Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 26, 2025
Implantation of the Syncardia Total Artificial Heart
Published on: July 18, 2014
The analysis of unplanned readmissions after left ventricular assist device implantation as bridge-to-transplant
Murat Sezgin1, Murat Bülent Rabuş2, Emre Selçuk3
1Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Tunceli State Hospital, Tunceli, Turkey.
Insights
Unplanned readmissions after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation are frequent, with infection and neurological issues being common causes. Early readmission within 90 days is linked to lower survival rates, highlighting the need for preventive strategies.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Medical Devices
- Health Economics
Background:
- Left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation is a critical therapy for advanced heart failure.
- Unplanned hospital readmissions post-LVAD are a significant concern impacting patient outcomes and healthcare costs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the frequency, patterns, etiologies, and associated costs of unplanned readmissions following LVAD implantation.
- To analyze the impact of early readmissions on patient survival.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 99 unplanned readmissions in 50 consecutive bridge-to-transplant patients who received LVADs.
- Inclusion of patient demographics, pre-implantation hemodynamics, and post-discharge readmission data.
- Survival analysis to compare outcomes between early and non-early readmitted patients.
Main Results:
- The readmission rate was 1.7 per year post-discharge.
- Early readmission within 90 days was associated with significantly lower survival.
- Common readmission causes included major infection (23.2%), neurological dysfunction (22.2%), cardiac causes (12.1%), bleeding (11.1%), and device malfunction (10.1%).
- Neurological dysfunction and device malfunctions incurred the highest economic burden.
Conclusions:
- Hospital readmissions are a common challenge for patients with left ventricular assist devices.
- Developing preventive strategies and effective long-term adverse event management is crucial to reduce readmission rates and associated costs.
Background:
In this study, we aimed to investigate frequency, patterns, etiologies, and costs of unplanned readmissions after left ventricular assist device implantation.
Methods:
Between April 2012 and September 2016, 99 unplanned readmissions of a total of 50 consecutive bridge-to-transplant patients (45 males, 5 females; mean age 46.9±10.3 years; range, 19 to 67 years) who were successfully discharged after left ventricular assist device implantation were retrospectively analyzed. Patient demographic data, hemodynamic measurements before implantation, and readmissions after discharge were recorded. Hospitalizations due to major problems which were unable to be managed in routine outpatient clinic were accepted as unplanned readmissions. Survival analysis was performed.
Results:
The readmission rate was 1.7 per year after discharge. Survival of patients who were readmitted within the first 90 days was found to be significantly lower than those without early readmission. The most common reasons of readmissions during follow-up were major infection (23.2%), neurological dysfunction (22.2%), cardiac causes (12.1%), bleeding (11.1%), and device malfunction (10.1%). Neurological dysfunctions (82,005 USD) and device malfunctions (73,300 USD) caused the highest economic burden.
Conclusion:
Among patients with a left ventricular assist device, hospital readmissions are common. Development of preventive strategies as well as effective treatment methods focused on longterm adverse events is critical to reduce the frequency and costs of hospital readmissions.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:29Cardiomyopathy V: Interprofessional Care
01:30Cardiomyopathy II: Dilated Cardiomyopathy