Clinical predictors and outcome implications of early readmission in lung transplant recipients

Background The purpose of this study was to identify risk factors and outcome implications for 30-day hospital readmission in lung transplant recipients. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study of lung transplant cases from a single, high-volume lung transplant program between January 2000 and March 2012. Demographic and health data were reviewed for all patients. Risk factors for 30-day readmission (defined as readmission within 30 days of discharge from index lung transplant hospitalization) were modeled using logistic regression, with selection of parameters by backward elimination. Results The sample comprised 795 patients after excluding scheduled readmissions and in-hospital deaths. Overall 30-day readmission rate was 45.4% (n = 361). Readmission rates were similar across different diagnosis categories and procedure types. By univariate analysis, post-operative complications that predisposed to 30-day readmission included pneumonia, any infection, and atrial fibrillation (all p < 0.05). In the final multivariate model, occurrence of any post-transplant complication was the most significant risk factor for 30-day readmission (odds ratio = 1.764; 95% confidence interval, 1.259–2.470). Even for patients with no documented perioperative complication, readmission rates were still >35%. Kaplan-Meier analysis and multi-variate regression modeling to assess readmission as a predictor of long-term outcomes showed that 30-day readmission was not a significant predictor of worse survival in lung recipients. Conclusions Occurrence of at least 1 post-transplant complication increases risk for 30-day readmission in lung transplant recipients. In this patient population, 30-day readmission does not predispose to adverse long-term survival. Quality indicators other than 30-day readmission may be needed to assess hospitals that perform lung transplantation.