| Quality of life in octogenarians after valve replacement due to aortic stenosis: A prospective comparison with younger patients (1996) | |||||||||||||
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| Background Results of aortic valve surgery in octogenar ians have been evaluated as event-free survival. However, little attention has been given to quality of life aspects. Methods Thirty-two consecutive patients, mean age 83±2 years, undergoing valve replacement due to aortic stenosis, were compared to 30 patients, mean age 71±3 years, undergoing the same procedure. Mortality, morbidity and quality of life were studied. An interview was performed before surgery and 3 and 12 months postoperatively. The questionnaire contained items related to self-rated health, symptoms, physical ability, sleep disturbances and social and emotional functioning. Results Pre-operatively the older patient group was in a worse condition with a higher NYHA functional class and a more pronounced cardiomegaly. They had more cardiac symptoms and were more depressed. The control group had a higher score for physical ability and rated their quality of life as better Postoperatively there was a higher early mortality rate in the octogenarians (9% vs 0% ns). After 3 months, improvement of functional status and relief of symptoms was observed in both groups. Physical ability improved and the depression score decreased significantly in both groups. Self-rated health and quality of life improved. One year after valve replacement the improve ment in quality of life was of a similar magnitude in the two groups. Conclusion Following aortic valve replacement, octogen arians, despite a more compromised pre-operative status showed an improvement in symptomatology, physical abil ity and general well being, of a similar magnitude to that of the younger patients group. These findings lend further support to the recommendation that valve replacement should be performed in octogenarians with symptomatic aortic stenosis. | |||||||||||||
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