Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) surgery has increased the survival rate for individuals suffering from myocardial infarction or coronary ischemia. The present study aimed to examine the perception of quality of life amongst post CABG patients at the National Heart Institute Malaysia. A total of 69 post CABG patients, were studied using the Medical Outcomes Short Form 36 (SF-36). The findings showed that post CABG respondents possessed good level of quality of life (SF-36) physically and mentally. There were significant differences between the role physical in the physical functioning domains of quality of life with gender (t=0.286, p<0.05). Duration of physical exercises of more than 20 minutes have positive effects on both physical (t=2.738, p<0.05) and mental components (t=7.326, p<0.05). The level of income influenced both the physical component (F=3.100, p<0.05), and mental component (F=4.272, p<0.05). Post CABG patients were found to have high quality of life post operatively. They were able to make comprehensive lifestyle changes through frequent physical exercises to accommodate their needs.

The present study aims to determine the limitations of traditional Jones criteria during the first episode of acute rheumatic fever (ARF) at the initial referral hospital, in a cohort of patients below 18 years old who had undergone mitral valve repair in National Heart Institute (IJN) from 2011 to 2016. Carditis followed by fever and joint involvement were the most frequent manifestations at first diagnosis. Of the 50 patients, only seven (14%) fulfilled the traditional Jones criteria for the diagnosis of the first episode of ARF. When compulsory evidence of a previous group A Beta hemolytic streptococcus (GABHS) was disregarded, this figure rose to 54%. Therefore, strict adherence to Jones criteria with absolute documentation of GABHS will lead to underdiagnoses of ARF. The application of echocardiographic diagnostic criteria of rheumatic heart disease (RHD) needs to be emphasized to allow early diagnosis and administration of secondary prophylaxis to prevent progression to severe valvular disease.