Health-Related Quality of Life of those Aged 65 or Older after Open-Heart Surgery

Introduction: Health-related quality of life (HRQL) of the aged is important as people are living longer. Open-heart surgery is common in this population; average age of patients ~65 years. The purpose of this study was to examine HRQL of individuals 65> who underwent open-heart surgery.

Methods: 148 patients age 65> completed HRQL at time of surgery, one and 2 years post-surgery. Age was categorized 65-74 and 75>. HRQL using the SF-12 Mental Component Summary (MCS) and Physical Component Summary (PCS) was compared to US population norms.

Results: Subjects were primarily male (76.5%), presented mainly for coronary artery bypass (69.3%), and were primarily married (58.2%). At time of surgery, age 65-74 were above the norms in MCS (54.5±8.1 vs. 51.57±8.36, p<0.000) but were similar in PCS (44.1±12.2 vs. 43.93±9.29, p=0.889). Age 75> were above norms in both domains: MCS 52.2±11.0 vs. 48.89±9.33, p<0.05; PCS 43.3±8.7 vs. 39.75±9.30, p<0.01. One year post-surgery, age 65-74 were higher in both domains than norms (MCS 54.5±6.8 vs. 51.57±8.36, p<0.000; PCS 48.5±9.9 vs. 43.9±9.29, p<0.000). Age 75> was higher in MCS (MCS 53.5±8.2 vs. 48.89±9.33, p<0.000; PCS 42.5±10.5 vs. 39.75±9.30, p=0.079). Two years post-surgery, age 65-74 were higher in both domains (MCS 55.2±7.8 vs. 51.57±8.36, p<0.000; PCS 46.6±11.1 vs. 43.93±9.29, p<0.01). Age 75> was significant in MCS (MCS 54.5±7.7 vs. 48.89±9.33, p<0.000; PCS 41.8±11.8 vs. 39.75±9.30, p=0.239). Conclusion: Those 65> who undergo open-heart surgery can expect to be at or above norms in HRQL coming in to surgery as well as one and two years post-surgery.