Infective endocarditis and thoracic aortic disease: A review on forgotten psychological aspects

Table 1 Scheme of main findings about infective endocarditis

Ref.	Methods and materials	Main results
Verhagen et al[11], 2009	Prospective, 67 treated for left-sided native valve endocarditis complete Short Form 36 Health Survey questionnaire and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder questionnaire	Quality of life was significantly impaired in IE patients, compared with an age- and sex-matched population. Posttraumatic stress disorder 11%
Perrotta et al[12], 2010	Prospective, 40 infective prosthetic valve endocarditis or native endocarditis with abscess operated with homograft replacement. Short Form 36 Health Survey questionnaire	Statistically significant differences in quality of life were found between IE patients and an age-matched and gender-matched general population
Berg et al[15], 2010	Qualitative, 10 patients. Semi-structured interview	Patients explain that a sudden unexpected physical change occurred that is difficult to understand and interpret. During the hospital admission, time is spent thinking about choices and lost possibilities before admission. They talk about investing their energy and attention on getting well
Yeates et al[13], 2010	Prospective, 9 active native left sided valve endocarditis and cerebrovascular complications. EuroQol five dimensions questionnaire	6 reported some problems with mobility, 5 reported some problems with usual activities and 5 pain or discomfort
Nayak et al[14], 2011	Prospective, 85 active endocarditis, native valve endocarditis or prosthetic valve endocarditis. EuroQol five dimensions questionnaire	Quality of life was not impaired
Rasmussen et al[16], 2014	Qualitative, 11 patients. Semi-structured interview	Patients felt physically weak and mentally imbalanced to a varying degree. Uncertainty of recovery trajectory and future capacity was considered stressful

Table 2 Scheme of main findings about thoracic aortic disease

Ref.	Methods and materials	Main results
Immer et al[22], 2004	Prospective, 363 patients. 176 acute type A dissections, 187 aortic aneurysms. Antegrade cerebral perfusion 41 cases. Short Form 36 Health Survey questionnaire	Averaged quality life score was higher with the use of antegrade cerebral perfusion, independently of the duration of deep hypothermic circulatory arrest
Stalder et al[23], 2007	Prospective, 244 patients. 76 isolated replacement of the ascending aorta, 42 separate aortic valve replacement and supracoronary replacement of the ascending aorta, 86 mechanical composite graft, 40 biologic composite graft. Short Form 36 Health Survey questionnaire	No difference in quality of life between groups was found
Dick et al[17], 2008	Post hoc analysis, 122 patients. 52 thoracic endovascular aortic repair, 70 open aortic repair. Short Form 36 Health Survey questionnaire and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale	Anxiety and depression scores were not significantly different between group No statistical differences in quality life scores
Immer et al[26], 2008	Prospective, 567 patients. 387 deep hypothermic circulatory arrest with pharmacologic protection with pentothal only, 91 selective antegrade cerebral perfusion and pentothal, 89 continuous cerebral perfusion through the right subclavian artery and pentothal. Short Form 36 Health Survey questionnaire	Average quality of life after an arrest time between 30 and 50 min with continuous cerebral perfusion through the right subclavian artery was significantly better than selective antegrade cerebral perfusion
Krähenbühl et al[24], 2008	Prospective, 907 patients. 219 acute aortic dissection type A, 617 aortic aneurysm. Transient neurological dysfunction 89 cases. Short Form 36 Health Survey questionnaire	Patients with transient neurological dysfunction showed a significantly impaired quality of life
Dick et al[18], 2009	Post hoc analysis, 52 patients. 27 treated electively, 25 emergency indications. Short Form 36 Health Survey questionnaire and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale	Anxiety and depression scores were in normal range and not increased after emergency situations No statistical differences between groups in quality of life were found
Lohse et al[25], 2009	Prospective, 124 patients. 45 supracoronary replacement of the ascending aorta, 59 Wheat procedure, 15 David procedure, 12 Bentall-De Bono procedure, 3 Cabrol procedure. Short Form 36 Health Survey questionnaire	Different surgical techniques had no statistically significant influence on postoperative quality of life
Aicher et al[19], 2011	Prospective, 166 patients. 86 aortic valve repair, 41 valve replacement with mechanical prosthesis, 39 valve replacement with pulmonary autograft. Short Form 36 Health Survey questionnaire and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale	No differences were found in anxiety or depression scores between groups Patients after aortic valve repair vs replacement with pulmonary autograft revealed similar quality of life scores
Lehr et al[20], 2011	Prospective, 144 patients. 51 mechanical conduit, 93 biological valve conduit. Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale	No significant differences were found between groups for either anxiety and depression
Okamoto et al[21], 2013	Prospective, 128 patients. 49 aortic surgery, 79 coronary artery bypass. Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale	No statistical differences were found in depression or anxiety scores