Relation of Frailty to Cost for Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation

Frailty is associated with significant morbidity and mortality for patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). In addition to clinical outcomes, cost is an important factor to inform clinical decision-making around TAVI. However, the association of frailty with cost is unknown. This study tested whether frailty was associated with cost for adult patients who underwent TAVI at a moderate-volume single center between December 2012 and April 2018 (n = 431). Frailty was determined from pre-TAVI clinical visits as a composite of 2 markers: 5-meter walk time (abnormal: >6 seconds or unable to perform) and serum albumin (abnormal: <3.5 g/dl). Patients were excluded if missing frailty assessment or covariate data (24). Cost data were derived from financial statements, and assigned at the department-level by charge code. Multivariable regression models were adjusted for age, gender, and procedural co-morbidities. Of 407 patients in the analytical sample (mean age 81 years, 49% female), 74 (18%) were determined to be frail. Adjusted mean total costs were $6,397 higher for frail patients ($78,823 vs $72,425, p = 0.042) compared with nonfrail. Higher total costs were driven by department-level charges associated with longer in-hospital length of stay (7.6 vs 3.3 days, p <0.001): room, physical therapy, pharmacy, laboratory, supply, and imaging services. Providers must address frailty proactively to salvage the benefit associated with TAVI.