Risk-adjusted Multivariate Logistic Regression Research Articles

Characteristics of High-Performing Hospitals in Cardiogenic Shock Following Acute Myocardial Infarction

Cardiogenic shock after acute myocardial infarction (AMI-CS) carries significant mortality despite advances in revascularization and mechanical circulatory support. We sought to identify the process-based and structural characteristics of centers with lower mortality in AMI-CS. We analyzed 16,337 AMI-CS cases across 440 centers enrolled in the National Cardiovascular Data Registry's Chest Pain-MI Registry, a retrospective cohort database, between January 1, 2015, and December 31, 2018. Centers were stratified across tertiles of risk-adjusted in-hospital mortality rate (RAMR) for comparison. Risk-adjusted multivariable logistic regression was also performed to identify hospital-level characteristics associated with decreased mortality. The median participant age was 66 (interquartile range 57 to 75) years, and 33.0% (n = 5,390) were women. The median RAMR was 33.4% (interquartile range 26.0% to 40.0%) and ranged from 26.9% to 50.2% across tertiles. Even after risk adjustment, lower-RAMR centers saw patients with fewer co-morbidities. Lower-RAMR centers performed more revascularization (92.8% vs 90.6% vs 85.9%, p <0.001) and demonstrated better adherence to associated process measures. Left ventricular assist device capability (odds ratio [OR] 0.78 [0.67 to 0.92], p = 0.002), more frequent revascularization (OR 0.93 [0.88 to 0.98], p = 0.006), and higher AMI-CS volume (OR 0.95 [0.91 to 0.99], p = 0.009) were associated with lower in-hospital mortality. However, several such characteristics were not more frequently observed at low-RAMR centers, despite potentially reflecting greater institutional experience or resources. This may reflect the heterogeneity of AMI-CS even after risk adjustment. In conclusion, low-RAMR centers do not necessarily exhibit factors associated with decreased mortality in AMI-CS, which may reflect the challenges in performing outcomes research in this complex population.

High-risk surgery among Medicare beneficiaries living in health professional shortage areas.

Americans who reside in health professional shortage areas currently have less than half of the needed physician workforce. While the shortage designation has been associated with poor outcomes for chronic medical conditions, far less is known about outcomes after high-risk surgical procedures. We performed a retrospective review of Medicare beneficiaries living in health professional shortage areas and nonshortage areas who underwent abdominal aortic aneurysm repair, coronary artery bypass graft, esophagectomy, liver resection, pancreatectomy, or rectal resection between 2014 and 2018. Risk-adjusted multivariable logistic regression was used to determine whether rates of postoperative complications and 30-day mortality differed between patient cohorts. Beneficiary and hospital ZIP codes were used to quantify travel time to obtain care. Compared with patients living in nonshortage areas, patients living in health professional shortage areas traveled longer (median 60.0 vs 28.0 minutes, P<.001). There were no differences in risk-adjusted rates of complications (28.5%vs 28.6%, OR = 1.00, 95% CI 1.00-1.00, P = .59) and small differences in rates of 30-day mortality (4.2%vs 4.4%, OR = 0.95, 95% CI 0.95-0.95, P<.001) between beneficiaries living in shortage areas versus those not in shortage areas, respectively. Patients living in health professional shortage area undergoing high-risk surgery traveled more than 2 times longer for their care to obtain similar outcomes. While reassuring for clinical outcomes, additional efforts may be needed to mitigate the travel burden experienced by shortage area patients.

Off-Hours Intensive Care Unit Transfer Is Associated With Increased Mortality and Failure to Rescue

BackgroundCardiac postoperative intensive care unit (ICU) beds are a limited resource, and when a patient no longer requires this level of care they are quickly transferred out. We hypothesized that complications and ICU readmission increased when transfer occurred during off-hours compared with regular work hours. MethodsFrom 2010 to 2021, patients who underwent a Society of Thoracic Surgeons index operation at a single center were assigned a group based on their ICU transfer time, defined as when they physically arrived on the acute care floor. Patients were stratified into off-hours vs regular hours by their transfer time. Off-hours was defined as 9 pm to 5 am. Risk-adjusted multivariable logistic regression analyzed the association of ICU readmission, postoperative complications, operative mortality, and failure to rescue by group. ResultsThe cohort included 5951 patients (off-hours n = 292 [4.9%], regular-hours n = 5659 [95.1%]). Patients in the off-hours group had significantly greater odds of risk-adjusted ICU readmission (odds ratio 1.99, 95% CI 1.25-3.04, P < .002) and mortality (odds ratio 3.88, 95% CI 2.27-6.33, P < .001). In the major complications subgroup (Off-hours n = 55, Regular-hours n = 603), Off-hours transfer was associated with increased mortality (failure to rescue) (odds ratio 3.05, 95% CI 1.58-5.69, P = .001). ConclusionsOff-hours ICU to floor transfer was associated with increased postoperative complications, ICU readmission, and mortality, suggesting that the timing of ICU transfer may impact outcomes. This elucidates targets for quality and process improvement for our center and others facing the same resource constraints.

Alkaline Phosphatase is an Independent Risk Factor for Periprosthetic Fractures in Total Joint Arthroplasty.

Serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is a biomarker for chronic low-grade inflammation along with hepatobiliary and bone disorders. High abnormal ALP levels in blood have been associated with metabolic bone disease and high bone turnover. All primary total hip and knee arthroplasties from 2005 to 2019 were queried from the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database. Patients with available serum ALP levels were included and stratified to low (<44 IU/L), normal (44 to 147 IU/L), and high (>147 IU/L). A risk-adjusted multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze ALP as an independent risk factor of complications. The analysis included 324,592 patients, consisting of 11,427 low ALP, 305,977 normal ALP, and 7,188 high preoperative ALP level patients undergoing total joint arthroplasty. Adjusted multivariate logistic regression analysis showed high ALP level patients had an overall increased risk of readmission within 30 days of surgery compared with the control group (odds ratio [OR], 1.69; P < 0.01). High ALP patients also had an increased risk of postoperative periprosthetic fracture (OR, 1.6), postoperative wound infection (OR, 1.81), pneumonia (OR, 2.24), renal insufficiency (OR, 2.39), cerebrovascular disease (OR, 2.2), postoperative bleeding requiring transfusion (OR, 1.83), sepsis (OR, 2.35), length of stay > 2 days (OR, 1.47), Clostridium difficile infection (OR, 2.07), and discharge to a rehab facility (OR, 1.41) (all P < 0.05). A low ALP level was also associated with increased postoperative bleeding transfusion risk (OR, 1.12; P < 0.01) and developing a deep vein thrombosis (OR, 1.25; P = 0.03). Abnormal serum ALP levels in patients undergoing primary total joint arthroplasty are associated with increased postoperative periprosthetic fracture risk and medical complications requiring increased length of stay and discharge to a rehabilitation facility.

Patient-level payment patterns prior to single level lumbar decompression are associated with resource utilization, postoperative payments, and adverse events

Understanding patient-specific trends in costs and healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) surrounding lumbar spine surgery is critically needed to better inform surgical decision making and the development of targeted interventions. 1) Identify subgroups of patients following distinct patterns in direct healthcare payments pre- and postoperatively, 2) determine whether these patterns are associated with patient and surgical factors, and 3) examine whether preoperative payment patterns are related to postoperative payments, healthcare resource utilization (HCRU), and adverse events. Retrospective analysis of an administrative claims database (IBM Marketscan Research Databases 2007-2015). Adults undergoing primary single-level decompression surgery for lumbar stenosis (n=12,394). Direct healthcare payments, HCRU payments (15 categories), 90-day complications and all-cause readmission, 2-year reoperation METHODS: Group-based trajectory modeling is an application of finite mixture modeling that is able to identify meaningful subgroups within a population that follow distinct developmental trajectories over time. We used this technique to identify subgroups of patients following distinct profiles in preoperative direct healthcare payments. A separate analysis was performed to identify distinct profiles in payments postoperatively. Patient and surgical factors associated with these payment profiles were assessed with multinomial logistic regression, and associations with adverse events were assessed with risk-adjusted multivariable logistic regression. We identified 4 preoperative patient payment subgroups following distinct profiles in payments: Pre-Low (5.8% of patients), Pre-Early-Rising (4.8%), Pre-Medium (26.1%), and Pre-High (63.3%). Postoperatively, 3 patient subgroups were identified: Post-Low (8.9%), Post-Medium (29.6%), and Post-High (61.4%). Patients following the higher-cost pre- and postoperative payment profiles were older, more likely female, and had a greater physical and mental comorbidity burden. With each successively higher preoperative payment profile, patients were increasingly likely to have high postoperative payments, use more HCRU (particularly high-cost services such as inpatient admissions, ER, and SNF/IRF care), and experience postoperative adverse events. Following risk adjustment for patient and surgical factors, patients following the Pre-High payment profile had 209.5 (95% CI: 144.2, 309.7; p<.001) fold greater odds for following the Post-High payment profile, 1.8 (1.3, 2.5; p=.003) fold greater odds for 90-day complications, and 1.7 (1.2, 2.6; p=.035) fold greater odds for 2-year reoperation relative to patients following the Pre-Low payment profile. There are identifiable subgroups of patients who follow distinct profiles in direct healthcare payments surrounding lumbar decompression surgery. These payment profiles are related to patient age, sex, and physical and mental comorbidities. Notably, preoperative payment profiles may provide prognostic value, as they are associated with postoperative costs, HCRU, and adverse events. III.

Complication risks and costs associated with Ponte osteotomies in surgical treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: insights from a national database.

Risks of Ponte osteotomies (POs) used for posterior spinal fusion (PSF) for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) are challenging to assess because of the rarity of complications. Using a national administrative claims database, we evaluated trends, costs and complications associated with PO used in PSF for AIS patients. Using ICD-9/CPT codes, we identified patients (ages 10-18) with AIS who underwent PSF (± PO) between 2007 and 2015 in the IBM® MarketScan® Commercial Databases. Costs and trends of POs were evaluated. Odds of neurological complications and readmissions within 90days and reoperations within 90days and 2years were assessed. We identified 8881 AIS patients who had undergone PSF, of which 8193 had 90-day follow-up and 4248 had 2-year follow-up. Overall, 28.8% had PO. Annual rate of POs increased from 17.3 to 35.2% from 2007 to 2015 (p < 0.001). Risk-adjusted multivariable logistic regression demonstrated no relationship between POs and neurologic complications (p = 0.543). POs were associated with higher odds for readmission (1.52 [1.21-1.91]; p < 0.001) and reoperation (2.03 [1.13-3.59]; p = 0.015) within 90days, but there were no differences in the odds of reoperation within 2years (p = 0.836). Median hospital costs were $15,854 (17.4%) higher for patients with POs (p < 0.001) and multivariable modeling demonstrated POs to be an independent predictor of increased costs (p < 0.001). Annual rate of POs increased steadily from 2007 to 2015. POs were not associated with increased odds of neurological complications but had higher costs and higher rates of readmissions and reoperations within 90days. By 2years, differences in reoperation rate were not significant. III.

Depression is associated with worse outcomes among women undergoing breast reconstruction following mastectomy

The causes of depression after breast reconstruction include worse outcomes, longer recovery times, and, sometimes, additional operations. Despite a plethora of data examining the effect of depression after breast reconstruction, there is little information to assess if concurrent depression affects patient outcomes in a similar manner. Thus, we sought to answer this question: Do depressed women undergoing breast reconstruction have worse outcomes? The United States National Inpatient Sample was queried during 2010-2013 for all patients undergoing breast reconstruction after mastectomy. Patients with a diagnosis of depression at the time of breast reconstruction were compared to those who did not have depression at the time of breast reconstruction; patients who had any of the corresponding ICD-9 procedure codes for breast reconstruction and the single diagnostic code for depression included in their electronic medical record were included in the database sample. Significance testing and risk-adjusted multivariate logistic regression were performed with SPSS. A total of 175,508 patients were included in this study, of which 35,473 had depression at the time of breast reconstruction and 140,035 did not. Depression was associated with an increased age, length of stay, greater cost of care, more comorbidities, and higher incidence of pulmonary, hematologic, gastrointestinal, infectious, wound, and venous thromboembolic complications, p<0.05. Pulmonary, genitourinary, and hematologic complications, infection, VTE, wound, and transfusion were associated with depression when a multivariate risk-adjusted regression was performed. A co-morbid diagnosis at the time of breast reconstruction should prompt the breast reconstruction team to ensure that depressed patients have their depression managed and all co-morbidities optimized and treated prior to undergoing breast reconstruction to ensure optimal patient outcomes.

Panniculectomy Outcomes in Patients with End-Stage Renal Disease in Preparation for Renal Transplant.

End-stage renal disease (ESRD) is associated with increased cardiovascular risk factors, electrolyte imbalances, and iron deficiency anemia. These factors may increase the risk of adverse outcomes in patients undergoing panniculectomy. There is a paucity of data regarding outcomes in patients with ESRD undergoing panniculectomy. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether ESRD is associated with increased rate of complications following a panniculectomy. The Nationwide Inpatient Sample database (2006-2011) was used to identify patients who underwent a panniculectomy. Among this cohort, patients diagnosed with end-stage renal disease were identified. Patients excluded from the study were emergency admissions, pregnant women, patients less than 18years old, and patients with concurrent nephrectomy or kidney transplants. Demographic factors, comorbidities, and postoperative complications were evaluated. Chi-squared and risk-adjusted multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to determine whether end-stage renal disease was associated with increased rate of postoperative complications. A total of 34,779 panniculectomies were performed during the study period. Of these, 613 (1.8%) were diagnosed with ESRD. Patients with ESRD were older (mean age 58.9 vs. 49.3, p<0.01) and more likely to have Medicare (63.5 vs. 18.4%, p<0.01). They had higher rates of comorbidities, including diabetes, hypertension, congestive heart failure, chronic lung disease, chronic anemia, liver disease, peripheral artery disease, obesity, and coagulopathies (p<0.01). The procedure was more likely to occur at a large, teaching hospital (p<0.01). Postoperatively, patients with ESRD had a higher rate of death (3.3 vs. 0.2%, p<0.01), wound complications (10.6 vs. 6.2%, p<0.01), venous thromboembolism (4.9 vs. 0.8%, p<0.01), blood transfusions (25.3% vs. 7.0%, p<0.01), non-renal major medical complications (40.0% vs. 8.4%), and longer hospital stay (9.2 vs. 3.8days, p<0.01). Multivariate logistic regression analysis controlling for age, race, sex, hospital location/teaching hospital, payer, and all comorbidities demonstrated that ESRD was independently associated with increased venous thromboembolisms (OR 2.38, 95% CI 1.48-3.83) and non-renal major medical complications (OR 1.51, 95% CI 1.19-1.91). ESRD was not independently associated with increased rate of wound complications or transfusions. Patients with ESRD are at increased risk of VTE and non-renal major medical complications following panniculectomy. Moreover, patients with ESRD have longer hospital stays and higher rates of mortality. This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Unplanned readmission within 90 days after pediatric neurosurgery.

OBJECTIVE Readmission and return to operating room after surgery are increasingly being used as a proxy for quality of care. Nearly 60% of these readmissions are unplanned, which translates into billions of dollars in health care costs. The authors set out to analyze the incidence of readmission at their center, to define causes of unplanned readmission, and to determine the preoperative and surgical variables associated with readmissions following pediatric neurosurgery. METHODS A total of 536 children who underwent operations for neurosurgical diagnoses between 2012 and 2015 and who were later readmitted were included in the final analysis. Unplanned readmissions were defined to have occurred as a result of complications within 90 days after index surgery. Patient records were retrospectively reviewed to determine the primary diagnosis, surgery indication, and cause of readmission and return to operating room. The cost for index hospitalization, readmission episode, and total cost were derived based on the charges obtained from administrative data. Bivariate and multivariable analyses were conducted. RESULTS Of 536 patients readmitted in total, 17.9% (n = 96) were readmitted within 90 days. Of the overall readmissions, 11.9% (n = 64) were readmitted within 30 days, and 5.97% (n = 32) were readmitted between 31 and 90 days. The median duration between discharge and readmission was 20 days (first quartile [Q1]: 9 days, third quartile [Q3]: 36 days). The most common reason for readmission was shunt related (8.2%, n = 44), followed by wound infection (4.7%, n = 25). In the risk-adjusted multivariable logistic regression model for total 90-day readmission, patients with the following characteristics: younger age (p = 0.001, OR 0.886, 95% CI 0.824-0.952); "other" (nonwhite, nonblack) race (p = 0.024, OR 5.49, 95% CI 1.246-24.2); and those born preterm (p = 0.032, OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.1-4.12) had higher odds of being readmitted within 90 days after discharge. The total median cost for patients undergoing surgery in this study cohort was $11,520 (Q1: $7103, Q3: $19,264). For the patients who were readmitted, the median cost for a readmission episode was $8981 (Q1: $5051, Q3: $18,713). CONCLUSIONS Unplanned 90-day readmissions in pediatric neurosurgery are primarily due to CSF-related complications. Patients with the following characteristics: young age at presentation; "other" race; and children born preterm have a higher likelihood of being readmitted within 90 days after surgery. The median cost was > $8000, which suggests that the readmission episode can be as expensive as the index hospitalization. Clearly, readmission reduction has the potential for significant cost savings in pediatric neurosurgery. Future efforts, such as targeted education related to complication signs, should be considered in the attempt to reduce unplanned events. Given the single-center, retrospective study design, the results of this study are primarily applicable to this population and cannot necessarily be generalized to other institutions without further study.

Abdominal Contouring Outcomes in Class III Obesity: Analysis of the ACS-NSQIP Database.

Obesity may increase the risk of complications following abdominal contouring. The aim of this study is to evaluate panniculectomy outcomes in patients with class III obesity (BMI>40kg/m2). The American College of Surgeon's National Surgical Quality Improvement Program ACS-NSQIP (2010-2014) was used to identify patients who underwent panniculectomy. Class III obesity patients were identified. Demographics, comorbidities and postoperative outcomes were evaluated. Risk-adjusted multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to assess impact of class III obesity on panniculectomy outcomes. A total of 4497 panniculectomies were identified. Of these, 545 (12.1%) were performed in patients with class III obesity. This group was older (mean age 50.3 vs. 45.9, p<0.01) with a higher proportion of men (23.4 vs. 12.4%, p<0.01). Class III obesity group also had higher rates of comorbidities (p<0.01). Postoperatively, class III obesity patients experienced much higher rates of wound complications (17.8 vs. 6.8%), sepsis (3.3 vs. 0.8%), venous thromboembolism (1.5 vs. 0.7%) and medical complications (6.4 vs. 1.8%), p<0.05. Additionally, this group had higher rates of unplanned reoperation (9.2 vs. 3.7%) and 30-day readmissions (3.5 vs. 1.0%), p<0.01. On risk-adjusted multivariate regression analyses, class III obesity was independently associated with increased risk of wound complications (OR 2.22, p<0.01), sepsis (OR 3.53, p<0.01), medical adverse events (OR 1.98, p<0.05), unplanned reoperation (OR 1.62, p<0.05) and 30-day readmission (OR 2.30, p<0.05). Class III obesity patients are at significantly increased risk of adverse outcomes following abdominal contouring. Plastic surgeons should consider these risks for counseling and preoperative risk optimization. This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Postoperative Outcomes in Graves' Disease Patients: Results from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample Database.

Current surgical indications for Graves' disease include intractability to medical and/or radioablative therapy, compressive symptoms, and worsening ophthalmopathy. Total thyroidectomy for Graves' disease may be technically challenging and lead to untoward perioperative outcomes. This study examines outcomes in patients with Graves' disease who underwent total thyroidectomy and assesses its safety for this patient population. A retrospective cross-sectional analysis was performed using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample database from 2006 to 2011. Total thyroidectomy performed in patients with Graves' disease, benign multinodular goiter (MNG), and thyroid cancer was identified. Demographic factors, comorbidities, and postoperative complications were evaluated. Chi-square, one-way analysis of variance, and risk-adjusted multivariable logistic regression were performed. Of 215,068 patients who underwent total thyroidectomy during the study period, 11,205 (5.2%) had Graves' disease, 110,124 (51.2%) MNG, and 93,739 (43.6%) thyroid malignancy. Patients with Graves' disease were younger than MNG and thyroid cancer patients (Mage = 42.8 years vs. 55.5 and 51.0 years; p < 0.01). The Graves' disease group included a higher proportion of women (p < 0.01) and nonwhites (p < 0.01). Postoperatively, Graves' patients had significantly higher rates of hypocalcemia (12.4% vs. 7.3% and 10.3%; p < 0.01), hematomas requiring reoperation (0.7% vs. 0.4% and 0.4%; p < 0.01), and longer mean hospital stay (2.7 days vs. 2.4 and 2.2 days; p < 0.01) compared to MNG and thyroid cancer patients, respectively. On risk-adjusted multivariate logistic regression, Graves' disease was independently associated with a higher risk of vocal-cord paralysis (odds ratio [OR] = 1.36 [confidence interval (CI) 1.08-1.69]), tracheostomy (OR = 1.35 [CI 1.1-1.67]), postoperative hypocalcemia (OR = 1.65 [CI 1.54-1.77]), and hematoma requiring reoperation (OR = 2.79 [CI 2.16-3.62]) compared to MNG patients. High-volume centers for total thyroidectomy were independently associated with lower risk of postoperative complications, including in patients with Graves' disease. Despite low overall morbidity following total thyroidectomy, Graves' disease patients are at increased risk of postoperative complications, including bleeding, vocal-cord paralysis, tracheostomy, and hypocalcemia. These risks appear to be lower when performed at high-volume centers, and thus referral to these centers should be considered. Total thyroidectomy may therefore be a safe treatment option for appropriately selected patients with Graves' disease when performed by experienced surgeons.

Volume-outcome relationships for transcatheter aortic valve replacement-risk-adjusted and volume stratified analysis of TAVR outcomes

ObjectivesThis purpose of the study was to evaluate TAVR outcomes at low, intermediate and high volume institutions. BackgroundFor the care of complex patients, volume-outcome effect is well described. The initial US TAVR experience was limited to a few centers of excellence. The impact of institutional volume on outcomes after TAVR has not been systematically studied. MethodsWithin the Banner Health system, TAVR is performed at 3 institutions-a low volume, an intermediate volume and a high volume institution. 181 consecutive patients undergoing TAVR within these 3 institutions were the study cohort. To adjust for bias and confounders between the 3 groups, risk-adjusted multivariate logistic regression and propensity score analysis was performed. The primary endpoint was a composite of mortality, dialysis-dependent renal failure, cerebrovascular accident, need for new permanent pacemaker and readmission within 30days. ResultsThe primary endpoint was reached in 38.8% of patients at the high volume institution and 76.2% of patients at the low volume institution (p<0.01). Having a TAVR procedure at a larger volume institution was an independent predictor of having improved outcomes (OR 0.33, 95% CI 0.16–0.68; p=0.003). These improved outcomes after the TAVR procedure noted at the large volume institution were seen in the most complex patients: age ≥80years, BMI >30, diabetes, hypertension, prior CAD, CKD and NYHA class III/IV heart failure. ConclusionsHigh-risk patients undergoing TAVR at a large volume institution have better 30-day outcomes compared to outcomes at intermediate and low volume centers.

Abstract P7. Is Depression Associated With Worse Outcomes Among Women Undergoing Breast Reconstruction Following Mastectomy?

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to determine if depressed women undergoing breast reconstruction have worse outcomes? Despite a plethora of data examining the effect of depression after reconstruction there is little information to assess if concurrent depression affects patient outcomes in a similar manner. To answer this question we undertook a retrospective study using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS). Methods: The NIS was queried for 2010–2013 for all patients undergoing breast reconstruction after mastectomy. Patients with a diagnosis of depression at the time of operation were compared to those without depression. Chi-squared, students’t-test, and risk-adjusted multivariate logistic regression were performed with SPSS. A p value <0.05 was considered significant. Results: A total of 175,508 patients were included in this study. 35,473 had depression at time of breast reconstruction and 140,035 did not. Depression was associated with an increased age, length of stay, cost of care, more comorbidities, and higher incidence of pulmonary, hematologic, gastrointestinal, infectious, wound and venous thromboembolic complications, p<0.05. Pulmonary, Genitourinary, and Hematologic complications, Infection, VTE, wound, and transfusion were associated with depression when multivariate risk-adjusted regression was performed. Conclusion: A co-morbid diagnosis at time of breast reconstruction should prompt the breast surgeon and plastic surgeon to ensure that depressed patients have their depression addressed prior to undergoing breast reconstruction to ensure optimal patient outcomes.

Are There Racial Disparities in Family-Reported Experiences of Care in Inpatient Pediatrics?

Despite increased emphasis on patient satisfaction as a quality measure in health care, little is known about the influence of race in parent-reported experience of care in pediatrics. This study evaluates the association of race with patient satisfaction scores in an inpatient pediatric tertiary care hospital in one year. Risk-adjusted multivariable logistic regression was performed to evaluate the association of minority race with the likelihood to provide a top-box (=5) satisfaction score for 38 individual questions across 8 domains. Of the 904 participants, 269 (29.8%) identified as belonging to a minority race. Parents of minority children reported 30% to 50% lower satisfaction across questions related to well-established themes of interpersonal communication and cultural competency. Overall, minorities also reported lower satisfaction for the domain of nursing care (odds ratio 0.7, P = .016). These findings suggest a need for training and interventions to improve communication and mitigate disparities in how minority patients and their families perceive pediatric care.

Variation in Red Blood Cell Transfusion Practices During Cardiac Operations Among Centers in Maryland: Results From a State Quality-Improvement Collaborative

Variation in red blood cell (RBC) transfusion practices exists at cardiac surgery centers across the nation. We tested the hypothesis that significant variation in RBC transfusion practices between centers in our state's cardiac surgery quality collaborative remains even after risk adjustment. Using a multiinstitutional statewide database created by the Maryland Cardiac Surgery Quality Initiative (MCSQI), we included patient-level data from 8,141 patients undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass (CAB) or aortic valve replacement at 1 of 10 centers. Risk-adjusted multivariable logistic regression models were constructed to predict the need for any intraoperative RBC transfusion, as well as for any postoperative RBC transfusion, with anonymized center number included as a factor variable. Unadjusted intraoperative RBC transfusion probabilities at the 10 centers ranged from 13% to 60%; postoperative RBC transfusion probabilities ranged from 16% to 41%. After risk adjustment with demographic, comorbidity, and operative data, significant intercenter variability was documented (intraoperative probability range, 4% -59%; postoperative probability range, 13%-39%). When stratifying patients by preoperative hematocrit quartiles, significant variability in intraoperative transfusion probability was seen among all quartiles (lowest quartile: mean hematocrit value, 30.5% ± 4.1%, probability range, 17%-89%; highest quartile: mean hematocrit value, 44.8% ± 2.5%; probability range, 1%-35%). Significant variation in intercenter RBC transfusion practices exists for both intraoperative and postoperative transfusions, even after risk adjustment, among our state's centers. Variability in intraoperative RBC transfusion persisted across quartiles of preoperative hematocrit values.

Predictors of unplanned readmission in patients undergoing lumbar decompression: multi-institutional analysis of 7016 patients.

Unplanned hospital readmission represents a large financial burden on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, commercial insurance payers, hospitals, and individual patients, and is a principal target for cost reduction. A large-scale, multi-institutional study that evaluates risk factors for readmission has not been previously performed in patients undergoing lumbar decompression procedures. The goal of this multicenter retrospective study was to find preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative predictive factors that result in unplanned readmission (UR) after lumbar decompression surgery. The National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database was retrospectively reviewed to identify all patients who received lumbar decompression procedures in 2011. Risk-adjusted multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to estimate independent predictors of UR. The overall rate of UR among patients undergoing lumbar decompression was 4.4%. After multivariate logistic regression analysis, anemia (odds ratio [OR] 1.48), dependent functional status (OR 3.03), total operative duration (OR 1.003), and American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status Class 4 (OR 3.61) remained as independent predictors of UR. Postoperative complications that were significantly associated with UR included overall complications (OR 5.18), pulmonary embolism (OR 3.72), and unplanned reoperation (OR 56.91). There were several risk factors for UR after lumbar spine decompression surgery. Identification of high-risk patients and appropriate allocation of resources to reduce postoperative incidence may reduce the readmission rate.

Ventricular Assist Device Implantation in the Elderly: Nationwide Outcomes in the United States

The aim of this study was to evaluate nationwide outcomes of ventricular assist device (VAD) implantation in elderly patients in the United States. Patients undergoing VAD implantation between 2003 and 2008 were identified in the Nationwide Inpatient Sample. The primary outcome was inpatient mortality following VAD implantation. Secondary outcomes included disposition following discharge and costs of care. After stratification based on primary versus postcardiotomy VAD support, outcomes were compared between controls aged 60-69 years and elderly patients aged ≥70 years. A total of 2787 patients aged 60-69 years and 1472 patients aged ≥70 years underwent VAD implantation during the study period. Unadjusted mortality rates were comparable between elderly and control patients in both primary support (35.7% vs. 32.1%, p = 0.61) and postcardiotomy support (58.1% vs. 56.1%, p = 0.70). Similarly, in risk-adjusted multivariable logistic regression analysis incorporating clinically relevant variables, age ≥70 did not exert an independent effect on inpatient mortality for either indication. Inpatient costs in the elderly were lower than controls in the primary support cohort, although costs per day were similar, with comparable overall costs between age groups in the postcardiotomy cohort. Elderly survivors were discharged to a facility more frequently than control survivors (primary: 49.9% vs. 29.6%, p = 0.007; postcardiotomy: 67.4% vs. 45.7%, p = 0.03). This large-cohort population-based analysis provides a useful framework for inpatient prognosis and resource utilization in elderly patients undergoing VAD implantation. Although mortality rates and costs were found to be comparable between elderly patients and those aged 60-69 years, these rates were nonetheless significant. This combined with more frequent discharge-to-facility in elderly survivors underscores the importance of careful patient selection in this population.

Paraoxonase Arg 192 allele is an independent risk factor for three-vessel stenosis of coronary artery disease.

Statins are powerful lipid-lowering drugs that have been proved effective in the prevention of coronary artery disease, clearly reducing the risk of mortality and cardiovascular events. Whether hyperlipidemic patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting profit from the lipid-lowering beneficial effects of statins is as yet uncertain. We sought to determine whether preoperative statin therapy may have an effect on outcome among hyperlipidemic patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting.From January 2000 through March 2006, prospectively recorded clinical data from 3346 consecutive patients undergoing isolated first-time elective coronary artery bypass grafting were analyzed for major adverse cardiac events and all-cause in-hospital mortality. Of these, 167 patients had preoperative statin-untreated hyperlipidemia (group 1), 2592 had statin-treated hyperlipidemia (group 2), and 587 had statin-untreated normolipidemia (group 3).Risk-adjusted multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed statin-treated hyperlipidemia (odds ratio, 0.42; 95% confidence interval, 0.26-0.69; P = .0007) and statin-untreated normolipidemia (odds ratio, 0.42; confidence interval, 0.26-0.69; P = .0007) to be independently associated with reduced in-hospital major adverse cardiac events but not with in-hospital mortality. To further control for selection bias, a computed propensity score matching based on 14 major preoperative risk factors was performed. After propensity matching, conditional logistic regression analysis confirmed statin-treated hyperlipidemia and statin-untreated normolipidemia to be strongly related to reduced in-hospital major adverse cardiac events (odds ratio, 0.41; 95% confidence interval, 0.24–0.71 [P = .0013] and odds ratio, 0.23; 95% confidence interval, 0.11–0.48 [P = .0001]) but not with in-hospital mortality (odds ratio, 1.18; 95% confidence interval, 0.36–3.87 [P = .79] and odds ratio, 1.10; 95% confidence interval, 0.32–4.41 [P = .80]) after coronary artery bypass grafting surgery.Hyperlipidemic, but not normolipidemic, patients have an increased risk for in-hospital major adverse cardiac events and therefore clearly benefit from preoperative statin therapy before coronary artery bypass grafting surgery.

Outcomes of concomitant aortic valve replacement and coronary artery bypass grafting at teaching hospitals versus nonteaching hospitals

Hospitals with a high volume and academic status produce better patient outcomes than other hospitals after complex surgical procedures. Risk models show that concomitant aortic valve replacement and coronary artery bypass grafting pose a greater risk than isolated coronary artery bypass grafting or aortic valve replacement. We examined the relationship of hospital teaching status and the presence of a thoracic surgery residency program with aortic valve replacement/coronary artery bypass grafting outcomes. By using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample database, we identified patients who underwent concomitant aortic valve replacement/coronary artery bypass grafting from 1998 to 2007 at nonteaching hospitals, teaching hospitals without a thoracic surgery residency program, and teaching hospitals with a thoracic surgery residency program. Multivariate analysis was performed to identify intergroup differences. Risk-adjusted multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to assess independent predictors of in-hospital mortality and complication rates. The 3 groups of patients did not differ significantly in their baseline characteristics. Patients who underwent aortic valve replacement/coronary artery bypass grafting had higher overall risk-adjusted complication rates in nonteaching hospitals (odds ratio 1.58; 95% confidence interval, 1.39-1.80; P<.0001) and teaching hospitals without a thoracic surgery residency program (odds ratio 1.42; 95% confidence interval, 1.26-1.60; P<.0001) than in thoracic surgery residency program hospitals. However, no difference was observed in the adjusted mortality rate for nonteaching hospitals (odds ratio 0.95; 95% confidence interval, 0.87-1.04; P=.25) or teaching hospitals without a thoracic surgery residency program (odds ratio 1.00; 95% confidence interval, 0.92-1.08; P=.98) when compared with thoracic surgery residency program hospitals. Robust statistical models were used for analysis, with c-statistics of 0.98 (complications) and 0.82 (mortality). Patients who require complex cardiac operations may have better outcomes when treated at teaching hospitals with a thoracic surgery residency program.

Impact of prior percutaneous coronary intervention on the outcome of coronary artery bypass surgery: A multicenter analysis

Do prior percutaneous coronary interventions adversely affect the outcome of subsequent coronary artery bypass grafting? We investigated this effect on a multicenter basis. Eight cardiac surgical centers provided outcome data of 37,140 consecutive patients who underwent isolated first-time coronary bypass grafting between January 2000 and December 2005. Twenty-two patient characteristics and outcome variables were retrieved. Three groups of patients were analysed for in-hospital mortality and in-hospital major adverse cardiac events: patients without a previous percutaneous coronary intervention, with 1 previous intervention, and with 2 or more previous percutaneous coronary interventions before bypass grafting. A total of 29,928 patients with complete information for prior percutaneous coronary intervention underwent final analysis. Unadjusted univariate and risk-adjusted multivariate logistic regression analysis as well as computed propensity score matching were performed, based on 14 major risk factors to correct for and minimize selection bias. A total of 10.3% of patients had 1 previous percutaneous coronary intervention, and 3.7% of patients had 2 or more previous interventions. Risk-adjusted multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed a significant association of 2 or more previous percutaneous coronary interventions with in-hospital mortality (odds ratio [OR], 2.0; confidence interval [CI], 1.4-3.0; P = .0005) and major adverse cardiac events (OR, 1.5; CI, 1.2-1.9; P = .0013). After propensity score matching, conditional logistic regression analysis confirmed the results of adjusted analysis. A history of 2 or more previous percutaneous coronary interventions was significantly associated with in-hospital mortality (OR, 1.9; CI, 1.3-2.7; P = .0016) and major adverse cardiac events (OR, 1.5; CI, 1.2-1.9; P = .0019). Multicenter analysis confirms that a history of multiple previous percutaneous coronary interventions increases in-hospital mortality and the incidence of major adverse cardiac events after subsequent coronary artery bypass grafting. Critical discussion of the treatment strategy in these patients is warranted.