Risk factors for mortality in octogenarians undergoing myocardial revascularization surgery

BACKGROUND: Age over 80 years, by itself, is not the only risk factor for mortality in coronary artery bypass grafting. OBJECTIVE: To identify risk factors for mortality in octogenarian patients undergoing CABG. METHODS: We studied 164 patients aged 80 years and over. The variables studied were: gender; age (in years); ejection fraction (LVEF); reoperation; emergency surgery; number of revascularized arteries; use of the left internal thoracic artery (LITA); use of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB); associated surgery; revascularization of the left anterior descending artery (DA); and use of intra-aortic balloon (IAB). Statistical analysis was done using descriptive analysis, univariate and multivariate logistic regression. A p value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant, and multivariate analysis was performed for variables whose value was p < 0.20. RESULTS: Mortality was 11%. Univariate analysis showed that low LVEF (p = 0.008), emergency surgery (p < 0.001), and use of intra-aortic balloon (p = 0.049) were related to higher mortality. When adjusted by logistic regression, age over 85 years was correlated with a 6.31 times greater mortality (p = 0.012), and emergency surgery was related to a 55.39 times greater mortality (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: In octogenarians undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery, age over 85 years and emergency surgery are important predictors of mortality.