Health Status and Quality of Life of Patients Enrolled in a Specialized Refractory Angina Clinic

As the mortality of coronary artery disease improves and the population ages, an increasing number of patients with refractory angina are not candidates for percutaneous or surgical revascularization. We evaluated the impact of a dedicated refractory angina clinic on quality of life. In 76 patients who completed the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey and Seattle Angina Questionnaire at baseline and 1 year, the Medical Outcomes Study results showed the proportion of patients who rated their health as “good” or “excellent” more than doubled from baseline to 1 year (15.8% vs. 42.2%; P < .001). Similarly, the Seattle Angina Questionnaire score was significantly improved at 1 year compared to baseline (P = .025), as were angina stability (P = 0.017) and angina frequency (P = .010). In conclusion, treatment in a dedicated clinic is associated with improved quality of life in patients with refractory angina.