Influence of Frailty Syndrome on Outcomes of Cardiovascular Surgery in Elderly Patients

Abstract

Introduction: Frailty syndrome is a significant risk factor for elderly patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery. However, there is no consensus on which criteria are most effective for assessing frailty in this context. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between different widely cited frailty syndrome criteria and postoperative morbidity and mortality. Methods: Patients aged ≥ 60 years scheduled for coronary artery bypass graft, valve, and/or ascending aortic surgery were assessed for frailty preoperatively. Frailty was defined by Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) ≥ 4, Katz Index ≥ 1, Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) ≤ 6, Fried Frailty Phenotype (FFP) ≥ 3 or abnormal values in 15-feet gait speed (GS) test, or hand grip strength. Clinical outcomes, including mortality and major adverse cardiovascular and cerebral events (MACCE), were assessed 30 days post-surgery. Results: Among 137 patients (70.1% male, mean age 69.43 ± 5.98 years), frailty prevalence ranged from 13.1% to 43.1%, depending on criterion, with no significant differences by age strata or surgery type. At 30-day follow-up, mortality was 5.1% (n = 7), and a total of 29 MACCE (21.1%) were recorded. Patients identified as frail by the FFP, CFS, SPPB, and GS criteria showed a significant association with mortality and MACCE. Multivariate analysis indicated FFP and CFS as independent risk factors for MACCE with equivalent prognostic prediction. Conclusion: Frailty is a prevalent condition among elderly patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery and is associated with mortality and morbidity. Frailty defined by FFP and CFS criteria was independently associated with higher MACCE rates.