title: Predictors for hospital readmission after cardiac surgery.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Unplanned hospital readmissions are responsible for increased health care costs and have direct influence on patient quality of life. The aim of the study was to determine the predictors for hospital readmission after open-heart surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective study analyzed all patients who underwent cardiac surgery in the year 2012. Follow-up period was one year from the date of operation. Patients were divided in two groups based on their readmission status.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the study period of one year, 1268 patients who underwent cardiac surgery were included. A total of 121 patients (9.54%) were readmitted within one year after the operation. The main reasons for readmission were congestive heart failure (17.3%), sternal dehiscence (14.9%), rhythm and conduction disturbances (14.9%), wound infection (11.6%), recurrent angina pectoris (11.6%), and pericardial effusion (10.7%). Independent predictors for hospital readmission were previous stroke (p = 0.002), chronic heart failure (p < 0.0005), and postoperative pericardial effusion (p = 0.006).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study determined risk factors and predictors for hospital readmission after cardiac surgery. This may help to reduce readmission rates.
authors.affiliation: Medical Faculty, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia; Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases Vojvodina, Sremska Kamenica, Sremska Kamenica, Serbia.
authors.forename: Aleksandar
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Redžek
authors.forename: Melisa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mironicki
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gvozdenović
authors.forename: Milovan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Petrović
authors.forename: Nada
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Čemerlić-Ađić
authors.forename: Aleksandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ilić
authors.forename: Lazar
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Velicki
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005544:Forecasting; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010359:Patient Readmission / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010490:Pericardial Effusion / Q000453:epidemiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013249:Sternum; D020521:Stroke / Q000453:epidemiology; D013529:Surgical Wound Dehiscence / Q000453:epidemiology; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000453:epidemiology; D013997:Time Factors