Publication

Abstract : A descriptive study to assess the long term health problems and awareness regarding its management among 110 patients after valve replacement surgery was conducted in Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi. The Objectives of the study were to (1) find out the long term health problems of patients after valve replacement surgeries; (2) determine the level of awareness on management of long term health problems among patients after valve replacement surgeries; Results: The major long term health problems identified were physical problems 87 (79%), valve related problems 72 (65%) and psychological problems 67 (61%). Awareness regarding management of long term health problems was average among majority of the subjects 72 (65%). Association was found between type of prosthetic valve and certain valve related problems like hearing unusual sounds from the valve (χ2 = 12.303, p0.001), disturbance due to the noise from the valve (χ2 = 5.065, p0.05) and thromboembolic problems (χ2 = 4.611, p0.05) - common among patients with mechanical valve. There was a significant association between PT-INR value and bleeding problems (χ2 = 6.164, p0.05), i.e., patients with an elevated PT-INR value experienced more bleeding problems. Patients' level of awareness regarding management of long term health problems had significant association with valve related problems (χ2 = 5.877,p0.05), dental problems (χ2 = 4.982, p0.05) and compliance problems (χ2 = 4.195, p0.05). Conclusion: Need for ongoing follow up and patient teaching on management of long term health problems after valve replacement surgery