Introduction

About 7% of patients admitted in Intensive Care Units (ICUs) due to acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in Spain, are readmitted again later.

Objectives

Identify the possible causes and predisposing factors for returning to ICU because of ACS.

Methodology

Retrospective, descriptive, comparative and longitudinal study of patients admitted for ACS in the ICU between January 2008 and December 2013.Demographic variables, number of admissions, admission risk factors (dyslipidemia, hypertension and diabetes) and non heart-healthy life habits (sedentary / obesity, smoking, alcoholism) of patients who come back were collected and were compared with control group (not readmitted patients). Pearson’s Chi 2 test and statistical significance were performed.

Results

2.506 patients were admitted by ACS. Readmissions were 140 (5,58%) after 12,93±16,41 months from their first admission. The ICU’s reentering patients stayed4.97± 3.3 days (4.03±1.8 control group) in their first admission. A table is attached with risk factors’ incidence and non heart-healthy life habits of both groups. Smoking and alcoholism habits are related with readmissions (χ²=5.67; p<0.01)

Conclusions

The patients who are readmitted stay more days in ICU in their first admission, have less control about risk factors and less quitting index of nocive habits than control group. It seems to exist an adherence therapeutic problem in the sample studied.

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