[Current status of cardiac surgery in the elderly]

Current status of cardiac surgery in the elderly is described. Coronary artery bypass grafting or uncomplicated valve replacement can be safely performed in the septuagenarian. Ventricular septal rupture has been successfully repaired in the octogenarian. Atrial septal defect in the sexagenarian can be closed without complication. Late results of pacemaker implanted in the octogenarian have been as good as in the sexagenarian.