Octogenarians fare better under local anesthesia for elective endovascular aortic aneurysm repair

OBJECTIVE

With an aging patient population, an increasing number of octogenarians are undergoing elective endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) in the United States. Multiple studies have shown that, for the general population, use of local anesthetic (LA) for EVAR is associated with improved short-term and long-term outcomes as compared with performing these operations under general anesthesia (GA). Therefore, this study aimed to study the association of LA for elective EVARs with perioperative outcomes, among octogenarians.

METHODS

The Vascular Quality Initiative database (2003-2021) was used to conduct this study. Octogenarians (Aged ≥80 years) were selected and sorted into two study groups: LA (Group I) and GA (Group II). Our primary outcomes were length of stay and mortality. Secondary outcomes included operative time, estimated blood loss, return to operating room, cardiopulmonary complications, and discharge location.

RESULTS

Of the 16,398 selected patients, 1197 patients (7.3%) were included in Group I, and 15,201 patients (92.7%) were in Group II. Procedural time was significantly shorter for the LA group (114.6 vs 134.6; P < .001), as was estimated blood loss (152 vs 222 cc; P < .001). Length of stay was significantly shorter (1.8 vs 2.6 days; P < .001), and patients were more likely to be discharged home (LA 88.8% vs GA 86.9%; P = .036) in the LA group. Group I also experienced fewer pulmonary complications; only 0.17% experienced pneumonia and 0.42% required ventilator support compared with 0.64% and 1.02% in Group II, respectively. This finding corresponded to fewer days in the intensive care unit for Group I (0.41 vs 0.69 days; P < .001). No significant difference was seen in 30-day mortality cardiac, renal, or access site-related complications. Return to operating room was also equivocal between the two groups. Multivariate regression analysis confirmed GA was associated with a significantly longer length of stay and significantly higher rates of non-home discharge (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 1.59; P < .001 and AOR, 1.40; P = .025, respectively). When stratified by the New York Heart Association classification system, classes I, II, III, and IV (1.55; P < .001; 1.26; P = .029; 2.03; P < .001; 4.07; P < .001, respectively) were associated with significantly longer hospital stays.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of LA for EVARs in octogenarians is associated with shorter lengths of stay, fewer respiratory complications, and home discharge. These patients also experienced shorter procedure times and less blood loss. There was no statistically significant difference in 30-day mortality, return to operating room, or access-related complications. LA for octogenarians undergoing EVAR should be considered more frequently to shorten hospital stays and decrease complication rates.

Does post acute care reduce the mortality of octogenarian and nonagenarian patients undergoing hip fracture surgery?

BACKGROUND

With the increasing number of elderly individuals worldwide, a greater number of people aged 80 years and older sustain fragility fracture due to osteopenia and osteoporosis.

METHODS

This retrospective study included 158 older adults, with a median age of 85 (range: 80-99) years, who sustained hip fragility fracture and who underwent surgery. The patients were divided into two groups, one including patients who joined the post-acute care (PAC) program after surgery and another comprising patients who did not. The mortality, complication, comorbidity, re-fracture, secondary fracture, and readmission rates and functional status (based on the Barthel index score, numerical rating scale score, and Harris Hip Scale score) between the two groups were compared.

RESULTS

The patients who presented with fragility hip fracture and who joined the PAC rehabilitation program after the surgery had a lower rate of mortality, readmission rate, fracture (re-fracture and secondary fracture), and complications associated with fragility fracture, such as urinary tract infection, cerebrovascular accident, and pneumonia (acute coronary syndrome, out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, or in-hospital cardiac arrest.

CONCLUSIONS

PAC is associated with a lower rate of mortality and complications such as urinary tract infection, bed sore, and pneumonia in octogenarian and nonagenarian patients with hip fragility fracture.

Surgical Outcomes in Octogenarians with Central Cord Syndrome: A Propensity-Score Matched Analysis

OBJECTIVE

Central cord syndrome (CCS) is a traumatic cervical spine injury that is treated with surgical decompression. In octogenarians (80-89), surgeons often opt for conservative management instead due to fears of postoperative complications and prolonged recovery times. This study aims to assess the in-hospital complications and outcomes in octogenarians undergoing surgery compared to those undergoing nonsurgical management for CCS.

METHODS

The National Trauma Data Bank was queried from 2017 to 2019 for octogenarians with CCS. Patients who received surgical fusion or decompression were divided into the surgery group and the remaining into the nonsurgical group. The surgery group was sampled and propensity score matched with the non-surgery group. Student t tests and Pearson χ2 tests were used to test for group differences.

RESULTS

A total of 759 octogenarians with CCS were identified. Following sampling and propensity score matching, 225 patients were identified in each group. The surgery group experienced longer intensive care unit (6.8 days vs. 3.21 days, P < 0.001) and hospital (13.79 days vs. 7.8 days, P < 0.001) lengths of stay and higher rates of deep vein thrombosis (4.89% vs. 0.44%, P = 0.02) and ventilator-associated pneumonia (4% vs. 0%, P = 0.02). Patients did not otherwise differ in mortality rate, other hospital complications, and discharge disposition.

CONCLUSIONS

Octogenarians undergoing surgery for CCS experience longer length of stay and complications consistent with prolonged hospitalization but otherwise have similar mortality, hospital complications, and discharge disposition compared to non-surgical treatment. Given the relative lack of short-term drawbacks, surgery should be considered first-line management when the long-term benefits are substantive.

[Which octogenarians benefit from the intensive care unit? A proposal for triage]

Intensive care unit (ICU) treatment can be associated with substantial suffering of patients, and those over eighty years old carry a much worse prognosis than younger ICU patients. Nevertheless, in the Netherlands we admit many people over the age of eighty to the ICU. Is this good practice? Whilst some elderly people may benefit, others don't. ICU treatment without mechanical ventilation is associated with less suffering, can still lead to a good outcome, and thus can often be justified in patients over eighty years. Full ICU treatment including prolonged mechanical ventilation, however, should only be used in selected cases.

In-hospital safety outcomes of left atrial appendage occlusion in octogenarians and nonagenarians

AIMS

Data on safety outcomes of left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) in elderly patients are limited. This study aimed to compare the outcomes of LAAO between octogenarians (age 80-89) and nonagenarians (age ≥90) vs. younger patients (age ≤79).

METHODS AND RESULTS

We conducted a retrospective cohort study using the National Inpatient Sample database to identify patients hospitalized for LAAO from 2016 to 2020 and to compare in-hospital safety outcomes in octogenarians and nonagenarians vs. younger patients. The primary outcome was a composite of in-hospital all-cause mortality or stroke. Secondary outcomes included procedural complications, length of stay (LOS), and total costs. Outcomes were determined using logistic regression models. Among 84 140 patients hospitalized for LAAO, 32.9% were octogenarians, 2.8% were nonagenarians, and 64.3% were ≤79 years of age. Over the study period, the volume of LAAO increased in all age groups (all Ptrend < 0.01). After adjustment for clinical and demographic factors, octogenarians and nonagenarians had similar odds of in-hospital all-cause mortality or stroke [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.41, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.93-2.13 for octogenarians; aOR 1.69, 95% CI 0.67-3.92 for nonagenarians], cardiac tamponade, acute kidney injury, major bleeding, and blood transfusion, in addition to similar LOS and total costs compared with younger patients (all P > 0.05). However, octogenarians and nonagenarians had higher odds of vascular complications compared with younger patients (aOR 1.47, 95% CI 1.08-1.99 for octogenarians; aOR 1.60, 95% CI 1.18-2.97 for nonagenarians).

CONCLUSION

Octogenarians and nonagenarians undergoing LAAO have a similar safety profile compared with clinically similar younger patients except for higher odds of vascular complications.

Esophageal cancer in octogenarians: Should esophagectomy be done?

INTRODUCTION

Esophagectomy is the treatment of choice for esophageal cancer. In octogenarians data is conflicting. We evaluated postoperative outcomes and long-term survival of octogenarians and their younger counterparts.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained database including consecutive patients with esophageal cancer who underwent esophagectomy at a large referral, academic center between 2012 and 2021. Subgroups were designed according to age (<70, 70-79, and ≥ 80).

RESULTS

A total of 359 patients underwent esophagectomy for esophageal cancer, 223 (62%) aged <70, 107 (30%) aged 70-79 and 29 (8%) aged ≥80. Octogenarians had higher American Society of Anesthesiologists [ASA] scores (p = 0.001), and fewer received neoadjuvant therapy (p = 0.04). Octogenarians experienced more major complications (P < 0.001) with significantly higher 30-day mortality rate (P = 0.001). In a multivariable analysis, major complications were associated with higher risk of being discharged to a rehabilitation center (odds ratio [OR] 14.839, 95% confidence interval [CI] 4.921-44.747, p < 0.001) while age was not. Overall survival was reduced in octogenarians, with a 50th percentile survival of 10 months compared to 32 and 26 months in patients age < 70 and 70-79, respectively (p = 0.014). In a multivariable analysis, age ≥ 80 (hazard ratio [HR] 4.478 95% CI 2.151-9.322, p < 0.001), cancer stage (HR 1.545, 95% CI 1.095-2.179, p = 0.013), and postoperative major complications (HR 2.705 95% CI 1.913-3.823, p < 0.001) were independently associated with reduced survival.

DISCUSSION

Our study showed that octogenarians had significantly higher postoperative major complications compared to younger age groups. Overall survival was significantly reduced in these patients, probably due to an increased rate of perioperative mortality. Better patient selection and preparation may improve postoperative outcomes and increase long-term survival.

Multi-disciplinary diabetic limb salvage programme in octogenarians with diabetic foot ulcers is not futile: An observational study with historical controls

This study evaluated the effectiveness of a multi-disciplinary diabetic limb salvage programme in improving clinical outcomes and optimising healthcare utilisation in 406 patients aged ≥80 years with diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs), compared to 2392 younger patients enrolled from June 2020 to June 2021 and against 1716 historical controls using one-to-one propensity score matching. Results showed that elderly programme patients had lower odds of amputation-free survival (odds ratio: 0.64, 95% CI: 0.47, 0.88) and shorter cumulative length of stay (LOS) compared to younger programme patients (incidence rate ratio: 0.45, 95% CI: 0.29, 0.69). Compared to the matched controls, participating in the programme was associated with 5% higher probability of minor lower extremity amputation, reduced inpatient admissions and emergency visits, shorter LOS but increased specialist and primary care visits (all p-values <0.05). The findings suggest that the programme yielded favourable impacts on the clinical outcomes of patients aged≥80 years with DFUs. Further research is needed to develop specific interventions tailoring to the needs of the elderly population and to determine their effectiveness on patient outcomes while accounting for potential confounding factors.

Outcomes of Octogenarian Patients Treated with Tafamidis for Transthyretin Amyloid Cardiomyopathy

Patients with transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM) benefit from disease-modifying agents such as tafamidis. However, the survival benefit of tafamidis in elderly patients (age ≥80 years) is not reported. This study aimed to assess the survival of patients with ATTR-CM aged 80 years and older who were treated with tafamidis compared with patients aged <80 years. We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients with ATTR-CM who underwent tafamidis treatment, aged 45 to 97 years at the time of diagnosis between January 1, 2008, and May 31, 2021. A total of 484 patients were included, with 208 in the ≥80 years group and 276 in the <80 years group. The cohort was followed up for mortality outcomes, and hazard ratios with 95% confidence intervals were calculated. After a median follow-up of 18.5 months, 72 deaths were recorded in the entire cohort. Kaplan-Meier curves showed no differences in survival probability between the 2 groups at 30 months (p for log-rank test = 0.76). The survival rates for patients aged ≥80 years who underwent treatment at 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 years were 94.7%, 86.0%, 77.0%, 77.0%, and 38.5%, respectively. The corresponding rates for patients aged <80 years who underwent treatment were 93.2, 84.8, 74.4, 68.2, and 64.6%, respectively. In the multivariable analysis, the hazard ratio (95% confidence interval) of the mortality comparing treatment patients aged ≥80 years with those aged <80 years was 0.81 (0.41 to 1.61). In conclusion, tafamidis treatment is associated with similar reductions in mortality in older and younger patients with ATTR-CM.

Robotic Versus Thoracoscopic Sub-lobar Resection for Octogenarians with Clinical Stage IA Non-small Cell Lung Cancer: A Propensity Score-Matched Real-World Study

BACKGROUND

Minimally invasive sub-lobectomy is sufficient in treating small early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, comparison of the feasibility and oncologic efficacy between robot-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (RATS) and video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) in performing sub-lobectomy for early-stage NSCLC patients age 80 years or older is scarce.

METHODS

Octogenarians with clinical stage IA NSCLC (tumor size, ≤ 2 cm) undergoing minimally invasive wedge resection or segmentectomy at Shanghai Chest Hospital from 2011 to 2020 were retrospectively reviewed from a prospectively maintained database. Propensity score-matching (PSM) with a RATS versus VATS ratio of 1:4 was performed. Perioperative and long-term outcomes were analyzed.

RESULTS

The study identified 594 patients (48 RATS and 546 VATS patients), and PSM resulted in 45 cases in the RATS group and 180 cases in the VATS group. The RATS patients experienced less intraoperative bleeding (60 mL [interquartile range (IQR), 50-100 mL] vs. 80 mL [IQR, 50-100 mL]; P = 0.027) and a shorter postoperative hospital stay (4 days [IQR, 3-5 days] vs. 5 days [IQR, 4-6 days]; P = 0.041) than the VATS patients. The two surgical approaches were comparable concerning other perioperative outcomes and postoperative complications (20.00% vs. 26.11%; P = 0.396). Additionally, during a median follow-up period of 66 months, RATS and VATS achieved comparable 5-year overall survival (90.48% vs. 87.93%; P = 0.891), recurrence-free survival (83.37% vs. 83.18%; P = 0.782), and cumulative incidence of death. Further subgroup comparison also demonstrated comparable long-term outcomes between the two approaches. Finally, multivariate Cox analysis indicated that the surgical approach was not independently correlated with long-term outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

The RATS approach shortened the postoperative hospital stay, reduced intraoperative bleeding by a statistically notable but clinically insignificant amount, and achieved long-term outcomes comparable with VATS in performing sub-lobectomy for octogenarians with early-stage small NSCLC.

Predictive factors of osteoporotic hip fracture in octogenarians

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to identify the risk factors associated with osteoporotic hip fractures in octogenarians and seeks to refine primary prevention strategies for these fractures.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We conducted a case-control study involving individuals aged 79 years and older with hip fractures, comparing them to age- and sex-matched controls without a history of hip fractures. We collected epidemiological, clinical, anthropometric, and analytical factors. We evaluated the presence of osteoporosis using bone densitometry. We defined sarcopenia according the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People criteria (EWGSOP2).

RESULTS

Ninety-five patients per group were analyzed, with a mean age of 82 years, of which 74% were women. The multivariate analysis included statistically significant factors found in the univariate analysis (p < 0.05). These factors included the Barthel Index, nutritional assessment using the CONUT tool, folic acid, vitamin D deficiency, presence of previous fractures, loss of visual acuity, bicipital circumference, sarcopenia, and osteoporosis (densitometry in the neck of the femur). The Nutritional state (OR: 0.08 [0.01-0.61]), the folic acid levels (OR 0.32 [0.1-1]), and a loss of visual acuity (OR 33.16 [2.91-377.87]) were the independent risk factors associated with hip fracture.

CONCLUSIONS

The assessment of nutritional status in elderly patients, coupled with a comprehensive geriatric assessment, represents easily reproducible and cost-effective tools. These tools can effectively aid in identifying individuals at risk of hip fractures, thereby contributing to more targeted and efficient preventive measures.

Outcomes and Readmissions after Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion in Octogenarians: A Contemporary Analysis

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

The outcomes of left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) with the Watchman device in octogenarians are unknown as this population was underrepresented in major clinical trials. This study aims at examining the causes and outcomes of readmission after LAAO.

DESIGN

A retrospective cohort study based on the National Readmission Database in the United States.

SETTINGS AND PARTICIPANT

Patients aged ≥80 years, admitted between January 2016 and December 2018, with the primary diagnosis of atrial fibrillation or flutter or who had LAAO were included in the study. Patients who died during index admission were excluded.

METHODS

We used the National Readmission Database and International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) codes to identify study participants. Data analysis was performed through Stata, version 17. Univariate and multivariate aggression analysis was used to adjust for confounders using Student t tests and χ2 tests.

RESULTS

We identified 491,329 patients on anticoagulation (AC) and 2030 patients who underwent LAA closure. Neither group differed regarding hypertension, previous myocardial infarction, or valvular heart disease. All-cause readmissions were lower in the LAAO group at 45 days (adjusted P < .01). All-cause readmissions at 45 and 90 days were similar in both groups. There was an increase in gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) readmissions in the LAAO at 45 (P < .01), 90 (P < .01), and 180 (P < .01) days. There was no difference in GIB readmission between the 2 groups. There was no also difference in stroke or intracranial hemorrhage rates between the 2 groups throughout the follow-up period.

CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS

In octogenarians who received LAAO, the rate of GIB increased during the first 6 months after the procedure; however, it was not different from that of AC after that. Special attention should be given to the antithrombotic regimens after LAAO to avoid bleeding in this vulnerable patient population.

Application of creatinine-based eGFR equations in Chinese septuagenarians and octogenarians

PURPOSE

The utilization of creatinine-based estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) equations in the adult population is acknowledged. Nevertheless, the appropriateness of creatinine-based eGFR in septuagenarians and octogenarians is debatable. This study evaluates the creatinine-based equations in Chinese septuagenarians and octogenarians cohorts.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This study employed a retrospective design, utilizing a review of the hospital medical records system to identify 347 hospitalized participants within the Division of Geriatrics or the Division of Nephrology. These participants underwent renal dynamic imaging with 99 m Tc-DTPA and serum creatinine testing. Comparison of the equations was performed, including the full age-spectrum equation (FAS-Cr equation), European Kidney Function Consortium equation (EKFC equation), Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration equation for Asian (Asian CKD-EPI equation), Xiangya equation, and Lund-Malmö revised equation (LMR equation).

RESULTS

Most equations tended to underestimate GFR. The FAS-Cr equation had the smallest interquartile range (IQR), while the Asian CKD-EPI equation (mGFR ≥ 30) and Xiangya equation (mGFR < 30) had the biggest IQRs. The FAS-Cr equation had the highest overall P30 of 63.98%, while the Asian CKD-EPI equation had the highest P30 of 75.64% in mGFR ≥ 60. The Xiangya equation, on the other hand, reported the lowest P30 of 36.36% in mGFR < 30. We discovered similar patterns in root-mean-square error (RMSE) as P30. GFR category misclassification rates in the entire cohort ranged from 46.11 to 49.86% for all equations. The FAS-Cr equation exhibited an advantage in octogenarians over other equations in the GFR category misclassification with mGFR lower than 60 ml/min/1.73 m2.

CONCLUSION

None of the creatinine-based equations in this study could perform well regarding precision, accuracy, and CKD stages' classification for the Chinese elderly. Nevertheless, the FAS-Cr equation should be suitable for octogenarians with mGFR lower than 60 ml/min/1.73 m2.

Increased Mortality in Octogenarians Undergoing Endovascular Aortic Aneurysm Repair for Smaller Aneurysms Warrants Caution

BACKGROUND

Geriatric patients constitute a growing portion of the general population, with particular increase in the prevalence of octogenarians. The incidence and prevalence of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) have been clearly shown to be associated with advancing age. The effect of advanced age in outcomes from endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) is unclear. We study the effect of advanced age, as an independent risk factor for mortality in octogenarian geriatric patients (OGPs) compared to nonoctogenarian geriatric patients (NOGPs) undergoing EVAR.

METHODS

The 2011-2017 American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP) Procedure-Targeted Vascular database was queried for geriatric patients (>65 years) undergoing EVAR for symptomatic and asymptomatic indications. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed comparing outcomes between OGPs and NOGPs.

RESULTS

Of the 10,490 geriatric patients who underwent EVAR, 7,508 (71.6%) were NOGPs and 2,982 (28.4%) were OGPs. Octogenarians were more often female (82.3% vs. 76.7%). In comparison to NOGPs, fewer OGPs were treated for AAA <5.5 cm (46.7% vs. 54.9%, P < 0.001) and AAA <5.0 cm (19.2% vs. 24.0%, P < 0.001). Nearly 90% of male and over 80% of female NOGPs and OGPs treated for AAA <5.0 cm were asymptomatic. Octogenarian geriatric patients (OGPs) had less dyspnea (15.3% vs. 17.3%, P = 0.01), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (16.1% vs. 20.5%, P < 0.001), diabetes (12.7% vs. 17.8%, P < 0.001), and smoking (13.2% vs. 36.3%, P < 0.001) compared to NOGPs. Octogenarian geriatric patients (OGPs) were found to have a greater length of stay (2 days vs. 1 day, P < 0.001), as well as rate of mortality (3.4% vs. 1.7%, P < 0.001). Both symptomatic and asymptomatic OGPs had a higher rate of mortality than their NOGP counterparts (symptomatic 16% vs. 9.5%, P < 0.001; asymptomatic 1.3% vs. 0.5%, P < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed OGPs to have increased overall associated risk of mortality compared to NOGPs (odds ratio (OR) 1.88, confidence interval (CI) 1.39-2.54, P < 0.001), as well as in the symptomatic (OR 1.54, CI 1.06-2.23, P < 0.001) and asymptomatic cohorts (OR 2.66, CI 1.59-4.45, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Octogenarian geriatric patients (OGPs) accounted for over a quarter of geriatric patients undergoing EVAR. This elderly group was associated with an increased rate and risk of mortality compared to NOGPs, even when controlling for known risk factors for mortality. Given this increased risk of mortality in OGPs undergoing EVAR, elective treatment of AAAs in this advanced age group should be performed with caution, particularly in those with diameters in which the risk of rupture may not warrant repair.

Multi-institutional outcomes after femoropopliteal bypass in octogenarians

OBJECTIVES

Open lower extremity revascularization is controversial among octogenarians; however, the indications for surgical bypass are higher in the elderly population. The aim of the study was to compare postoperative outcomes between octogenarians and non-octogenarians following femoropopliteal bypass surgery.

METHODS

Our regional, multi-institutional database was queried for femoropopliteal bypass procedures performed between 1995 and 2020. Electronic medical records were individually reviewed for operative and postoperative data. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression were utilized to determine predictors of postoperative outcomes.

RESULTS

Among 1315 patients who underwent femoropopliteal bypass, 234 (17.8%) were octogenarians. Octogenarians more frequently underwent bypass for lower extremity tissue loss (48.7% vs 30.2%), whereas claudication was more common among non-octogenarians (24.0% vs 9.8%) (p < .001). Below-knee bypass target (72.2% vs 59.3%) and prosthetic conduit utilization (58.5% vs 43.7%) were more frequent in octogenarians (p < .001 each). Overall hospital length of stay was longer among patients > 80 years (median 6 days [interquartile range [IQR] 4-9] vs 5 days [IQR 4-8], p = .017). The overall 30-day (5.6% vs 1.5%) and one-year mortality rates (25.6% vs 7.9%) were higher among octogenarians (p < .001 each). On multivariable analysis, age greater than 80 years was found to be an independent risk factor for postoperative mortality (OR 3.79 [1.75-8.20], p = .0007).

CONCLUSIONS

Octogenarians undergoing bypass femoropopliteal bypass surgery have considerably worse postoperative outcomes, compared with non-octogenarians. These data may help inform elderly patients prior to undergoing open lower extremity revascularization.

Adjuvant chemotherapy improves survival amongst octogenarians following resection of colorectal adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

The Australian population is ageing, with an increasing number of patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer in their eighth decade. This group represents a challenging cohort to deliver multidisciplinary care, with increased morbidity and mortality related to surgical and oncological therapies. This project aimed to compare surgical and oncological outcomes in octogenarian and non-octogenarian patients with colorectal cancer.

METHODS

A matched case-control retrospective review of a prospectively maintained institutional database of colorectal cancer patients treated between 2005 and 2021 was conducted. Patient demographics, treatment details, peri-operative complications, and long-term survival were reported. The primary outcome, cancer-specific survival, was investigated using time-to-event analysis and interrogated with multivariate regression.

RESULTS

There were 747 patients included in the study. There was no difference in five-year cancer-specific survival and recurrence-free survival between cohorts. Multivariate analysis for octogenarians confirmed a significant hazard signal associated with worsening cancer stage and a survival benefit associated with the administration of adjuvant therapy. However, we noted that stage-matched octogenarian patients received less adjuvant treatment compared to non-octogenarians.

CONCLUSION

Octogenarians undergoing treatment for colorectal cancer have similar cancer-specific survival and recurrence-free survival to non-octogenarians. Our study demonstrates a survival benefit when adjuvant therapy is provided to octogenarians, despite only half of this cohort receiving therapy compared to their younger peers. Further research into adjuvant therapy with surgical resection for CRC in older Australians is required.

Systematic review of the results of fenestrated endovascular aortic repair in octogenarians

INTRODUCTION

With the increasing life expectancy of Western populations, more octogenarians are presenting with large abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). Endovascular repair offers a less invasive alternative and older patients who may not have been offered open repair in the past are now being considered for elective repair with this approach. Age in isolation may not be the only consideration in recommending elective aneurysm repair. We aimed to review the literature on complex endovascular AAA repairs (mainly fenestrated endovascular aortic repair [FEVAR]) in octogenarians.

METHODS

A literature search was conducted using the Ovid Medline®, Embase® and Cochrane Library databases for articles published up to January 2022. All English language publications from 1995 onwards were eligible for inclusion. Search terms included: "FEVAR", "F-EVAR", "fenestrated EVAR", "fenestrated endovascular aortic repair", "fenestrated endovascular aneurysm repair", "fenestrated AAA repair", "fenestrated endograft", "fenestrated stent graft", "fenestrated", "endograft", "EVAR", "octogenarian", "elderly", "above 80" and "over 80".

METHODS

The literature search identified 134 potential articles. Following qualitative assessment by two independent appraisers, this was refined to 11 studies, in accordance with the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses) statement.

RESULTS

The primary outcome measure was 30-day mortality, which was highly variable, ranging from 0% to 9% in octogenarians and from 0% to 5% in non-octogenarians. However, these differences were only found to be statistically significant in two studies. The secondary outcome measures included technical success rates, major adverse events, reintervention rates, freedom from reintervention, target vessel patency, freedom from target branch instability, and length of hospital and intensive care unit stay. No statistically significant differences were found between octogenarians and non-octogenarians. Long-term survival was significantly lower for octogenarians in two studies.

CONCLUSIONS

The perioperative outcomes of FEVAR in octogenarians are comparable with those of younger patients. FEVAR therefore appears to be an acceptable option for complex endovascular aneurysm repairs in carefully selected octogenarians. Nevertheless, this review highlights the paucity of published data on the outcomes of endovascular repair of complex aneurysms in octogenarians.

Feasibility and safety of laparoscopic radical cystectomy for male octogenarians with muscle-invasive bladder cancer

This study was designed to evaluate the safety and feasibility of laparoscopic radical cystectomy (LRC) for male octogenarian patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). Briefly, a total of 57 male octogenarian patients (A group) with bladder carcinoma were enrolled and underwent LRC and intracorporeal pelvic lymph node dissection with bilateral cutaneous ureterostomy from May 2016 to December 2022. Besides, 63 male patients (age < 80 years old) with bladder carcinoma undergoing LRC and 17 octogenarian male patients with bladder carcinoma undergoing open radical cystectomy (ORC) were enrolled in B and C groups as control. All perioperative clinical materials and outcomes of long-term follow-up, and complication were collected. The specific results were shown as follows. Compared with C group, the operation time and resected lymph node in A group was increased, and the estimated blood loss, the number of transfusion needed, duration of pelvic drainage and hospital stay after surgery was decreased. The death rate and ileus complication rate were higher in A group (12 cases) than in C group (15 cases). The cases of ureteral stricture in A group (13 cases) was decreased compared with that in C group. Overall, LRC and bilateral cutaneous ureterostomy are safe, feasible and better choices for the treatment of male octogenarian patients with MIBC. The octogenarian receiving cutaneous ureterostomy heals slowly and exists certain incomplete intestinal obstruction after surgery.

Cardiovascular Outcomes of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease in Octogenarian Population

Limited data are available regarding in-hospital outcomes of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) in the octogenarian population with chronic kidney disease (CKD). We sought to study the cardiovascular outcomes of TAVI in CKD hospitalization with different stages at the national cohort registry. We used the National Inpatient Sample database to compare TAVI CKD low-grade (LG) (stage I to IIIa, b) versus TAVI CKD high-grade (HG) (stage IV to V) in octogenarians. Outcomes such as inpatient mortality, cardiogenic shock, new permanent pacemaker implantation, acute kidney injury), sudden cardiac arrest, mechanical circulatory support, major bleeding, transfusion, and resource utilization were compared between the 2 cohorts. A total of 74,766 octogenarian patients (TAVI CKD-HG n = 12,220; TAVI CKD-LG n = 62,545) were included in our study. On matched analysis, TAVI CKD-HG had higher odds of in-hospital mortality (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.18, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.0-2.5, p <0.0001), cardiogenic shock (aOR 1.22, 95% CI 1.07 to 1.39, p = 0.0019), permanent pacemaker implantation (aOR 1.14, 95% CI 1.06 to 1.23, p = 0.0006), acute kidney injury (aOR 1.19, 95% CI 1.13 to 1.27, p <0.0001), sudden cardiac arrest (aOR 1.32, 95% CI 1.09 to 1.61, p = 0.004), major bleeding (aOR 1.1, 95% CI 1.006 to 1.22, p <0.0368) and higher rates of blood transfusion (aOR 1.62, 95% CI 1.5 to 1.75, p <0.0001) when compared with the TAVI CKD-LG cohort. However, there was no statistically significant difference in the odds of cerebrovascular accident and mechanical circulatory support use between the 2 groups.

Role of Radical Surgery Following Preoperative Chemoradiotherapy in Octogenarians With Rectal Cancer: A SEER Analysis

BACKGROUND/AIM

There has been a growing trend toward a watch-and-wait strategy to avoid surgery. This study evaluated the prognostic outcomes of nonoperative management following chemoradiotherapy (CRT) in the very old patients with rectal cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database, we conducted a retrospective analysis of octogenarians (age ≥80 years) with stage II-III rectal cancer who received neoadjuvant CRT with or without radical surgery between 2005 and 2016. Long-term survival outcomes of the two treatment strategies were compared.

RESULTS

Propensity-matched cohorts were identified and analyzed for CRT followed by radical surgery vs. CRT alone (n=782). The 7-year rates of overall survival (OS) and disease-specific survival (DSS) of the two groups were 43% vs. 11% and 57% vs. 26%, respectively (p<0.001 for both comparisons). Radical surgery after CRT was the strongest prognostic factor associated with improved OS and DSS [hazard ratio (HR)=2.66 and 95% confidence interval (CI)=2.15-3.28 for OS; HR=2.50 and 95%CI=1.94-3.24 for DSS]. Based on the time-course hazard rate function plots of disease-specific mortality, short-term and late risk increments were observed in patients who underwent nonoperative management.

CONCLUSION

This study highlights the importance of an active treatment strategy with radical surgery even in the highest age population with rectal cancer. Omitting surgery may not generally be considered safe when it is considered solely on chronological age. Further research is needed to identify the appropriate indications for nonoperative management.

The cortical thickness of tricenarian cocaine users assembles features of an octogenarian brain

It has been suggested that substance use disorders could lead to accelerated biological aging, but only a few neuroimaging studies have investigated this hypothesis so far. In this cross-sectional study, structural neuroimaging was performed to measure cortical thickness (CT) in tricenarian adults with cocaine use disorder (CUD, n1  = 30) and their age-paired controls (YC, n1  = 30), and compare it with octogenarian elder controls (EC, n1  = 20). We found that CT in the right fusiform gyrus was similar between CUD and EC, thinner than the expected values of YC. We also found that regarding CT of the right inferior temporal gyrus, right inferior parietal cortex, and left superior parietal cortex, the CUD group exhibited parameters that fell in between EC and YC groups. Finally, CT of the right pars triangularis bordering with orbitofrontal gyrus, right superior temporal gyrus, and right precentral gyrus were reduced in CUD when contrasted with YC, but those areas were unrelated to CT of EC. Despite the 50-year age gap between our age groups, CT of tricenarian cocaine users assembles features of an octogenarian brain, reinforcing the accelerated aging hypothesis in CUD.

Outcomes of octogenarians receiving aortic repair

OBJECTIVE

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair is recommended for aneurysms greater than 5.5 cm in men and 5 cm in women. Because AAA is more common among the elderly, we sought to evaluate contemporary practices of elective AAA repair and 2-year postoperative outcomes in octogenarians.

METHODS

We identified octogenarians undergoing elective AAA repair in the Vascular Quality Initiative from 2012 to 2019. We included patients undergoing endovascular (EVAR) and open (OAR) aortic repair. Demographics and comorbid conditions were compared between patient groups. Frailty was calculated using previously published methods. Patients with frailty scores above the 75th percentile of the operative cohort were considered high frailty. The primary outcome was 1- and 2-year mortality. Secondary outcomes included postoperative complications. Standard statistical methods were utilized. Cox proportional hazard models were used to identify factors that affect mortality.

RESULTS

The frequency of AAA repair in octogenarians has remained stable. Of all aortic operations, 21.4% were performed on octogenarians; 9735 (23.3% of 41,712) EVAR and 755 (10.3% of 7325) OARs. Among octogenarian patients, 42.0% of EVARs were under size thresholds: 48.3% males ≤5.5 cm diameter and 21.5% females ≤5.0 cm diameter compared with 18.8% OARs: 23.4% males and 10.7% females. Additionally, 25.6% had high frailty scores. Among octogenarians, 1- and 2-year mortality was 9.3% ± 0.3% and 14.8% ± 0.4% for EVAR and 15.2% ± 1.3% and 18.9% ± 1.5% for OAR patients, respectively (P < .01). In-hospital mortality rate was higher after OAR (0.87% EVAR vs 7.55% OAR; P < .01) and differed with frailty (EVAR, low frailty 0.2% vs high frailty 1.7%; OAR, low frailty 2.3% vs high frailty 15.6%). For EVAR, patient factors associated with mortality included heart failure (hazard ratio [HR], 1.15; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.06-1.25; P = .001) and dialysis (HR, 1.71; 95% CI, 1.13-2.59; P = .012). For OAR, coronary artery disease (HR, 1.55; 95% CI, 0.98-2.44; P = .062) was associated with mortality. Statin use was protective of mortality for all patients (EVAR: HR, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.60-0.78; P < .01): OAR: HR, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.37-0.92; P = .020). Among octogenarians, high frailty was independently associated with 2-year mortality (EVAR: HR, 3.36; 95% CI, 2.62-4.31; P < .01 and OAR: HR, 2.35; 95% CI, 1.09-5.10; P = .030).

CONCLUSIONS

Nationally, a large portion of elective AAA repair in octogenarians is performed below recommended size thresholds, one-quarter of whom are frail with poor long-term 2-year mortality rates. High 2-year mortality following AAA repair in this age group exceeds the published risk of rupture for 5- to 5.5-cm AAA, suggesting that increase in the size threshold of elective repair among octogenarians should be explored.

Is Discharge Within a Day Following Total Hip Arthroplasty Safe in the Septuagenarian and Octogenarian Population? A Propensity-Matched Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

Limited data exists on whether patients older than 70 can safely be discharged within a day (rapid discharge (RD)) following primary total hip arthroplasty (THA). The purpose of this study was to compare perioperative complications and readmission rates associated with RD in patients ≥70 years compared to longer lengths of stay following THA.

METHODS

A retrospective, propensity-matched cohort study was conducted using the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database from 2006 to 2020. Patients ≥70 years undergoing RD following THA were propensity matched to patients ≥70 years who had longer hospital stays (nonrapid discharge). Sub-analyses were performed for septuagenarians and octogenarians. Following 1:1 matching, multivariate analyses were performed to compare perioperative complications and readmissions. Following propensity matching, both groups contained 2,192 patients.

RESULTS

The RD patients were found to have shorter operative times (P < .001), less bleeding complications (P < .001), and were more likely to have home discharges (P < .001). The 2 cohorts did not differ in the remaining complications or 30-day postoperative period readmissions among all patients and when evaluating septuagenarians and octogenarians.

CONCLUSION

Patients ≥70 years undergoing RD following THA had comparable complication and readmission rates to patients older than 70 undergoing nonrapid discharge. Furthermore, RD patients were more likely to have home discharges and have shorter operations with less bleeding complications. Septuagenarians receiving RD were more likely to have an unplanned readmission. These data suggest that RD following THA can be performed safely in select patients older than 70.

Early mortality of emergency surgery for acute type A aortic dissection in octogenarians and nonagenarians: A multi-center retrospective study

OBJECTIVES

The clinical data on postoperative mortality and central nervous system (CNS) complications in older adults who underwent acute type A aortic dissection are limited. Thus, in this study we aimed to evaluate the association between age and early postoperative mortality and occurrence of CNS complications.

METHODS

This multicentric retrospective cohort study included 5 tertiary hospitals in Japan. All patients who underwent emergency surgery for acute type A aortic dissection between October 1998 and December 2019 were enrolled. The multilevel Cox proportional hazards model, which considered years as level 1, institutions as level 2, and surgeons as level 3, was used to evaluate the association between age and early postoperative hospital mortality and occurrence of CNS complications.

RESULTS

Of the 1037 patients, 227 (21.9%) were ≥80 years old and 810 (78.1%) were <80 years old. Overall, 134 patients (12.9%) died within 30 days postoperatively; among them, 42/227 (18.5%) and 92/810 (11.4%) were aged ≥80 and <80 years, respectively (hazard ratio [HR], 1.63; P = .0046). CNS complications within 30 days postoperatively occurred in 140/1037 (13.5%) patients; among them, 42/227 (18.5%) and 98/810 (12.1%) were aged ≥80 and <80 years, respectively (HR, 1.63; P = .011). In multivariate analysis, age ≥80 years was associated with mortality within 30 days postoperatively (adjusted HR, 2.37; 95% CI, 1.23-4.57; P = .01) but not with CNS complications (adjusted HR, 1.58; 95% CI, 0.93-2.69; P = .091).

CONCLUSIONS

The early postoperative mortality in older patients was approximately 50% higher than in the younger population. A thorough discussion regarding the surgical indications should be done.

Effects of exercise training after acute coronary syndromes in octogenarians - prospective 12-month evaluation

OBJECTIVE

Aim: To demonstrate the impact of individual exercise training on the course of the disease, exercise tolerance and quality of life (QoL) in patients over 75 years after acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Materials and methods: Study included octogenarians after ACS randomly assigned into two groups: a training group (ExT) subjected to individualized physical training and a control group (CG) with standard recommendations for activity. Patients underwent exercise tolerance test (ETT), 6-minute walk test (6-MWT), NHP and QoL questionnaires evaluation, lab tests, ECG, echocardiographic examination at the beginning and after 2, 6 and 12 months.

RESULTS

Results: Study included 51 patients, mean age 80 years, 50% men, all patients completed the study. Initial physical capacity was comparable in both groups. After 2-month training the average ETT exercise time increased by 12.5% (p=0.0004), the load increased by 13% (p=0.0005) and the 6-MWT results improved by 8.3% (p=0.0114). Among CG these changes were not significant. But 6 and 12 months after training cessation 6-MWT results returned to the initial values (p=0.069, p=0.062 respecitvely). Average ETT exercise time and average load decreased significantly after 12 months (p=0.0009, p=0.0006). Level of pain was significantly lower at the end of the training in ExT group (p=0.007), but it returned to initial 12 months later (p=0.48). QoL deteriorated significantly in the ExT group 12 months after training cessation (p=0.04).

CONCLUSION

Conclusions: Cardiac rehabilitation in octogenarians after ACS was safe and improved physical performance in a short period of time. Cessation of training resulted in a loss of achieved effects and deterioration of the QoL.

Clinical and safety outcomes of simultaneous bilateral total knee arthroplasty for Japanese octogenarian patients: a retrospective analysis

PURPOSE

The demand for simultaneous bilateral total knee arthroplasty (SiBTKA) in older adults is expected to increase with an aging population, thus necessitating evaluating its efficacy and safety. However, there is limited information regarding the clinical outcomes of SiBTKA in older adults, particularly in octogenarians. We aimed to assess the clinical outcomes and safety of SiBTKA in Japanese patients aged ≥ 80 years.

METHODS

Of the 176 consecutive knees that underwent SiBTKA between July 2016 and January 2022 at our hospital, 172 were selected. They were divided into two groups according to the patient age as follows: the octogenarian group (≥ 80 years, 74 knees) and the younger control group (< 80 years, 98 knees). In addition, we assessed their preoperative clinical information, clinical outcomes using the Knee Society Score for knee (KSS-K) and function (KSS-F), and the incidence of early (≤ 90 days) and late (> 90 days) postoperative complications.

RESULTS

The mean follow-up period was 3.5 years. The KSS-K scores of both groups improved postoperatively than that preoperatively. Both preoperative and postoperative KSS-F scores were lower in the octogenarians; however, their improvement rates were similar to those of the younger controls. We observed no significant intergroup differences in early or late postoperative complications, including infection, systemic complications, periprosthetic fractures, aseptic loosening, and mortality.

CONCLUSION

SiBTKA for octogenarians had clinical outcomes and postoperative complication incidence similar to that for younger controls. Therefore, SiBTKA may be a safe and effective treatment option for octogenarians with painful bilateral knee deformities.

Tafamidis Efficacy Among Octogenarian Patients in the Phase 3 ATTR-ACT and Ongoing Long-Term Extension Study

BACKGROUND

Tafamidis was approved to treat patients with transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM) on the basis of findings from the phase 3 Tafamidis in Transthyretin Cardiomyopathy Clinical Trial (ATTR-ACT).

OBJECTIVES

This study was a post hoc analysis exploring tafamidis efficacy in octogenarian patients.

METHODS

Analysis of patients aged <80 and ≥80 years in ATTR-ACT and its ongoing open-label long-term extension (LTE) study, where all patients receive tafamidis.

RESULTS

After 30 months in ATTR-ACT, least squares (LS) mean change from baseline in 6-minute walk test (6MWT) distance, N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) concentration, and Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire Overall Summary (KCCQ-OS) score were smaller (all P < 0.05) in patients aged ≥80 years treated with tafamidis (n = 51) vs placebo (n = 37). At the LTE study interim analysis, patients aged ≥80 years treated continuously with tafamidis had a smaller decline in KCCQ-OS score (P < 0.05) and trended toward longer median survival (45 vs 27 months; all-cause mortality HR: 0.6828 [95% CI: 0.4048-1.1517]; P = 0.1526) than those initially treated with placebo in ATTR-ACT. Similar efficacy was observed in patients aged <80 years in ATTR-ACT, including smaller LS mean change from baseline in 6MWT distance, NT-proBNP concentration, and KCCQ-OS score, and lower rate of cardiovascular-related hospitalizations with tafamidis (n = 125) vs placebo (n = 140). In the LTE study, patients aged <80 years treated continuously with tafamidis had a longer median survival (80 vs 41 months; HR = 0.4513 [95% CI: 0.3176-0.6413]; P < 0.0001) and a smaller decline in KCCQ-OS score than those initially treated with placebo.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings demonstrate tafamidis efficacy for patients with ATTR-CM both in those aged <80 and those aged ≥80 years. (Tafamidis in Transthyretin Cardiomyopathy Clinical Trial [ATTR-ACT]; NCT01994889/Long-term Safety of Tafamidis in Subjects With Transthyretin Cardiomyopathy; NCT02791230).

Prognostic Comparison of Octogenarian vs. Non-Octogenarian With Acute Decompensated Heart Failure - AURORA Study

BACKGROUND

Acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) is the main cause of hospitalization and death of octogenarians, but no data on the 1-year post-discharge mortality rate. We evaluated the clinical status and predictors of 1-year mortality in octogenarians with ADHF.Methods and Results: From the AURORA (Acute Heart Failure Registry in Osaka Rosai Hospital) study, we examined 1,246 hospitalized ADHF patients. We compared the in-hospital mortality rate and the proportion of heart failure (HF) with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) between octogenarians and non-octogenarians. After discharge we compared the 1-year mortality rate between these groups, and we also evaluated the predictors of death in both groups. The proportion of HFpEF among the in-hospital deaths of octogenarians was significantly higher than in non-octogenarians (46.2% vs. 15.0%, P=0.031). The 1-year mortality rate after discharge was significantly higher in the octogenarians than non-octogenarians (P=0.014). Multivariable Cox regression analysis revealed that albumin ≤3.0 g/dL and antiplatelet agents were useful predictors of 1-year death after discharge of octogenarians whereas chronic kidney disease was a predictor in the non-octogenarians.

CONCLUSIONS

The proportion of HFpEF among in-hospital deaths of octogenarians with ADHF was high as compared with non-octogenarians. When octogenarians with ADHF have severe hypoalbuminemia and antiplatelet agents, early nutritional and medical interventions after discharge may be important to improve the 1-year prognosis.

Colorectal cancer surgery in octogenarians: real-world long-term results

AIMS

Colon cancer is the most common intra-abdominal cancer in older people. In the elderly with cancer, clinical decision making is often complicated by the effects of aging. However, as life expectancy continues to rise, more people aged 80 and older will present with colorectal cancer and may need major surgery.

METHODS

Between 2000 and 2020 we operated on 352 patients aged 80 and older for colorectal cancer. We reviewed the case-notes of these patients and made a survival analysis for those patients who had a surgical resection of the tumor.

RESULTS

In 20 patients a palliative procedure was performed. Three hundred and thirty-two (332) patients had a colorectal cancer resected. Of these, 57 patients died within 90 days postoperatively. Survival analysis was done for 275 patients who were alive longer than 90 days postoperatively. The overall 5-year survival in this group is 41.5%. There was no significant difference in postoperative survival between patients over the age of 85 and patients aged 80-84 at the time of operation. The survival of patients with stage IV colorectal adenocarcinoma is significantly worse than survival in stage I-III patients (Cox-Mantel log-rank test p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

After exclusion of the patients in the 90-day mortality group the overall 5-year survival in octogenarians who had a resection of a colorectal cancer was 41.5%. The most difficult problem is to choose the right treatment for the right patient. Optimal surgical and adjuvant treatment should not be denied to these older patients.

Comparing outcomes between coronary artery bypass grafting and percutaneous coronary intervention in octogenarians with left main or multivessel disease

Mechanisms of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) differ as CABG provides surgical collateralization and may prolong life by preventing future myocardial infarctions (MI). However, CABG benefits are unclear in octogenarians, where surgical risk is often perceived as higher and PCI is chosen more liberally. We performed a meta-analysis of studies comparing outcomes in octogenarians with left main or multivessel disease who underwent CABG or PCI. Primary outcome was late mortality (> 5 years). Secondary outcomes were perioperative mortality, MI, re-revascularization (R-R), acute renal failure (ARF), and stroke. Fourteen studies with 17,942 patients were included. CABG was associated with lower late mortality (hazard ratio, HR: 1.23, 95% confidence interval: CI 1.05-1.44, p < 0.01). In the pooled Kaplan-Meier analysis CABG showed significantly lower risk of death in the follow-up compared to PCI (HR: 1.08, 95%CI 1.02-1.41, p = 0.005). Landmark analyses confirmed the survival advantage of CABG over PCI after 21.5 months of follow-up (HR: 1.31, 1.19-1.44, p < 0.0001), but suggested advantage of PCI over CABG in the first 30-days (HR: 0.72, 0.64-0.82, p < 0.0001) and comparable survival from 1 to 21.5 months (HR: 0.98, 0.92-1.05, p = 0.652). We found lower risk for MI and R-R after CABG but higher perioperative mortality and no differences in ARF and stroke. CABG appears superior to PCI over time in octogenarians with complex CAD. This survival advantage is associated with fewer events of MI and R-R; however, it comes with an increased risk in perioperative mortality.

Surgery in octogenarians with intracranial meningiomas improves functional outcome at 1 year

PURPOSE

The population is aging, and age remains an important factor in deciding surgical candidacy for intracranial tumors. The natural history and surgical behavior of meningiomas in octogenarians are not well understood. We evaluated the surgical and functional outcomes, including survival, among octogenarians with intracranial meningiomas in a single institution.

METHODS

The Tumor Registry (2004-2021) was used to identify octogenarian patients (ages 80-89) diagnosed with intracranial meningioma. Primary endpoints were 1-year survival and functional outcome measured with mRS postsurgery. Kaplan-Meier, univariable Log-rank tests, and multivariable Cox hazards proportional regression models were used for assessing factors associated with overall survival (OS) in octogenarians with meningiomas who underwent surgery; logistic regression and McNemar's were used to further characterize risk factors affecting functional surgical outcome at 1 year.

RESULTS

Thirty octogenarians with intracranial meningioma who underwent surgery were identified. Median age was 82.5 years and 66.6% were female patients. The 1-year median postsurgical survival probability for all octogenarians with meningioma was 86.3% and no intraoperative mortality was observed. Frailty (mFI-5, p = 0.84), tumor grade (p = 0.11), tumor size (p = 0.22), extent of resection (p = 0.35), and Karnofsky scale on admission (p = 0.93) did not significantly affect the survival in octogenarians with meningiomas which were treated surgically. The 1-year postoperative functional status of octogenarian meningioma patients who underwent surgery was significantly improved compared to pre-op mRS (McNemar's chi-squared = 9.6, df = 1, p-value = 0.001946).

CONCLUSION

In octogenarians with meningiomas, surgical intervention significantly improves the pre-operative modified Rankin Scale at 1 year postsurgery in this cohort.

Drivers of calcium oxalate stone formation in the octogenarian population

INTRODUCTION

American Urological Association (AUA) guidelines suggest metabolic testing via 24-h urine studies in high-risk, interested first-time stone formers, and recurrent stone formers. If metabolic testing is not available or otherwise not feasible, clinicians may need to utilize empiric therapy. Debility and social barriers, particularly in the elderly population, may limit the practicality of metabolic testing, and therefore, empiric therapy is of particular importance. The aim of this study is to identify whether unique urinary metabolic abnormality profiles exist for octogenarians with calcium oxalate kidney stones, as this may guide empiric stone prevention therapy more precisely in this population.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients with calcium oxalate stones from a single academic kidney stone center in New York, NY, were retrospectively identified in our prospectively managed database. Patient data, including demographic, clinical information, and baseline 24-h urine studies, were collected before initiating any treatment. Subjects were stratified by age (≤ 40, 41-59, 60-79, and ≥ 80 years) to compare the metabolic urinary abnormality profiles between octogenarians and other age groups. Subgroup analyses were also performed to compare results by gender and by the presence of underlying kidney dysfunction. Comparative statistical analysis was carried out using Chi-square tests, Mann-Whitney U tests, and t-tests where appropriate.

RESULTS

Hypocitraturia, low urine pH, and low urine volume were most common in older patients, particularly in octogenarians. Hypercalciuria, hypernatriuria, and hyperuricosuria were more apparent in younger groups.

CONCLUSION

With increasing age, hypocitraturia, low urine pH, and low urine volume were more prevalent on 24-h urine metabolic testing. We hypothesize increased comorbidity, including medical renal disease, polypharmacy, and dehydration are possible factors contributing to this unique profile. We suggest that empiric therapy targeted towards this profile is important in very elderly stone formers in whom 24-h urine testing may not be possible. Increased hydration, increased fruit and vegetable intake, and low-dose alkali therapy are easy measures to accomplish this.

Acute limb ischaemia due to thrombosed persistent sciatic artery aneurysm presents a surgical challenge in a frail octogenarian

OBJECTIVES

Persistent sciatic artery (PSA) is a rare congenital anomaly, whereby the embryonic sciatic artery remains patent with associated degrees of femoral axis hypoplasia. Aneurysmal degeneration and distal ischaemia from thromboembolic complications are common. Revascularisation strategies include embolectomy, bypass or interposition grafting and catheter-directed thrombolysis.

METHODS

We describe a sedentary 88-year-old woman with right acute limb ischaemia secondary to a thrombosed PSA aneurysm and concurrent occlusive thrombus at the femoral bifurcation.

RESULTS

The patient presented with a 3-day history of a cold, painful right foot. Examination revealed Rutherford IIb ischaemia. CT-angiography demonstrated no continuity between the hypoplastic superficial femoral and popliteal arteries, complete occlusion of the right PSA distal to the thrombosed aneurysm and occlusive thrombus in the right profunda. As she was too frail for femoral-distal bypass, we restored femoral axis inflow via profunda embolectomy. Her prognosis remained guarded as we deliberately did not reconstruct the PSA. However, she was discharged pain-free and mobilising with aids 2 weeks later.

CONCLUSION

Limb ischaemia in frail, high-risk patients is an ever-increasing challenge for vascular surgeons and requires complex decision-making, balancing comorbidities against desired outcomes. This case illustrates that a selective approach can be sufficient to maintain function despite complex anatomy.

Clinical Impact of Prehabilitation on Elective Laparoscopic Surgery in Frail Octogenarians With Colorectal Cancer

BACKGROUND/AIM

The aim of the present study was to clarify the clinical impact of prehabilitation by the perioperative management center (PERIO) at our hospital in severely frail octogenarians with colorectal cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We compared the clinicopathological characteristics of octogenarians who underwent surgery for colorectal cancer before the establishment of PERIO intervention (Control group) with those who received prehabilitation (PERIO group). All patients were classified as American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class 3 or higher. The primary outcome was the incidence of postoperative complications.

RESULTS

There were 21 patients in the Control group and 19 patients in the PERIO group. Operative time was significantly longer in the PERIO group (Control group, 200 min vs. PERIO group, 230 min; p=0.03) and blood loss was significantly higher in the PERIO group (Control group, 5 ml vs. PERIO group, 30 ml; p=0.02). Postoperative complications occurred in 10 patients (47.6%) in the Control group and 3 patients (15.8%) in the PERIO group and were significantly lower in the PERIO group (p=0.03). Postoperative hospital stay was 13 days (range=7-31 days) in the Control group and 11 days (range=8-70 days) in the PERIO group (p=0.39). The rate of discharge directly to home was 81% in the Control group and 93.3% in the PERIO group (p=0.29).

CONCLUSION

In frail octogenarians with colorectal cancer of ASA class 3 or higher, the incidence of postoperative complications was significantly lower after PERIO intervention.

Minimally invasive surgical aortic valve replacement versus transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve implantation in low-risk octogenarians : Observational, retrospective and single-center study

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to compare short-term and mid-term outcomes in low-risk octogenarian population treated with transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve implantation (tf-TAVI) or minimally invasive aortic valve replacement (mini-AVR) for severe aortic stenosis.

METHODS

In this single-center, retrospective cohort study we gathered data on low-risk (Society of Thoracic Surgeons [STS] score < 4%) octogenarians before and after tf-TAVI and mini-AVR performed between January 2013 and May 2019; follow-up was completed in May 2022. Short-term outcomes were hospital length of stay, in-hospital all-cause mortality and other major postoperative outcomes. Mid-term clinical outcomes were 1‑year and 3‑year all-cause mortality. Propensity score-based matching was performed.

RESULTS

In total 106 patients were matched, resulting in 53 pairs. In-hospital complications were similar between the matched groups of patients with the exception of mild and moderate paravalvular leak (mini-AVR vs. tf-TAVI: mild PVL: 3.8% vs. 45.3%, p < 0.001; moderate PVL: 0% vs. 3.8%, p = 0.4952) and of postprocedural acute kidney injury that was more frequent in mini-AVR group (mini-AVR vs. tf-TAVI: 22.6% vs. 5.7%; p = 0.023). Hospital length of stay (p = 0.239) and in-hospital mortality (p = 0.495) did not differ between groups. The 1-year and 3‑year all-cause mortality Kaplan-Meier estimates were similar between mini-AVR and tf-TAVI.

CONCLUSION

In the present study on low-risk octogenarians, transfemoral TAVI and minimally invasive AVR showed comparable short-term and mid-term results. Both procedures are deemed safe and effective. Larger RCTs will be required to determine which low-risk patients will benefit most from TAVI.

Outcomes of lower extremity revascularization in octogenarians and nonagenarians for intermittent claudication

OBJECTIVE

Revascularization for intermittent claudication (IC) due to infrainguinal peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is dependent on durability and expected benefit. We aimed to assess outcomes for IC interventions in octogenarians and nonagenarians (age ≥80 years) and those younger than 80 years (age <80 years).

METHODS

The Vascular Quality Initiative was queried (2010-2020) for peripheral vascular interventions (PVIs) and infrainguinal bypasses (IIBs) performed to treat IC. Baseline characteristics, procedural details, and outcomes were analyzed (comparing age ≥80 years and age <80 years).

RESULTS

There were 84,210 PVIs (12.1% age ≥80 years and 87.9% age <80 years) and 10,980 IIBs (7.4% age ≥80 years and 92.6% age <80 years) for IC. For PVI, patients aged ≥80 years more often underwent femoropopliteal (70.7% vs 58.1%) and infrapopliteal (19% vs 9.3%) interventions, and less often iliac interventions (32.1% vs 48%) (P < .001 for all). Patients aged ≥80 years had more perioperative hematomas (3.5% vs 2.4%) and 30-day mortality (0.9% vs 0.4%) (P < .001). At 1-year post-intervention, the age ≥80 years cohort had fewer independently ambulatory patients (80% vs 91.5%; P < .001). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed patients aged ≥80 years had lower reintervention/amputation-free survival (81.4% vs 86.8%), amputation-free survival (87.1% vs 94.1%), and survival (92.3% vs 96.8%) (P < .001) at 1-year after PVI. Risk adjusted analysis showed that age ≥80 years was associated with higher reintervention/amputation/death (hazard ratio [HR], 1.22; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1-1.35), amputation/death (HR, 1.85; 95% CI, 1.61-2.13), and mortality (HR, 1.92; 95% CI, 1.66-2.23) (P < .001 for all) for PVI. For IIB, patients aged ≥80 years more often had an infrapopliteal target (28.4% vs 19.4%) and had higher 30-day mortality (1.3% vs 0.5%), renal failure (4.1% vs 2.2%), and cardiac complications (5.4% vs 3.1%) (P < .001). At 1 year, the age ≥80 years group had fewer independently ambulatory patients (81.7% vs 88.8%; P = .02). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the age ≥80 years cohort had lower reintervention/amputation-free survival (75.7% vs 81.5%), amputation-free survival (86.9% vs 93.9%), and survival (90.4% vs 96.5%) (P < .001 for all). Risk-adjusted analysis showed age ≥80 years was associated with higher amputation/death (HR, 1.68; 95% CI, 1.1-2.54; P = .015) and mortality (HR, 1.85; 95% CI, 1.16-2.93; P = .009), but not reintervention/amputation/death (HR, 1.1; 95% CI, 0.85-1.44; P = .47) after IIB.

CONCLUSIONS

Octogenarians and nonagenarians have greater perioperative morbidity and long-term ambulatory impairment, limb loss, and mortality after PVI and IIB for claudication. Risks of intervention on elderly patients with claudication should be carefully weighed against the perceived benefits of revascularization. Medical and exercise therapy efforts should be maximized in this population.

Thrombolysis and thrombectomy for stroke in octogenarians and nonagenarians: A regional observational study

INTRODUCTION

Elderly patients are a growing population in stroke units, characterized by higher frailty, but underrepresented in clinical trials about acute care. We investigated efficacy of intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) and mechanical thrombectomy (MT) in elderlies in current practice.

METHODS

We assessed consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) hospitalized in the four stroke units of the French Northern Alps Emergency Network between 2015 and 2020. We compared baseline characteristics, early neurological evolution and outcome of patients aged 80-89 and≥90years old (yo).

RESULTS

Among 8367 patients, 2744 (32.8%) were 80-89 yo and 541 (6.5%) were≥90 yo. IVT and/or MT were performed in 787 patients≥80 yo (632 patients aged 80-89, 155 patients aged>90). Early neurological improvement was more frequent in patients≥80 yo treated by IVT and/or MT compared to untreated patients (45.6% versus 38.4%, P=0.002). After adjustment, reperfusion treatments improved likelihood of good outcome at discharge (OR=2.0 [1.6-2.7]) and reduced in-hospital mortality (OR=0.5 [0.4-0.7]). Age and initial NIHSS score were independent factors of poor functional outcome at discharge and in-hospital mortality. The rate of successful recanalization was comparable between octogenarians and nonagenarians (87% versus 85.2%, P=0.8). Octogenarians had better functional outcome at discharge compared to nonagenarians [modified Rankin scale (mRS) 0-2: 36% versus 25.7%, P=0.02], whatever IVT or MT strategy. In-hospital mortality was lower for octogenarians compared to nonagenarians (19.5% versus 27.1%, P=0.04).

DISCUSSION

IVT and MT improve early neurological recovery and functional outcome at discharge of both octogenarians and nonagenarians in current practice. Despite a poorer outcome for nonagenarians than octogenarians, these reperfusion treatments should not be withheld on the basis of age only.

Risk factors for in-hospital mortality after emergency colorectal surgery in octogenarians: results of a cohort study from a referral center

PURPOSE

The objective of this study was to investigate predictive factors of mortality in emergency colorectal surgery in octogenarian patients.

METHODS

It is a retrospective cohort study conducted at a single-institution tertiary referral center. Consecutive patients who underwent emergency colorectal surgery between January 2015 and January 2020 were identified. The primary endpoint was 30-day mortality. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed using a logistic regression model.

RESULTS

A total of 111 patients were identified (43 men, 68 women). Mean age was 85.7 ± 3.7 years (80-96). Main diagnoses included complicated sigmoiditis in 38 patients (34.3%), cancer in 35 patients (31.5%), and ischemic colitis in 31 patients (27.9%). An ASA score of 3 or higher was observed in 88.3% of patients. The mean Charlson score was 5.9. The Possum score was 35.9% for mortality and 79.3% for morbidity. The 30-day mortality rate was 25.2%. Univariate analysis of preoperative risk factors for mortality shows that the history of valvular heart disease (p = 0.008), intensive care unit provenance (p = 0.003), preoperative sepsis (p < 0.001), diagnosis of ischemic colitis (p = 0.012), creatinine (p = 0.006) and lactate levels (p = 0.01) were significantly associated with 30-day mortality, and patients coming from home had a lower 30-day mortality rate (p = 0.018). Intraoperative variables associated with 30-day mortality included ileostomy creation (p = 0.022) and temporary laparostomy (p = 0.004). At multivariate analysis, only lactate (p = 0.032) and creatinine levels (p = 0.027) were found to be independent predictors of 30-day mortality, home provenance was an independent protective factor (p = 0.004). Mean follow-up was 3.4 years. Survival at 1 and 3 years was 57.6 and 47.7%.

CONCLUSION

Emergency colorectal surgery is challenging. However, age should not be a contraindication. The 30-day mortality rate (25.2%) is one of the lowest in the literature. Hyperlactatemia (> 2mmol/L) and creatinine levels appear to be independent predictors of mortality.

Vestibular Schwannoma Stereotactic Radiosurgery in Octogenarians: Case Series

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

The management of octogenarians with vestibular schwannomas (VS) has received little attention. However, with the increase in octogenarian population, more effort is needed to clarify the value of stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) in this population. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of SRS in this patient age group.

METHODS

A retrospective study of 62 patients aged 80 years or older who underwent single-session SRS for symptomatic VS during a 35-year interval was performed. The median patient age was 82 years, and 61.3% were male. SRS was performed as planned adjuvant management or for delayed progression after prior partial resection in 5 patients.

RESULTS

SRS resulted in a 5-year tumor control rate of 95.6% with a 4.8% risk of adverse radiation effects (ARE). Tumor control was unrelated to patient age, tumor volume, Koos grade, sex, SRS margin dose, or prior surgical management. Four patients underwent additional management including 1 patient with symptomatic progression requiring surgical resection, 2 patients with symptomatic hydrocephalus requiring cerebrospinal fluid diversion, and 1 patient whose tumor-related cyst required delayed cyst aspiration. Three patients developed ARE, including 1 patient with permanent facial weakness (House-Brackmann grade II), 1 who developed trigeminal neuropathy, and 1 who had worsening gait disorder. Six patients had serviceable hearing preservation before SRS, and 2 maintained serviceable hearing preservation after 4 years. A total of 44 (71%) patients died at an interval ranging from 6 to 244 months after SRS.

CONCLUSION

SRS resulted in tumor and symptom control in most octogenarian patients with VS.

Safety of curative-intent lung cancer surgery in older patients (octogenarians): A contemporary multicentre cohort study

INTRODUCTION

Despite octogenarians representing an ever-increasing proportion of patients with lung cancer, there is a paucity of evidence describing outcomes after lung resection for these patients. We aimed to evaluate short and mid-term outcomes for octogenarians after lung resection.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 5,470 consecutive patients undergoing lung resection for primary lung cancer from 2012-2019 in two UK centres were included. Primary outcomes were perioperative, 90-day, and one-year mortality in the octogenarian vs. non-octogenarian cohort. Appropriate statistical tests were used to compare outcomes between octogenarian and non-octogenarian patients. Secondary outcomes were post-operative complications and to validate the performance of the Thoracoscore model in the octogenarian cohort.

RESULTS

Overall, 9.4% (n=513) of patients were aged ≥80. The rates of 90-day mortality, one-year mortality, and post-operative atrial fibrillation were significantly higher for octogenarians. The one-year mortality rate for octogenarians fell significantly over time (2012-2015: 16.5% vs 2016-2019: 10.2%, p=0.034). Subgroup analysis (2016-2019 only) demonstrated no significant difference in peri-operative, 90-day, or one-year mortality between octogenarian and non-octogenarian patients. Validation of the Thoracoscore model demonstrated modest discrimination and acceptable calibration.

DISCUSSION

Mortality for octogenarians fell significantly over time in this study. Indeed, when confined to the most recent time period, comparable rates of both 90-day and one-year mortality for octogenarian and non-octogenarian patients were seen. Whilst preventative strategies to reduce the incidence of post-operative atrial fibrillation in octogenarians should be considered, these findings demonstrate that following appropriate patient selection, octogenarians can safely undergo lung resection for lung cancer.