EARLY HOSPITAL READMISSIONS AFTER CORONARY ARTERY BYPASS GRAFT SURGERY

Abstract

Background- Risk factors for 30-day hospital readmission following coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) have not been established. Recent studies have reported readmission rates after CABG ranging from 7.1% to 21%, and causes of readmission have varied in different studies. This study was conducted to evaluate probable risk factors of increased morbidity following CABG surgery during the first 30 postoperative days.<br />Methods- A total of 545 patients who had undergone CABG were followed prospectively for 30 days after surgery. The patients were contacted by telephone to determine readmission. If re-hospitalized in the first 30 days after surgery, the patients were visited and data were collected and analyzed.<br />Results- Sixteen out of 545 patients were readmitted. The overall 30-day hospital readmission rate was 2.9%. The most common reason for readmission was sternal infection. There were no significant differences between readmitted and non-readmitted cases in demographic and clinical variables.<br />Conclusion- Unlike other studies in which some factors like female gender and length of hospital stay were risk factors for 30-day hospital readmission after CABG, our data did not show these as predictors of re-hospitalization.