years who had undergone cardiac surgery and were admitted to intensive care for postoperative care. An analysis was made of pathology before surgery, operative incidents, evolution and postoperative complications of different body systems, postoperative care in intensive care by examining nursing records, the duration of the ICU stay and the hospital stay. The results indicated that there were no significant differences between the two groups in mortality, ICU stay, and severe complications. Patients over 70 had more frequent arrhythmias and difficulties in maintaining an optimal respiratory function. Such patients require more nursing care and a longer hospital stay. However, it is concluded that age per se is not a contraindication for heart surgery.