THE IMPACT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON RECOVERY FROM CARDIAC SURGERY: 1 YEAR OUTCOMES

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 23(rd) March and 4(th) July 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 (IES-R) (distress related to COVID-19), depression (CES-D) and EQ-5D-5L (quality of life, HRQoL) questionnaires at baseline, one week after hospital discharge, and six weeks, six months and 1-year post-surgery. Questionnaire completion was >75.0% at all timepoints, except at one 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 one week but increasing to almost pre-operative levels at six weeks, and exceeding pre-operative levels at six 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. CONCLUSION: 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. REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov ID:NCT04366167