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Published on: January 16, 2019
Quality of life and functional capacity in patients after cardiac surgery intensive care unit
Vasiliki Raidou1, Katerina Mitete1, Christos Kourek1
1Clinical Ergospirometry, Exercise, and Rehabilitation Laboratory, Department of First Critical Care Medicine, Evangelismos Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens 10676, Greece.
Insights
Coronary artery bypass grafting and surgical aortic valve replacement improve quality of life and functional capacity after cardiac surgery. Cardiac rehabilitation further enhances these outcomes, aiding patient recovery.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Cardiac Surgery Outcomes
Background:
- Coronary heart disease and aortic stenosis are leading causes of global morbidity and mortality.
- Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) are established treatments for these conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent studies on quality of life (QoL) and functional capacity following cardiac surgery.
- To identify factors influencing postoperative QoL and functional outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Review of the latest scientific literature on QoL and functional capacity in cardiac surgery patients.
- Utilized standardized instruments to assess QoL and functional status.
Main Results:
- CABG and SAVR demonstrate significant improvements in physical and mental health, and functional capacity, both short-term and long-term.
- Preoperative health, age, ICU stay, operative risk, and procedure type impact postoperative QoL.
- Elderly patients show initial impairment but subsequent improvement in physical status.
Conclusions:
- Cardiac surgery, specifically CABG and SAVR, positively impacts patient QoL and functional capacity.
- Cardiac rehabilitation is crucial for optimizing functional capacity, QoL, and frailty post-surgery.
Abstract:
Coronary heart disease and aortic stenosis are prevalent cardiovascular diseases worldwide, leading to morbidity and mortality. Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) have therapeutic benefits, including improved postoperative quality of life (QoL) and enhanced patient functional capacity which are key indicators of cardiac surgery outcome. In this article, we review the latest studies of QoL outcomes and functional capacity in patients who underwent cardiac surgery. Many standardized instruments are used to evaluate QoL and functional conditions. Preoperative health status, age, length of intensive care unit stay, operative risk, type of procedure, and other pre-, intra-, and postoperative factors affect postoperative QoL. Elderly patients experience impaired physical status soon after cardiac surgery, but it improves in the following period. CABG and SAVR are associated with increases of physical and mental health and functional capacity in the immediate postoperative and the long long-term. Cardiac rehabilitation improves patient functional capacity, QoL, and frailty following cardiac surgery.
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