The PCR-EAPCI Textbook
Enjoy free access until 10 July to this chapter. It provides an updated focus on Quality of Life (QoL) measures which may help optimise both clinical decision-making and patient care, as well as enhance patient-physician communication
Summary
Treatment options for patients with coronary artery disease have expanded considerably over recent decades. In addition to optimal medical treatment, mechanical revascularisation with bypass surgery or percutaneous intervention can be offered to relieve symptoms of (severe) ischaemia and improve quality of life (QoL). QoL has gained increased recognition as an important outcome measure in patients with cardiovascular disease, and may serve to bridge the gap between research and clinical practice. Patient-rated QoL predicts mortality and hospitalisations independent of traditional biomedical risk factors, and as such may help identify patients at high risk for adverse clinical events who may require more aggressive treatment. QoL measures may aid in both optimising clinical decision making and patient care, as well as enhancing patient-physician communication.
