[Quality of life in patients after the Ross operation for aortic stenosis]

The pulmonary autograft provides ideal conditions regarding hemodynamics. Its additional value is durability and low thromboembolic hazard. We postulated that the Ross technique results in minimal restrictions on patient's lifestyle as compared to normal controls and we expected the patients to have good quality of life (QoL). On the other hand QoL may be affected by the risk of the homograft degeneration and the need of reoperation in the future. The aim of the study was to assess the QoL of patients after Ross operation because of aortic valve stenosis. Postoperative condition of the patients was judged by resting transthoracic echo, 24 hour ECG recording, maximal exercise test on bicycle ergometer. The mean age of patients was 31.1 (N=50; 18 female, 32 male). The mean follow-up was 3.6 years. We applied the Short Form Health Survey Questionnaire (SF-36) for assessment of QoL. The results of psychological tests were compared with age, gender and education matched control group without underlying cardiac disease. Overall QoL (QoL index) did not vary between patients and control group. The only significant difference concerned physical sum score and subtests of physical functioning (scale 1) and general health perception (scale 8). There were no differences in psychological health sum score. We concluded that in general, patients after the Ross operation enjoy a normal life style. The results of our study are consistent with well known advantages of Ross procedure. This study also implies the need for more detailed information concerning patient's lifestyle after the operation. Patient's family and doctors who are to take care of the patient after leaving hospital ought to be instructed as well. Education should specify patient's ability to perform different everyday abilities, especially physical ones. The aim of the education is to eliminate negative self-assessment of patient's own physical abilities which probably originate from preoperative period and stress connected with operation.