This study aimed to clarify the effect of HLE on physical function after cardiac surgery.
Patients admitted to Aichi Medical University Hospital for standby cardiac surgery between October 2018 and March 2024 were included in this study. The participants were divided into two groups: the group aged higher than the HLE and the control group. The control group included patients other than those included in the group aged higher than the HLE. Clinical characteristics, activities of daily living, physical function, and cognitive function were compared between the two groups. Binomial logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the factors related to physical function before and after surgery. This study was conducted in accordance with the tenets of the Declaration of Helsinki and Japanese Ethical Guidelines for Clinical Research. The research protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Aichi Medical University Hospital (ID: 2024-062). Informed consent was obtained in the form of opt-out on the website.
Of the 214 patients investigated, 38 were excluded based on the exclusion criteria, resulting in a sample size of 176 patients. There were 63 and 113 patients in the group aged higher than the HLE and the control group, respectively. The total score for the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) was significantly lower in the group aged higher than the HLE than in the control group (11.0 ± 1.3 vs 11.5 ± 1.1, P = 0.003). Similarly, grip strength and knee extension strength were significantly lower in the former group than in the latter (23.8 ± 7.9 vs 29.5 ± 9.9, P 0.001 and 23.4 ± 8.8 vs 30.7 ± 11.7, P 0.001, respectively). The 6-Minute Walk Test distance was shorter in the group aged higher than the HLE than in the control group (347.4 ± 100.8 vs 420.6 ± 102.3, P 0.001); gait speed was also lower in the former group than in the latter (0.9 ± 0.2 vs 1.0 ± 0.2, P = 0.001). The time to independent walking and length of hospital stay were significantly longer in the group aged higher than the HLE than in the control group (5.9 ± 3.9 vs 4.6 ± 3.5, P = 0.005 and 15.7 ± 6.6 vs 13.8 ± 6.8, P = 0.001, respectively). Binomial logistic regression analysis showed a low total score for the SPPB was associated with time to independent walking (β = -0.209, P =0.008), knee extension strength (β = 0.106, P = 0.002), and HLE (β = -1.661, P = 0.002).
Changes in the total score for the SPPB were related not only to the HLE but also to independent walking and knee extension strength.
Our findings suggest that physical function decline after cardiac surgery may be prevented by managing factors other than the HLE.
Healthy life expectancy
physical function
