Coronary Reactivity Assessment Is Associated With Lower Health Care-Associated Costs in Patients Presenting With Angina and Nonobstructive Coronary Artery Disease.

BACKGROUND: The financial burden linked to the diagnosis and treatment of patients with chest pain on the health care system is considerable. Angina and nonobstructive coronary artery disease (ANOCA) is common, associated with adverse cardiovascular events, and may lead to repeat testing or hospitalizations. Diagnostic certainty can be achieved in patients with ANOCA using coronary reactivity testing (CRT); however, its financial effect on the patient has not been studied. Our goal was to assess the effect of CRT on health care-related cost in patients with ANOCA. METHODS: Patients with ANOCA who underwent diagnostic coronary angiography (CAG) and CRT (CRT group) were matched to controls who had similar presentation but only underwent a CAG without CRT (CAG group). Standardized inflation-adjusted costs were collected and compared between the 2 groups on an annual basis for 2 years post the index date (CRT or CAG). RESULTS: Two hundred seven CRT and 207 CAG patients were included in the study with an average age of 52.3±11.5 years and 76% females. The total cost was significantly higher in the CAG group as compared with the CRT group ($37 804 [$26 933-$48 674] versus $13 679 [$9447-$17 910]; P<0.001). When costs are itemized and divided based on the Berenson-Eggers Type of Service categorization, the largest cost difference occurred in imaging (any type, including CAG; P<0.001), procedures (eg, percutaneous coronary intervention/coronary artery bypass grafting/thrombectomy) (P=0.001), and test (eg, blood tests, EKG; P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In this retrospective observational study, assessment of CRT in patients with ANOCA was associated with significantly reduced annual total costs and health care utilization. Therefore, the study may support the integration of CRT into clinical practice.

Temporal Incidence and Predictors of High-Grade Atrioventricular Block After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement.

Background The temporal incidence of high-grade atrioventricular block (HAVB) after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is uncertain. As a result, periprocedural monitoring and pacing strategies remain controversial. This study aimed to describe the temporal incidence of initial episode of HAVB stratified by pre- and post-TAVR conduction and identify predictors of delayed events. Methods and Results Consecutive patients undergoing TAVR at a single center between February 2012 and June 2019 were retrospectively assessed for HAVB within 30 days. Patients with prior aortic valve replacement, permanent pacemaker (PPM), or conversion to surgical replacement were excluded. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to assess predictors of delayed HAVB (initial event >24 hours post-TAVR). A total of 953 patients were included in this study. HAVB occurred in 153 (16.1%). After exclusion of those with prophylactic PPM placed post-TAVR, the incidence of delayed HAVB was 33/882 (3.7%). Variables independently associated with delayed HAVB included baseline first-degree atrioventricular block or right bundle-branch block, self-expanding valve, and new left bundle-branch block. Forty patients had intraprocedural transient HAVB, including 16 who developed HAVB recurrence and 6 who had PPM implantation without recurrence. PPM was placed for HAVB in 130 (13.6%) (self-expanding valve, 23.7% versus balloon-expandable valve, 11.9%; P<0.001). Eight (0.8%) patients died by 30 days, including 1 unexplained without PPM present. Conclusions Delayed HAVB occurs with higher frequency in patients with baseline first-degree atrioventricular block or right bundle-branch block, new left bundle-branch block, and self-expanding valve. These findings provide insight into optimal monitoring and pacing strategies based on periprocedural ECG findings.

Assessment of left ventricular filling pressure with Doppler velocities across the patent foramen ovale.

BACKGROUND: The utility of Doppler velocities across the patent foramen ovale (PFO) to estimate left ventricular (LV) filling pressure is not well known. METHODS: The best cut-off value of peak interatrial septal velocity across a transeptal puncture site measured by transesophageal echocardiography for estimating high mean left atrial (LA) pressure (≥ 15 mmHg) was determined in 17 patients. This cut-off value was subsequently applied to 67 patients with a PFO undergoing transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) for assessing the value of PFO velocity in determining LV filling pressure. RESULTS: The peak systolic interatrial septal velocities significantly correlated with directly measured mean LA pressures during transcatheter mitral valve procedure (r = 0.77, P < 0.001). The best cut-off value was 1.7 m/s for predicting high LA pressure (AUC 0.91; sensitivity 90%, specificity 86%). When this cut-off was applied to patients undergoing TTE, peak PFO velocity ≥ 1.7 m/s correlated with reduced e', higher E/e', and higher tricuspid regurgitation velocity (P < 0.01). LV filling pressure according to the 2016 diastolic guideline was compared with peak PFO velocity in 51 patients. Among patients with high filling pressure according to the guidelines (n = 20), peak PFO velocity ≥ 1.7 m/s was present in 60% of patients. In patients with normal filling pressure per the guidelines (n = 31), PFO velocity < 1.7 m/s was present 84%. Sensitivity and specificity were 75% and 92%, respectively, in patients with sinus rhythm, but were only 50% and 57%, respectively, among patients with atrial fibrillation. CONCLUSIONS: Doppler-derived peak PFO velocities could be valuable in the assessment of increased LV filling pressure using 1.7 m/s as the cut-off value.

Analysis of the Changing Economics of US Hospital Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement Programs.

New technologies in medicine, even if they are promising medically, are often expensive and logistically difficult to implement at the hospital level. Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is a model technology that is revolutionary in treating aortic stenosis, but has been plagued with significant challenges with financial sustainability. In this article, a margin analysis at the hospital level was performed using literature data. A TAVR industry analysis was performed using Porter's Five Forces framework. The data indicate that TAVR is more expensive than surgical aortic valve replacement, although the cost of TAVR is declining with the use of an optimized minimalist protocol. The overall industry is growing as its clinical indications expand, and it will likely undergo significant reduction of costs when new valves enter the US market. As such, TAVR is a growing industry, with financial sustainability currently dependent on operational efficiency. A concluding list of specific program interventions is provided to help TAVR programs improve operational efficiency and clinical outcomes, as well as help decide whether to create, expand, or redirect funding for TAVR programs. Importantly, the frameworks used to analyze this rapidly evolving technology can be applied to other new technologies to determine financial sustainability.

Intravascular ultrasound, optical coherence tomography, and fractional flow reserve use in acute myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: There are limited data on the use of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS), optical coherence tomography (OCT), and fractional flow reserve (FFR) during acute myocardial infarction (AMI). OBJECTIVES: To assess the temporal trends of IVUS, OCT, and FFR use in AMI. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study from the National Inpatient Sample (2004-2014) was designed to include AMI admissions that received coronary angiography. Administrative codes were used to identify percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), IVUS, OCT, and FFR. Outcomes included temporal trends, inhospital mortality and resource utilization stratified by IVUS, OCT, or FFR use. RESULTS: In 4,419,973 AMI admissions, IVUS, OCT, and FFR were used in 2.6%, 0.1%, and 0.6%, respectively. There was a 22-fold, 118-fold, and 33-fold adjusted increase in IVUS, OCT, and FFR use, respectively, in 2014 compared to the first year of use. Non-ST-elevation AMI presentation, male sex, private insurance coverage, admission to a large urban hospital, and absence of cardiac arrest and cardiogenic shock were associated with higher IVUS, OCT, or FFR use. PCI was performed in 83.2% of the IVUS, OCT, or FFR cohort compared to 64.2% of the control group (p < .001). The cohort with IVUS/OCT/FFR use had lower inhospital mortality (adjusted odds ratio 0.53 [95% confidence interval 0.50-0.56]), more frequent discharges to home (83.7% vs. 76.8%), shorter hospital stays (4.3 ± 4.4 vs. 5.0 ± 5.5 days) and higher hospitalization costs ($90,683 ± 74,093 vs. $74,671 ± 75,841). CONCLUSIONS: In AMI, the use of IVUS, OCT, and FFR has increased during 2004-2014. Significant patient and hospital-level disparities exist in the use of these technologies.

Incidence, Predictors, and Outcomes of Acute Ischemic Stroke Following Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess temporal trends in the incidence of ischemic stroke among patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), predictors of post-PCI ischemic stroke, and the impact of post-PCI ischemic stroke on in-hospital morbidity, mortality, length of stay, and cost. BACKGROUND: Data on the incidence and outcomes of ischemic stroke in patients undergoing PCI in the contemporary era are limited. METHODS: The National Inpatient Sample was used to identify patients who underwent PCI between January 1, 2003, and December 31, 2016. The incidence of post-PCI ischemic stroke was calculated, and its predictors were assessed. In-hospital outcomes of patients with and those without post-PCI stroke were also compared. RESULTS: The adjusted incidence of post-PCI ischemic stroke increased during the study period from 0.6% to 0.96% following PCI for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, from 0.5% to 0.6% following PCI for non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, and from 0.3% to 0.72% following PCI for unstable angina or stable ischemic disease (ptrend <0.001). Carotid disease, cardiogenic shock, atrial fibrillation, and older age were the strongest predictors of post-PCI ischemic stroke. Post-PCI stroke rates were lower at high-volume versus low- to intermediate-volume centers. Thrombolytics, cerebral angiography, and mechanical thrombectomy use increased over time but remained infrequent. After propensity score matching, in-hospital mortality was higher among patients with post-PCI stroke (23.5% vs. 11.0%, 9.5% vs. 2.8%, and 11.5% vs. 2.4% in the ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, and unstable angina or stable ischemic heart disease cohorts, respectively; p < 0.001). Post-PCI stroke was associated with a >2-fold increase in length of stay, a >3-fold increase in nonhome discharges, and a >60% increase in cost. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of post-PCI ischemic stroke increased significantly over the past decade, partially because of the increasing complexity of patients undergoing PCI over time. Further studies are needed to systematically assess contributors to this worrisome trend and to identify effective strategies for its mitigation.

Incidence and outcomes of early percutaneous coronary intervention after isolated valve surgery.

BACKGROUND: Coronary ischemia requiring early percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is a rare but serious complication of isolated valve surgery. We sought of assess the incidence, predictors and outcomes of early PCI after isolated valve surgery using the national inpatient sample. METHODS: Patients who underwent isolated aortic valve replacement (AVR), isolated mitral valve repair (MVr) or replacement (MVR) between 2003 and 2014 were identified. Patients who had early postoperative PCI were compared with patients who did not require PCI. Primary end point was in-hospital mortality. Secondary endpoints were complications, length-of-stay and cost. RESULTS: Among the 135,611 included patients, 1,074 (0.8%) underwent PCI prior to discharge. Unadjusted in-hospital mortality was higher in patients requiring early PCI following AVR (11.2 vs. 3.1%), MVR (24.1 vs. 5.5%), and MVr (22.4 vs. 2.5%) (P < 0.001) compared with patients not requiring PCI. Postoperative PCI remained independently associated with higher mortality after adjusting for demographics, comorbidities and hospital characteristics (adjusted OR [aOR] = 3.74, 95%CI 2.70-5.17 for AVR, aOR = 6.10, 95%CI 4.53-8.23 for MVR, and aOR = 9.90, 95%CI 7.22-13.58 for MVr). Patients undergoing PCI had higher incidences of stroke, acute kidney injury, infectious complications, higher hospital charges, and longer hospitalizations. Age, robotic-assisted surgery, and chronic renal failure were independent predictors of needing early postoperative PCI. CONCLUSIONS: Early PCI after isolated aortic or mitral valve surgery is rare but is associated with substantial in-hospital morbidity, mortality, and cost. Further studies are needed to identify preventable causes, and optimal management strategies of this serious complication.

Trends, Predictors, and Outcomes of Temporary Mechanical Circulatory Support for Postcardiac Surgery Cardiogenic Shock.

Postcardiac surgery cardiogenic shock (PCCS) is seen in 2% to 6% of patients who undergo cardiac surgery. There are limited large-scale data on the use of mechanical circulatory support (MCS) in these patients. This study sought to evaluate the in-hospital mortality, trends, and resource utilization for PCCS admissions with and without MCS. A retrospective cohort of PCCS between 2005 and 2014 with and without the use of temporary MCS was identified from the National Inpatient Sample. Admissions for permanent MCS and heart transplant were excluded. Propensity-matching for baseline characteristics was performed. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality and secondary outcomes included trends in use, hospital costs and lengths of stay. In the period between 2005 and 2014, there were 132,485 admissions with PCCS, with 51.3% requiring MCS. The intra-aortic balloon pump was the predominant device used with a steady increase in other devices. MCS use for more frequent in younger patients, males and those with higher co-morbidity. There was a decrease in MCS use across all demographic categories and hospital characteristics over time. Older age, female sex, previous cardiovascular morbidity and MCS use were independently predictive of higher in-hospital mortality. In 6,830 propensity-matched pairs, PCCS admissions that required MCS use, had higher in-hospital mortality (odds ratio 2.4; p<0.001), higher hospital costs ($98,759 ± 907 vs $81,099 ± 698; p<0.001) but not a longer length of stay compared with those without MCS use. In conclusion, in patients with PCCS, this study noted a steady decrease in MCS use. Use of MCS identified PCCS patients at higher risk for in-hospital mortality and greater resource utilization.

Management of post-myocardial infarction ventricular septal defects: A critical assessment.

BACKGROUND: Post-myocardial infarction (MI) ventricular septal defects (PIVSD) are an uncommon but life-threatening complication of acute MI. Although surgical closure has been the standard of care, mortality, and recurrence of VSD remain high even after emergent surgery. Transcatheter VSD closure (TCC) devices have become an alternative or adjunct to surgical closure. METHODS: Online database search was performed for studies that included adults with PIVSD who underwent medical treatment (MT) alone, surgical closure (SC) (early or late), and TCC (early, late, or for post-surgical residual VSD). RESULTS: Twenty-six studies were included with a total of 737 patients who underwent either MT (N = 100), SC (early (n = 167), late (n = 100)), and TCC (early (n = 176), late (n = 115), or post-surgical residual VSD (n = 79)). The 30-day mortality among MT group was 92 ± 6.3%, among SC was 61 ± 22.5% (early 56 ± 23%, late 41 ± 30%), and for all TCC patients was 33 ± 24% (early 54 ± 32.7%, late 16 ± 26%), and TCC for post-surgical residual VSD 11 ± 34.9%. The mortality among overall SC, overall TCC and early TCC groups was significantly lower as compared with the MT (P < 0.001 for all comparisons). The overall mortality among all TCC, and late TCC groups was significantly lower when compared with the late SC (P < 0.0001, P < 0.0001, respectively). CONCLUSION: Closure of PIVSD decreases mortality as compared with MT alone and should be attempted as early as possible after diagnosis. Selection of TCC versus SC should be based on factors including complexity of the defect, availability of closure devices, expertise of the operator, and clinical condition of patient.

Sex Differences in Long-Term Cause-Specific Mortality After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: Temporal Trends and Mechanisms.

BACKGROUND: Women have higher rates of all-cause mortality after percutaneous coronary intervention. Whether this is because of greater age and comorbidity burden or a sex-specific factor remains unclear. METHODS AND RESULTS: We retrospectively assessed cause-specific long-term mortality after index percutaneous coronary intervention over 3 time periods (1991-1997, 1998-2005, and 2006-2012). Cause of death was determined using telephone interviews, medical records, and death certificates. We performed competing risks analyses of cause-specific mortality. A total of 6847 women and 16 280 men survived index percutaneous coronary intervention hospitalization 1991 to 2012. Women were older (mean±SD: 69.4±12 versus 64.8±11.7 years; P<0.001) with more comorbidities (mean±SD: Charlson index 2.1±2.1 versus 1.9±2.1; P<0.001). Across the 3 time periods, both sexes exhibited a decline in cardiac deaths at 5 years (26% relative decrease in women, 17% in men, trend P<0.001 for each). Although women had higher all-cause mortality compared with men in all eras, the excess mortality was because of noncardiac deaths. In the contemporary era, only a minority of deaths were cardiac (33.8% in women, 38.0% in men). After adjustment, there was no evidence for a sex-specific excess of risk for cardiac or noncardiac mortality. The commonest causes of death were chronic diseases and heart failure in women (5-year cumulative mortality, 5.4% and 3.9%) but cancer and myocardial infarction/sudden death in men (5.4% and 4.3%). CONCLUSIONS: The higher mortality after percutaneous coronary intervention in women is because of death from noncardiac causes. This is accounted for by baseline age and comorbidities rather than an additional sex-specific factor. These findings have implications for sex-specific clinical care and trial design.

Contemporary Sex-Based Differences by Age in Presenting Characteristics, Use of an Early Invasive Strategy, and Inhospital Mortality in Patients With Non-ST-Segment-Elevation Myocardial Infarction in the United States.

BACKGROUND: Prior studies have reported higher inhospital mortality in women versus men with non-ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction. Whether this is because of worse baseline risk profile compared with men or sex-based disparities in treatment is not completely understood. METHODS AND RESULTS: We queried the 2003 to 2014 National Inpatient Sample databases to identify all hospitalizations in patients aged ≥18 years with the principal diagnosis of non-ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction. Complex samples multivariable logistic regression models were used to examine sex differences in use of an early invasive strategy and inhospital mortality. Of 4 765 739 patients with non-ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction, 2 026 285 (42.5%) were women. Women were on average 6 years older than men and had a higher comorbidity burden. Women were less likely to be treated with an early invasive strategy (29.4% versus 39.2%; adjusted odds ratio, 0.92; 95% confidence interval, 0.91-0.94). Women had higher crude inhospital mortality than men (4.7% versus 3.9%; unadjusted odds ratio, 1.22; 95% confidence interval, 1.20-1.25). After adjustment for age (adjusted odds ratio, 0.96; 95% confidence interval, 0.94-0.98) and additionally for comorbidities, other demographics, and hospital characteristics, women had 10% lower odds of inhospital mortality (adjusted odds ratio, 0.90; 95% confidence interval, 0.89-0.92). Further adjustment for differences in the use of an early invasive strategy did not change the association between female sex and lower risk-adjusted inhospital mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Although women were less likely to be treated with an early invasive strategy compared with men, the lower use of an early invasive strategy was not responsible for the higher crude inhospital mortality in women, which could be entirely explained by older age and higher comorbidity burden.

Regional Variation in Utilization, In-hospital Mortality, and Health-Care Resource Use of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation in the United States.

We queried the National Inpatient Sample database from 2012 to 2014 to identify all patients aged ≥18 years undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) in the United States. Regional differences in TAVI utilization, in-hospital mortality, and health-care resource use were analyzed. Of 41,025 TAVI procedures in the United States between 2012 and 2014, 10,390 were performed in the Northeast, 9,090 in the Midwest, 14,095 in the South, and 7,450 in the West. Overall, the number of TAVI implants per million adults increased from 24.8 in 2012 to 63.2 in 2014. The utilization of TAVI increased during the study period in all 4 geographic regions, with the number of implants per million adults being highest in the Northeast, followed by the Midwest, South, and West, respectively. Overall in-hospital mortality was 4.2%. Compared with the Northeast, risk-adjusted in-hospital mortality was higher in the Midwest (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.26 [1.07 to 1.48]) and the South (aOR 1.61 [1.40 to 1.85]) and similar in the West (aOR 1.00 [0.84 to 1.18]). Average length of stay was shorter in all other regions compared with the Northeast. Among patients surviving to discharge, disposition to a skilled nursing facility or home health care was most common in the Northeast, whereas home discharge was most common in the West. Average hospital costs were highest in the West. In conclusion, we observed significant regional differences in TAVI utilization, in-hospital mortality, and health-care resource use in the United States. The findings of our study may have important policy implications and should provide an impetus to understand the source of this regional variation.

Economic and clinical impact of routine weekend catheterization services.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the impact of weekend cardiac catheterization (cath) services for nonemergent inpatients. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study of patients undergoing cath before and after Saturday cath service availability (CSA). METHODS: Cohorts included Friday and Saturday admissions with cath (with or without revascularization) on the subsequent Monday from January 1, 2007, to December 31, 2008 (pre-CSA events), and Friday or Saturday admissions undergoing cath the subsequent or same Saturday from January 1, 2009, to December 31, 2010 (post-CSA events). Administrative and registry data provided demographics, comorbidities, percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) details, adverse events, hospital length of stay (LOS), and inpatient expenditures. We used generalized linear modeling to predict LOS and costs, and logistic regression to estimate the likelihood of adverse events during follow-up. RESULTS: We identified 331 pre-CSA cases (327 patients) and 244 post-CSA cases (243 patients). Cohorts were similar in age (66 years), sex (59% male), and level of comorbidity. PCI use was higher following CSA (42% vs 26%; P <.001), with procedural success accomplished in 95% and 94% of pre- and post-CSA patients, respectively. Adjusted clinical outcomes were similar (odds ratio [OR] for in-hospital mortality, 0.67 post-CSA vs pre-CSA; P = .55; OR for 30-day revascularization, 1.14; P = .68). Models predict an average LOS reduction of 1.7 days following CSA (5.7 vs 4.0 days; P <.001) yet inpatient costs were similar ($24,817 vs $24,753; 95% CI of difference, -$3611 to $3576). CONCLUSIONS: Weekend CSA for routine inpatients was clinically safe and effective, and reduced hospital LOS. Similar inpatient costs likely reflect a shift in case mix in this nonrandomized study.

Influence of hospital volume on outcomes of percutaneous atrial septal defect and patent foramen ovale closure: a 10-years US perspective.

BACKGROUND: Contemporary data regarding percutaneous closure of atrial septal defect/patent foramen ovale (ASD/PFO) are lacking. We evaluated the current trends in utilization of ASD/PFO closure in adults and investigated the effect of annual hospital volume on in-hospital outcomes. METHODS: We queried the Nationwide Inpatient Sample between the years 2001 and 2010 using the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-9-CM) procedure code for percutaneous closure of ASD/PFO with device. Hierarchical mixed effects models were generated to identify the independent multivariate predictors of outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 7,107 percutaneous ASD/PFO closure procedures (weighted n = 34,992) were available for analysis. A 4.7-fold increase in the utilization of this procedure from 3/million in 2001 to 14/million adults in 2010 in US (P < 0.001) was noted. Overall, percutaneous ASD/PFO closure was associated with 0.5% mortality and 12% in-hospital complications. The utilization of intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) increased 15 fold (P < 0.001) during the study period. The procedures performed at the high volume hospitals [2nd (14-37 procedures/year) and 3rd (>38 procedures/year) tertile] were associated with significant reduction in complications, length of stay and cost of hospitalization when compared to those performed at lowest volume centers (<13 procedures/year). Majority (70.5%) of the studied hospitals were found to be performing <10 procedures/year hence deviating from the ACC/AHA/SCAI clinical competency guidelines. CONCLUSIONS: Low hospital volume is associated with an increased composite (mortality and procedural complications) adverse outcome following ASD/PFO closure. In the interest of patient safety, implementation of the current guidelines for minimum required annual hospital volume to improve clinical outcomes is warranted.

Balloon mitral valvuloplasty in the United States: a 13-year perspective.

BACKGROUND: Incidence and prevalence of mitral stenosis is declining in the US. We performed this study to determine recent trends in utilization, complications, mortality, length of stay, and cost associated with balloon mitral valvuloplasty. METHODS: Utilizing the nationwide inpatient sample database from 1998 to 2010, we identified patients using the International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification procedure code for "percutaneous valvuloplasty." Patients ≥18 years of age with mitral stenosis were included. Patients with concomitant aortic, tricuspid, or pulmonic stenosis were excluded. Primary outcome included death and procedural complications. RESULTS: A total of 1308 balloon mitral valvuloplasties (weighted n = 6540) were analyzed. There was a 7.5% decrease in utilization of the procedure from 24.6 procedures/10 million population in 1998-2001 to 22.7 procedures/10 million population in 2008-2010 (P for trend = .098). We observed a 15.9% overall procedural complication rate and 1.7% mortality rate. The procedural complication rates have increased in recent years (P = .001), corresponding to increasing age and burden of comorbidities in patients. The mean cost per admission for balloon mitral valvuloplasty has gone up significantly over the 10 years, from $11,668 ± 1046 in 2001 to $23,651 ± 301 in 2010 (P <.001). CONCLUSIONS: In a large cross-sectional study of balloon mitral valvuloplasty in the US, we have reported trends of decreasing overall utilization and increasing procedural complication rates and cost over a period of 13 years.

Assessment of individual operator performance using a risk-adjustment model for percutaneous coronary interventions.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the applicability of the Mayo Clinic Risk Score (MCRS) in the assessment of performance metrics of individual interventional cardiologists at 3 Mayo Clinic sites. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: We evaluated the risk-adjusted performance of 21 interventional cardiologists who performed 8187 percutaneous coronary intervention procedures at 3 Mayo Clinic sites from January 1, 2007, through December 31, 2010. Observed mortality, major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) (eg, death, Q-wave myocardial infarction, urgent or emergent coronary artery bypass graft, and stroke), and expected risk were estimated using the MCRS. To compare individual performance against the other operators, risk estimates were recalibrated by excluding the individual performer from logistic regression models. RESULTS: The log odds ratio for observed vs estimated risk was estimated for each interventional cardiologist, and their individual effects were then plotted on a normal probability plot to identify outliers. Observed in-hospital mortality was not different than expected (1.8% vs 1.6%; P=.24); however, the postprocedural MACE rate was lower than predicted (observed, 2.7%; expected, 3.8%; P<.001). All but one interventional cardiologist had MACE and death rates within the expected variation. Detailed assessment of that operator's risk performance produced excellent outcomes (observed vs expected MACE rate, 1.0% vs 4.4%). CONCLUSION: The MCRS can serve as a tool for the assessment of performance metrics for interventional cardiologists, and risk-adjusted outcomes may serve as a better surrogate for institutional quality metrics.

Factors associated with 30-day readmission rates after percutaneous coronary intervention.

BACKGROUND: Thirty-day readmission rates have become a publicly reported quality performance measure for congestive heart failure, acute myocardial infarction, and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). However, little is known regarding the factors associated with 30-day readmission after PCI. METHODS: To assess the demographic, clinical, and procedural factors associated with 30-day readmission rates after PCI, we identified 15, 498 PCI hospitalizations (elective or for acute coronary syndromes) from January 1998 through June 2008 at Saint Marys Hospital, Rochester, Minnesota. All were included in this analysis. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to estimate the adjusted association between demographic, clinical, and procedural variables and 30-day readmission. The association between 30-day readmission and 1-year mortality was estimated using Cox proportional hazards models with readmission as a time-dependent covariate and by using landmark analysis. The main outcome measures were all-cause 30-day readmission to any hospital following PCI and 1-year mortality. RESULTS: Overall, 9.4% of PCIs (n = 1459) were readmitted, and 0.68% of PCIs (n = 106) resulted in death within 30 days after discharge. After multivariate analysis, female sex, Medicare insurance, having less than a high school education, unstable angina, cerebrovascular accident or transient ischemic attack, moderate to severe renal disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, peptic ulcer disease, metastatic cancer, and a length of stay of more than 3 days were associated with an increased risk of 30-day readmission after PCI. Thirty-day readmission after PCI was associated with a higher risk of 1-year mortality (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.38; 95% CI, 1.08-1.75; P = .009). CONCLUSIONS: Nearly 1 in 10 patients undergoing PCI were readmitted within 30 days. Thirty-day readmission after PCI was associated with a higher risk of 1-year mortality.