Association between hospital-acquired functional decline and 2-year readmission or mortality after cardiac surgery in older patients: a multicenter, prospective cohort study

Background Hospital-acquired functional decline (HAFD) is a new predictor of poor prognosis in hospitalized older patients. Aims We aimed to assess the impact of HAFD on the prognosis of older cardiac surgical patients 2 years after discharge. Methods This multicenter prospective cohort study assessed 293 patients with cardiac disease aged ≥ 65 years who underwent cardiac surgery at 7 Japanese hospitals between June 2017 and June 2018. The primary endpoint was the composite outcome of cardiovascular-related readmission and all-cause mortality 2 years after discharge. HAFD was assessed using the total Short Physical Performance Battery at hospital discharge. Results The primary outcome was observed in 17.3% of the 254 included patients, and HAFD was significantly associated with the primary outcome. Female sex (hazard ratio [HR], 2.451; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.232–4.878; P = 0.011), hemoglobin level (HR, 0.839; 95% CI 0.705–0.997; P = 0.046), preoperative frailty (HR, 2.391; 95% CI 1.029–5.556; P = 0.043), and HAFD (HR, 2.589; 95% CI 1.122–5.976; P = 0.026) were independently associated with the primary outcome. The incidence rate of HAFD was 22%, with female sex (odds ratio [OR], 1.912; 95% CI 1.049–3.485; P = 0.034), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (OR, 3.958; 95% CI 1.413–11.086; P = 0.009), and the time interval (days) between surgery and the start of ambulation (OR, 1.260, 95% CI 1.057–1.502; P = 0.010) identified as significant factors. Discussion HAFD was found to be an independent prognostic determinant of the primary outcome 2 years after discharge. Conclusion HAFD prevention should be prioritized in the hospital care of older cardiac surgery patients.