Clinical outcomes in patients with chronic congestive heart failure who undergo left ventricular assist device implantation.
OBJECTIVE
The use of left ventricular assist devices as a bridge to transplantation for patients with chronic congestive heart failure is well accepted. However, few studies have examined outcomes solely for these patients. This study details one center's left ventricular assist device experience with this population.


METHODS
Two hundred one patients received HeartMate left ventricular assist devices (Thoratec Corp, Pleasanton, Calif) from January 1, 1996, to April 30, 2004. Of these, 119 (59.2%) had chronic congestive heart failure (diagnosis >6 months) as the primary indication. Outcome parameters included early mortality after left ventricular assist device placement (<30 days), bridge-to-transplantation rate, and posttransplantation survival. Variables examined included patient demographic data; preoperative pacemaker, internal defibrillator, and balloon pump use; and preoperative laboratory values.


RESULTS
Advanced age, female sex, and diabetes were independent predictors of early death (P = .048, odds ratio 1.879 per 10 years of age, 95% confidence interval 1.005-3.515; P = .002, odds ratio 10.029, 95% confidence interval 2.256-44.583; P = .040, odds ratio 3.974, 95% confidence interval 1.063-14.861). Advanced age, female sex, and low preoperative albumin were independent predictors of poor bridge-to-transplantation rate (P = .029, odds ratio 0.135 per 10 years of age, 95% confidence interval 0.022-0.819; P = .002, odds ratio 0.013, 95% confidence interval 0.001-0.197; P = .023, odds ratio 19.178 per 1 g/dL albumin, 95% confidence interval 1.504-244.598). There were no independent predictors of poor posttransplantation survival and prolonged intensive care unit stay. Overall bridge-to-transplantation rate was 81.5%. The 1-, 3-, 5-, and 7-year posttransplantation survivals were 88.4%, 84.5%, 78.4%, and 76.0%.


CONCLUSIONS
Among patients with chronic congestive heart failure, advanced age, female sex, diabetes, and low preoperative albumin predict poor clinical course. Careful risk stratification and comprehensive evaluation by care providers should be performed for candidates who are female, are elderly, and have diabetes, and preoperative nutritional optimization should be encouraged to enhance patient outcomes.
Dang
Nicholas C
NC
Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY 10032 , USA. yn33@columbia.edu
Topkara
Veli K
VK
Kim
Brian T
BT
Mercando
Michelle L
ML
Kay
Joy
J
Naka
Yoshifumi
Y
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000601:surgery*; D006353:Heart-Assist Devices / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome