Sex differences in 30-day readmission rates, etiology, and predictors after transcatheter aortic valve replacement

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to analyze sex-specific readmission rates, etiology, and predictors of readmission after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Readmissions after TAVR are common, contributing to increased health care utilization and costs. Many factors have been discovered as predictors of readmission; however, sex-specific disparities in readmission rates are limited. METHODS: Between January 2012 and September 2015, adult patients after TAVR were identified using appropriate international classifications of diseases, ninth revision, clinical modification from the National Readmission Database. Incidence of unplanned 30-days readmission rate was the primary outcome of this study. In addition, this study includes sex-specific etiology and predictors of readmissions. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to analyze adjusted readmission rates. Hierarchical 2-level logistic models were used to evaluate predictors of readmission. RESULTS: Readmission rate at 30 days was 17.3%, with slightly higher readmission rates in women (OR 1.09; CI: 1.01–1.19, p < 0.001) after multivariate adjusted analysis. Noncardiac causes were responsible for most readmissions in both genders. Etiologies for readmissions such as arrhythmias, pulmonary complications, and infections were slightly higher in women, whereas heart failure and bleeding complications were higher in men. History of heart failure, atrial fibrillation, prior pacemaker, and renal failure significantly strongly predicted readmissions in both genders. CONCLUSION: Women undergoing TAVR have slightly higher 30-day all-cause readmission rates. These results indicate that women require more attention compared to men to prevent 30-day readmission. In addition, risk stratification for men and women based on predictors will help identify high-risk men and women for readmissions.