Under pressure: symptomatic pulmonary hypertension is a predictor of poor outcome following hip fracture.

INTRODUCTION

Pulmonary hypertension (PHTN) is associated with increased morbidity and mortality in noncardiac surgery and elective surgery. This population of patients has a low physiological reserve and is prone to cardiac arrest as a result. This study aims to identify the impact that PHTN has on outcomes among geriatric hip fracture patients.

METHODS

A 3:1 propensity-score-matched retrospective case (PHTN)-control (no PHTN [N]) study of hip fracture patients from 2014 to 2022 was performed. Patients were matched utilizing propensity score matching of a validated geriatric trauma risk assessment tool (STTGMA). All patients were reviewed for hospital quality measures and outcomes. Comparative univariable and multivariable analyses were conducted between the two matched cohorts. A sub-analysis compared patients across PHTN severity levels (mild, moderate, severe) based on pulmonary artery systolic pressures (PASP) as measured by transthoracic echocardiogram.

RESULTS

PHTN patients (n = 67) experienced a higher rate of inpatient, 30-day, and 1-year mortality, major complications, and 90-day readmissions as compared to the N cohort (n = 201). PHTN patients with a PASP > 60 experienced a significantly higher rate of major complications, need for ICU, longer admission length, and worse 1-year functional outcomes. Pulmonary hypertension was found to be independently associated with a 3.5 × higher rate of 30-day mortality (p = 0.016), 2.7 × higher rate of 1-year mortality (p = 0.008), 2.5 × higher rate of a major inpatient complication (p = 0.028), and 1.2 × higher rate of 90-day readmission (p = 0.044).

CONCLUSION

Patients who had a prior diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension before sustaining their hip fracture experienced significantly worse inpatient and post-discharge outcomes. Those with a PASP > 60 mmHg had worse outcomes within the PHTN cohort. Providers must recognize these at-risk patients at the time of arrival to adjust care planning accordingly.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.