title: Unplanned readmission within 1 year after heart transplantation in Taiwan.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Survival in patients with refractory heart failure greatly improves after heart transplantation (HTx).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the rate of unplanned readmission within the first year post-HTx and the causes of such readmission.
  
  
  METHODS
  From January 2005 to June 2008, the 112 patients who underwent HTx were regularly followed up at our hospital. A protocol biopsy was performed every week during the first month, then every 3 months during the first year. Any unplanned readmission was discussed in detail in a transplantation meeting. Data were collected from review of medical records.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The rate of unplanned readmission was 19.3% in 2005, 21.5% in 2006, 22.2% in 2007, and 20.3% in 2008. Infection was the primary cause leading to unplanned readmission in 2005 (51.5%), 2006 (42.9%), and 2008 (30.7%). Rejection was the primary cause leading to readmission in 2007 (40%). Other causes included fluid retention, pericardial effusion, anemia, and systemic diseases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  To reduce unplanned readmissions and to promote quality of life and long-term survival, health professionals must meticulously monitor the adverse effects of treatments including immunosuppression agents and concomitantly used medications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: C-I
authors.initials: CI
authors.lastname: Tsao
authors.forename: N-K
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: Chou
authors.forename: N-H
authors.initials: NH
authors.lastname: Chi
authors.forename: H-Y
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Y-S
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: C-H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: W-J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Ko
authors.forename: S-C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: S-S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000961:Antilymphocyte Serum / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000077552:Basiliximab; D001706:Biopsy; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000175:diagnosis; D016027:Heart Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D010359:Patient Readmission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010490:Pericardial Effusion / Q000175:diagnosis; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016559:Tacrolimus / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013624:Taiwan; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000961:Antilymphocyte Serum; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D016572:Cyclosporine; D000077552:Basiliximab; D016559:Tacrolimus