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.