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. 2016 Jul 8;11(1):99.
doi: 10.1186/s13019-016-0491-2.

Pulmonary function and health-related quality of life 1-year follow up after cardiac surgery

Elisabeth Westerdahl  1 , Marcus Jonsson  2 , Margareta Emtner  3
Affiliations

Pulmonary function and health-related quality of life 1-year follow up after cardiac surgery

Elisabeth Westerdahl et al. J Cardiothorac Surg. .

Abstract

Background: Pulmonary function is severely reduced in the early period after cardiac surgery, and impairments have been described up to 4-6 months after surgery. Evaluation of pulmonary function in a longer perspective is lacking. In this prospective study pulmonary function and health-related quality of life were investigated 1 year after cardiac surgery.

Methods: Pulmonary function measurements, health-related quality of life (SF-36), dyspnoea, subjective breathing and coughing ability and pain were evaluated before and 1 year after surgery in 150 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting, valve surgery or combined surgery.

Results: One year after surgery the forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in 1 s were significantly decreased (by 4-5 %) compared to preoperative values (p < 0.05). Saturation of peripheral oxygen was unchanged 1 year postoperatively compared to baseline. A significantly improved health-related quality of life was found 1 year after surgery, with improvements in all eight aspects of SF-36 (p < 0.001). Sternotomy-related pain was low 1 year postoperatively at rest (median 0 [min-max; 0-7]), while taking a deep breath (0 [0-4]) and while coughing (0 [0-8]). A more pronounced decrease in pulmonary function was associated with dyspnoea limitations and impaired subjective breathing and coughing ability.

Conclusions: One year after cardiac surgery static and dynamic lung function measurements were slightly decreased, while health-related quality of life was improved in comparison to preoperative values. Measured levels of pain were low and saturation of peripheral oxygen was same as preoperatively.

Keywords: Cardiac surgery; Health-related quality of life; Postoperative complications; Respiratory function tests; Thoracic surgery.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Study flowchart of the patients in the study
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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