As a result, the elderly have a higher perioperative risk of morbidity and mortality than do younger patients receiving CABG. The operative mortality rate among the elderly ranges from 2.6% (in a population 75 years of age) to 11% (in a population 80 years of age undergoing urgent or emergency surgery).298,1126 Retrospective studies have observed a substantially higher in-hospital mortality rate among octogenarians than among younger patients.1127 1130 A report from the National Cardiovascular Network of out- comes in 67 764 patients undergoing cardiac surgery, of whom 4743 were octogenarians, showed that the in-hospital mortality rate for the octogenarians was substantially higher Several retrospective studies of patients undergoing CABG have reported a higher incidence of neurological complica- tions, renal failure, respiratory failure, and gastrointestinal complications among octogenarians than among younger subjects.298,1127,1128 In addition, the elderly have longer lengths of stay and are less likely to be discharged home. An analysis of the New York State Department of Health Cardiac Reporting System registry revealed that length of stay after CABG was 8.5 days in patients 50 years of age and 14.1 days in those 80 years of age, with discharge-to-home rates Despite higher rates of in-hospital morbidity and mortality, the majority of octogenarians achieve functional improve- ment after CABG. Two studies of patients 80 years of age demonstrated improvements in quality of life, as assessed by the Seattle Angina Questionnaire.1131,1132 In 1 of these, angina relief and quality-of-life improvement scores after CABG did not differ between patients 75 and 75 years of age.1126 Of 136 octogenarians who underwent CABG, 81% felt that they were left with little or no disability in their daily activities, and 93% reported substantial symptomatic improvement an average of 2.1 years postoperatively.1131 Data on the influence of sex on CABG outcomes are limited. 