title: Readmission and mortality in patients discharged the day after off-pump coronary bypass surgery.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The fate of patients discharged the day following off-pump coronary bypass (OPCAB) has not previously been reported. We studied the mortality and readmissions of a consecutive series of patients discharged after OPCAB, and compared the outcomes of those discharged the day following surgery to the rest of the group.
  
  
  METHODS
  All patients having OPCAB through median sternotomy during the calendar year 2000 by a single surgeon were retrospectively reviewed. Demograghics, intraoperative variables and postoperative complications, readmissions and mortality were recorded. Factors were analyzed to determine associations with time of discharge and readmission.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred fifteen patients had isolated OPCAB averaging 3.1 grafts. Two patients (1.8%) died before discharge. Sixty-three of 113 patients (55.8%) were discharged on day 1 and 8 (12.7%) required readmission compared to 13 of 50 (26%) discharged later. Diabetes (p = 0.04) and renal failure (p = 0.01) exhibited univariate association with day 1 discharge while multivariate analysis added infarction. The combination of previous bypass, obesity, acute myocardial infarction, and hypertension was associated with readmission in the entire OPCAB group but not in day 1 discharged patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The readmission rate for the entire group (18.6%) was high but lower in day 1 discharge patients (12.7%). Day 1 discharge (55.8%) was unusual in patients with diabetes, renal failure, or recent infarction. Previous bypass, obesity, acute myocardial infarction, and hypertension were associated with readmission for the entire group only. Day 1 discharged patients had no deaths or serious consequences, and there were no readmissions in more than 87%.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Biostatistics, Texas A & M University System Health Science Center, Scott and White Memorial Hospital, Temple, Texas 76508, USA. cbaisden@swmail.sw.org
authors.forename: Clinton E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Baisden
authors.forename: J W Randolph
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Bolton
authors.forename: Mark W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Riggs
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass / Q000401:mortality; D048909:Diabetes Complications; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000150:complications; D010351:Patient Discharge; D010359:Patient Readmission; D012086:Reoperation; D012189:Retrospective Studies