Feasibility, safety of enhanced recovery after surgery (eras) in opened heart surgery among elderly patients at Thong Nhat Hospital

Cao Duy Anh Do1, Do Nhan Nguyen2, , Kim Que Do2,3
1 University of Technology (HUTECH)
2 Thong Nhat Hospital
3 Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medicine

Main Article Content

Abstract

Background: Cardiac surgery in older adults is typically complex and associated with substantial perioperative risk. Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols have demonstrated multiple advantages and clinical benefits across major surgical disciplines. However, evidence regarding their application in elderly populations in Vietnam remains limited. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and preliminary efficacy of ERAS implementation in open cardiac surgery among older patients.


Methods: A retrospective descriptive study was conducted on 66 patients aged ≥60 years who underwent open cardiac surgery with ERAS protocols between January 2022 and January 2025.


Results, discussion: The mean age was 65.3 years, males accounting for 63.6%, a high nutritional risk was 42.4%; comorbidities were hypertension (77.3%), diabetes mellitus (43.9%). Overall ERAS adherence ranged from 82–88%, the highest compliance observed in fluid management (95.5%), multimodal analgesia (92.4%), early drain removal (91.0%). Early postoperative complications included acute kidney injury (16.5%), pneumonia (10.6%), mortality (4.5%). Preliminary economic outcomes were favorable, an average ventilation time of 11 hours, ICU stay of 5 days, hospitalization was16.0 days.


Conclusion: ERAS implementation in cardiac surgery for patients aged ≥ 60 years at Thong Nhat Hospital proved feasible, safe, and economically beneficial. The program improved recovery trajectories, reduced reintervention needs, limited early complications, and shortened hospitalization duration, demonstrating strong potential for wider application in geriatric cardiac surgery in Vietnam.

Article Details

References

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