Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 24, 2026

Design of a Cyclic Pressure Bioreactor for the Ex Vivo Study of Aortic Heart Valves
Published on: August 23, 2011
[Impact of psychosocial factors on heart valve surgery]
Cassilda Costa1, Vera Teixeira-Sousa, Adelaide Costa
1Serviço Psiquiatria. Hospital de São João, Porto.
Insights
Psychosocial factors significantly impact outcomes for cardiac valve surgery patients. Addressing these non-surgical elements may improve patient prognosis and quality of life.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Psychology
- Health Outcomes Research
Context:
- Cardiac valve surgery is increasingly common.
- Limited research exists on psychosocial factors influencing outcomes in these patients.
- Psychosocial impacts are well-documented in other cardiovascular conditions.
Purpose:
- To review psychosocial factors in cardiac valve surgery patients.
- To explore potential pathophysiological links between psychosocial factors and outcomes.
- To identify non-surgical predictors for improved patient management.
Summary:
- Depressive and anxious symptoms are known to worsen prognosis and quality of life in cardiovascular disease and after coronary artery bypass surgery.
- This review synthesizes current knowledge on psychosocial factors affecting patients undergoing valve surgery.
- Understanding these factors can guide early interventions.
Impact:
- Identifying psychosocial predictors can lead to earlier interventions.
- Improved prognostic outcomes for cardiac valve surgery patients.
- Enhanced patient quality of life post-surgery.
Abstract:
Despite the raising number of cardiac valve surgeries performed each year, it is evident the lack of studies concerning the psychosocial aspects and their impact on prognostic in these patients. This connection is well established on cardiovascular disease and on patients submitted to cardiac surgery of ischemic states, like coronary artery bypass surgery; in these cases recent studies revealed that the presence of depressive and/or anxious symptoms worsened the prognostic with significant impact on the quality of life. The aim of the present literature review it is to take knowledge of the psychosocial factors on patients submitted to valve surgery and the possible pathophysiological hypotheses that may clarify that connection. The identification of non surgical predictive factors, of psychosocial nature, might allow an early approach with a prognostic improvement.
Related Concept Videos
Mitral Stenosis IV: Nursing Management
Cardiomyopathy VII: Pre and Post Operative Nursing Management
Psychoneuroimmunology: Cardiovascular Disease
A key area of focus in PNI is the relationship between stress and coronary...
Mitral Stenosis III: Medical Management
Mitral Valve Prolapse III: Nursing Management
Mitral Valve Prolapse II: Assessment and Management