Return to work after coronary artery bypass surgery

The aim of this study was to assess the possible reasons for not returning to work after coronary artery bypass surgery. A total of 134 patients (aged 65 years and younger) who underwent coronary bypass surgery in 2003 were examined. The analysis was performed in three groups of the patients: Group I, patients who were employed before surgery and returned to work after it (n=51); Group II, patients who were employed before surgery but did not return to work after surgery (n=55); and Group III, patients who were unemployed before and remained unemployed after surgery due to health problems (n=28). Number of injured coronary arteries, the extent of operation, postoperative complications, risk factors for ischemic heart disease, clinical status of patients (angina pain and heart failure), physical tolerance, and return to work within one year after coronary bypass surgery were analyzed. It was found that 48.1% of patients who were employed before surgery returned to work after myocardial revascularization. About 30% of patients experienced recurrent symptoms of angina after 12 months. Logistic regression analysis revealed that return to work was significantly influenced by female gender, physical pattern of work, age, and severity of heart failure.