Assessment of educational program efficacy in patients with prosthetic heart valves

The aim of the study was to assess the efficacy of the educational program for patients with prosthetic heart valves. Two groups of patients with prosthetic heart valves were examined: patients enrolled in the educational program and those not enrolled in it. Six minute walking test, echocardiography, quality of life (SF-36 questionnaire), and adherence to treatment (according to S.V. Davydov’s questionnaire) were evaluated. Participation in the educational program was associated with significant increase in the exercise tolerance and decreases in left atrial (LA) size, LA volume, systolic pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP), and mean PAP mostly due to an improvement in psychological aspects of health and adherence to treatment. The educational program for patients with prosthetic heart valves contributed to improvement of both clinical and hemodynamic indicators by enhancing adherence to treatment and quality of life.