Life quality of patients of pediatric age after mitral valve replacement

The article presents the results of the life quality assessment of 49 patients who underwent mitral valve replacement in the age from 1 to 15 years. Life quality was estimated using the Nottingham Health Profile questionnaire. The obtained data suggests that quality of life is lower in patients with mitral valve prosthesis; it depends on the type of performed operation, functional classes of cardiac decompensation, exercise tolerance. In addition, it is directly correlated with BNP level, and also is related to heart size and left ventricular ejection fraction. It was revealed that mitral valve replacement with preservation of subvalvular apparatus contributes to improving of patients' life quality.