Hospital resource use following carotid endarterectomy in 2006: analysis of the nationwide inpatient sample

Predictors of prolonged length of stay after elective carotid revascularization

OBJECTIVE

Postoperative day-one discharge is used as a quality-of-care indicator after carotid revascularization. This study identifies predictors of prolonged length of stay (pLOS), defined as a postprocedural LOS of >1 day, after elective carotid revascularization.

METHODS

Patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy (CEA), transcarotid artery revascularization (TCAR), and transfemoral carotid artery stenting (TFCAS) in the Vascular Quality Initiative between 2016 and 2022 were included in this analysis. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify predictors of pLOS, defined as a postprocedural LOS of >1 day, after each procedure.

RESULTS

A total of 118,625 elective cases were included. pLOS was observed in nearly 23.2% of patients undergoing carotid revascularization. Major adverse events, including neurological, cardiac, infectious, and bleeding complications, occurred in 5.2% of patients and were the most significant contributor to pLOS after the three procedures. Age, female sex, non-White race, insurance status, high comorbidity index, prior ipsilateral CEA, non-ambulatory status, symptomatic presentation, surgeries occurring on Friday, and postoperative hypo- or hypertension were significantly associated with pLOS across all three procedures. For CEA, additional predictors included contralateral carotid artery occlusion, preoperative use of dual antiplatelets and anticoagulation, low physician volume (<11 cases/year), and drain use. For TCAR, preoperative anticoagulation use, low physician case volume (<6 cases/year), no protamine use, and post-stent dilatation intraoperatively were associated with pLOS. One-year analysis showed a significant association between pLOS and increased mortality for all three procedures; CEA (hazard ratio [HR],1.64; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.49-1.82), TCAR (HR,1.56; 95% CI, 1.35-1.80), and TFCAS (HR, 1.33; 95%CI, 1.08-1.64) (all P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

A postoperative LOS of more than 1 day is not uncommon after carotid revascularization. Procedure-related complications are the most common drivers of pLOS. Identifying patients who are risk for pLOS highlights quality improvement strategies that can optimize short and 1-year outcomes of patients undergoing carotid revascularization.

Assessment of Determinants of Value in Carotid Endarterectomy

OBJECTIVE

Over 150,000 carotid endarterectomies (CEA) are performed annually worldwide, accounting for $900 million in the US alone. How cost/spending and quality are related is not well understood but remains an essential component in maximizing value. We sought to identify determinants of variability in hospital 90-day episode value for CEA.

METHODS

Medicare and private-payer admissions for CEA from January 2^nd, 2014 to August 28^th, 2020 were linked to retrospective clinical registry data for hospitals in Michigan performing vascular surgery. Hospital-specific risk-adjusted 30-day composite complications (defined as reoperation, new neurologic deficit, myocardial infarction, additional procedure including CEA or carotid artery stenting, readmission, or mortality) and 30-day risk-adjusted, price standardized total episode payments were used to categorize hospitals into low or high value by defining the intersection between complications and spending.

RESULTS

A total of 6595 patients across 39 hospitals were identified across both datasets. Patients at low-value hospitals had a higher rate of 30-day composite complications (17.9% vs 10.1%, p<0.001) driven by a significantly higher rate of reoperation (3.0% vs 1.4%, p=0.016), readmission (10.7% vs 6.2%, p=0.012), new neurologic deficit (4.6% vs 2.3%, p=0.017), and mortality (1.6% vs 0.6%, p<0.049). Mean total episode payments were $19,635 at low-value hospitals compared to $15,709 at high-value hospitals driven by index hospitalization ($10,800 vs $9587, p= 0.002), professional ($3421 vs $2827, p < 0.001), readmission ($3011 vs $1826, p < 0.001) and post-acute care payments ($2335 vs $1486, p < 0.001). Findings were similar when only including patients who did not suffer a complication.

CONCLUSIONS

There is tremendous variation in both quality and payments across hospitals included for CEA. Importantly, costs were higher at low-value hospitals independent of post-operative complication. There appears to be little to no relationship between total episode spending and surgical quality, suggesting that improvements in value may be possible by decreasing total episode cost without affecting surgical outcomes.

Modifiable Factors Leading to Increased Length of Stay after Carotid Endarterectomy

BACKGROUND

Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) is a commonly performed vascular operation. Yet, postoperative length of stay (LOS) varies greatly even within institutions. In this study, the morbidity and mortality, as well as financial impact of increased LOS were reviewed to establish modifiable factors associated with prolonged hospital stay.

METHODS

The Society for Vascular Surgery Vascular Quality Initiative database was used to identify all patients undergoing primary CEA at a single institution between June 1, 2011 and November 28, 2014. Preoperative patient characteristics, intraoperative details, postoperative factors, long-term outcomes, and cost data were reviewed using an Institutional Review Board-approved prospectively collected database. Multivariate analysis was used to determine statistical difference between patients with LOS ≤1 day and >1 day.

RESULTS

Complete 30-day variable and cost data were available for 219 patients with an average follow-up of 12 months. Seventy-nine (36%) patients had an LOS > 1 day. Variables determined to be statistically significant predictors of prolonged LOS included preoperative creatinine (P = 0.02) and severe congestive heart failure (P = 0.05) with self-pay status (P = 0.02) and preoperative beta-blocker therapy (P = 0.04) being protective. Shunt placement (P = 0.04), arterial re-exploration, and postoperative cardiac (P = 0.001) or neurological (P = 0.03) complications also resulted in prolonged hospitalization. Specific modifiable risk factors that contributed to increased LOS included operative start time after noon (P = 0.04), drain placement (P = 0.05), prolonged operative time (101 vs. 125 min, P = 0.01), return to the operating room (P = 0.01), and postoperative hypertension (P = 0.02) or hypotension (P = 0.04). Of note, there was no difference in LOS associated with technique (conventional versus eversion), patch use (P = 0.49), protamine administration (P = 0.60), electroencephalogram monitoring (P = 0.45), measurement of stump pressure (P = 0.63), Doppler (P = 0.36), or duplex (P = 0.92). Both hospital charges (P = 0.0001) and costs (P = 0.0001) were found to be significantly higher in patients with prolonged LOS, with no difference in physician charges (P = 0.10). Increased LOS after CEA was associated with an increase in 12-month mortality (P = 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Increased LOS was associated with increased hospital charges, costs, as well as significant morbidity and midterm mortality following CEA. Furthermore, this study highlights several modifiable risk factors leading to increased LOS. Identified factors associated with increase LOS can serve as targets for improving care in vascular surgery.

64-detector CT angiography within 24 hours after carotid endarterectomy and correlation with postoperative stroke

OBJECT

Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) carries a small but not insignificant risk of stroke/transient ischemic attack (TIA), most frequently observed within 24 hours of surgery, which can lead to the need for urgent vascular imaging in the immediate postoperative period. However, distinguishing expected versus pathological postoperative changes may not be straightforward on imaging studies of the carotid artery early after CEA. The authors aimed to describe routine versus pathological anatomical findings on CTA performed within 24 hours of CEA, and to evaluate associations between these CTA findings and postoperative stroke/TIA.

METHODS

The authors reviewed 113 consecutive adult patients who underwent postoperative CTA within 24 hours of CEA at a single academic institution. Presence and location of arterial "flaps," luminal "step-off," intraluminal thrombus and hematoma were documented from postoperative CTA scans. Medical records were reviewed to determine the incidence of new postoperative neurological findings.

RESULTS

Postoperative CTA findings included common carotid artery (CCA) step-off (63.7%), one or more intraarterial flaps (27.4%), hematoma at the surgical site (15.9%), and new intraluminal thrombus (7.1%). Flaps were seen in the external carotid artery (ECA), internal carotid artery (ICA), and CCA in 18.6%, 9.7%, and 6.2% of patients, respectively. New postoperative neurological findings were present in 7.1% of patients undergoing CTA. Flaps (especially ICA/CCA) and/or intraluminal thrombi were more frequently seen in patients undergoing CTA for new postoperative stroke/TIA (85.7%) versus patients undergoing CTA for routine postoperative imaging (14.3%, p = 0.002).

CONCLUSIONS

CTA within 24 hours of CEA demonstrates characteristic anatomical findings. CCA step-offs and ECA flaps are relatively common and clinically insignificant, whereas ICA/CCA flaps and thrombi are less frequently seen and are associated with postoperative stroke/TIA.

Discharge on the first postoperative day after elective carotid endarterectomy

BACKGROUND

Medical complications may prolong the hospital stay after elective carotid endarterectomy (CEA). We prospectively assessed the social and medical feasibility and safety of patient discharge on the first postoperative day after elective CEA and unplanned readmissions.

METHODS

Between June 2011 and January 2012, 57 consecutive patients scheduled for elective CEA were enrolled with the aim of discharge on the first postoperative day if there were no medical contraindications and on the condition that the patient should not be left alone during the first day and night at home. CEA was carried out under local or general anesthesia. After discharge, the patients were contacted to ascertain the occurrence of arterial hypertension, cerebral hyperperfusion, focal cerebral ischemia, or hospital readmission.

RESULTS

Sixty-two CEA were carried out in 57 patients (33 men and 24 women ranging in age from 51-89 years). The indications for CEA were: asymptomatic high grade stenosis in 27, hemispheric transient ischemic attack in 12, amaurosis fugax in 6, recovered stroke in 16, and nonlateralizing signs in 1. There were no cases of perioperative stroke or death. Discharge on the first postoperative day was achieved in 45 cases (73%). In 15 cases (24%), discharge was on the second postoperative day because of the absence of a relative (12 cases) or for medical reasons (3 cases). Discharge was on day 3 in 1 case, and on day 10 in another, both for medical reasons. No cases of severe arterial hypertension, stroke, mortality, or readmission for reasons related to the CEA procedure were recorded up to postoperative day 30.

CONCLUSION

In this study, the majority of patients undergoing elective CEA were discharged safely on the first postoperative day. Social reasons, rather than medical reasons, underlied most cases of later discharge. There were no unplanned readmissions for complications of CEA.

Epidemiological and economic trends in inpatient and outpatient thyroidectomy in the United States, 1996-2006

BACKGROUND

Traditionally, thyroid surgery has been an inpatient procedure due to the risk of several well-documented complications. Recent research suggests that for selected patients, outpatient thyroid surgery is safe and feasible, with the additional potential benefit of cost savings. In recognition of these observations, we hypothesized that there would be an increase in U.S. outpatient thyroidectomies with a concurrent decline in inpatient thyroidectomies over time.

METHODS

Comparative cross-sectional analyses of the National Survey of Ambulatory Surgery (NSAS) and Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) databases from 1996 and 2006 were performed. All cases of thyroid surgery were extracted, as well as data on age, sex, and insurance status. Diagnoses and surgical cases were identified using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) diagnostic and treatment codes. Hospital charges were acquired from the NIS 1996 and 2006 and NSAS 2006 releases, using imputed data where necessary. After survey weights were applied, patient characteristics, diagnoses, and procedures were compared for inpatient versus outpatient procedures.

RESULTS

The total number of thyroidectomies increased 39%, from 66,864 to 92,931 cases per year during the study timeframe. Outpatient procedures increased by 61%, while inpatient procedures increased by 30%. The proportion of privately insured inpatients declined slightly from 63.8% to 60.1%, while those covered by Medicare increased from 22.8% to 25.8%. In contrast, the proportion of privately insured outpatients declined sharply from 76.8% to 39.9%, while those covered by Medicare rose from 17.2% to 45.7%. These trends coincided with a small increase in the mean inpatient age from 50.2 to 52.3 years and a larger increase in the mean outpatient age from 50.7 to 58.1 years. Inflation-adjusted per-capita charges for inpatient thyroidectomies more than doubled from $9,934 in 1996 to $22,537 in 2006, while aggregate national inpatient charges tripled from $464 million to $1.37 billion. By comparison, per-capita charges for outpatient thyroidectomy totaled $7,222 in 2006.

CONCLUSIONS

From 1996 to 2006, there has been a concurrent modest increase in inpatient and pronounced increase in outpatient thyroidectomies in the United States, with a consequential demographic shift and economic impact.

Carotid endarterectomy plus medical therapy or medical therapy alone for carotid artery stenosis in symptomatic or asymptomatic patients: a meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to compare carotid endarterectomy (CEA) plus medical therapy (MT) with MT alone for symptomatic and asymptomatic patients suffering from carotid artery stenosis in terms of long-term stroke/death rate.

DESIGN

A meta-analysis of parallel randomized, controlled trials (RCTs) (blind or open) published in English.

SETTING

A university-based electronic search.

PARTICIPANTS

Patients suffering from carotid artery stenosis symptomatic or not.

INTERVENTIONS

Patients were subjected to CEA plus MT or MT alone.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

For asymptomatic patients, 6 RCTs comprising 5,733 patients (CEA = 2,853 and MT = 2,880) were included. CEA did not affect the stroke/death risk for asymptomatic patients (risk ratio [RR] = 0.93; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.84 to 1.02; I(2) = 0%; p = 0.14). For symptomatic patients, 2 RCTs were included. They had 5,627 patients (CEA = 3,069 and MT = 2,558) of whom 2,295 patients (CEA = 1,213; MT = 1,082) had severe stenosis (North American Symptomatic Carotid Endarterectomy Trial [NASCET] technique ≥50% and European Carotid Surgery Trial technique ≥70%). CEA decreased the stroke/death risk only for patients with severe stenosis (RR = 0.69; 95% CI, 0.59-0.81; p < 0.001 [random effects model]; I(2) = 0% on the odds ratio and 17% on the RR [benefit or harm side]; number needed to treat = 11 [95% CI, 8-17]).

CONCLUSIONS

CEA is helpful for recently symptomatic patients with carotid artery stenosis ≥50% (NASCET technique) but adds no benefit in terms of stroke/death for asymptomatic patients.