Hospital infections and health-related quality of life after cardiac surgery: a multicenter survey.

Background: Recent research suggested that hospital infections are a predictive marker for physical non-recovery one year after cardiothoracic surgery. The purpose of this study was to explore whether this risk factor is etiologic. Additional, the influence of a potential effect modifying factor, diabetes mellitus, was investigated.

Outcome of transcatheter aortic valve replacement in patients over 85 years of age versus patients aged 85 and younger.

Introduction: The Dutch general population is aging rapidly. Many of these patient are fit and eligible for TAVR. However, studies on outcome in older versus younger patients are scant.

Preoperative anaemia and outcome after elective cardiac surgery: a Dutch national registry analysis.

Background: Previous studies have shown that preoperative anaemia in patients undergoing cardiac surgery is associated with adverse outcomes. However, most of these studies were retrospective, had a relatively small sample size, and were from a single centre. The aim of this study was to analyse the relationship between the severity of preoperative anaemia and short- and long-term mortality and morbidity in a large multicentre national cohort of patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

Determinants of non-recovery in physical health-related quality of life one year after cardiac surgery: a prospective single Centre observational study.

Background: Recent studies show that substantial percentage of patients experienced worsening of health related quality of life (HRQoL) 1 year after cardiac surgery. The aim of this study is to identify risk factors that interfere with improvement of HRQoL.

Methods: From December 2015 till July 2017 a prospective single centre observational study was carried out in 1920 patients participated who underwent non-salvage cardiac surgery.

Impaired right ventricular ejection fraction after cardiac surgery is associated with a complicated ICU stay.

Background: Right ventricular (RV) dysfunction is a known risk factor for increased mortality in cardiac surgery. However, the association between RV performance and ICU morbidity is largely unknown.

Methods: We performed a single-centre, retrospective study including cardiac surgery patients equipped with a pulmonary artery catheter, enabling continuous right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) measurements.