Blümchen G, Barthel W, van den Bergh K, Bierck G, Brandt D, Scharf-Bornhofen E, Reidemeister J C
Z Kardiol. 1980 Sep;69(9):632-8.
The "return to work"-rate of 4 groups of patients with myocardial infarction (MI) is evaluated (all coronary angiography): Group 1: 314 patients after aorto-coronary bypass operation: mean age 50.5 years. Time after infarction 28 months, after surgery 18 months. The social fate of 52% were not yet decided. 20% got pension, 25% returned to work. Group 2: 86 patients after conservative treatment of myocardial infarction: mean age 42 years. Time after MI 18 months. The social fate of 21% was not yet decided, 41% got pension, 36% returned to work. Patients with one-vessel disease returned to work in 52%, with two-vessel disease in 20% and with three-vessel disease in 12.5%. Group 3: 24 patients after aneurysmectomy: mean age 47 years. Time after infarction 28 months, time after operation 11 months. Social fate of 8 out of 24 patients was not yet decided, 7 out of 24 got pension, 5 out of 24 returned to work. Group 4: 27 patients with conservatively treated left ventricular aneurysm: mean age 43 years. Time after infarction 42 months. The social fate of 2 out of 27 patients was not yet decided, 14 out of 27 got pension, and 8 out of 27 returned to work. Exercise-tolerance is no good indicator for the work status 18 months after myocardial infarction, 18 months after aorto-coronary bypass, 18 months after aneurysmectomy and 42 months after conservative treatment of left ventricular aneurysm. Selection of patients (all were examined by coronary angiography because of limitation by angina pectoris in daily life activities) may be partly responsible for the poor long-term work status. But more important seems to be the "tied social network". Decision for "return to work" or "pension" should be made 6 months after MI or after operation.
