Octogenarians can be good candidates for heart surgery

"Patients 80 years and older who are in overall good health are perfectly able to withstand open-heart surgery, according to the latest study of Dr. Kevin Lachapelle of the McGill University Health Centre. His findings were presented in Toronto during the 2008 Canadian Cardiovascular Congress. 'Age should not be a reason for doctors to rule out the possibility of heart surgery for their octogenarian patients," explained Dr. Lachapelle. 'If patients with heart problems are otherwise in good health, this surgery can significantly improve their quality of life'" - EurekAlert