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Ann Thorac Surg 1977;24:346-351
© 1977 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons

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Articles

Rehabilitation after Aortic Valve Replacement with Autologous Fascia Lata: A Sodomedical Study

Department of Psychology, University of Uppsala, and the Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden.

Accepted for publication February 15, 1977.

^* Address reprint requests to Dr. Dubiel, Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, University Hospital, S-750 14, Uppsala, Sweden

In a series of 50 patients who underwent aortic valve replacement with frame-supported fascia lata, 32 were seen for a combined medical and psychosocial examination 10 to 33 months postoperatively. The investigation included a psychometric test battery and an interview concerning the patient's social and psychological situation at the time of the operation and at follow-up.

Twenty-seven patients had improved in their New York Heart Association Functional Classification at the time of follow-up. In most instances NYHA classification correlated well with the patients' subjective opinion on their recovery. Those who for various reasons were not able to return to work did not consider themselves recovered. The employment rate after operation was 66%.

There is a great need for more information and support to families as well as for more intensive rehabilitation efforts, especially vocational, for the postoperative patient.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				C. D. Jenkins, B.-A. Stanton, J. A. Savageau, I. S. Ockene, P. Denlinger, and M. D. Klein Physical, Psychologic, Social, and Economic Outcomes After Cardiac Valve Surgery Arch Intern Med, November 1, 1983; 143(11): 2107 - 2113. [Abstract] [PDF]