BACKGROUND: Quality of life (QoL) in valvular surgery may differ according to the underlying pathology and surgical technique used. METHOD: 82 adults undergoing their first elective surgery for valve repair (VP; n = 9) or valve replacement (VR) with a mechanical valve (MVR; n = 57) or bioprosthesis (BVR; n = 16) were assessed before surgery and three months afterwards. Dependent variables: delta scores (postoperative-preoperative) on QoL measures (Quality of Life Systemic Inventory (QLSI) and SF-36). ANALYSES: Paired t tests and ANCOVAs with age and preoperative QoL scores as covariates. RESULTS: QoL improves after surgery according to most subscales. According to group comparisons, patients with an MVR improve more than those with a BVR on the mental health subscale. In physical roles, patients with an MVR improve while those with a BVR deteriorate. In emotional roles, patients with a VR improve while those with a VP deteriorate. However, they are similar on all other subscales. Women improve more than men on leisure, affectivity and social functioning while the opposite holds true for mental health. CONCLUSION: QoL improves after surgery. However, significant differences between groups are small because of a lack of statistical power.
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