Randomized intervention and outpatient follow-up lowers 30-d readmissions for patients with hepatic encephalopathy, decompensated cirrhosis

BACKGROUND

We previously reported national 30-d readmission rates of 27% in patients with decompensated cirrhosis (DC).

AIM

To study prospective interventions to reduce early readmissions in DC at our tertiary center.

METHODS

Adults with DC admitted July 2019 to December 2020 were enrolled and randomized into the intervention (INT) or standard of care (SOC) arms. Weekly phone calls for a month were completed. In the INT arm, case managers ensured outpatient follow-up, paracentesis, and medication compliance. Thirty-day readmission rates and reasons were compared.

RESULTS

Calculated sample size was not achieved due to coronavirus disease 2019; 240 patients were randomized into INT and SOC arms. 30-d readmission rate was 33.75%, 35.83% in the INT vs 31.67% in the SOC arm (P = 0.59). The top reason for 30-d readmission was hepatic encephalopathy (HE, 32.10%). There was a lower rate of 30-d readmissions for HE in the INT (21%) vs SOC arm (45%, P = 0.03). There were fewer 30-d readmissions in patients who attended early outpatient follow-up (n = 17, 23.61% vs n = 55, 76.39%, P = 0.04).

CONCLUSION

Our 30-d readmission rate was higher than the national rate but reduced by interventions in patients with DC with HE and early outpatient follow-up. Development of interventions to reduce early readmission in patients with DC is needed.

Esophageal Dysfunction in Post-lung Transplant: An Enigma

The prevalence of lung transplants has increased over the years, albeit with a low survival rate amongst all solid organ transplants, including liver and heart transplantation. Microaspiration is one of the primary mechanisms that has been implicated in the pathogenesis of lung injury following lung transplants. Of late, esophageal dysfunction such as gastroesophageal reflux and esophageal hypercontractility is often noted post-lung transplant. However, reflux is associated with chronic allograft lung injury such as bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome, which is one of the predictors for long-term survival in this specialized population. Its role in acute lung injury post-lung transplant is still being explored. This review critically examines the salient points which provide the current understanding of the characteristics, pathophysiology, and implications of esophageal dysfunction following lung transplant.