Abstract

ABSTRACTPreoperative Activity Level and Outcomes in Older ¨Adult Cardiac Surgery Patients: A Pilot StudyDon Howard Sorensen Jr.College of Nursing, BYUMaster of SciencePurpose: To assess the relationship between preoperative physical activity levels and health related quality of life on intra- and post-hospital outcomes following scheduled cardiothoracic surgery in older adults.Rationale/Background: Adults age 50 and older tend to accumulate more sedentary time and are less physically active. Sedentary behavior is linked with early morbidity and death and may predispose patients to postoperative complications. Preoperative activity levels and its relationship to surgical outcomes is an underexplored area. Insight on this topic could influence how to optimize interventions prior to surgery to improve outcomes. Methods: Seven participants were fitted with an ActiGraph GT3X+ accelerometer to measure preoperative activity levels for 1 week and complete the RAND Short Form-36 health-related quality of life tool. This process was then supposed to be repeated during the first and last weeks of cardiac rehabilitation (rehab). This information, along with demographics, was then correlated with information pulled from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons database on post-surgical outcomes and the 6-minute walk tests (6MWT) done during rehab. Results: The only statistically significant result was participants who experienced some type of intra-hospital complication also scored low in emotional wellbeing (r = -0.928, p = 0.003) as reflected in the quality of life score. Other findings with p values > 0.05 but <<> 0.1 were noted as œareas needing further exploration. Such areas for further exploration included: participants who spent more time in light physical activity reported less role limitations due to physical health (r = 0.864, p = 0.059), higher preoperative activity levels related to higher postoperative 6MWT (r = 0.830, p = 0.082), increased body mass index related to a decrease in postoperatively 6MWT (r = -0.869, p = 0.056). Implications: Exploring the relationship between preoperative activity levels and post-surgical outcomes could provide insight optimizing interventions before surgery to improve surgical success and rehab outcomes.

Degree

College and Department

Nursing