Health-Related Quality of Life after Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery

Objective Factors influencing health-related quality of life (HRQL) after minimally invasive cardiac surgery have not been well described. We examined the trajectory of HRQL after minimally invasive cardiac surgery and the role of perioperative factors and rhythm on HRQL changes. Methods Patients underwent minimally invasive surgical ablation for atrial fibrillation and/or valve surgery (n = 235). Health-related quality of life (SF-12) and clinical status were assessed preoperatively and postoperatively. Results Physical summary HRQL (F = 36.2, P < 0.001) and mental summary HRQL (F = 3.2, P = 0.047) improved significantly by 12 months after surgery. Improvement on HRQL peaked at 6 months and plateaued between 6 and 12 months. Physical HRQL was similar to age-based normal values before surgery (P = 0.66) and surpassed norms by 6 months after surgery (P < 0.001). Younger age (r = −0.15, P = 0.02) and lower EuroSCORE II (r = −0.19, P = 0.003) correlated with greater HRQL improvements by 6 months. Only lower EuroSCORE II (r = −0.14, P = 0.04) correlated with greater HRQL improvement by 12 months. Length of stay and major morbidity were not related to HRQL improvement. In surgical ablation patients, restoration of stable sinus rhythm throughout the first 12 months was associated with greater physical HRQL improvement by 6 months compared with patients who had atrial arrhythmia recurrences (change, 5.0 vs. −1.0, P = 0.02). Conclusions Health-related quality of life improved significantly after minimally invasive cardiac surgery. These improvements were influenced by age, operative risk, symptoms, and rhythm status. Even patients with HRQL in a normal range before surgery can experience improved HRQL after surgery. Minimally invasive cardiac surgery can offer decreased postoperative complications and also improved HRQL.