[Quality of life 2 years after coronary revascularization].
OBJECTIVE
To determine the impact of coronary revascularization surgery on patients' quality of life and to identify the presence of lifestyles representing a risk for coronary heart disease.


METHODS
We performed a longitudinal prospective study of 150 consecutive patients who underwent coronary surgery over a 6-month period. Perceived quality of life was evaluated before the intervention, at 6 months (n = 132) and 2 years later (n = 119). As measurement instruments, the MOS Health Survey (SF-36), the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP) and a questionnaire to identify lifestyles were used.


RESULTS
Most of the patients (95.8%) were men and were aged more than 50 years old (80.7%). Before surgery, significant physical limitations were present in 39.5%, comorbidity in 79%, prior infarction in 8.7% and three-vessel disease in 68%. The mean length of hospital stay was <or= days in 88.2% of the patients. The health benefits were greater at 6 months after the intervention than at 2 years, with better perceived quality of life in all dimensions of the instruments used to assess quality of life (p < 0.001). Comorbidity, the number of risk factors and postoperative complications showed no influence on quality of life 6 months after surgery. Two years after the intervention, 33.6% of the patients resumed their professional activity and most adopted healthier lifestyles.


CONCLUSIONS
Coronary revascularization substantially improves patients' quality of life, providing health benefits 2 years after the intervention.
Escola Superior de Saúde, Universidade de Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal. elsamelo@ua.pt
Elsa María
EM
Pinheiro de Melo
Pedro
P
Lopes Ferreira
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009204:Myocardial Revascularization; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors