Gender, Age, and Operation Type Differences in Early Postoperative Complaints After Open Heart Surgery

Objective In this study, it was aimed to investigate the relationship between age, gender, and operation type of symptoms and findings that can be seen in the first six weeks after discharge of patients who underwent open heart surgery, as well as to analyze the frequency of symptoms and findings, their onset times, and their coexistence. Method Between July 2023-November 2023, the complaints of 160 patients who underwent open heart surgery happened in the first 6 weeks after discharge and the onset time were prospectively examined. Results The most common complaints were sleep disturbance 45.6%, dyspnea 37.5%, chest pain 33.1%, arm and shoulder pain 32.5%, respectively. The least common ones were sternum dehiscence (6.8%) and physical activity limitation (6.2%). Wound infection was seen in 43% of women and 21% of men (p=0.004). Sleep disturbance was detected in 56% of women and 40% of men (p=0.05). Anxiety was common in isolated valve surgery (p=0.02) and leg pain was common in CABG (p=0.03). Dyspnea (p=0.01), impaired sexual activity (p=0.03) and arm-shoulder pain (p=0.08) varied with age. In multiple coexistence analysis; Anxiety, neuropsychological complaints and gastrointestinal complaints showed coexistence. Similarly, in the multiple coexistence analysis, pain, sleep disturbance, dyspnea and wound infection were seen to be differentiated from other variables. Conclusion Complaints seen after the discharge from open heart surgery vary depending on gender, type of operation and age. While the earliest symptom was anxiety, the latest complaint was sexual activity disorder. Anxiety, neuropsychological and gastrointestinal complaints were observed together.