THE EFFECTS OF CARDIAC SURGICAL PROCEDURES ON HEALTH – RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE, COGNITIVE PERFORMANCE, AND EMOTIONAL STATUS OUTCOMES: A PROSPECTIVE 6 – MONTH FOLLOW – UP STUDY

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of this study was to assess the course of health – related quality of life, cognitive and emotional change during the six months after elective CABG, and to investigate how cognitive impairments, depression and posttraumatic stress symptoms were related to quality of life. Method: In a prospective study, we followed up for 6 months 138 of the original 147 patients who had undergone elective CABG surgery. Conclusion: Elective CABG is associated with significant improvements in HRQOL relative to the preoperative period, but impairments in HRQOL were found in a subgroup of post – CABG patients with evidence of PTSD, depression, or cognitive impairments at 6 – month follow – up