OBJECTIVETo investigate the early and midterm postoperative outcomes and analyze risk factors of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in octogenarians.

METHODSClinical data of 38 patients aged 80 years or greater receiving isolated coronary artery bypass grafting from September 2001 to November 2010 were reviewed. There were 33 male and 5 female patients, aging from 80 to 87 years with a mean of (82.6 ± 1.2) years. Twelve patients underwent conventional (on-pump) CABG and 26 patients underwent off-pump CABG. The number of bypass grafts was 1 to 5 (mean 2.5 ± 1.1). Left internal mammary artery was used in 37 (97.3%) patients.

RESULTSThe perioperative mortality was 2.6% (1/38). Postoperative complications included stroke (4 cases), respiratory infection (1 case). The atrial arrhythmias occurred in 25 patients. Intensive care unit and hospital length of stay lasted (3.8 ± 1.4) days and (15 ± 6) days, respectively. Totally 38 patients were followed up for 4 to 70 months. Six patients died during the follow-up period. The 92.6% patients recovered without any cardiac events.

CONCLUSIONSIsolated CABG can be performed safely with acceptable postoperative morbidity and mortality in octogenarians. Appropriate surgical strategy and intensive perioperative treatment must be enhanced in octogenarians who underwent CABG.