Articles: aged.
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Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) has been practiced since 1960. In mixed-age populations there is about a 10 per cent survival rate. Most CPR studies state that "age alone" is not a critical factor in survival. ⋯ The available data suggest that CPR is suitable for the independent and relatively well elderly to whom CPR measures can be quickly applied. For the chronically dependent and ill elderly, CPR in most instances should not be undertaken. Such an eventuality, however, should be anticipated and whenever possible discussed with patients and family members, thus allowing decisions to be made consciously rather than leaving them "to chance."
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During the hospital course of 225 nonagenarian patients who underwent 285 major operations-80% on the general, vascular, orthopedic and urologic services-overall morbidity was 37% and mortality 7.5%. The 100 emergency operations were associated with a higher morbidity and mortality rate. ⋯ Compared with all surgical patients, the nonagenarians were admitted twice as often to the surgical intensive care unit, required twice the number of hospital days, underwent intraoperative hemodynamic monitoring twice as frequently and incurred 200% greater hospital charges. We conclude that with careful evaluation and management, a nonagenarian patient presenting with a surgical condition can safely undergo necessary operative procedures.