Impact of coronary artery bypass graft surgery on the physical functioning of the aged

Introduction: The International Research Agenda on Aging identified physical functioning as critical to address treatment and intervention strategies aimed at reducing /managing physical disability. Coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) is offered as a treatment option to improve blood flow theoretically improving patients' daily physical activities. CABG is increasingly offered to older patients due to longer lifespans and increased prevalence of degenerative cardiac lesions. The purpose of this study was to examine the physical functioning of aging CABG patients overtime.

Methods: CABG patients from Sept 2005- Jan 2007 with baseline, 6 and 12 months quality of life (SF-12) data were examined for changes in composite physical function score (CPS).

Results: 169 patients completed all time points. All demonstrated significant increases in CPS throughout 12 months (44.8, 46.6 and 47.5: p=.05 and .005). Stratifying by age [30-50(N=10), 51-65 (N=75) and 66+ (N=84)], each increased CPS from baseline to 12 months (6.4%, 6.4% and 4.6%). A decrease in the percent being limited a lot in typical daily activities from baseline to 12 months (10%, 9% and 11%) noted in all groups. A decrease in the percent being limited a lot in climbing several flights of stairs was found in the 2 older groups throughout 12 months (8%, 6%).

Conclusion: After CABG, the aging patient compared to the younger patient experience similar improvements in physical functioning. CABG surgery should be offered as a treatment to the aged as an improvement strategy for decline in physical functioning when related to coronary artery disease.