Feasibility of EuroQoL-5 Dimensions (EQ-5D) and EuroQoL Visual Analogue Scale (EQ-VAS) Assessment in Routine Postoperative Follow-Up After Surgical and Transcatheter Heart Valve Interventions: A Pragmatic Cross-Sectional Pilot Study

Background Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) has become an essential patient-centered outcome in modern cardiovascular care, particularly following heart valve interventions. Although advances in surgical and transcatheter therapies have markedly improved survival, real-world implementation of standardized patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) remains limited due to feasibility concerns. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of EQ-5D (EuroQoL-5 Dimensions) and EQ-VAS (EuroQoL Visual Analogue Scale) implementation in routine postoperative follow-up and to explore associations between HRQoL and selected clinical variables. Methods This single-center cross-sectional pilot feasibility study included consecutive adult patients who had undergone surgical or transcatheter heart valve interventions and attended routine postoperative follow-up approximately two to four months after intervention. HRQoL was assessed using the EQ-5D questionnaire and EQ-VAS. A Global Rating of Change question evaluated perceived health status relative to the pre-intervention period. Clinical and procedural data were extracted retrospectively from medical records. Feasibility outcomes included completion rate, independence of questionnaire completion, and absence of missing data. Associations between EQ-VAS scores and clinical variables were explored using nonparametric analyses. Results Among 40 eligible patients, 34 (85.0%) completed the HRQoL assessment without missing responses or needing assistance, demonstrating excellent feasibility. The mean EQ-VAS score was 79.4 ± 13.2. Overall, 12 (35.3%) of patients reported full health status across all EQ-5D domains. Functional limitations were uncommon, with mobility impairment reported by 3 (8.8%) patients and self-care and usual activity limitations each by 5 (14.7%), while pain/discomfort (11, or 32.4%) and anxiety/depression (9, or 26.5%) were the most frequent concerns. Most patients, 28 (82.4%), perceived their health as improved compared to the pre-intervention period. Clinically significant postoperative complications occurred in 2 (5.9%) patients and were associated with significantly lower EQ-VAS scores (p = 0.046). Conclusions Implementation of EQ-5D and EQ-VAS in routine postoperative follow-up after heart valve interventions is feasible, well accepted by patients, and provides meaningful insights into perceived recovery. These findings support the integration of pragmatic HRQoL assessment into real-world cardiovascular practice and provide a foundation for future longitudinal studies evaluating the role of patient-reported outcomes in guiding patient-centered care.