Readmission Rates and Emergency Department Visits After Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery and Related Factors

Introduction: Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery is associated with complications like wound infection, arrhythmias, heart failure, and pulmonary complications, leading to hospital readmissions. This study aim was to determine rates of readmissions and emergency department (ED) visits in CABG surgery patients within 30 days post-discharge. Reasons for and frequency of readmissions, and associated factors were examined.

Methods: Retrospective review of medical records of patients operated on in 2010 at a tertiary medical center was done. Adult (18+ years) CABG surgery patients were included while those who underwent CABG with valve surgery or had mental disorders were excluded.

Results: Of the 110 patients studied, 9.1% were readmitted and 13.6% visited the ED within one month of discharge. The most frequent reasons for readmission were pleural effusion and dyspnea, and for ED visits, dyspnea and wound infection. Readmitted patients had fewer grafts performed than those who were not. Patients who visited the ED had higher incidence of bundle branch block and a trend towards higher body mass index than those who did not visit.

Conclusion: Patients must be closely followed up following CABG surgery for respiratory complications and educated about how to care for the surgical wound. Prospective studies with larger samples are recommended.