Higher 30-day Readmission Rates Research Articles

Prior abdominal surgery is not associated with 30-day mortality or morbidities after endovascular repair of complex abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Prior abdominal surgery (PAS) has the potential to affect outcomes of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair. Recently, endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) has been expanded among patients with complex AAA, which involves visceral branches in the upper abdominal aortic. However, outcomes of EVAR for complex AAA in patients with PAS have not been examined. This study aimed to investigate the impact of PAS on 30-day outcomes in EVAR for complex AAA. Patients who underwent EVAR for complex AAA were identified in ACS-NSQIP targeted database from 2012 to 2022. Complex AAA was defined as juxtarenal, suprarenal, or pararenal proximal extent, Type IV thoracoabdominal aneurysm, or aneurysms treated with Zenith Fenestrated endograft. Patients with age less than 18 years, ruptured AAA with or without hypotension, acute intraoperative conversion to open, and emergency presentation were excluded. Multivariable logistic regression was used to compare 30-day postoperative outcomes of patients with and without PAS. Demographics, baseline characteristics, aneurysm diameter, indication for surgery, proximal and distant aneurysm extent, anesthesia, and concomitant procedures were adjusted. There were 515 (28.34%) and 1302 (71.66%) patients with and without PAS, respectively, who underwent EVAR for complex AAA. Patients with and without PAS had comparable 30-day mortality (3.11% vs 3.00%, aOR = 0.766, 95 CI = 0.407-1.442, p = .41). Organ system complications including cardiac complications, stroke, pulmonary complications, and renal complications were comparable between patients with and without PAS. All other 30-day outcomes were similar between groups. However, patients with PAS had higher 30-day readmission rate (11.65% vs 7.14%, aOR = 1.634, 95 CI = 1.145-2.331, p = .01). While PAS has high prevalence among patients undergoing EVAR for complex AAA, it does not impact 30-day mortality and morbidities. Thus, EVAR for complex AAA can be considered safe for patients with PAS in terms of short-term outcomes, despite the long-term prognosis in these patients being needed in further studies.

Upfront laparotomy versus conversion from minimally invasive surgery to open surgery in colon cancer: Is there a difference in outcomes?

BackgroundIt is unclear whether conversion from minimally invasive surgery to laparotomy in patients with colon cancer contributes to worse outcomes compared with those operated by laparotomy. In this study, we aimed to assess the implications of transitioning from minimally invasive surgery to laparotomy in patients with colon cancer compared with patients undergoing upfront laparotomy. MethodsA retrospective analysis of the National Cancer Database, including patients with stages I to III colon cancer (2010–2019). Patients who underwent either upfront laparotomy (Open Surgery Group) or minimally invasive surgery converted to open surgery (Converted Surgery Group) were included. Groups were balanced using propensity-score matching. Primary outcome was overall survival, and secondary outcomes included 30- and 90-day mortality and 30-day readmission rates. ResultsThe study included 65,083 operated patients with stage I to III colon cancer; 57,091 patients (87.7%) were included in the Open Surgery group and 7,992 (12.3%) in the Converted Surgery group. 93.5% were converted from laparoscopy, and 6.5% were converted from robotic surgery. After propensity-score matching, 7,058 patients were included in each group. Median overall survival was significantly higher in the Converted Surgery group (107.3 months) than in the Open Surgery group (101.5 months; P = .006). A survival benefit was seen in patients >65 years of age (79.5 vs 71.9 months; P = .001), left-sided disease (129.4 vs 114.5 months; P < .001), and with a high Charlson comorbidity index score (=3; 58.9 vs 42.3 months; P = .03). Positive margin rates were similar between the groups (6.3% vs 5.6%; P = .07). Converted patients had a higher 30-day readmission rate (6.7% vs 5.6%, P = .006) and shorter duration of stay (median, 5 vs 6 days, P < .001) than patients in the Open Surgery group. In addition, 30-day mortality was comparable between the groups (2.9% vs 3.5%; P = .07). ConclusionConversion to open surgery from minimally invasive surgery was associated with better overall survival compared with upfront open surgery. A survival benefit was mainly seen in patients >65 years of age, with significant comorbidities, and with left-sided tumors. We believe these data suggest that, in the absence of an absolute contraindication to minimally invasive surgery, it should be the preferred approach in patients with colon cancer.

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection outcomes among pregnant vs. non-pregnant women.

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) has become increasingly recognized. It accounts for <1-4% of acute coronary syndrome presentations. Overall, however, it makes up over 40% of pregnancy-associated myocardial infarction. Furthermore, pregnancy-associated spontaneous coronary artery dissection (P-SCAD) is described to have a greater degree of clinical manifestations, including left ventricular dysfunction, shock, and left main or multivessel involvement. The findings are disconcerting, though many studies evaluating P-SCAD are based on case series data or are single centre studies. The aim of this study was to evaluate a larger national dataset to evaluate the outcomes of SCAD and specifically P-SCAD in an attempt to better characterize the severity and clinical nature of this condition. To conduct this study, we analysed the National Readmission Database from January 2016 to December 2020. Propensity matching was done using the Greedy 1:1 method. Multivariate logistics and time-to-event Cox regression analysis models were built by including all confounders significantly associated with the outcome on univariable analysis with a cut-off P-value of 0.2. In multivariate regression analysis, P-SCAD patients had a non-propensity matched odds ratio (OR) of 0.21 (0.3-1.54, P = 0.123) of dying and a propensity matched OR of 0.11 (0.02-0.61, P = 0.012) of dying. Thirty-day readmission rate for P-SCAD was 15.8% (n = 93) and for non-pregnant spontaneous coronary artery dissection (NP-SCAD) was 11.2% (n = 2286); non-propensity matched OR for readmission for PSCAD patients was 1.68 (1.24-2.29, P = 0.001) and propensity matched OR was 3.39 (1.93-5.97, P < 0.001). Among hospitalized patient, P-SCAD was associated with similar clinical outcomes and reduced incidence of death when compared with NP-SCAD, though had higher rates of 30-day readmission. Larger-scale observational data will be needed to ascertain the true incidence of cardiovascular complications as it relates to P-SCAD.

Association between admission albumin levels and 30-day readmission after hip fracture surgery in geriatric patients: a propensity score-matched study

PurposeThis study aimed to evaluate the correlation admission albumin levels and 30-day readmission after hip fracture surgery in geriatric patients.MethodsIn this retrospective cohort study, 1270 geriatric patients admitted for hip fractures to a level I trauma center were included. Patients were stratified by clinical thresholds and albumin level quartiles. The association between admission albumin levels and 30-day readmission risk was assessed using multivariate logistic regression and propensity score-matched analyses. The predictive accuracy of albumin levels for readmission was evaluated by ROC curves. The dose–response relationship between albumin levels and readmission risk was examined. ResultsThe incidence of 30-day readmission was significantly higher among hypoalbuminemia patients than those with normal albumin levels (OR = 2.090, 95%CI:1.296–3.370, p = 0.003). Furthermore, propensity score-matched analyses demonstrated that patients in the Q2(35.0–37.9 g/L) (OR 0.621, 95%CI 0.370–1.041, p = 0.070), Q3(38.0–40.9 g/L) (OR 0.378, 95%CI 0.199–0.717, p < 0.001) and Q4 (≥ 41 g/L) (OR 0.465, 95%CI 0.211–0.859, p = 0.047) quartiles had a significantly lower risk of 30-day readmission compared to those in the Q1(< 35 g/L) quartile. These associations remained significant after propensity score matching (PSM) and subgroup analyses. Dose–response relationships between albumin levels and 30-day readmission were observed.ConclusionsLower admission albumin levels were independently associated with higher 30-day readmission rates in elderly hip fracture patients. Our findings indicate that serum albumin may assist perioperative risk assessment, and prompt correction of hypoalbuminemia and malnutrition could reduce short-term readmissions after hip fracture surgery in this high-risk population.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation with and without mitral stenosis — A national readmission database study

IntroductionMitral valve stenosis (MS) can be concomitantly present in patients undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI). Some studies have reported up to one-fifth of patients who underwent TAVI also have MS. The relationship between mitral stenosis and TAVI has led to concerns regarding increased adverse cardiac outcomes during and after the procedure. MethodsThe Nationwide Readmission Database (NRD 2016–2019) was utilized to identify TAVI patients with MS with ICD-10-CM codes. The primary outcome was a 30-day readmission rate. Secondary outcomes included predictors of all-cause readmissions, length of stay, and total hospitalization cost. We assessed readmission frequency with a national sample weighed at 30 days following the index TAVI procedure. Unadjusted and adjusted odds ratios were analyzed for in-hospital outcomes using univariate and multivariate logistic regression for study cohorts. ResultsA total of 217,147 patients underwent TAVI procedures during the queried time period of the study. Of these patients, 2140 (0.98 %) had MS. The overall 30-day all-cause readmission rate for the study cohort was 12.4 %. TAVI patients with MS had higher rates of 30-day readmissions (15.8 % vs 12.3 %, aOR 1.22, CI: 1.03–1.45, P < 0.01). Additionally, TAVI patients with MS had longer lengths of hospital stay during index admissions (5.7 vs. 4.3 days), along with higher total hospitalization costs ($55,157 vs. $50,239). In contrast, in-hospital mortality during index TAVI admission did not differ significantly between the two groups, although there was a trend toward higher mortality in the MS group (2.1 % vs. 1.5 %). Among the TAVI MS cohort, patients admitted on weekends (aOR: 1.11, 95 % CI: 1.02–1.22, P = 0.01), admitted to non-metropolitan hospitals (aOR: 1.29, 95 % CI: 1.11–1.66, P = 0.04) and presence of co-morbidities such as atrial fibrillation (AF)/flutter (aOR: 1.24, 95 % CI: 1.16–1.32, P < 0.01), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (aOR: 1.16, 95 % CI: 1.11–1.22, P < 0.01), prior stroke (aOR: 1.09, 95 % CI: 1.03–1.14, P < 0.01), chronic kidney disease (CKD) ≥3 (aOR: 1.16, 95 % CI: 1.11–1.22, P < 0.01), end-stage renal disease (ESRD) (aOR: 1.75, 95 % CI: 1.61–1.90, P < 0.01), and anemia (aOR: 1.23, 95 % CI: 1.18–1.28, P < 0.01) were associated with increased odds of readmission. ConclusionConcomitant MS in patients undergoing TAVI is associated with higher readmission rates and total hospital costs. This can contribute significantly to healthcare-related burdens. Further studies are required to evaluate in-hospital outcomes and predictors of readmission in patients undergoing TAVI with the presence of concomitant MS.

The correlation between admission hyperglycemia and 30-day readmission after hip fracture surgery in geriatric patients: a propensity score-matched study.

This study aimed to investigate the association between admission hyperglycemia and 30-day readmission after hip fracture surgery in geriatric patients. This retrospective study included 1253 geriatric hip fracture patients. Patients were categorized into normoglycemia(<6.10 mmol/L) and hyperglycemia groups(≥6.10 mmol/L) based on admission blood glucose. We performed multivariable logistic regression analyses and propensity score matching (PSM) to estimate adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for 30-day readmission, controlling for potential confounding factors. An analysis of the dose-dependent association between admission blood glucose and the probability of 30-day readmission was performed. Additional subgroup analysis was conducted to examine the impact of other factors on the relationship between admission blood glucose and 30-day readmission. Patients with hyperglycemia had higher 30-day readmission rates than normoglycemic patients before (19.1% vs 9.7%, p<0.001) and after PSM (18.1% vs 12.3%, p=0.035). Admission hyperglycemia was an independent predictor of increased 30-day readmission risk, with an adjusted odds ratio of 1.57 (95% CI 1.08-2.29, p=0.019) after multivariable regression and 1.57 (95% CI 1.03-2.39, p=0.036) after PSM. A dose-response relationship was observed between higher glucose levels and increased readmission risk. Admission hyperglycemia is an independent risk factor for 30-day readmission after hip fracture surgery in the elderly. Routine glucose testing upon admission and perioperative glycemic control may help reduce short-term readmissions in this vulnerable population.

EFFECTS OF NUTRITION STATUS AND PERIOPERATIVE NUTRITION SUPPLEMENT COMPLETION ON POSTOPERATIVE OUTCOMES IN PATIENTS WITH INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE UNDERGOING SURGERY

Abstract BACKGROUND Malnutrition is common in inflammatory bowel disease, (IBD) and is associated with poor disease activity, greater hospital length of stay (LOS), higher 30-day readmission rates, and increased risk of postoperative complications. Structured, multimodal prehabilitation including nutrition counseling improves various outcomes after elective cancer and orthopedic surgeries. We examined the effects of malnutrition and perioperative nutrition supplementation on surgical outcomes in IBD patients participating in a multimodal prehabilitation program. METHODS This was a retrospective study of patients aged 18-80 enrolled in a 10-week prehabilitation program undergoing surgery for IBD. Beginning 4 weeks prior to surgery, patients met with a multidisciplinary team including a nurse practitioner, physical therapist and registered dietitian. Patients were provided 3 preoperative carbohydrate loading oral nutrition supplements (ONS) 48 hours prior to surgery, and 20 perioperative immunonutrition ONS. Malnutrition was defined using the Global Leadership in Malnutrition criteria as moderate or severe. We used Fisher’s exact test to determine associations between malnutrition, ONS use, and postoperative complications (defined by the comprehensive complication index (CCI, with CCI scores &amp;gt;20 classified as severe)), and 30-day readmission. Logistic and linear regression were used to analyze length of stay (LOS), opioid use (defined as morphine milligram equivalents, MME), nutrition status, and ONS completion. RESULTS 25 patients (48% female, mean age 44, 18 (72%) with Crohn’s disease) completed the prehabilitation program between 05/2022 and 10/2023. 10 patients (40%) met criteria for malnutrition (of these, 50% were moderate and 50% severe). Malnutrition was not significantly associated with CCI severity (p=0.07), LOS (p =0.07), opioid use (p=0.07) or 30 day readmission rates (0.06). Higher ONS use for carbohydrate loading and immunonutrition were more likely to have a LOS&amp;lt;5 days (p=0.05 and p=0.03 respectively). CONCLUSION ONS for preoperative carbohydrate loading and perioperative immunonutrition may shorten LOS after surgery among patients with IBD. In our study, higher amounts of ONS consumption led to a shorter LOS. Larger, controlled studies will help to further clarify the effects of malnutrition, carbohydrate loading, and immunonutrition among patients with IBD preparing for surgery.

Impact of perioperative SARS-CoV-2 Omicron infection on postoperative complications in liver cancer hepatectomy: A single-center matched study

ObjectivesTo explore the effects of perioperative SARS-CoV-2 Omicron infection on postoperative complications in patients with liver cancer. MethodsA propensity-matched study was conducted, which included patients with primary liver cancer who underwent hepatectomy from September 01, 2022 to January 20, 2023. Patients who infected SARS-CoV-2 Omicron during the perioperative period (7 days before to 30 days after surgery) were matched 1:1 with noninfected patients. The primary outcomes, which were COVID-19-related major complications and liver resection-specific complications, were analyzed using multivariate logistic regression. ResultsA total of 243 patients were included, with 63 cases of perioperative infections, of which 62 were postoperative infections. The overall 30-day postoperative mortality rate was 1.6% (4/243). Compared to noninfected patients, those with perioperative infections showed no significant difference in the occurrence of adverse postoperative outcomes. However, they had a higher rate of 30-day readmission after surgery (11.1% vs 0%, P = 0.013). Perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection was not associated with “major cardiorespiratory complications” or “liver resection-specific complications”, but age, pre-existing comorbidities, and tumor type were related to these outcomes. ConclusionPerioperative SARS-CoV-2 Omicron infection did not increase the incidence of postoperative complications in patients with liver cancer. However, those patients had a higher rate of 30-day readmission after surgery.

Patient Frailty is Correlated With Increased Adverse Events and Costs After Revision Total Hip Arthroplasty

BackgroundFrailty has been associated with poor outcomes and higher costs after primary total hip arthroplasty. However, frailty has not been studied in relation to outcomes after revision total hip arthroplasty (rTHA). This study examined the relationship between the Hospital Frailty Risk Score (HFRS), postoperative outcomes, and cost profiles following rTHA. MethodsIn this retrospective cohort study, we identified patients who underwent rTHA from January 2017 to November 2019 in the Nationwide Readmission Database. The 3 most frequently reported diagnosis codes for rTHA were then selected: dislocation; mechanical loosening; and infection. We calculated the HFRS for each patient to determine frailty status. We compared 30-day readmission rate, length of stay, and hospitalization cost between frail and nonfrail patients, using multivariate logistic and negative binomial regressions to adjust for covariates. We identified 36,243 total patients who underwent rTHA. Overall, 15,448 patients had a revision for dislocation, 11,062 for mechanical loosening, and 9,733 for infection. ResultsCompared to nonfrail patients, frail patients had higher rates of 30-day readmission, longer length of stay, and higher hospitalization cost. Frail patients had significantly higher rates of 30-day complication and 30-day reoperation. ConclusionsFrailty, measured using HFRS, is associated with increased postoperative complications and costs after rTHA. The HFRS has the ability to efficiently identify frail patients at-risk for perioperative complications enabling care teams to better focus optimization interventions on this patient cohort.

Patient Frailty is Correlated With Increased Adverse Events and Costs After Revision Knee Arthroplasty

BackgroundFrailty can predict adverse outcomes after various orthopaedic procedures, but is not well-studied in revision total knee arthroplasty (rTKA). We investigated the correlation between the Hospital Frailty Risk Score (HFRS) and post-rTKA outcomes. MethodsUsing the Nationwide Readmissions Database, we identified rTKA patients discharged from January 2017 to November 2019 for the most common diagnoses (mechanical loosening, infection, and instability). Using HFRS, we compared 30-day readmission rate, length of stay, and hospitalization cost between frail and nonfrail patients with multivariate and binomial regressions. The 30-day complication and reoperation rates were compared using univariate analyses. We identified 25,177 mechanical loosening patients, 12,712 infection patients, and 9,458 instability patients. ResultsFrail patients had higher rates of 30-day readmission (7.8 versus 3.7% for loosening, 13.5 versus 8.1% for infection, 8.7 versus 3.9% for instability; P < .01), longer length of stay (4.1 versus 2.4 days for loosening, 8.1 versus 4.4 days for infection, 4.9 versus 2.4 days for instability; P < .01), and greater cost ($32,082 versus $27,582 for loosening, $32,898 versus $28,115 for infection, $29,790 versus $24,164 for instability; P < .01). Frail loosening patients had higher 30-day complication (6.8 versus 2.9%, P < .01) and reoperation rates (1.8 versus 1.2%, P = .01). Frail infection patients had higher 30-day complication rates (14.0 versus 8.3%, P < .01). Frail instability patients had higher 30-day complication (8.0 versus 3.5%, P < .01) and reoperation rates (3.2 versus 1.6%, P < .01). ConclusionsThe HFRS may identify patients at risk for adverse events and increased costs after rTKA. Further research is needed to determine causation and mitigate complications and costs.

Knowing the Patient: Understanding Readmission Reasons in Complex Heart Failure.

Heart failure (HF) is a complex problem characterized by frequent hospitalizations and high 30-day readmission rates. Researchers studying HF readmission report that patients and clinicians have different perspectives on readmission and preventability when unadjusted for disease severity. The aim of this study was to gather patient, caregiver, nurse, and physician subjective reason(s) for 30-day HF readmission and perceptions of preventability with contextual factors to evaluate differences. A convergent, parallel, mixed-methods design was used with interviews and chart reviews to evaluate contextual factors from the current and index hospital stay. Adults readmitted within 30 days of a previous inpatient stay with a coded HF diagnosis were enrolled and interviewed, followed by interviews with associated caregivers, attending physicians, and assigned nurses. Interviews were conducted with patients (n = 44), caregivers (n = 6), physicians (n = 24), and nurses (n = 44). Readmissions were emergent/urgent (95%) and occurred within 14.9 days (SD, 8.1; 2-28 days) on average after discharge. Index stay coding revealed that most patients (73%) had a high severity of illness (73%) and risk of mortality (68%). Heart failure stage was inconsistently documented. Patients reported acute symptomatic reasons, with only 32% describing readmission as preventable. Physicians reported diagnostic reasons, 38% of which were preventable. Nurses reported behavioral reasons, with 59% being preventable. Patient/clinician agreement on readmission reason was low (30%). Patient/clinician perspectives on readmission varied among the patients with complex HF. Care planning based on HF stage and other contextual factors is needed to ensure a shared understanding of disease severity and a tailored symptom management approach to prevent readmission.

Abstract 18362: Endovascular versus Surgical Revascularization for Chronic Limb Threatening Ischemia: A Comparison of Re-Admission Rates From NSQIP Database (2011-2021)

Background: Data regarding relative readmission rates following endovascular and surgical revascularization for chronic limb threatening ischemia (CLTI) are conflicting. Understanding comparative readmission rates may inform selection of the most appropriate revascularization modality for these patients. Research Question: What are the differences in 30-day readmission rates between endovascular and surgical interventions for CLTI? Methods: The 2012 to 2021 American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program's (NSQIP) Targeted Vascular Module was used to identify patients discharged alive after surgical or endovascular revascularization for CLTI. The primary outcome was 30-day readmission following the index procedure; secondary outcomes included survival, major re-intervention of the treated arterial segment, amputation, untreated loss of patency of bypass graft, bleeding requiring transfusion or re-intervention, major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and major adverse limb events (MALE). Revascularization modality was related to 30-day readmission using multivariable logistic regression. Results: We identified 30,390 patients (mean age 69±11.5 years, male 62.8%, mean BMI 26.9±8.1 kg/m 2 , 61% Caucasian, 20.2% Black). When compared with endovascular therapy, surgical bypass was associated with higher 30-day readmission (13.3% vs. 8.6%, p = &lt;0.001). After adjusting for demographic, clinical, procedural variables and year of publication, surgical revascularization was independently associated with higher 30-day readmission rates (OR 1.53 95% CI [1.36, 1.71]; p&lt;0.001), mortality and major reintervention rates (Figure). Conclusion: Surgical revascularization was independently associated with higher 30-day readmission rates when compared to endovascular revascularization for patients with CLTI.

Abstract 15054: Impact of Sarcoidosis-Related Admission in Patients With Heart Failure: A Nationwide Readmissions Database Analysis (2017-2020)

Background: Sarcoidosis is an infiltrative systemic disorder that commonly involves the heart. Despite a higher prevalence of herat failure (HF) among patients with cardiac sarcoidosis (CS), data on these patients’ outcomes remain scarce. Objective: This study aimed to assess the impact of concomitant CS in patients admitted for HF on in-hospital outcomes and 30-day readmission rates. Methods: Using the all-payer, nationally representative Nationwide Readmissions Database, our study included patients aged 18 years or older who were admitted with a primary diagnosis of HF between 2017 and 2020. We stratified the cohort into two groups depending on the presence of sarcoidosis diagnosis. The in-hospital outcomes of both groups were assessed with weighted propensity score matching and multivariable analyses. Results: Our analysis included 1,902,068 patients with a primary diagnosis of HF, whereby 9,343 (0.49%) patients had sarcoidosis. Via multivariable analysis, sarcoidosis was associated with an increased risk of prolonged hospital stays (aOR: 1.15 [95% CI: 1.08 - 1.23], p&lt;0.01), 30-day readmission (aOR: 1.18 [95% CI: 1.11 - 1.25], p=0.01), and higher cumulative cost of hospitalization ($16,179 vs $13,421, p&lt;0.01) among HF cohort. Sarcoidosis was not associated with an increased risk of early mortality. Among HF patients with sarcoidosis, the most common cause of 30-day readmission was cardiovascular causes (59%), where decompensated HF accounted for 50% of the readmission, followed by ischemic heart disease (2%), valvular heart disease (1%), and pulmonary embolism (1%). Conclusion: In conclusion, our study suggests that HF patients with sarcoidosis had poorer in-hospital outcomes with prolonged hospital stays, higher 30-day readmission rates, and increased cumulative hospitalization costs. These findings merit increased effort in the early diagnosis and treatment of CS to improve outcomes in HF patients with sarcoidosis.

Congestive Heart Failure in the Light of Ancient Wisdom of Unani Medicine: A Review

Congestive heart failure is a complex clinical syndrome that causes functional impairment of ventricular filling and ejection of blood. It can cause dyspnea, fatigue, and fluid retention, affecting exercise tolerance and causing pulmonary and peripheral edema. Moreover, it is a burgeoning and life-threatening syndrome characterized by significant morbidity and mortality, poor functional capacity and quality of life, and high costs. Worldwide congestive heart failure affects more than 64 million people. Nowadays: congestive heart failure is correlated with Suqūṭ-e-Qalb Imtilāʼī, by modern Unani physicians. However, the disease is mentioned in classical Unani literature under the headings of Ikhtilāj-e-qalbi (arrhythmia), Rabw (cardiac asthma), Buhr (cardiac asthma), Khafaqān (palpitation), Istisqā’ Laḥmī (anasarca), Du‘f al-Qalb (weakness of heart), Intiṣāb al-Nafas (orthopnoea), Sudda-e-Urooq-e-Qalb (coronary artery obstruction), Ghashī (syncope), Tasallub-al- Sharāyīn (arteriosclerosis) and Imtilā’ bi Hasbil Aw’iya (congestion of blood vessels). Congestive heart failure and mortality are on the rise despite the significant advancements in contemporary medicine and guidelines directed medical therapy for congestive heart failure. Congestive heart failure hospitalizations make up 1-2% of Western hospital admissions, with the highest 30-day readmission rate (20-25%) in congestive heart failure patients reflecting due to high comorbidity burden. Unani drugs, despite advancements in modern medicine, still significantly impact patient health. They are traditionally used for cardiac ailments like palpitations, coronary artery disease, heart weakness, and cardiotonic. Unani medicine especially Khamīrajat (fermented confections) used in various cardiac diseases is cardio-protective and cardiotonic. According to reports, complementary and alternative medicine is used by up to 61% of cardiac patients with coronary artery disease and those at risk for arteriosclerosis. Therefore, a thorough evaluation of the Unani literature on cardiac illness and its treatment in the Unani system of medicine is needed to decrease congestive heart failure social and economic burdens have become a major global public health priority. This review is an effort to summarize the Unani classical literature on congestive heart failure.

S749 PEG Placement Is Associated with a High 30-day Readmission Rate and Mortality in Hospitalized Patients with Parkinson’s Disease

S749 PEG Placement Is Associated with a High 30-day Readmission Rate and Mortality in Hospitalized Patients with Parkinson’s Disease

Impact of body mass index on outcomes of inpatients with vertebral compression fractures in Japan: A retrospective cohort study.

The present study examined the relationship between body mass index and the ability to perform the activities of daily living in patients with vertebral compression fractures. A retrospective cohort analysis of patients aged >65 years hospitalized with a vertebral compression fracture was carried out using a nationwide database in Japan. Body mass index was categorized as underweight (<18.5 kg/m2 ), normal weight (18.5-22.9 kg/m2 ), overweight (23.0-27.4 kg/m2 ) and obese (≥27.5 kg/m2 ) according to the World Health Organization criteria for the Asia-Pacific region. The primary outcome was Barthel Index gain, namely, the change in the Barthel Index score at discharge from that at admission. Secondary outcomes were the length of hospital stay and readmission within 30 days of discharge. Among 41 423 participants, 24.5% were classified as underweight, excluding those with missing body mass index data. The underweight group had a significantly lower Barthel Index gain than the normal, overweight and obese groups (median 20 vs 25 vs 30 vs 30, respectively, P < 0.001). The underweight group also had longer hospital stays and higher 30-day readmission rates than the other groups. A multivariable analysis showed that being underweight was independently associated with a Barthel Index gain -3.63 points (95% confidence interval -4.58 to -2.68) lower than normal weight. Furthermore, being underweight was an independent variable affecting the length of hospital stay and readmission within 30 days (P < 0.001). In patients with vertebral compression fractures, being underweight leads to lower Barthel Index scores, longer hospital stays and increased readmissions within 30 days of discharge. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2023; 23: 788-794.

Socioeconomic Influence on Cervical Fusion Outcomes.

A retrospective observational study. The aim of this study was to compare postoperative outcomes following cervical fusion based on socioeconomic status (SES) variables including race, education, net worth, and homeownership status. Previous studies have demonstrated the effects of patient race and income on outcomes following cervical fusion procedures. However, no study to date has comprehensively examined the impact of multiple SES variables. We hypothesized that race, education, net worth, and homeownership influence important outcomes following cervical fusion. Optum's de-identified Clinformatics Data Mart (CDM) database was queried for patients undergoing first-time inpatient cervical fusion from 2003 to 2021. Patient demographics, SES variables, and the Charlson comorbidity index were obtained. Primary outcomes were hospital length of stay and 30-day rates of reoperation, readmission, and postoperative complications. Secondary outcomes included postoperative emergency room visits, discharge status, and total hospital charges. A total of 111,914 patients underwent cervical spinal fusion from 2003 to 2021. Multivariate analysis revealed that after controlling for age, sex, and Charlson comorbidity index, Black race was associated with a higher rate of 30-day readmissions [odds ratio (OR): 1.11, 95% CI: 1.03-1.20]. Lower net worth (vs. >$500K) and renting (vs. owning a home) were significantly associated with both higher rates of 30-day readmissions (OR: 1.29, 95% CI: 1.17-1.41; OR: 1.34, 95% CI: 1.22-1.49), and emergency room visits (OR: 1.29, 95% CI: 1.18-1.42; OR: 1.11, 95% CI: 1.00-1.23). Lower net worth (vs. >$500K) was also associated with increased complications (OR: 1.22, 95% CI: 1.14-1.31). Socioeconomic variables, including patient race, education, and net worth, influence postoperative metrics in cervical spinal fusion surgery. Future studies should focus on developing and implementing targeted interventions based on patient SES to reduce disparity.

Outcomes of same-day discharge following percutaneous coronary intervention in a rural population.

Same-day discharge (SDD) following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is safe, yet the nationwide rate of SDD remains low. The impact that residing in a rural area has on the safety of SDD is unknown. To investigate the safety of SDD compared to next-day discharge (NDD) among PCI patients living in a largely rural area. There were 3502 outpatient elective PCIs at a tertiary care center between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2017. Data from the National Cardiovascular Data Registry CathPCI Registry® and the electronic medical records were obtained for patient demographics, procedural characteristics, and procedural outcomes. Data from the initial PCI in each 365-day period were included in the analysis for each patient. Rural-Urban Commuting Areacodes 4-10 were used to define rural status. A total of 2099 (59.9%) PCIs met the inclusion criteria (63% rural). The overall rate of SDD increased over time (4.7% in 2011 to 39.6% in 2017) as radial access increased (14.2% in 2011 to 59.9% in 2017). In this population, a total of 329 PCIs had SDD (15.7%; median (interquartile range) age 66.0 (14.0) years, 20.1% female, 52.3% rural status). Compared to NDD, SDD patients had less hyperlipidemia, atrial fibrillation, congestive heart failure, history of coronary artery bypass graft, and more radial access. SDD was noninferior to NDD for 30-day readmission but had a decreased 1-year (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 0.20, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.05-0.81, p = 0.024) and 5-year (aOR: 0.43, 95% CI: 0.28-0.66, p < 0.001) all-cause mortality compared to NDD. Rural status did not predict outcomes. SDD in patients in rural areas does not have a significantly higher rate of 30-day readmission. SDD patients had lower odds of 1- and 5-year mortality when compared to NDD. Future studies prospectively evaluating the safety of SDD in this population are warranted.

Psychiatric Boarding Patterns Among Publicly Insured Youths Evaluated by Mobile Crisis Teams Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Psychiatric boarding occurs when patients needing intensive psychiatric services who are already under clinical supervision experience delays in their admission to psychiatric facilities. Initial reports have suggested that the US had a psychiatric boarding crisis during the COVID-19 pandemic; however, little is known about the consequences of this crisis for publicly insured youths. To estimate pandemic-associated changes in psychiatric boarding rates and discharge modalities for people aged 4 to 20 years who accessed psychiatric emergency services (PES) through a mobile crisis team (MCT) evaluation and were covered by Medicaid or health safety net programs. This retrospective cross-sectional study used data from the MCT encounters of a multichannel PES program in Massachusetts. A total of 7625 MCT-initiated PES encounters with publicly insured youths who lived in Massachusetts between January 1, 2018, and August 31, 2021, were assessed. Encounter-level outcomes (psychiatric boarding status, repeat visits, and discharge disposition) during a prepandemic period (January 1, 2018, to March 9, 2020) were compared with outcomes during a pandemic period (March 10, 2020, to August 31, 2021). Descriptive statistics and multivariate regression analysis were used. Among 7625 MCT-initiated PES encounters, the mean (SD) age of publicly insured youths was 13.6 (3.7) years; most youths identified as male (3656 [47.9%]), were of Black race (2725 [35.7%]) or Hispanic ethnicity (2708 [35.5%]), and spoke English (6941 [91.0%]). During the pandemic period, the mean monthly boarding encounter rate was 25.3 percentage points higher than the prepandemic period. After adjustment for covariates, the odds of an encounter resulting in boarding doubled during the pandemic (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 2.03; 95% CI, 1.82-2.26; P < .001), and boarding youths were 64% less likely to be discharged to inpatient psychiatric care (AOR, 0.36; 95% CI, 0.31-0.43; P < .001). Publicly insured youths who boarded during the pandemic had significantly higher rates of 30-day readmissions (incidence rate ratio, 2.17; 95% CI, 1.88-2.50; P < .001). Boarding encounters during the pandemic were significantly less likely to end in discharge to inpatient psychiatric units (AOR, 0.36; 95% CI, 0.31-0.43; P < .001) or community-based acute treatment facilities (AOR, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.55-0.90; P = .005). In this cross-sectional study, publicly insured youths were more likely to experience psychiatric boarding during the COVID-19 pandemic and, if boarding, were less likely to transfer to a 24-hour level of care. These findings suggest that psychiatric service programs for youths were not prepared to support the levels of acuity and demand that emerged from the pandemic.

Healthcare Burden Associated with Malnutrition Diagnoses in Hospitalized Children with Critical Illnesses.

Our primary study objectives were to (i) determine the proportion of children admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) with malnutrition diagnoses, (ii) compare healthcare utilization by malnourished and non-malnourished PICU patients, and (iii) examine the impact of implementing malnutrition screening and coding practices at a major academic urban tertiary care medical center. Using patient records, we conducted a retrospective analysis of 4106 children admitted to the PICU for severe illnesses between 2011 and 2019. Patients were identified as malnourished if records showed an ICD-9 or ICD-10 code for malnutrition. We compared malnourished and non-malnourished patients by age, admitting diagnoses, number of comorbid conditions, and clinical outcomes (length of stay, hospital readmission). About 1 of every 5 PICU-admitted patients (783/4106) had a malnutrition diagnosis. Patients with malnutrition were younger (mean age 6.2 vs. 6.9 years, p < 0.01) and had more comorbid conditions (14.3 vs. 7.9, p < 0.01) than those without. Malnourished patients had longer hospital stays (26.1 vs. 10.0 days, p < 0.01) and higher 30-day readmission rates (10% vs. 7%, p = 0.03). Implementation of malnutrition screening and coding practices was associated with an increase in malnutrition diagnosis. In this study of children admitted to the PICU, malnourished patients had more comorbid diagnoses and used more healthcare resources (prolonged hospitalizations and higher 30-day readmission rates), leading to higher healthcare costs. Such findings underscore the need for policies, training, and programs emphasizing identification and treatment of malnutrition at hospitals caring for critically ill children.