Sixty-day readmission rate after percutaneous coronary intervention: predictors and impact on long-term outcomes

Thirty-day readmission rate after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is used as an index of quality of care, but the complete recovery from any myocardial damage needs 8 weeks. We evaluated the readmission rate 60 days after PCI, defined its predictors, and investigated its relationship with long-term prognosis.

All consecutive patients undergoing PCI in a large volume hospital were enrolled, and their outcomes were explored using an institutional database. The primary outcome was unplanned 60-day readmission. A composite of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) including all-cause death, myocardial infarction, and repeated revascularization were the secondary endpoints. Among the 1193 enrolled patients, 71 (6.0%) underwent unplanned 60-day readmission for unstable angina (35.3%), chest pain (21.1%), heart failure (14.1%), and acute myocardial infarction (11.3%); 40.8% patients underwent repeated PCI. Readmitted patients carried more frequently left main disease (16.9 vs. 8.3%, P = 0.001), proximal left descending artery disease (31.0 vs. 27.4%, P = 0.03), and bifurcation disease (26.8 vs. 20.5%, P = 0.03). The only predictor of readmission was left main disease. After a mean follow-up of 743 ± 334 days, patients with 60-day readmission experienced higher rates of all-cause death (8.5 vs. 3.8%, P = 0.05). General baseline conditions and multivessel disease, but not 60-day readmissions, were predictors of MACE and death at follow-up.

Unplanned 60-day readmissions after PCI are mainly related to the extent of coronary artery disease, being associated with left main, proximal left descending artery, and bifurcation disease. Readmissions are associated with higher long-term all-cause mortality.