The Particulars: Research indicates that congestive heart failure (CHF) is associated with high rates of readmissions. Although diastolic dysfunction has been shown to correlate well with NYHA class and exercise tolerance, it remains unclear whether it is associated with higher 30-day readmission.
Data Breakdown: For a study, nearly 2,000 patients with CHF were divided into those with 30-day CHF readmissions or those with no readmissions. Readmitted patients were more likely than non-readmitted patients to have diabetes, higher pro-brain natriuretic peptide and lower albumin ejection fraction levels. They were also more likely to have larger left atrial dimension, higher right ventricular systolic pressure, and higher early filling to early diastolic mitral annular velocity ratio (E/e’). the authors noted, however, that E/e’ was the only factor associated with higher 30-day CHF readmission independently of ejection fraction after logistic regression analysis.
Take Home Pearl: High E/e’ appears to be independently associated with higher 30-day CHF readmission rates.
