Aortic valve replacement surgery improves the quality of life of octogenarians with severe aortic stenosis

Introduction Aortic stenosis (AS) is the most common valvular disease in the elderly, affecting around 8.1% by the age of 85, with a negative impact on quality of life. Objective To determine the impact of surgical aortic valve replacement (AVR) on octogenarian quality of life in octogenarians. Methods In a single-center retrospective study of octogenarians undergoing isolated SAVR for symptomatic AS between 2011 and 2015, quality of life was assessed using the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form (SF-36) at baseline and at three, six and 12 months after surgery. Scores for the eight domains and two components of the SF-36 were compared at baseline and in the postoperative period by one-way analysis of variance. Results Over a five-year period, 163 octogenarians underwent SAVR, of whom 3.1% died in the hospital. Deceased patients and those who did not complete the SF-36 were excluded.. A total of 81 patients were included, mean age 83±2 years, 63% female, 60.5% in NYHA class II or higher and 19.7% with left ventricular systolic dysfunction. The mean logistic EuroSCORE was 10.7±5.1%. In the hospital, 1.2% suffered stroke, 1.2% received a permanent implantable pacemaker and 23.5% presented atrial fibrillation. In the assessment of quality of life, improvement was seen in all SF-36 domains (p<0.002) and in the physical component (p<0.001) at three, six and 12 months compared to baseline. The mental component also showed improvement, which was significant at six months (p=0.011). Conclusion SAVR improved the physical and mental health status of octogenarians with severe AS. This improvement was evident at three months and consistent at six and 12 months.