Lifestyle Recommendations for Patients Before and After Thoracic Aortic Surgery: A Framework Analysis

Patients receive many different recommendations after thoracic aortic surgery. Unfortunately, there is much variation in recommendations between different surgical centers. This variation in recommendations creates uncertainty and anxiety in patients. Therefore, we aimed to provide an overview with clear lifestyle recommendations for patients before and after thoracic aortic surgery.

Documentary research and a framework analysis were used to analyze brochures, website texts, and health care protocols. These documents consisted of lifestyle recommendations for patients before and after thoracic aortic surgery (direct information) or cardiac surgery (indirect information). An analytical framework was constructed and all lifestyle recommendations for patients before and after thoracic aortic surgery were coded through indexing, charting, and mapping by two researchers (N.K. and H.v.Z.). The first draft with lifestyle recommendations was prepared by two researchers (N.K. and H.v.Z.). Feedback from all authors involved patients and consulted health care professionals was processed in the final draft.

In total, 170 documents were analyzed. Indexing revealed 414 lifestyle recommendations, which were included in the first draft. Charting, mapping, removal of duplicates, and processing of feedback resulted in a final draft with 52 lifestyle recommendations about behavioral change, body weight, nutrition, cessation of alcohol and drug use, cessation of smoking, wound healing, sedentary behavior and physical activity, mental well-being, and family and close relatives.

This study provides an overview of clear lifestyle recommendations for patients before and after thoracic aortic surgery. This overview is the first step because follow-up research is needed on which lifestyle recommendations are necessary and evidence-based. The overview of lifestyle recommendations serves as a foundation, after which individual customization can be provided.