Between July 2009 and August 2010, 109 of 1063 patients required ICU treatment of at least 5 days after cardiac surgery. Patients were retrospectively assigned to either Group A (age<80, n = 86) or Group B (age ≥80, n = 23). Operative risk, mortality, length and costs of ICU treatment were analysed and compared. After 1 year, survival, quality of life (QOL) and functional status were assessed.