Predictors of 30-day hospital readmission after coronary artery bypass

Background. Risk factors for 30-day hospital readmission following coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) have not been established. Methods. We prospectively followed 485 consecutive patients who underwent isolated primary CABG at our institution in 1997. Patients were contacted by telephone at 30 days following operation to determine readmission status. Results. The overall readmission rate was 16% (76 of 485). Female gender (25% versus 11%, p = 0.001) and diabetes (22% versus 12%, p = 0.005) were associated with significantly higher readmission rates. The relationship between female gender and readmission persisted after correcting for age and other comorbidities. Congestive heart failure trended towards a significant relationship with increased readmission rate (22% versus 14%, p = 0.09). There were no significant associations between 30-day readmission rate and age, hypertension chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, history of myocardial infarction, peripheral vascular disease, creatinine level of greater than or equal to 1.4 mg/dL, or decreased left ventricular ejection fraction (< 40%). Conclusions. These data show that most of the classic risk factors for postoperative mortality are not necessarily associated with increased readmission. However, female gender and diabetes are associated with greater than twice the risk of 30-day readmission following CABG. (Ann Thorac Surg 2000;70:169-74) (C) 2000 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons.