Coronary artery bypass surgery in elderly patients

Seventy-five patients 65 years of age and older had coronary artery bypass surgery during 2 years at Scott and White Memorial Hospital with a 4 per cent mortality rate. An average of 3.1 grafts were placed and 5.1 units of blood were used during 13 days of postoperative hospitalization. Sixty-one patients were in New York Heart Association Class IV, 12 were in Class III, and 2 had other indications for coronary artery bypass. One year following surgery there were 60 patients in Class I, 6 in Class II, 3 in Class III, and 1 in Class IV; 1 patient was dead, and 4 were lost to follow-up. Our conclusion is that coronary artery bypass grafting can be performed with an acceptable mortality rate in the elderly and that age alone should not be considered a contraindication to the operation.