Obesity and left ventricular assist device driveline exit site infection.

Driveline exit site (DLES) infection is a persistent problem among the left ventricular assist device (LVAD) patients. This study investigated the relationship between obesity and DLES infection. Records of LVAD patients at two institutions from January 1999 to January 2009 were queried. Results were analyzed using t tests. Those with LVAD support > or =90 days were included. The body mass index (BMI) of each patient was measured at the time of implant and at the conclusion of LVAD support or currently, if the patient was ongoing. Other data included preimplant age, ejection fraction, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, diabetes, New York Heart Association class, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, VO2 max, and inotrope therapy. The 118 patients who qualified for the study were placed in an infection group (n = 36) or in the control group (n = 82). Both groups had similar preimplant characteristics. Variables with differences statistically significant between the groups included duration of LVAD support, indication for support, device type, and BMI. Patients who developed DLES infections had a significantly higher BMI and continued weight gain over the course of LVAD therapy compared with the control group. Although this association requires further study, implications for clinical practice may include the provision of nutrition and exercise counseling for patients undergoing LVAD therapy, especially if overweight. These results may warrant increased measures to prevent and treat infection in the preimplant and postimplant periods.

Outcome of noncardiac surgery in patients with ventricular assist devices.

An increasing number of patients are living with ventricular assist devices (VADs). Many of these patients will require noncardiac surgery for conditions not directly related to their VADs. The aim of this study was to assess the risks and outcomes of noncardiac surgery in these patients. Perioperative and follow-up data from patients with VADs who underwent noncardiac surgery from 1993 to 2006 were analyzed. In that period, 184 VADs were implanted in 155 patients. Thirty-seven patients (24%) subsequently underwent 59 noncardiac surgeries. The mean duration of VAD support before surgery was 229 days. Bleeding was the most common postsurgical complication (10%), necessitating reexploration in 20% of abdominal surgeries. Thirty-day mortality was 12%. No deaths were caused by direct complications of surgery. Successful transplantation occurred in 72% of bridge to transplantation patients who required noncardiac surgery, compared with 71% of these patients who did not require noncardiac surgery (relative risk 1.0, p = 0.9). The average duration of VAD support after noncardiac surgery for destination therapy patients was 324 days, most of which time was spent at home. In conclusion, outcomes after noncardiac surgery in patients with VADs are favorable, and most patients continue to benefit from the intended purpose of mechanical circulatory support after recovering from noncardiac surgery.

Improving outcomes with long-term "destination" therapy using left ventricular assist devices.

OBJECTIVE: Destination therapy experience using long-term left ventricular assist devices was analyzed relative to the benchmark Randomized Evaluation of Mechanical Assistance for the Treatment of Congestive Heart Failure trial to evaluate the potential for improving outcomes with this groundbreaking therapy for advanced heart failure. METHODS: The largest single-center experience with destination therapy in the United States (Utah Artificial Heart Program, LDS Hospital, Salt Lake City, UT) was retrospectively analyzed. All destination therapy recipients (n = 23) presented with chronic, advanced heart failure, meeting indications for destination therapy adopted from the Randomized Evaluation of Mechanical Assistance for the Treatment of Congestive Heart Failure trial. All received HeartMate left ventricular assist devices (Thoratec Corp, Pleasanton, Calif), with 87% receiving an improved XVE model. Advanced practice guidelines were implemented using a multidisciplinary approach. Survivals (Kaplan-Meier, log-rank analyses) and adverse events (Poisson regression) were compared with those of the Randomized Evaluation of Mechanical Assistance for the Treatment of Congestive Heart Failure left ventricular assist device group (n = 68). RESULTS: Survival in the destination therapy group was significantly increased (P = .007), with an overall reduction in mortality of 66%. The 2-year survival was 77% for destination therapy compared with 29% for the Randomized Evaluation of Mechanical Assistance for the Treatment of Congestive Heart Failure left ventricular assist device group (P < .0001). The 1-year survival was 77% for destination therapy compared with the Randomized Evaluation of Mechanical Assistance for the Treatment of Congestive Heart Failure left ventricular assist device rate of 52% (P = .036). Adverse events decreased by 38% (3.90 per patient-year in the destination therapy group compared with the Randomized Evaluation of Mechanical Assistance for the Treatment of Congestive Heart Failure left ventricular assist device rate of 6.32). Factors related to severity of illness met Randomized Evaluation of Mechanical Assistance for the Treatment of Congestive Heart Failure-like criteria for both groups. CONCLUSIONS: This analysis provides evidence that long-term destination therapy can be improved well beyond the pioneering experience of the Randomized Evaluation of Mechanical Assistance for the Treatment of Congestive Heart Failure trial. With continued evolution of devices, management, and patient selection, outcomes approaching those of heart transplantation may be possible.