Higher risk of in-hospital mortality and hepatic encephalopathy during weekend admission in Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt procedure

Objectives

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) is a procedure used to alleviate portal hypertension in patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis. The weekend effect refers to a higher risk of adverse outcomes associated with procedures performed on weekends compared to weekdays. The goal of this study is to determine whether a weekend effect is evident in TIPS procedures.

Materials and Method

The study identified patients who underwent TIPS procedures in the NIS database from 2015 to 2020. Patients who were admitted on the weekday or weekends were classified into two cohorts. Preoperative variables, including demographics, comorbidities, primary payer status, and hospital characteristics, were noted. Multivariable analysis was used to assess outcomes.

Results

Compared to patients admitted on the weekdays, weekend patients had higher in-hospital mortality (12.87 % vs. 7.96 %, aOR = 1.62, 95 CI 1.32–1.00, p < 0.01), hepatic encephalopathy (33.24 % vs. 26.18 %, aOR = 1.41, 95 CI 1.23–1.63, p < 0.01), acute kidney injury (39.03 % vs. 28.36 %, aOR = 1.68, 95 CI 1.46–1.93, p < 0.01), and transfer out (15.91 % vs. 12.76 %, aOR=1.33, 95 CI 1.11–1.60, p < 0.01). It was also found that weekend patients had longer wait from admission to operation (3.83 ± 0.15 days vs 2.82 ± 0.07 days, p < 0.01), longer LOS (11.22 ± 0.33 days vs 8.38 ± 0.15 days, p < 0.01), and higher total hospital charge (219,973 ± 7,352 dollars vs 172,663 ± 3,183 dollars, p < 0.01).

Conclusion

Our research unveiled a significant relationship between weekend admission and a higher risk of mortality and morbidity post-TIPS procedure. Eliminating delays in treatment associated with the weekend effect may mitigate this gap to deliver consistent and high-quality care to all patients.