Setareh-Shenas S, Thomas F, Cole RM, et al. - Using data from the Nationwide Readmissions Database 2014, researchers sought to address the characteristics and etiologies of 30-day readmissions after ventricular assist device (VAD) implant. They identified 1,481 patients who received VAD during the primary admission; of these, survival to hospital discharge was reported for 1,315 patients (mortality rate 11.2%), and discharge to a nursing facility was reported for 60.6%. Readmission within 30 days of primary hospitalization was reported for 131 (10.0%) patients. Bleeding (24%), heart failure (18%), and device complications (14%) were the leading etiologies of 30-day readmission. By identifying these etiologies, potential modification in practices could be considered to prevent hospital readmissions, that may in turn decrease cost of care, and improve the quality of life of patients.