OBJECTIVE: To determine the changes in the open heart surgical procedures and hospital mortality between 1982 and 1992. DESIGN: Retrospective investigation. SETTING: St. Antonius Hospital, Nieuwegein. METHOD: A comparison of the open heart surgical procedures, the hospital mortality and the age distribution of the operated patients was made by means of the database of the department of Cardiopulmonary Surgery. RESULTS: The total number of open heart procedures showed a small increase; however, there was a considerable increase in the number of combined procedures of coronary revascularisations with valve surgery, coronary revascularisation reoperations, closure of ventricular septal ruptures, rhythm procedures and reconstruction of the thoracic aorta. Although the mean age of the patients increased by about 6 years, hospital mortality was much lower in 1992. CONCLUSIONS: Between 1982 and 1992 mean patient age increased considerably, the open heart procedure became more extensive and the hospital mortality decreased.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the changes in the open heart surgical procedures and hospital mortality between 1982 and 1992. DESIGN: Retrospective investigation. SETTING: St. Antonius Hospital, Nieuwegein. METHOD: A comparison of the open heart surgical procedures, the hospital mortality and the age distribution of the operated patients was made by means of the database of the department of Cardiopulmonary Surgery. RESULTS: The total number of open heart procedures showed a small increase; however, there was a considerable increase in the number of combined procedures of coronary revascularisations with valve surgery, coronary revascularisation reoperations, closure of ventricular septal ruptures, rhythm procedures and reconstruction of the thoracic aorta. Although the mean age of the patients increased by about 6 years, hospital mortality was much lower in 1992. CONCLUSIONS: Between 1982 and 1992 mean patient age increased considerably, the open heart procedure became more extensive and the hospital mortality decreased.