[Surgery for aneurysms of the aortic arch in elderly patients]

Surgery for aneurysms of the aortic arch in octogenarians can be performed with increased but operative mortality remains high. Minimally invasive operation may be required for further improvement of the outcome of surgery for aneurysms of the aortic arch in octogenarians. Aged patients with life-threatening events have excessive mortality and morbidity. We think that sugery for aneurysms of the aortic arch in octogenarians should not be withheld on the basis of age alone, but should be based on careful assessments of the relative medical risks and benefits, as well as the wishes of the patients and family.