Magnitude of Negative Impact of Preoperative Heart Failure on Mortality During Aortic Valve Replacement in the Medicare Population

The magnitude of the negative impact of preoperative HF on operative mortality and long-term survival of elderly patients undergoing primary isolated AVR is significant with 50% increased likelihood of adverse outcome. Duration of preoperative HF is also significantly related to mortality. These data support AVR in the elderly prior to the development of HF.