[Evaluation of social status and hemodynamic results four to six years after prosthetic valve replacement (author's transl)].

In 72 patients the professional and social status before and after prosthetic valve replacement was examined. In 60 of these patients the hemodynamic data (cardiac index, stroke volume index, pulmonary arterial pressure at rest and during exercise) were measured. The patients were classified according to their professional training, their last occupation, and their social status before operation. Postoperative changes in professional life and the daily work load were correlated to the hemodynamic results. The study shows that the social status plays a more important role in regaining the professional position postoperatively than the hemodynamic parameter.