Physical and mental recovery after conventional aortic valve surgery

Abstract Objective Physical and mental recovery are important factors to consider in the treatment of aortic valve disease, and the process of recovery is not well known. We investigated the course of physical and mental recovery directly after conventional aortic valve surgery. Methods In a longitudinal study, 60 patients undergoing elective aortic valve surgery were studied preoperatively and at intervals of 4 weeks after aortic valve surgery. The last measurement was taken 6 months postoperatively. Measurements included the 6-minute walk test and N-terminal pro–B-type natriuretic peptide. Mental recovery was assessed by the Short Form Health Survey and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. All parameters were compared with published healthy norms. Results All parameters except for the anxiety score showed a significant decline after the first postoperative measurement at 1 week after aortic valve surgery. The baseline level was restored at 1 to 3 weeks (anxiety, depression, mental quality of life, Borg scale), 4 to 6 weeks (6-minute walk test, physical quality of life), and 9 weeks (N-terminal pro–B-type natriuretic peptide) after the first postoperative week. Significantly better values than preoperatively for the first time were reached at 2 to 3 weeks (anxiety, depression, mental quality of life), 5 weeks (6-minute walk test), 8 weeks (physical quality of life), and 12 weeks (N-terminal pro–B-type natriuretic peptide) after the first postoperative week. At 3 months postoperatively, significant improvements ( P