Effect of Cardiac Surgery on Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients Aged 75 Years or Older: A Prospective Study

Background Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of patients, aged 75 years or older, was measured before and at 12 weeks after cardiac surgery using a generic tool (SF12 version 2). Methods This was a single centre, prospective study of patients aged 75 years or older who had any type of cardiac surgery. The instrument was self-administered preoperatively and by interviewer administered via telephone at 12 weeks. Results Sixty-six (66) of the 81 participants approached were eligible or agreed to participate. Mean age was 79.2 years, 17 participants were female (25.8%), 56 participants were New Zealand European (84.8%) and the mean Euroscore II score was 4.0. Sixty (60) participants (90.9%) provided data at follow-up. All mean HRQoL domain scores significantly improved by 12 weeks after surgery. The pattern of gain was similar for ages 75–79 and 80 years and older. The changes in the Physical and Mental Component Summary (PCS, MCS) scores were statistically significant and the mean scores were proximate to or better than age group norms at 12 weeks. The number of patients with a PCS score at or above age group norms improved from 16.4% to 56.6% while the number of patients whose MCS scores were at or above age group norms improved from 55.7% to 81.6%. Health utility values also significantly improved. Conclusions Cardiac surgery in older patients is associated with significantly improved physical and mental health-related quality of life at 12 weeks after procedure.