Abstract 15963: Understanding Hospital Readmissions in Female Patients Admitted With Heart Failure Complicated by Atrial Fibrillation: A Get With the Guidelines - Heart Failure (GWTG-HF) Study

Abstract

Background: Over 2.5 million women in the US have heart failure (HF) accounting for the leading cause of hospitalization in women over 65. Despite the high prevalence, women with HF are understudied and little remains known about how concurrent atrial fibrillation (AF) complicates the condition. Understanding key risk factors for readmission in female HF patients with AF may help to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with this condition and help reduce the significant financial and resource burden these events have on the US healthcare system. Methods: The GWTG-HF study enrolled 615 female HF patients with AF between 2005 – 2012 at our center. Pearson χ 2 tests and the Student t-tests were used to compare patient characteristics and index hospital admission by future all-cause readmission status. Results: 92% of female patients with HF complicated by AF had a history of HF prior to index admission. 35% of these patients had a hospital readmission during the study period. Those who were readmitted were more likely to be black (p<0.001). There was no difference in past medical history between groups. Isosorbide was slightly more likely to be prescribed in patients who had a subsequent readmission (p=0.043), without differences in other medications. Conclusion: Over one-third of female patients with HF complicated by AF had an all-cause readmission. Readmitted patients were more likely to be black with similar past medical history and mediations prescribed on discharge. Further study is needed to identify why black women are more likely to be readmitted, with investigation into the possible role of high medication costs, complex medical regimens, and other barriers to accessing the healthcare system. By understanding possible barriers that increase the risk of hospital readmission, efforts can be made to reduce these obstacles and improve the overall health of this group.