Project description:BackgroundThe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic continues to afflict millions of people worldwide. Patients with end-stage heart failure and left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) may be at risk for severe COVID-19 given a high prevalence of complex comorbidities and functional impaired immunity. The objective of this study is to describe the clinical characteristics and outcomes of COVID-19 in patients with end-stage heart failure and durable LVADs.MethodsThe Trans-CoV-VAD registry is a multi-center registry of LVAD and cardiac transplant patients in the United States with confirmed COVID-19. Patient characteristics, exposure history, presentation, laboratory data, course, and clinical outcomes were collected by participating institutions and reviewed by a central data repository. This report represents the participation of the first 9 centers to report LVAD data into the registry.ResultsA total of 40 patients were included in this cohort. The median age was 56 years (interquartile range, 46-68), 14 (35%) were women, and 21 (52%) were Black. Among the most common presenting symptoms were cough (41%), fever, and fatigue (both 38%). A total of 18% were asymptomatic at diagnosis. Only 43% of the patients reported either subjective or measured fever during the entire course of illness. Over half (60%) required hospitalization, and 8 patients (20%) died, often after lengthy hospitalizations.ConclusionsWe present the largest case series of LVAD patients with COVID-19 to date. Understanding these characteristics is essential in an effort to improve the outcome of this complex patient population.
Project description:INTRODUCTION:Left ventricular assist device (LVAD) exchange has been historically associated with a significant risk of morbidity and mortality. It is unknown, however, whether these outcomes have improved. We aimed to compare clinical outcomes following LVAD exchange to those following initial LVAD implant in a contemporary patient cohort. METHODS:A total of 115 LVAD patients were enrolled between 2014 and 2017 and followed for 1 year. Of these, 15 patients (54.5?±?13.3 years old, 87% male) underwent LVAD exchange at 277 (IQR 191-597) days following LVAD implantation and 100 patients (57.5?±?12.3 years old, 76% male) did not undergo an LVAD exchange (non-exchange group). RESULTS:One-year survival rate following LVAD exchange tended to be higher than the non-exchange patients (93% vs 76%, P = .15). Readmission rates for each comorbidity did not significantly differ between the two groups (P?>?.05 for all) except for the higher rate of pump thrombosis in the LVAD exchange group (P?<?.05). DISCUSSION:LVAD exchange cohorts seem to have comparable clinical outcome with the non-exchange cohorts. CONCLUSION:LVAD exchange might be an increasingly appropriate therapeutic option for the management of pump thrombosis, although careful monitoring for recurrent pump thrombosis is required.
Project description:BackgroundVentricular arrhythmias (VAs) are observed in 25%-50% of continuous-flow left ventricular assist device (CF-LVAD) recipients, but their role on mortality is debated.MethodsSixty-nine consecutive patients with a CF-LVAD were retrospectively analyzed. Study endpoints were death and occurrence of first episode of VAs post CF-LVAD implantation. Early VAs were defined as VAs in the first month after CF-LVAD implantation.ResultsDuring a median follow-up of 29.0 months, 19 patients (27.5%) died and 18 patients (26.1%) experienced VAs. Three patients experienced early VAs, and one of them died. Patients with cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT-D) showed a trend toward more VAs (p = 0.076), compared to patients without CRT-D; no significant difference in mortality was found between patients with and without CRT-D (p = 0.63). Patients with biventricular (BiV) pacing ≥98% experienced more frequently VAs (p = 0.046), with no difference in mortality (p = 0.56), compared to patients experiencing BiV pacing <98%. There was no difference in mortality among patients with or without VAs after CF-LVAD [5 patients (27.8%) vs. 14 patients (27.5%), p = 0.18)], and patients with or without previous history of VAs (p = 0.95). Also, there was no difference in mortality among patients with a different timing of implant of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD), before and after CF-LVAD (p = 0.11).ConclusionsVAs in CF-LVAD are a common clinical problem, but they do not impact mortality. Timing of ICD implantation does not have a significant impact on patients' survival. Patients with BiV pacing ≥98% experienced more frequently VAs.
Project description:Background Cardiogenic shock (CS) is a complex syndrome associated with high morbidity and mortality. In recent years, many US hospitals have formed multidisciplinary shock teams capable of rapid diagnosis and triage. Because of preexisting collaborative systems of care, hospitals with left ventricular assist device (LVAD) programs may also represent "centers of excellence" for CS care. However, the outcomes of patients with CS at LVAD centers have not been previously evaluated. Methods and Results Patients with CS were identified in the 2012 to 2014 National Inpatient Sample. Clinical characteristics, revascularization rates, and use of mechanical circulatory support were analyzed in LVAD versus non-LVAD centers. The association between hospital type and in-hospital mortality was examined using multivariable logistic regression models. Of 272 075 hospitalizations, 26.0% were in LVAD centers. CS attributable to causes other than acute myocardial infarction represented most cases. In-hospital mortality was lower in LVAD centers (38.9% versus 43.3%; P<0.001). In multivariable analysis, the odds of mortality remained significantly lower for hospitalizations in LVAD centers (odds ratio, 0.89; P<0.001). In patients with CS secondary to acute myocardial infarction, revascularization rates were similar between LVAD and non-LVAD centers. The use of intra-aortic balloon pump (18.7% versus 18.8%) and Impella/TandemHeart (2.6% versus 1.9%) was similar between hospital types, whereas extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was used more frequently in LVAD centers (4.3% versus 0.2%; P<0.001). Conclusions Risk-adjusted mortality was lower in patients with CS who were hospitalized at LVAD centers. These centers likely represent specialized, shock team capable institutions across the country that may be best suited to manage patients with CS.
Project description:Stroke is one of the leading complications during continuous flow-left ventricular assist device (CF-LVAD) support. Risk factors have been well described, although less is known regarding treatment and outcomes. We present a large single-center experience on stroke outcome and transplant eligibility by stroke sub-type and severity in CF-LVAD patients.Between January 1, 2008, and April 1, 2015, 301 patients underwent CF-LVAD (266 HeartMate II [HM I], Thoratec Corp, Pleasanton, CA; 35 HeartWare [HVAD], HeartWare International Inc, Framingham, MA). Stroke was defined as a focal neurologic deficit with abnormal neuroimaging. Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) definition excluded sub-dural hematoma and hemorrhagic conversion of an ischemic stroke (IS). Treatment in IS included intra-arterial embolectomy when appropriate; treatment in ICH included reversal of coagulopathy. Stroke severity was measured using the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS). Outcomes were in-hospital mortality and transplant status.Stroke occurred in 40 patients: 8 ICH (4 HM II, 4 HVAD) and 32 IS (26 HM II, 6 HVAD). Among 8 ICH patients, there were 4 deaths (50%), with NIHSS of 18.8 ± 13.7 vs 1.8 ± 1.7 in survivors (p = 0.049). Among 32 IS patients, 12 had hemorrhagic conversion and 5 were treated with intra-arterial embolectomy. There were 9 deaths (28%), with NIHSS of 16.2 ± 10.8 vs 7.0 ± 7.6 in survivors (p = 0.011). Among the 32 IS patients, 12 underwent transplant, and 1 is awaiting transplant. No ICH patients received a transplant.In-hospital mortality after stroke is significantly affected by the initial neurologic impairment. Patients with IS appear to benefit the most from in-hospital treatment and often make sufficient recovery to be able to progress to transplant.
Project description:Molecular analysis of the effect left ventricular assist device (LVAD) support has on congestive heart failure patients. Keywords = Congestive heart failure, left ventricular assist device, eNOS, gene, dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase Keywords: other
Project description:AimsDespite regularly updated guidelines, there is still a delay in referral of advanced heart failure patients to mechanical circulatory support and transplant centres. We aimed to analyse characteristics and outcome of non-inotrope-dependent patients implanted with a left ventricular assist device (LVAD).Methods and resultsThe ASSIST-ICD registry collected LVAD data in 19 centres in France between February 2006 and December 2016. We used data of patients in Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support Classes 4-7. The primary endpoint was survival analysis. Predictors of mortality were searched with multivariable analyses. A total of 303 patients (mean age 61.0 ± 9.9 years, male sex 86.8%) were included in the present analysis. Ischaemic cardiomyopathy was the leading heart failure aetiology (64%), and bridge to transplantation was the main implantation strategy (56.1%). The overall likelihood of being alive while on LVAD support or having a transplant at 1, 2, 3, and 5 years was 66%, 61.7%, 58.7%, and 55.1%, respectively. Age [hazard ratio (HR) 1.03, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.00-1.05; P = 0.02], a concomitant procedure (HR 2.32, 95% CI 1.52-3.53; P < 0.0001), and temporary mechanical right ventricular support during LVAD implantation (HR 2.94, 95% CI 1.49-5.77; P = 0.002) were the only independent variables associated with mortality. Heart failure medications before or after LVAD implantation were not associated with survival.ConclusionAmbulatory heart failure patients displayed unsatisfactory survival rates after LVAD implantation. A better selection of patients who can benefit from LVAD may help improving outcomes.
Project description:Patients on left ventricular assist device (LVAD) support may be susceptible to severe disease and complications from coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19). The purpose of this study was to describe the clinical course of COVID-19 in LVAD patients. A retrospective review was performed at our center; 28 LVAD patients who developed COVID-19 between March 2020 and March 2021, and six patients with a prior COVID-19 infection who underwent LVAD implantation, were identified and examined. Of the 28 patients, nine (32%) died during the study period, five (18%) during their index hospitalization for COVID-19. Two patients (7%) presented with suspected pump thrombosis. In a nonadjusted binary regression logistic analysis, admission to the intensive care unit (unadjusted odds ratio, 7.6 [CI, 1.2-48], P = 0.03), and the need for mechanical ventilation (unadjusted odds ratio 14 [CI, 1.3-159], P = 0.03) were associated with mortality. The six patients who previously had COVID-19 and subsequently received a LVAD were on intra-aortic balloon pump and inotropic support at time of surgery. All six experienced a complicated and prolonged postoperative course. Three patients (50%) suffered from ischemic stroke, and there was one (17%) 30 day mortality. We observed an increased risk of morbidity and mortality in LVAD patients with COVID-19.
Project description:BackgroundPatients with end-stage heart failure are increasingly being bridged to heart transplant (BTT) with mechanical circulatory support; however the association between a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) BTT strategy and posttransplant renal outcomes is unclear. The aim of this study was to analyze the association of LVAD BTT with the development of posttransplant renal failure using a large national registry.MethodsWe queried the 2009 to 2018 United Network for Organ Sharing registry for all adults undergoing first-time heart or heart-kidney transplantation and stratified patients by use of pretransplant durable LVAD. The primary outcome of interest was posttransplant renal failure, which was evaluated with multivariable logistic regression.ResultsOf 18,307 patients meeting inclusion criteria, 7887 were (43%) and 10,420 were not (57%) BTT with an LVAD. BTT patients had slightly better baseline renal function (estimated glomerular filtration rate, 68.7 vs 65.8 mL/min, P < .001) and were less likely to receive a heart-kidney transplant (2.7% vs 4.8%, P < .001). On multivariable logistic regression, LVAD BTT strategy was not independently associated with posttransplant renal failure (odds ratio, 1.13; 95% confidence interval, 0.86-1.49). Similarly LVAD BTT among patients with preoperative renal dysfunction was not associated with posttransplant renal failure (adjusted odds ratio, 1.40; 95% confidence interval, 0.91-2.18).ConclusionsBTT with an LVAD does not appear to be associated with worse renal outcomes regardless of baseline renal function. Furthermore, an LVAD BTT strategy in patients with chronic kidney disease may enable clinicians to identify candidates suitable for isolated heart transplantation without increasing their risk for posttransplant renal failure.
Project description:ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to clarify the changes of myocardial gene expression profile after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation and the related molecular biological significance.MethodsA thorough bioinformatic analysis to evaluate the changes in gene expression profile in patients pre-LVAD and post-LVAD was conducted. Four relevant gene expression datasets-GSE430, GSE974, GSE21610, and GSE52601 from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database were downloaded. Analysis of GEO2R, Gene Ontology (GO), protein-protein interaction (PPI) were used to determine differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and their function, respectively.ResultsA total of 37 DEGs were identified, including 26 down-regulated and 11 up-regulated genes. The molecular function of DEGs were enriched in "cytokine activity," "neurotransmitter binding," "receptor ligand activity." The gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) revealed an overall marked increase of neutrophil degranulation signaling, closely correlated with the G protein coupled receptor (GPCR)-ligand binding process after LVAD assistance. 16 hubgenes in these DEGs were further selected and the biological process involved is mainly related to positive regulation of leukocyte chemotaxis mediated by chemokines.ConclusionInflammatory signaling pathway is crucial for the pathophysiology after LVAD implantation. Chemokines mediate cardiac inflammatory response and tissue remodeling after LVAD implantation through GPCR-ligand binding.