Six-minute walk distance predicts 30-day readmission after acute heart failure hospitalization

To determine the relationship between 6-min walk test distance (6MWD) and 30-day readmission in hospitalized heart failure (HF) patients.

6MWD is known to predict hospitalizations in outpatients with HF, but its ability to predict recidivism in hospitalized HF patients is relatively unknown.

Seventy-one hospitalized HF patients with NYHA Class II/III (mean age 52.6 ± 12.3 years, 42.3% female, 73.2% African American) performed 6MWD prior to discharge. Logistic regression was used to determine relationships between 6MWD and 30-day readmission.

30-day readmission occurred in 14 (19.7%) patients. Average 6MWD was 756.4 ± 403.2 feet. Higher 6MWD significantly decreased risk of 30-day readmission, even after adjusting for sociodemographic and clinical characteristics (OR = .84, 95% CI [.71, .99]). For each additional 100 feet walked, odds of a 30-day readmission decreased by 16%.

6MWD predicted 30-day readmission in this study, warranting further investigation to understand how the 6MWD may predict readmissions and guide treatment in hospitalized HF patients.