Limitations
Studies based on an administrative database, such as the NRD, have inherent limitations. Firstly, there is a risk of error secondary to variations in coding practices. Additionally, data solely related to 30-day readmissions after an index hospitalization is the available information pertaining to the longitudinal follow-up of patients, information related to race and ethnicity, and individual operator and procedure level are not available in the NRD. Lastly, the NRD does not include out-of-hospital deaths or emergency room mortality. Other factors that can affect a patient’s prognosis, like drugs are not included in the database as well. The large sample size included in our study can partially offset some of these limitations, and the real-world clinical experience can add to the currently existing literature.