Economic burden and clinical impact of preoperative opioid dependence for patients undergoing lower extremity bypass surgery.

OBJECTIVE: Surgeons' prescription practices and the opioid epidemic have received significant attention in the media. Limited data exist, however, on the impact of prior or coexistent opioid use on vascular surgery outcomes. This study aimed to quantify the incidence, economic burden, and clinical impact of pre-existing opioid dependency in patients undergoing lower extremity bypass (LEB) surgery. METHODS: Data were collected from 1,132,645 weighted (230,858 unweighted) patient admissions for LEB in the National Inpatient Sample for the years 2002 to 2015. Patients with a concomitant diagnosis of opioid abuse or dependency were identified using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision codes. Matched cohorts of patients with (n = 606 unweighted) and without (n = 32,343 unweighted) opioid dependence were created using coarsened exact matching to control for patient demographics. Linear regression was used to control for hospital-level factors and to identify differential outcomes for patients with opioid dependency. Our primary end points were hospital cost and length of stay. Our secondary end points were surgical complications and in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: There were 1,132,645 (230,858 unweighted) patient admissions for LEB in the National Inpatient Sample during 2002 to 2015. There were 3190 (0.3%) patients (643 unweighted) who had a diagnosis of pre-existing opioid dependency. The incidence of opioid dependency rose over time (2002, 0.13%; 2015, 0.63%; R2 = 0.90; P < .001). Before matching, opioid-dependent patients were younger (53.9 ± 12.3 years vs 66.7 ± 12.1 years; P < .001) and more likely to be male (65.2% vs 61.9%; P < .001), to be nonwhite (37.9% vs 24.1%; P < .001), to pay with Medicaid (29.6% vs 7.4%; P < .001), and to fall in the lowest income quartile based on ZIP code (39.6% vs 27.5%; P < .001). After matching, opioid-dependent patients (n = 606 unweighted vs n = 32,343 unweighted nonopioid-dependent patients) were at increased risk of surgical site infections (odds ratio [OR], 1.61; P = .006), major bleeding (OR, 1.56; P = .04), acute kidney injury (OR, 1.46; P = .02), and deep venous thrombosis (OR, 2.53; P = .005). Linear regression of matched cohorts revealed that opioid-dependent patients had an increased length of hospital stay (11.76 days vs 9.80 days; P < .001) and an increased mean inflation-adjusted in-hospital cost of U.S. $7032 ($37,522 vs $30,490; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of pre-existing opioid dependency in patients undergoing LEB continues to rise. Patients with opioid use disorder undergoing LEB surgery have substantial increases in length of hospital stay and costs. These findings highlight the importance of early preoperative recognition of this disorder in vascular surgery patients and open the opportunity for early intervention in that cohort.

Reduced length of stay and 30-day readmission rate on an inpatient vascular surgery service.

As the cost of care for patients with specific diagnoses becomes fixed, hospitals must develop systems to reduce length of stay and optimize the use of hospital resources while maintaining a high quality of care. The goal of this study is to evaluate the implementation and efficacy of a system designed to reduce average length of stay on a vascular surgery service. To effectively reduce the average length of stay in our center, we restructured patient rounds, implemented multidisciplinary rounds, introduced clinical pathways to postoperative care, and expanded outpatient management of postoperative patients. A total of 1697 adult vascular surgery patients discharged while under the medical direction of a vascular surgeon between July 1, 2013, and June 30, 2016, were included in the study. Improving communication with critical staff and using procedural space outside of the main operating rooms led to a 2.8-day reduction in the length of stay (10.8 vs 8.0, P < .001). There was a trend toward a reduction in the 30-day readmission rate (12% vs 10%, respectively; P = .01) and no significant difference in the case-mix index as a measure of illness severity (2.5 vs 2.4, respectively; P = .15). Length of stay reductions were heterogeneous among the types of vascular diseases studied, with greater improvements seen in patients undergoing lower extremity amputation, lower extremity angiogram, and endovascular aneurysm repair for nonruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms. Less pronounced differences were observed in patients undergoing carotid artery endarterectomy or stenting and lower extremity bypasses. In conclusion, restructuring team rounds and instituting a multidisciplinary approach to discharge planning produced significant reductions in length of stay without a deleterious effect on patient care which may impact hospital profitability.

Early Treatment at a Referral Center Improves Outcomes for Patients with Acute Vascular Disease.

BACKGROUND: Patients with acute vascular disease frequently need specialized management that may require transfer to a vascular referral center. Although transfer may be medically necessary, it can delay definitive care and is an indicator of incorrect triage to the initial hospital. Regionalization of acute vascular care could improve patient triage and subsequent outcomes. To evaluate the potential benefit from regionalization, we analyzed outcomes of patients treated for acute vascular disease at vascular referral centers. METHODS: Using a statewide database capturing all inpatient admissions in Maryland during 2013-2015, patients undergoing noncardiac vascular procedures on an acute basis were identified. Patients admitted to a vascular referral center were stratified by admission status as direct or transfer. The primary outcome was inpatient mortality, and the secondary outcome was resource use. Patient groups were compared by univariable analyses, and the effect of admission status on mortality was assessed by multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: Of 4,873 patients with acute vascular disease managed at vascular referral centers, 2,713 (56%) were admitted directly, whereas 2,160 (44%) were transferred. Transfers to referral centers accounted for 71% of all interhospital transfers. The transfer-group patients were older, had more comorbidities, and higher illness severities. Patients who were transferred had higher mortality (14% vs. 9%, P < 0.0001), longer hospital lengths of stay, greater critical care-resource utilization, and higher costs. After adjusting for demographics, comorbidities, and illness severity, transfer status was independently associated with higher inpatient mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Primary treatment at a referral center is independently associated with improved outcomes for patients with acute vascular disease. Direct admission or earlier triage to a specialty center may improve patient and system outcomes and could be facilitated by standardization and regionalization of complex acute vascular care.

Defining the burden, scope, and future of vascular acute care surgery.

OBJECTIVE: The paradigm of acute care surgery has revolutionized nonelective general surgery. Similarly, nonelective vascular surgery may benefit from specific management and resource capabilities. To establish the burden and scope of vascular acute care surgery, we analyzed the characteristics and outcomes of patients hospitalized for vascular surgical procedures in Maryland. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of a statewide inpatient database was performed to identify patients undergoing noncardiac vascular procedures in Maryland from 2009 to 2013. Patients were stratified by admission acuity as elective, urgent, or emergent, with the last two groups defined as acute. The primary outcome was inpatient mortality, and secondary outcomes were critical care and hospital resource requirements. Groups were compared by univariate analyses, with multivariable analysis of mortality based on acuity level and other potential risk factors for death. RESULTS: Of 3,157,499 adult hospital admissions, 154,004 (5%) patients underwent a vascular procedure; most were acute (54% emergent, 13% urgent), whereas 33% were elective. Acute patients had higher rates of critical care morbidity and required more hospital resource utilization. Admission for acute vascular surgery was independently associated with mortality (urgent odds ratio, 2.1; emergent odds ratio, 3.0). CONCLUSIONS: The majority of inpatient vascular care in Maryland is for acute vascular surgery, which is an independent risk factor for mortality. Acute vascular surgical care entails greater critical care and hospital resource utilization and-similar to emergency general surgery-may benefit from dedicated training and practice models.

A new aortic injury score predicts early rupture more accurately than clinical assessment.

OBJECTIVE: The optimal timing for repair of a high-grade blunt thoracic aortic injury (BTAI) is uncertain. Delayed repair is common and associated with improved outcomes, but some lesions may rupture during observation. To determine optimal patient selection for appropriate management, we developed a pilot clinical risk score to evaluate aortic stability and predict rupture. METHODS: Patients presenting in stable condition with Society for Vascular Surgery grade III or IV BTAI diagnosed on computed tomography (CT) were retrospectively reviewed. To determine clinical and radiographic factors associated with aortic rupture, patients progressing to aortic rupture (defined by contrast extravasation on CT or on operative or autopsy findings) were compared with those who had no intervention ≤48 hours of admission. A model targeting 100% sensitivity for rupture was generated and internally validated by bootstrap analysis. Clinical utility was tested by comparison with clinical assessment by surgeons experienced in BTAI management who were provided with CT images and clinical data but were blinded to outcome. RESULTS: The derivation cohort included 18 patients whose aorta ruptured and 31 with stable BTAI. There was no difference in age, gender, injury mechanism, nonchest injury severity, blood pressure, or Glasgow Coma Scale on admission between patient groups. As dichotomous factors, admission lactate >4 mM, posterior mediastinal hematoma >10 mm, and lesion/normal aortic diameter ratio >1.4 on the admission CT were independently associated with aortic rupture. The model had an area under the receiver operator curve of .97, and in the presence of any two factors, was 100% sensitive and 84% specific for predicting aortic rupture. No aortic lesions ruptured in patients with fewer than two factors. In contrast, clinical assessment had lower accuracy (65% vs 90% total accuracy, P < .01). CONCLUSIONS: This novel risk score can be applied on admission using clinically relevant factors that incorporate patient physiology, size of the aortic lesion, and extent of the mediastinal hematoma. The model reliably identifies and distinguishes patients with high-grade BTAI who are at risk for early rupture from those with stable lesions. Although preliminary, because it is more accurate than clinical assessment alone, the score may improve patient selection for emergency or delayed intervention.

Preoperative functional status predicts perioperative outcomes after infrainguinal bypass surgery.

OBJECTIVE: Infrainguinal surgical bypass (BPG) is a durable method for lower extremity revascularization, but is accompanied by significant 30-day morbidity and mortality (MM). The goal of this study is to relate preoperative functional status, a defined metric in the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database, to perioperative MM. METHODS: Between January 1, 2005 and December 31, 2007, all patients who underwent BPG from the NSQIP private sector database were reviewed. The primary end-point was 30-day MM. Patients were stratified by preoperative functional status: independent (IND) vs dependent (DEP). Associated patient demographic/clinical data were analyzed using univariate and multivariate methods. Composite odds ratios were constructed with clusters of high-risk comorbidities. RESULTS: There were 5639 BPG patients (4600 [81.6%] IND and 1039 [18.4%]) DEP. DEP patients were significantly older (71.6 +/- 11.8 vs 66.8 +/- 11.8 years; P < .0001), had more chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (16.7% vs 11.4%; P < .0001), diabetes (54.2% vs 40.7%; P < .0001), dialysis dependence (16.4% vs 5.6%; P < .0001), and critical limb ischemia (64.6% vs 44.0%; P < .0001). DEP patients had a higher incidence of death (6.1% vs 1.5%; P < .0001) and major complications (30.3% vs 14.2%; P < .0001). DEP was an independent predictor of major complications (odds ratio [OR]: 2.0; 95% confidence interval [CI]: [1.7-2.4]; P < .0001) major systemic complications (2.5 [1.9-3.2]; P < .0001), major operative site complications (1.6 [1.4-1.9]; P < .0001) and death (2.3[1.6-3.4]; P < .0001). The combination of DEP with emergency surgery, Cr > 1.8, or rest pain increased the odds of major complications by five, seven, or 11-fold, respectively. The combination of DEP with hemodialysis, emergency surgery, or age > or = 80 years increased the odds of death by 13, 38, or 87-fold, respectively. CONCLUSION: Preoperative DEP is significantly correlated with all adverse 30-day outcomes in BPG patients. Furthermore, when combined in high-risk composites with specific preoperative clinical variables, DEP is associated with prohibitive MM, thereby identifying patient cohorts that may be unsuitable for BPG.