Readmissions After Cardiac Surgery: Experience of the National Institutes of Health/Canadian Institutes of Health Research Cardiothoracic Surgical Trials Network [1]
This study assessed risk factors, frequency, and timing associated with readmission after cardiac surgery using data for 5,158 pts from 10 participating centers. The overall readmission rate was 19%, and was highest for combined CABG and valve operations. Readmissions were more common in the first 30 days after discharge (80% of total), and were most often due to fluid overload, infection, and arrhythmia. Baseline conditions associated with readmission were female sex, AKI, COPD, diabetes, anemia, and prolonged operating time.