Quality of life one year after myocardial revascularization. Is preoperative quality of life important?

Of 428 patients, mean age of 64.1+/-9.2 (30-84 years), undergoing an isolated CABG, pre- and one-year- postoperatively angina level and quality of life (QOL) were registered. QOL was registered following the EuroQol-registration, five domains and a visual analogue scale (VAS). Based on the VAS, the group was divided into Group A, 168 patients with a VAS < 60 and Group B, 260 patients with a VAS > or = 60. One-year postoperatively, 394 patients (92.%) indicated to be angina-free. The VAS of the total group was significantly higher one-year post-CABG, 75.3 vs. 61.7 (P=0.00). Of group A, 88% of patients registered a higher VAS. In group B only 60.8% registered a higher and 26.9% a lower VAS. Multivariate analysis identified preoperative VAS < 60 and a preoperative mobility level > 1 as independent predictors for an increased QOL. Thus our conclusion is that relief of angina one year post-CABG is associated with an increased QOL, however, patients with a relatively poor preoperative QOL have a more beneficial QOL. But patients with a good preoperative QOL can lose a lot of QOL.