The STS Participant User File (PUF) Research Program allows analysis of national-scale de-identified data from the STS National Database at investigators’ institutions. The PUF Program is unique in many respects and was designed primarily as an option for investigators to pose research questions, quickly obtain quality data, analyze these data themselves, receive feedback, and develop their efforts into abstracts and manuscripts. Read more about the PUF Program.
PUF applications are being accepted for data in the Adult Cardiac Surgery Database, General Thoracic Surgery Database, Congenital Heart Surgery Database, and Intermacs.
To avoid issues with scientific overlap, investigators are highly encouraged to do the following in advance of submitting a proposal:
- Review the list of active STS research proposals from all programs
- Review the list of recently published STS research studies based on STS National Database data
- Share their proposed topic of study with Research Center staff in advance of submitting a formal PUF application
For more information, contact Kristin Mathis.
Review the Data Use Agreement and apply now.