Survivors of acute Type A aortic dissection were significantly less likely to participate in competitive athletics (0.76% vs 20%, p<0.0001) or lift heavy objects (9.9% vs 37%, p<0.0001) after repair.
Cross-Sectional (n=137)
No
Survivors of acute Type A aortic dissection experience significant reductions in physical activity and physical quality of life, highlighting the need for cardiac rehabilitation and PTSD screening.
Absolute Event Rate: 0.76% vs 20%
p-value: p=<0.0001
Abstract Background Acute Type A aortic dissection can be physically and mentally stressful with little known about survivors' postrepair activity levels, exercise habits, and quality of life (QOL). This study was aimed to describe pre- and postdissection changes regarding exercise, understand physician recommendations, quantify use of cardiac rehabilitation, and assess QOL in dissection survivors. Methods A total of 295 acute Type A aortic dissection survivors were surveyed about exercise, cardiac rehabilitation, QOL, sexual activity, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with 137 (46%) respondents. Results Respondents were less likely to participate in competitive athletics after than before dissection (1/131 0.76% vs. 26/131 20%, p McNemar test < 0.0001) or lift heavy objects (11/111 9.9% vs. 41/111 37%, p < 0.0001). Forty-eight of 132 respondents (36%) did not participate in cardiac rehabilitation. Compared with general population norms, respondents reported lower median QOL physical component scores (40 26, 51; 15th, 85th percentile, p < 0.0001); these were lower in respondents who did not exercise (Hodges–Lehmann HL; 95% confidence interval (CI): –6.8 –11, –2.4, p = 0.002), limited sexual activity (–8.0 –13, –4.3, p = 0.0002), or screened positive for PTSD (–10 –14, –5.3, p = 0.0002). Median mental component scores were similar to general population norms (HL 95% CI: 55 34, 61, p = 0.24) but were lower among respondents who did not exercise (–4.2 –7.8, –1.0, p = 0.01), limited sexual activity (–5.5 –10, –1.8, p = 0.003), or screened positive for PTSD (–16 –22, –10, p < 0.0001). Conclusion Physicians should prescribe cardiac rehabilitation, encourage appropriate exercise, promote resumption of sexual activity, and identify and treat PTSD after surgery for acute Type A aortic dissection.
Pasadyn et al. (Fri,) conducted a cross-sectional in Acute Type A Aortic Dissection (n=137). Acute Type A aortic dissection vs. Pre-dissection state was evaluated on Participation in competitive athletics (p=<0.0001). Survivors of acute Type A aortic dissection were significantly less likely to participate in competitive athletics (0.76% vs 20%, p<0.0001) or lift heavy objects (9.9% vs 37%, p<0.0001) after repair.