Causes, Risk Factors, and Costs of 30-day Readmissions after Mitral Valve Repair and Replacement

Abstract Background Postsurgical readmissions are an increasingly scrutinized marker of healthcare quality. We sought to estimate the risk factors and costs associated with readmissions following mitral valve surgery in a large, nationally-representative cohort. Methods Adult patients undergoing mitral valve repair or replacement were queried from the National Readmissions Database from 2010 to 2014. Data was collected on the prevalence and indications for readmission within 30 days as well as the hospital-, procedure, and patient-level risk factors as determined by multivariable logistic regression. Results Among 76,342 patients undergoing mitral valve (MV) surgery, the rate of 30-day readmission was 17.0%. Those undergoing replacement procedures had significantly higher readmission rates (20.7% vs. 13.1%, p Conclusions Nearly one in five patients undergoing mitral valve surgery are readmitted within 30 days. Treatment at a low-volume center was strongly associated with readmission, and much of the readmission burden falls on non-index hospitals. Further characterization of readmissions may improve the quality of care associated with mitral valve surgery.