Complexity and Frailty in Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anesthesia (CAfCA). Prospective Multicentric Observational Study

Frailty is a multidimensional syndrome characterized by a decline in physiological homeostatic reserve, which translates into an increased susceptibility to adverse events and unfavorable outcomes following even small exposures to physical, physiological or psychosocial stress. In the European population up to 69 years, the prevalence is generally 6,5%, beyond 85 years of age it exceeds 50% and reaches 65% in the over-ninety population. The prevalence of frailty in the surgical population varies, depending on the studies, from 10 to 40%. Frailty and its severity grade represent themselves noticeably as strong predictors of adverse postoperative outcomes. The strongest evidence of association is recorded between frailty and mortality at 30 days. The purpose of this study is to describe the characteristics of patients undergoing anesthesia for cardiothoracic and vascular surgery, with a specific focus on frailty elements and associated comorbidities that necessitate surgery. This data analysis will provide valuable insights into the interaction between frailty, multimorbidity, and the perioperative pathway of patients undergoing cardiothoracic and vascular anesthesia.