Severe renal dysfunction complicating cardiogenic shock is not a contraindication to mechanical support as a bridge to cardiac transplantation.
OBJECTIVE
This study investigated outcomes in patients with cardiogenic shock and severe renal dysfunction treated with ventricular assist devices (VAD) as a bridge to cardiac transplantation.


BACKGROUND
Previous reports have documented poor survival in patients with cardiogenic shock and severe renal dysfunction treated with VAD.


METHODS
We surveyed 215 consecutive patients who received a VAD from 1992 to 2000 and selected patients who had a serum creatinine > or =3.0 mg/dl at the time of VAD placement. Demographic, laboratory, and clinical outcome data were collected.


RESULTS
Eighteen patients met the inclusion criteria. Mean serum creatinine at the time of VAD placement was 4.0 +/- 0.7 mg/dl (range 3.0 to 5.2 mg/dl). Seven patients required temporary renal support with continuous venovenous hemodialysis (CVVHD). Eleven patients underwent cardiac transplantation. At six months post-transplantation, mean serum creatinine was 2.0 +/- 0.6 mg/dl (range 1.3 to 3.5 mg/dl). None of the transplanted patients required subsequent renal support. Seven patients died with a VAD before transplantation. Three died early (<1 month) after VAD placement, and all three required CVVHD until death. Four patients survived for >1 month after VAD placement; all four had resolution of renal dysfunction with mean serum creatinine of 1.9 +/- 1.2 mg/dl (range 0.8 to 3.6 mg/dl) without the need for renal support. Overall 30-day and six-month survival after VAD placement, survival to transplantation, and survival one year post-transplantation were similar to patients without severe renal dysfunction.


CONCLUSIONS
Contemporary use of VAD leads to resolution of severe renal dysfunction in most cardiogenic shock patients and comparable long-term outcomes to patients without renal dysfunction.
Khot
Umesh N
UN
Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Kaufman Center for Heart Failure, The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio, USA. khot@cvresearch.net
Mishra
Micky
M
Yamani
M Hilal
MH
Smedira
Nicholas G
NG
Paganini
Emil
E
Yeager
Mike
M
Buda
Tiffany
T
McCarthy
Patrick M
PM
Young
James B
JB
Starling
Randall C
RC
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000075202:Contraindications; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D016027:Heart Transplantation; D006353:Heart-Assist Devices; D006801:Humans; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012770:Shock, Cardiogenic / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery*; D015996:Survival Rate; D013997:Time Factors
D003404:Creatinine