ORIGINAL ARTICLE   

Italian Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery 2017 December;24(4):131-6

DOI: 10.23736/S1824-4777.17.01299-2

Copyright © 2017 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Long-term results of surgical correction of symptomatic pectus excavatum in seniors: improvements in cardiovascular function and quality of life

Nico A. HANDELS ¹, Hans A. KRAGTEN ¹, Erik de LOOS ², Paul F. HÖPPENER ¹ ✉

¹ Department of Cardiology, Zuyderland Medical Center, Heerlen, The Netherlands; ² Department of Surgery, Zuyderland Medical Center, Heerlen, The Netherlands

BACKGROUND: Until recently, symptomatic pectus excavatum in seniors (SPES) was considered to be non-existent. However, our earlier studies revealed a beneficial effect of surgical repair on cardiovascular function and quality of life (QoL) in the short term. This is one of the first follow up studies, where a significant number of operated patients (N.=30) are followed for a longer period of time.
METHODS: In this study, clinical evaluation was performed at our outpatient department or by telephone interview, to obtain information about cardiovascular function, QoL, symptoms and side effects.
RESULTS: The clinical outcome in 30 senior symptomatic patients revealed a clinically significant increase in QoL, shortly after surgery, that was maintained after an average of 4.4 years (P<0.001). This was largely because of a decrease in postural shortness of breath (P<0.001) and a decrease in palpitations (P<0.001).
CONCLUSIONS: Symptomatic Pectus Excavatum in Senior patients (SPES) is clinically relevant. It is a cardiovascular disease. Surgical correction results in an increased cardiovascular function and QoL over the long term.

KEY WORDS: Funnel chest - Quality of life - Cardiovascular diseases - Right ventricular function