Mechanical ventilation for older medical patients in a large tertiary medical care center

Key summary points Aim The aim of the study is to determine the factors influencing the outcomes of older ventilated medical patients in a large tertiary medical center. Findings Of 554 older patients (mean age 79 years) who underwent mechanical ventilation for the first time during the study period in-hospital mortality was 64.1% and overall 6-months survival was 26%. A combination of age 85 years and older, poor functional status prior to ventilation, and associated morbidity were the strongest negative predictors of survival after discharge from the hospital. Message The identification of factors predicting poor survival of mechanical ventilation will assist policy makers in clinical decision-making particularly at times of limited health resources.