Frailty and Dependency in Older Adults Undergoing Cardiac Surgery

The growing elderly population has resulted in an increasing number of older adults undergoing cardiac surgery. Age-related physiological decline, multiple comorbidities, polypharmacy, and reduced physiological reserve increase vulnerability to adverse postoperative outcomes. Frailty and dependency are common geriatric conditions that may influence postoperative recovery, functional status, and readiness for discharge.

Frailty is characterized by increased vulnerability to stressors because of diminished physiological reserve, whereas dependency reflects limitations in performing activities of daily living independently. Identifying these conditions before surgery may facilitate early recognition of patients at risk for delayed recovery and inadequate discharge readiness.

This single-center observational study will be conducted in the Cardiovascular Surgery Clinic of Aydın Adnan Menderes University Research and Application Hospital. Patients aged 65-85 years scheduled to undergo cardiac surgery will be recruited consecutively. Before surgery, participants will complete the Patient Information Form, the FRAIL Scale, and the Katz Activities of Daily Living Scale. At hospital discharge, postoperative recovery will be evaluated using the Postoperative Recovery Index, and readiness for hospital discharge will be assessed using the Readiness for Hospital Discharge Scale-Short Form.

The primary objective is to determine the effects of preoperative frailty and dependency on postoperative recovery and readiness for hospital discharge among older adults undergoing cardiac surgery. The findings are expected to improve perioperative risk assessment and contribute to evidence-based nursing care planning.

Inclusion criteria

• Age between 65 and 85 years
• Scheduled to undergo cardiac surgery (coronary artery bypass graft surgery,
• Bentall procedure, heart valve surgery, or aneurysm surgery)
• No surgical history within the previous two months
• Able to read and write Turkish
• No hearing impairment
• Willing to participate and provide written informed consent

Exclusion criteria

• Surgery within the previous eight weeks
• Diagnosis of a psychiatric disorder
• Withdrawal of consent during the study
• Incomplete study questionnaires