Hospital Readmissions After Continuous-Flow Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation: Incidence, Causes, and Cost Analysis

The University of Wisconsin group analyzed the etiology, costs, and effect on survival of unplanned readmissions after LVAD surgery.  At a median follow-up of 11 months, 68 of the 103 patients (66%) were readmitted.  The top 3 causes of readmission were GI bleeding, driveline infection, and stroke.  Thirty patients (44%) were readmitted within 30 days of discharge.  The median direct cost of each readmission was $7,546.  Survival was not significantly affected by hospital readmission.