Heart surgery in the elderly

Epidemiology, quality of life and postoperative functionality

Abstract

Objective: to describe the epidemiology of patients undergoing cardiac surgery in the period 2004 to 2008 and evaluate the functionality and postoperative quality of life in a subgroup.

Material and methods: a descriptive cross-sectional study. Statistical analysis was performed in Epi Info 2000 version 3.5.3 2011 and p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Quality of life was assessed by SF-12v2 and Barthel and Lawton scale for assessing the functionality was applied.

Results: mean age was 68.6 years, 2.4% ? 80 years. The overall hospital mortality was 10.3 % (9.2 % for revascularization, valve replacement 11.1% and 16.7% for joint surgery). The average physical health component was 43.7 vs 49.6 ( reference population) and the mental health component was 53.2 vs 49.3. 79.4% improve health self-perception after surgery, 94.1% were independent in their physical ABC and 85.3% required some help in their instrumental activities.

Conclusions: this is the first study in our environment describing the epidemiology of a group of elderly patients undergoing cardiac surgery that evaluates quality of life and functionality. A positive impact on quality of life, functionality and health self-perception was evidenced. At instrumental level, greater commitment of activities requiring mobility and social participation was evident. Female sex and advanced age were factors with greater negative impact.