IMPLICATIONS OF MYOCARDIAL REVASCULARIZATION ON QUALITY OF LIFE: A THREE-MONTH POSTOPERATIVE FOLLOW-UP

Abstract

Objective: To verify the implications of myocardial revascularization surgery (MRS) on patients’ quality of life after a three-month postoperative follow-up, with a focus on physical, emotional and social factors that may be altered in these individuals. Material and Methods: A total of 33 patients with coronary artery disease who underwent MRS and phase I cardiovascular rehabilitation, were included in the study. The analysis of patients’ quality of life was carried out in two stages according to a standardized questionnaire (SF-36), which aims to examine the perception of patients on their own health status. Results: When the preoperative period was compared to that of three months after surgery, there was an improvement in all domains covered by the SF-36 questionnaire, excepting for the incapability due to emotional aspects (p-value = 0.920). The improvement was observed particularly in the fields of functional capacity, pain, general health and mental health (p-value < 0.001). Furthermore, there was an improvement in the fields of incapability due to physical aspects (p-value = 0.020), vitality (p-value = 0.001) and social aspects (p-value = 0.039). Conclusions: It was demonstrated that myocardial revascularization surgery improves patients’ quality of life. However, one cannot underestimate the influence of phase I rehabilitation on such improvements. DESCRIPTORS Infarction. Myocardial Revascularization. Quality of Life.