Patterns and Risk Factors for Rehospitalizations Within the First 90 Days Following Discharge After Heart Transplantation

Background: Heart transplantation (HT) recipients are at risk for urgent rehospitalizations following discharge. However, data on prevalence, risk factors and clinical outcomes associated with post-HT rehospitalization are limited.

Methods: This study aims to describe patterns of urgent rehospitalizations in HT recipients at a cardiology reference center in Brazil. Rehospitalizations and deaths occurring within the first 90 days following hospital discharge were identified. Regression models were used to identify variables associated with urgent rehospitalizations.

Results: A total of 239 patients were included. Of those, 118 (49.4%) presented with a rehospitalization within 90 days following hospital discharge and 5 (2.01%) died. Most patients who were rehospitalized had one new hospital admission (86.0%). The main cause of urgent rehospitalization was infection (55.0%). In the multivariate analysis, elevated C-reactive protein at discharge and the occurrence of intracranial bleeding at index hospitalization were associated with an increased risk of readmission. Longer duration of index hospitalization and use of lower doses of azathioprine were associated with a lower risk of rehospitalization.

Conclusion: Around half of HT recipients were rehospitalized within the first 90 days after hospital discharge. Understanding factors associated with post-HT rehospitalization may help the implementation of strategies to avoid patient morbidity and hospital costs.