Outcomes and mortality in parturient and non-parturient patients with peripartum cardiomyopathy: A national readmission database study.

BACKGROUND

Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) affects young females and mortality occurs after the peripartum period. Hospital readmissions for patients discharged with PPCM are poorly understood. The aim of this study was to evaluate differences in readmission rates, risk factors, and mortality in women with PPCM.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cohort analysis using the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project 2013 National Readmissions Database. From the database, we selected patients with PPCM to include patients discharged between January and November 2013. Readmission rate, mortality rate and risk factors were analyzed. In our cohort of 3800 patients, we found a readmission rate of 15.1% and a mortality rate of 1.6%. Comorbidities associated with readmission were pulmonary hypertension, obesity, renal failure, and drug abuse. Mortality on initial admission was associated with coagulation disorders and respiratory failure. Women who delivered on initial admission had a statistically lower rate of readmission than women who did not deliver on initial admission.

CONCLUSIONS

In a large retrospective nationwide analysis of PPCM patients, we found associated conditions that may help predict which patients will have a higher risk for readmission and mortality.