Conclusion Geriatric syndromes are important prognostic factors for postoperative complications .
Background Elective surgeries can be associated with significant harm to older adults .
The present study aim ed to identify the prognostic factors associated with the development of postoperative complications among older adults undergoing elective surgery .
Multifactorial index of cardiac risk in noncardiac surgical procedures.
To determine which preoperative factors might affect the development of cardiac complications after major noncardiac operations , we prospect ively studied 1001 patients over 40 years of age . By multivariate discriminant analysis , we identified nine independent significant correlates of life-threatening and fatal cardiac complications : preoperative third heart sound or jugular venous distention ; myocardial infa rct ion in the preceding six months ; more than five premature ventricular contractions per minute documented at any time before operation ;  rhythm other than sinus or presence of premature atrial contractions on preoperative electrocardiogram ;  age over 70 years ; intraperitoneal , intrathoracic or aortic operation ; emergency operation ; important valvular aortic stenosis ; and poor general medical condition . Patients could be separated into four classes of significantly different risk . Ten of the 19 postoperative cardiac fatalities occurred in the 18 patients at highest risk . If vali date d by prospect i ve application , the multifactorial index may allow preoperative estimation of cardiac risk independent of direct surgical risk
Conclusion Geriatric syndromes are important prognostic factors for postoperative complications .
Background Elective surgeries can be associated with significant harm to older adults .
The present study aim ed to identify the prognostic factors associated with the development of postoperative complications among older adults undergoing elective surgery .