Palliative care referral in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction complicated with cardiogenic shock in the United States.

BACKGROUND

ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction complicated with cardiogenic shock (STEMI-CS) is associated with high mortality but the trends of utilization and predictors of palliative care (PC) referral in this population have not been well described.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the utilization trends and predictors of PC referral in STEMI-CS.

METHODS

Nationwide inpatient sample from 2005-2014 was queried to identify patients with STEMI-CS of age ≥18. PC referral was identified International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Edition Clinical Modification, V66.7.

RESULTS

A total of 33,294 admissions were identified and 1,878 (5.6%) had PC encounter. PC referral group were older and had higher comorbidities. PC consultation increased approximately 10 times over the study period in those who died (from 2.3% to 27.4%) and in those who survived (from 0.21% to 2.83%). In multivariable analysis, age, higher Exlixhauser score, no revascularization, teaching hospital, large bed hospital, mechanical circulatory support use, and lower income status were associated with increased PC referral whereas coronary artery bypass graft was associated with lower PC referral rates. Patients under PC group were more often discharged to an extended care facility and less likely discharged home.

CONCLUSION

PC utilization increased substantially during the 10-years study period in the United States in STEMI-CS. Several baseline, procedural, hospital, and socioeconomic factors were associated with PC referral in the setting STEMI-CS.