Thoracic aortic operations in patients aged 70 years or older.

Thirty-one patients over the age of 70 years (group A) and 72 patients less than 69 years (group B) underwent a variety of thoracic aortic surgical procedures. Early and long-term results and cerebral function were compared between the two groups. Preoperative and postoperative cerebral function was evaluated using mini mental state-Himeji and Wechsler adult intelligence scale tests. The operative mortality of groups A and B was 12.9% and 11.1%, respectively (not significant). There were no significant differences in postoperative complications between the two groups. The late mortality rates of groups A and B were 11.1% and 9.3%, respectively (not significant). There were no significant differences between the two groups in the mini mental state-Himeji test, digit symbol, vocabulary, and total Wechsler adult intelligence scale scores before and after operation. We conclude that thoracic aortic surgical procedures in patients over 70 years of age can be performed with acceptable mortality and morbidity risks. Most patients showed symptomatic improvement.