Preoperative geriatric assessment , a promising tool to improve outcomes in aortic pathology interventions

Background: Due to population aging and the spread of endovascular techniques for aortic diseases, there has been an increase in older population intervened. Objectively assessing patient's global status becomes mandatory in advanced ages, as impaired functional status and frailty are associated with higher postoperative mortality rates. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the impact of a systematic geriatric preoperative assessment on the outcomes of aortic interventions. Methods: All patients above 60 years old with surgical indication for aortic disease between September 2016 and May 2019 underwent a standardized geriatric assessment. It analyzed physiological reserve, frailty, and life expectancy. An algorithm was created for its application before intervention indication. Variables registered were patient's data, type of aortic disease, type of intervention, geriatric assessment result, mortality and follow-up time. A bivariate analysis was performed. Results: One hundred forty-four patients were included. Geriatric report was unfavorable for intervention in 6.25% (N.=9). From these, 88% (N.=8) were finally rejected for intervention. In those undergoing aortic intervention (N.=127) there was a 7% mortality rate (N.=9) and in the no-intervention group (N.=17) mortality rate raised up to 35% (N.=6). No aortic-related mortality was reported. A relevant association between an unfavorable geriatric report and mortality was found "OR 0.036 (CI 0.0082-0.155)." A protective relationship between any aortic intervention and mortality was found, with OR 0.139 (CI 0.043-0.447). Conclusions: Geriatric assessment is a valid tool to estimate life expectancy and patient's physiological status. An unfavorable report correlates with short-term non-aortic mortality independently of undergoing intervention. This has a high clinical relevance, and it highlights its practical applicability to improve aortic surgery indication's quality and optimize resource investment.