Strategies to prevent postdischarge adverse events among hospitalized patients with heart failure

Hospitalizations for heart failure (HF) are increasing, and HF is the primary cause of readmission for all Medicare patients. Inpatient HF mortality is poor, but most morbidity and mortality occurs after hospital discharge. Readmissions attributable to HF persist or increase over time after discharge, and past HF admissions predict both readmission and mortality. The heightened risk of readmission dissipates slowly after discharge, suggesting that any intervention should be part of a lasting care package in the outpatient setting. Interventions that apply to multiple common medical comorbidities may be more likely to reduce overall adverse events.