Contemporary Left Ventricular Assist Device Outcomes in an Aging Population: An STS INTERMACS Analysis.

BACKGROUND

Survival, functional outcomes, and quality of life after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) are ill-defined in elderly patients, and with new-generation devices.

OBJECTIVES

This study sought to evaluate survival, functional outcomes, and quality of life after LVAD in contemporary practice.

METHODS

Adults receiving durable LVADs between January 1, 2010, and March 1, 2020, were identified from the INTERMACS (Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support) database. The primary outcome was adjusted survival; secondary outcomes included quality of life rated using a visual analogue scale (where 0 represents "worst health" and 100 "best health"); 6-minute walk distance; stroke; device malfunction; and rehospitalization, stratified by patient age. Median follow-up was 15 months (IQR: 6-32 months).

RESULTS

The cohort comprised 68.9% (n = 16,808) patients aged <65 years, 26.3% (n = 6,418) patients aged 65-75 years, and 4.8% (n = 1,182) patients aged >75 years, who were predominantly male (n = 19,119, 78%) and on destination therapy (n = 12,425, 51%). Competing outcomes analysis demonstrated mortality (70% CIs) of 34% (33%-34%), 54% (54%-55%), and 66% (64%-68%) for patients aged <65, 65-75, and >75 years, respectively, which improved during the study in patients aged >75 years. Newer-generation devices were associated with reduced late mortality (HR: 0.35; 95% CI: 0.25-0.49). Stroke, device malfunction or thrombosis, and rehospitalizations decreased with increasing age (all P < 0.01). Median 6-minute walk distance increased from 0 feet (IQR: 0-665 feet) to 1,065 feet (IQR: 642-1,313 feet) (P < 0.001), and quality of life improved from 40 (IQR: 15-60) to 75 (IQR: 60-90) (P < 0.001) after LVAD in all age groups.

CONCLUSIONS

In elderly patients, LVADs are associated with increased functional capacity, similar improvements in quality of life, and fewer complications compared with younger patients.