[Cardiac surgery interventions in patients over 70 years of age]

In consequence of a longer life expectancy and improved surgical results, patients aged over 70 years now account for 10 to 15% of patients undergoing surgery on the heart. Such patients do, however, make greater demands on peri-operative management; the adaptability of the cardiopulmonary and renal functions to stress is reduced, homeostasis is fragile, and the diseases that commonly accompany old age represent an additional risk. Furthermore, greater demands are also made on the operating skills of the surgeon. Nevertheless, no patient should be considered inoperable merely on account of advanced age. However, the indications for surgery must always be established on an individual basis, and against the background of the expected risk/benefit ratio. The biological rather than the chronological age is always decisive. The main aim of surgical treatment is to achieve an improvement in the patient's quality of life.