Abstract 17982: Patterns of 30-Day Readmissions Following Acute Myocardial Infarction in the United States: Analysis of the Nationwide Readmission Database

Background: Readmissions following an acute myocardial infarction (AMI) are common among Medicare beneficiaries (≥65 years), and associated with significant costs to the health care system. However, little is known regarding patterns of AMI readmissions in younger age groups in the US. Methods: In the 2013 Nationwide Readmission Database (NRD), a nationally representative all-payor database of inpatient hospitalizations, we identified adults (≥18 years) discharged alive after an AMI [ICD-9 codes 410. xx] between Jan 1, 2013 - Nov 30, 2013. We used multivariable hierarchical regression models for survey data to identify predictors of 30-day readmission. We also examined how readmission rates varied across key demographic subgroups based on age, gender and income. Results: We identified 478,247 index AMI hospitalizations (mean age 66.9 years, 38% women, 29% low income), with 26516 cases in the 18-44 age group (6% of AMI; 28% women), 183,703 in 45-64 age group (38% of AMI; 29% women), and 268,027 in ≥65 age ...