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A prospective study found impaired left ventricular function predicted job retirement after acute myocardial
Finn E Nielsen1, Henrik T Sørensen, Knud Skagen
1Department of Internal Medicine, Viborg Hospital, Heibergs Allé, DK-8800 Viborg, Denmark. finn.nielsen@v-ks.dk
Insights
Reduced left ventricular systolic function after myocardial infarction (MI) significantly increases the risk of retirement. Impaired heart function is a key factor impacting long-term work outcomes for MI survivors.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Occupational Health
- Public Health
Background:
- Impaired left ventricular function post-myocardial infarction (MI) is linked to poor prognosis.
- The impact of left ventricular function on work outcomes after MI is not well-established.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between reduced left ventricular systolic function and the 4-year retirement rate in patients following acute MI.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study of 242 working-active patients post-MI.
- Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) assessed via echocardiography.
- Work outcomes collected through 4-year follow-up telephone interviews.
Main Results:
- Fifty percent of patients retired within 4 years.
- Moderately or severely reduced LVEF (≤35%) nearly doubled the risk of retirement (RR=1.8).
- Reduced LVEF independently predicted retirement, with greater impact on females and those in physically demanding jobs.
Conclusions:
- Impaired left ventricular systolic function is a significant prognostic factor for retirement after acute MI.
- This finding highlights the importance of cardiac function in long-term work participation for MI survivors.
Objective:
Impaired left ventricular function is associated with poor prognosis after acute myocardial infarction (MI). It might be hypothesized that impaired left ventricular function would also affect work outcome; however, no existing data address this hypothesis. This study examines whether reduced left ventricular systolic function had any influence on the 4-year retirement rate after acute MI.
Study Design And Setting:
We conducted a prospective study including 242 working-active patients with MI. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was estimated by echocardiography during hospital admission. Data about work outcome after 4 years were collected by telephone interviews.
Results:
Fifty percent were retired by the end of follow-up. Moderately or severely reduced LVEF (35%) increased the risk of retirement almost twofold (risk ratio RR=1.8, 95% confidence interval CI=1.3-2.5). After adjusting for confounding factors, reduced LVEF was an independent predictor of retirement. Based on a stratified analysis, being female (RR=3.90, 95% CI=1.18-12.62) or having heavy physical job demands (RR=3.83, 95% CI=1.02-14.30) had a more pronounced impact on retirement for patients with LVEF 35%, compared with patients with better left ventricular function.
Conclusion:
We conclude that impaired left ventricular systolic function is a prognostic determinant of retirement from the job market after acute MI.
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