Assessment of the quality of life of patients after cardiac surgeries by means of the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire

Abstract

Aim: Comparison of the quality of life of patients after the procedures of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and valve replacement (so-called small thoracotomy, i.e. a small incision under the breast). Materials and Methods: The study group consisted of 144 patients (average age 68,36 ) of the State Medical Institute of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Administration, after cardiac surgeries, who were subjected to physiotherapy for 3 years in the Cardiac Rehabilitation Department of the same hospital. Before and after the therapy, questions from the WHOQOL BREF Quality of Life Assessment Questionnaire were asked. Results: In the patients before rehabilitation, the average value of each domain variable, i.e. Somatic, Psychological and Social, is significantly lower than after the stay in the Cardiac Rehabilitation Department. Conclusions: The implementation of rehabilitation in patients after cardiac surgeries had a positive impact on the values of each domain variable.