title: Readmission in unstable angina.
abstract: To determine the characteristics of patients re-admitted after unstable angina (UA) pectoris, 120 consecutive patients hospitalized due to primary UA pectoris were prospectively studied 22 +/- 3 months after discharge. The patients were grouped based on the readmission rate. Those in group A (50) had recurrent admissions (mean 2.6, range 2 to 5). Seventy patients (group B) did not have readmissions during the follow-up period. All patients underwent coronary angiogram and symptoms-limited exercise stress test before discharge. The univariate characteristics for readmission were: age over 70 years (p = 0.02), nondiagnostic exercise stress testing (p = 0.03), angiographically diffuse coronary artery disease (p = 0.004), and non-interventional management (P < 0.001). Patients readmitted had increased incidence of myocardial infarction (p = 0.004) but similar survival at 2 years. By regression analysis, important variables for readmission were non-interventional management (Chi-Square = 7.6, p = 0.01), non diagnostic treadmill test (Chi-Square = 6.9, p = 0.03) and diffuse coronary artery disease (Chi-Square = 6.2, p = 0.04). It is concluded that in the interventional era the most important factor for readmission after primary UA pectoris is non-interventional management. Coronary revascularization should not be denied solely on the basis of age.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, San Juan City Hospital, Puerto Rico.
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: González-Fernández
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Báez
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fernández-Martínez
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Lugo
authors.forename: P I
authors.initials: PI
authors.lastname: Altieri
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000789:Angina, Unstable / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003325:Coronary Care Units / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010359:Patient Readmission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011647:Puerto Rico; D012008:Recurrence; D012044:Regression Analysis