Rural vs Urban LVAD Recipients: Postoperative Complications
Author Information
Author(s): Samrat Gollapudi, Abhiram Gollapudi, Sri Banala, Sheraj Singh, Kiran Tadi
Primary Institution: Rowan School of Osteopathic Medicine
Hypothesis
Is there an association between living in a rural area and the incidence of postoperative complications or hospital readmissions following LVAD implantation, compared to urban LVAD recipients?
Conclusion
Rural residency may be associated with an increased risk of certain postoperative complications and hospital readmissions following LVAD implantation.
Supporting Evidence
- Rural LVAD recipients may be at a higher risk for complications like gastrointestinal bleeding and stroke.
- Rural patients had higher rates of emergency department visits and hospital readmissions.
- Survival rates at 1 year were similar between rural and urban recipients.
Takeaway
People who live in the countryside and get a heart pump might have more problems after surgery than those who live in the city.
Methodology
A comprehensive literature review examined studies comparing postoperative outcomes between rural and urban LVAD recipients.
Potential Biases
Potential biases from retrospective studies and differences in healthcare access between rural and urban populations.
Limitations
The review relies on observational studies, which may include biases and heterogeneity in LVAD populations.
Participant Demographics
141 patients, with 52 classified as rural and 89 as urban.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p=0.04
Confidence Interval
95% CI, 0.17–1.23
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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