The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on recovery from cardiac surgery: 1-year outcomes

Julie Sanders*, Teofila Bueser, Emma Beaumont, Matthew Dodd, Sarah E. Murray, Gareth Owens, Alan Berry, Edward Hyde, Tim Clayton, Aung Ye Oo

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

Aims: The outbreak of COVID-19 was potentially stressful for everyone and possibly heightened in those having surgery. We sought to explore the impact of the pandemic on recovery from cardiac surgery. Methods: and results: A prospective observational study of 196 patients who were ≥18years old undergoing cardiac surgery between March 23 and July 4, 2020 (UK lockdown) was conducted. Those too unwell or unable to give consent/complete the questionnaires were excluded. Participants completed (on paper or electronically) the impact of event [Impact of Events Scale-revised (IES-R)] (distress related to COVID-19), depression [Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D)], and EQ-5D-5L [(quality of life, health-related quality of life (HRQoL)] questionnaires at baseline, 1 week after hospital discharge, and 6 weeks, 6 months and 1 year post-surgery. Questionnaire completion was >75.0% at all timepoints, except at 1 week (67.3%). Most participants were male [147 (75.0%)], white British [156 (79.6%)] with an average age 63.4years. No patients had COVID-19. IES-R sand CES-D were above average at baseline (indicating higher levels of anxiety and depression) decreasing over time. HRQoL pre-surgery was high, reducing at 1 week but increasing to almost pre-operative levels at 6 weeks and exceeding pre-operative levels at 6 months and 1 year. IES-R and CES-D scores were consistently higher in women and younger patients with women also having poorer HRQoL up to 1-year after surgery. Conclusions: High levels of distress were observed in patients undergoing cardiac surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic with women and younger participants particularly affected. Psychological support pre- and post-operatively in further crises or traumatic times should be considered to aid recovery.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)516-528
Number of pages13
JournalEuropean Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing
Volume22
Issue number5
Early online date13 Sept 2022
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jul 2023

Keywords

  • Cardiac surgery procedures
  • COVID-19
  • Depression
  • Distress
  • Quality of life

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