This prospective cohort study aims to determine the incidence of hospitalization-associated disability and its association with risk factors at the patient level and with care and hospital processes. For this, patients aged 70 years or older admitted for elective valve surgery or elective transcatheter aortic valve implantation or as a result of symptomatic moderate to severe valvular heart disease will be consecutively included from 01 October 2015 to 29 February 2016.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Aged 70 years or older
• Admitted for elective heart valve surgery (replacement, repair or combined with CABG) or if admitted for elective transcatheter aortic valve implantation, or if a patient presents with symptomatic moderate to severe valvular heart disease on hospital admission as evidenced by moderate to severe valve regurgitation (≥ 2/4) or aortic valve area ≤ 1cm2 or mitral valve area ≤ 1.5cm2 and if one of the following symptoms is present: heart failure, decreased exercise tolerance, (exertional) dyspnea, (exertional) angina, (exertional) syncope
• Dutch speaking

Exclusion Criteria:

• Life expectancy less than 6 months
• Expected length of stay less than 48 hours

Patients aged 70 years and older admitted for elective heart valve surgery (replacement, repair or combined with CABG) or if admitted for elective transcatheter aortic valve implantation, or if a patient presents with symptomatic moderate to severe valvular heart disease on hospital admission.