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Updated: Jun 17, 2026
04:48
Noninvasive Determination of Vortex Formation Time Using Transesophageal Echocardiography During Cardiac Surgery
Published on: November 28, 2018
Valve surgery in octogenarians: does it prolong life?
Giulio Rizzoli1, Jonida Bejko, Tomaso Bottio
1Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
Summary
Heart valve surgery in octogenarians shows favorable long-term survival rates compared to the general population. These complex operations offer excellent outcomes, even with co-existing health conditions in older adults.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Geriatric Medicine
- Cardiac Surgery
Background:
- Age-related degenerative heart valve disease significantly impacts octogenarians.
- Concomitant diseases in this age group present challenges for valvular replacement therapy.
- Evaluating the risk/benefit of surgical interventions is crucial due to medical, economic, and political factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the long-term survival of octogenarians undergoing heart valve operations.
- To compare the survival outcomes of octogenarians with the general population, matched for age, sex, and operative year.
- To assess the efficacy of valvular replacement therapy in the very elderly.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 346 octogenarians who underwent 352 heart valve operations between 1987 and 2009.
- Comparison of actuarial survival with a matched general population using US survival rates and Kaplan-Meier plots.
- Detailed recording of heart diseases, pathologies, complications, and survival data.
Main Results:
- Operative mortality was 5.5%, with overall survival at 84.3% (1 year), 65.4% (5 years), 27.3% (10 years), and 5.4% (15 years).
- Octogenarian survival rates favorably compared to expected survival rates of the matched general population (e.g., 27.3% vs. 26.9% at 10 years).
- Female survival rates were slightly higher than males, though not statistically significant (p=0.16).
Conclusions:
- Heart valve operations in octogenarians yield excellent results, outperforming expected survival rates for matched populations.
- Despite higher prevalence of comorbidities, surgical intervention provides favorable outcomes, especially for primary operations.
- Valvular replacement therapy is a viable and effective option for carefully selected octogenarians.
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