Association of preoperative frailty with pulmonary complications after cardiac surgery in elderly individuals: a prospective cohort study

Background The relationship between preoperative frailty and pulmonary complications after cardiac surgery in elderly patients is unclear. This study was designed to evaluate the relationship between frailty and postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) in elderly patients undergoing cardiac surgery and to provide a basis for their prevention and treatment. Aims This study aimed to investigate the predictive value of preoperative frailty on pulmonary complications after cardiac surgery in elderly patients. Methods Frailty was assessed using the CAF. The diagnosis of PPCs was based on the criteria defined by Hulzebos et al., and patients were classified into a PPCs group and a non-PPCs group. Factors with clinical significance and P