Trimetazidine improves health-related quality of life in operated valvular heart disease

Abstract

Purpose: Successful surgical intervention in valvular heart disease has been shown to prolong and improve quality of life. We aimed to evaluate postoperative health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients following trimetazidine therapy. Methods: 120 patients [aged 53.2±2.1 years, 60% males] 2–4 weeks after conventional aortic (n=64) and mitral (n=56) valve replacement by mechanical prostheses (40% due to degenerative, 35% rheumatic, 10% myxomatous, 8.3% congenital valve diseases and 6.7% infectious endocarditis) were randomized 1:1 to receive either conventional therapy or trimetazidine (35 mg twice daily) added to standard treatment. HRQoL was assessed at baseline and 12 months using the Short Form (SF-36 v.1) Health Survey. Results: There were no significant differences between trimetazidine and control group at baseline. Patients reported poor postoperative HRQoL. In both groups, SF-36 scores substantially rose after follow-up. Trimetazidine patients had significant higher improvements in HRQoL over time compared to controls. One patient died in the control group (p=0.89). View this table: Health-related quality of life Conclusions: Mechanical valves patients commonly suffer from severe HRQoL impairment. Long-term trimetazidine, added to conventional treatment, greatly improves HRQoL. The results provide support for trimetazidine as a promising therapy for patients with heart valve prostheses.