The quality of life of the aged after heart surgery interventions. Analysis of a patient sample of very advanced age

: Due to the continual improvement of surgical and anaesthesiological techniques, the cardiac patients are now of a much higher age than was previously the case. Only pre- and postoperative comparison of life quality can show in what manner these old patients are improved by cardiac surgery. 71 patients with the mean age of 77.6 years were examined by standardized interviews at hospital admittance and one year after returning home. Although there was no statistical significance, there was a very clear trend towards improved quality of life. These very good long-term results concerning the quality of life justify an increased operative risk in this group of 70-80 years old patients. In our study we could show results which were as good as has been shown with younger patients in literature.