The effect of valve noise on the quality of life of patients after mechanical mitral valve replacement in a Chinese population

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of valve noise on the quality of life (QOL) in Chinese patients who underwent mechanical mitral valve replacement. METHODS: We enrolled a total of 103 patients who underwent mechanical mitral valve replacement (MVR, CM valve in 52 patients, SJM valve in 51 patients) from January 2016 to December 2016 in our institution and used the SF-36 as an instrument to assess patients’ QOL. RESULTS: Patients’ QOL improved over time. Patients who experienced disturbances due to valve noise had lower SF-36 scores in each scale, especially in general health, vitality, and mental health. Only 8.74% (n = 9) of patients complained of valve noise 1 year after the operation compared to 19.42% (n = 20) in the first month after the operation. The number of patients who experienced disturbances due to valve noise decreased over time, with a P value of 0.58. Logistic regression analysis showed that female patients those aged < 60 years old had a higher risk of experiencing disturbances due to valve noise. The valve type (CM vs SJM), body mass index (BMI) and valve size showed no significant differences in patients who experienced disturbances due to continuous valve noise. The SF-36 results were similar in the CM group and SJM group 1 year after the operation. CONCLUSIONS: QOL evaluated by the SF-36 improved over time in Chinese patients who underwent mechanical MVR. Age less than 60 years and female sex were high risk factors for experiencing disturbances due to valve noise. CM and SJM mechanical valves demonstrated similar valve noise levels and impact on QOL in patients who experienced mechanical MVR.