Faculty Collaboration Database

Hospital Readmissions After Continuous-Flow Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation: Incidence, Causes, and Cost Analysis. Ann Thorac Surg 2015 Sep;100(3):884-9

Date

06/23/2015

Pubmed ID

26095106

DOI

10.1016/j.athoracsur.2015.03.010

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-84940723713 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   109 Citations

Abstract

BACKGROUND: We investigated the incidence and causes of unplanned hospital readmissions after continuous-flow (CF) left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation. We also analyzed the impact of unplanned readmissions on post-CF-LVAD survival and the costs associated with each cause of readmission.

METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 126 patients who underwent implantation with a CF-LVAD from January 2007 to December 2013. The timing of readmissions, hospital length of stay, and total length of device support were evaluated. Patients were followed up while receiving support, until transplantation, or until death. Direct hospital costs associated with each readmission were analyzed.

RESULTS: In all, 103 patients underwent implantation for bridge to transplantation and 19 patients for destination therapy; 68 patients were readmitted 156 times (2.2 times/patient) as of the end of follow-up. The median follow-up period was 11 months. While receiving device support, patients spent 93% of their time out of the hospital. The causes of readmission included gastrointestinal bleeding (19%), driveline infection (13%), and stroke (8%). The median time to first readmission was 35 days. Thirty (44%) patients were readmitted within 30 days after discharge. The median direct hospital cost of a single readmission was $7,546. Device malfunction and arrhythmias were the most costly causes of readmission. There was no significant difference in long-term survival between readmitted patients and those who were not readmitted.

CONCLUSIONS: Gastrointestinal bleeding and CF-LVAD-related infections were the leading causes of readmission. Patients with a CF-LVAD spent 93% of their time out of hospital after implantation, and readmissions did not have a negative impact on long-term survival. New approaches to minimize these adverse events will continue to improve the efficacy and decrease the cost of CF-LVAD therapy.

Author List

Akhter SA, Badami A, Murray M, Kohmoto T, Lozonschi L, Osaki S, Lushaj EB

Author

Takushi Kohmoto MD, PhD Professor in the Surgery department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Costs and Cost Analysis
Female
Heart-Assist Devices
Humans
Incidence
Male
Middle Aged
Patient Readmission
Postoperative Complications
Prosthesis Implantation
Retrospective Studies
Survival Rate