Less than Half of Mayo Clinic Heart Surgery Patients Have Advance Directives

Less than half of the patients who underwent a risky heart surgery at the Mayo Clinic between 2008 and 2012 completed advanced directives. (JAMA Internal Medicine 8/4/14)

Aortic Stenosis

Mayo researchers focused on patients with aortic stenosis, which occurs when the main artery to the heart does not open all the way. The problem causes poor circulation and can lead to death.


Aortic stenosis can be treated by either (1) opening the patient's chest and replacing the artery, or (2) with a less invasive procedure known as transcatheter aortic valve replacement for people not strong enough to have the full surgery.



But in both cases patients are at risk for death and other complications related to the surgery, such as stroke and heart rhythm problems.  About a third of people who undergo either procedure will die during the two years after surgery. 


Advance Directives

Despite the serious consequences from aortic stenosis, only about 47 percent of the study patients had advanced directives.  This is an unfortunate completion rate.  And it is remarkable given the close proximity of the Mayo Clinic to La Crosse, Wisconsin and its internationally famous high completion rates.