INTRODUCTION Health related quality of life in children who have undergone the Ross procedure has not been well characterized. The aim of this study was to characterize HRQOL in this… Click to show full abstract
INTRODUCTION Health related quality of life in children who have undergone the Ross procedure has not been well characterized. The aim of this study was to characterize HRQOL in this cohort and compare to children with other CHD. METHOD In this cross sectional, single-center study, HRQOL was assessed in patients who underwent a non-neonatal Ross procedure using the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL). Ross cohort scores were compared with healthy norms, patients with CHD requiring no surgical intervention or had curative surgery (Severity 2, S2), and patients who were surgically repaired with ≥ 1 surgical procedure and with significant residual lesion or need for additional surgery (Severity 3, S3). Associations between PedsQL score and patient factors were also examined. RESULTS 68 patients completed surveys. Nearly 1/6 of patients had overall scores below the cut-off for at-risk status for impaired HRQOL. There was no difference in overall HRQOL score between the Ross cohort and healthy children (p=0.56) and S2 cohort (p=0.97). HRQOL was significantly higher in the Ross cohort compared to S3 cohort (p =0.02). This difference was driven by a higher psychosocial HRQOL in the Ross cohort as compared to S3 cohort (p =0.007). Anxiety scores were significantly worse in the Ross cohort compared to both S2 (p=0.001) and S3 (p=0.0017), respectively. CONCLUSION Children who have undergone a Ross procedure report HRQOL equivalent to CHD not requiring therapy and superior to CHD with residual lesions. Despite these reassuring results, providers should be aware of potential anxiety among Ross patients.
               
Click one of the above tabs to view related content.