Heart failure-related quality-of-life impairment after myocardial infarction

Aims Recent advances in therapy led to a significant decrease in mortality and morbidity after myocardial infarction (MI). However, little is known about quality of life (QoL) after MI. We examined heart failure (HF)-related quality-of-life (QoL) impairment, its trajectories, and determinants after MI. Methods Data from a single-center prospectively designed registry of consecutive patients hospitalized for MI at a large tertiary cardiology center were utilized. At 1 month and 1 year after hospital discharge, patients completed the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ). Results In total, 850 patients (aged 65 +/- 12 years, 27% female) hospitalized between June 2017 and October 2020 completed KCCQ at 1 month after discharge. Of these, 38.7% showed HF-related QoL impairment (KCCQ <= 75). In addition to characteristics of MI (MI size, diuretics need, heart rate), comorbidities as renal dysfunction and anemia were associated with QoL impairment. Of the 673 eligible, 500 patients (74.3%) completed KCCQ at 1 year after MI. On average, QoL improved by 5.9 +/- 16.8 points during the first year after MI (p < 0.001); but, in 18% of patients QoL worsened. Diabetes control and hemoglobin level at the time of hospitalization were associated with QoL worsening. Conclusion Two out of 5 patients after MI present with HF-related QoL impairment. In addition to guideline-directed MI management, careful attention to key non-cardiac comorbidities as chronic kidney disease, anemia and diabetes may lead to further augmentation of the benefit of modern therapies in terms of QoL.

Automated summary

This study examined the heart failure-related quality of life impairment, its trajectories, and determinants after myocardial infarction (MI). The results showed that 2 out of 5 patients after MI experience HF-related quality of life impairment. In addition to MI characteristics, comorbidities such as renal dysfunction and anemia were associated with quality of life impairment. The study also found that on average, quality of life improved during the first year after MI, but 18% of patients experienced worsening quality of life. Diabetes control and hemoglobin level at the time of hospitalization were associated with worsening quality of life.