The Impact of Age on Aortic Root Replacement

The authors analyzed 2,748 adults undergoing aortic root replacement between 2004 and 2021. They report an overall stroke rate of 3.4 percent, which was highest in patients aged 80 years and older (9.7 percent). This group also experienced more renal failure requiring dialysis, prolonged ventilation, longer hospital stays, and the highest in-hospital mortality (13 percent). The 10-year survival was 78 percent overall but declined to 63 percent in ages 70–79 and 4 percent for those aged 80 years and older. Reoperation was required in 4 percent of cases, most often among patients aged 30–49. The authors conclude that outcomes worsen significantly with advanced age.