Objective and subjective evaluation of the rehabilitation of patients following heart valve prosthesis

: Some aspects of the character of life of 71 patients after prosthetics of the heart valves were studied in a complex according to a medico-psychological program. The functional condition improved as the result of the operation in most of them, but many neuro-psychic complaints, poor self-appraisal, and dissatisfaction due to many limitations remained. An unfavourable tendency in return to work was revealed, which corresponded to subjective appraisal of rehabilitation and not to functional restoration.