Quality of life and coronary insufficiency in men with myocardial infarction and coronary reperfusion

Aim. To analyze the association between quality of life (QoL) and recurrent coronary insufficiency (CI) within 12 months after primary, uncomplicated myocardial infarction (MI) in working-age men, who underwent various types of coronary reperfusion. Material and methods. In total, 114 men aged <60 years — patients with primary, uncomplicated MI, were examined. CI recurrence was assessed clinically, based on typical angina (A) attacks. To diagnose silent CI, all patients underwent an exercise test (veloergometry) before the discharge, as well as 3, 6, and 12 months after MI. QoL was assessed with a Russian version of SF-36 questionnaire. Results. In CI-free men from the percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) group, some QoL scales demonstrated a significant improvement at 3, 6, and 12 months. In the thrombolytic therapy (TLT) group, all QoL scales were significantly improved. The maximal QoL score was observed at 12 months in both groups. Patients with angina had decreased QoL, with the minimal score observed for role functioning domains (median score 0 and 12,5 in PCI and TLT groups, respectively) and emotional status (33 and 16,7, respectively). Conclusion. Regardless of the coronary reperfusion method in acute MI phase, CI-free patients demonstrated improved QoL, with the highest scores registered 12 months after MI. Angina recurrence affected physical and emotional role functioning in MI patients, restricting their daily life activities. However, recurrent CI did not affect social activity levels or the need for social interaction.