Purpose: Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) measured on the EQ-5D (European quality of life-5 dimensions)-questionnaire has been shown to improve after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), this study investigated whether changes in HRQoL predict later morbidity.

Included were 404 consecutive patients undergoing isolated CABG between 2008 and 2010 who filled the EQ-5D-questionnaire at baseline and 6 months postoperatively. Records were reviewed for later major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) after 6 months. Follow-up was 38.6 months (10-58).

Patients who suffered later MACCE more often had suffered an in-hospital postoperative stroke, had a longer in-hospital stay, had lower HRQoL scores at 6 months and deteriorated on several EQ-5D-subscales. Logistic regression showed 6 months visual analogue scale scores and declining function scores to be independent predictors of later MACCE.

Deteriorating function and HRQoL-scores at 6 months as compared to baseline postoperatively predict later adverse cardiovascular events after CABG.