The incidence and consequences of mental disturbances in elderly patients post cardiac surgery--a comparison with younger patients.

Background: Limited data exist about the incidence and consequences of mental confusion following open heart surgery in different age groups. Likewise, little is known about preoperative predictors of mental confusion.

Methods: Two-hundred consecutive patients, aged > or =75 years (Group 1), and 400 procedure- and gender-matched younger patients (Group 2) who underwent coronary or valvular surgery were included in a prospective study.

Comparison of quality of life after coronary and/or valvular cardiac surgery in patients > or =75 years of age with younger patients.

Quality of life after cardiac surgery appeared to be comparable in patients aged > or =75 years and younger patients. Preoperative depression had more impact on postoperative well-being in the elderly compared with younger patients.