The mid-term effect of left ventricular assist devices on renal functions.

BACKGROUND: In this study, we aimed to investigate the mid-term effects of left ventricular assist devices on kidney functions. METHODS: Between January 2015 and December 2017, a total of 61 patients (53 males, 8 females; mean age 46.4±11.2 years; range, 20 to 67 years) who underwent left ventricular assist device implantation were retrospectively analyzed. Glomerular filtration rate was evaluated preoperatively and at 24 and 48 h, at one week, and at one, three, and six months postoperatively. According to the preoperative glomerular filtration rates, the patients were divided into three groups: glomerular filtration rates ?60 mL/min/1.73 m2 ( Group 1 ), g lomerular f iltration rates 61-90 mL/min/1.73 m2 (Group 2), and glomerular filtration rates >90 mL/min/1.73 m2 (Group 3). RESULTS: In all groups, the glomerular filtration rate significantly increased at one week and one month postoperatively, compared to preoperative values (p<0.001 and p<0.01, respectively). However, the glomerular filtration values at six months significantly decreased, compared to the values at one week and one month postoperatively (p<0.001 and p<0.001, respectively). The most significant drop to preoperative values was observed in Group 3 (p=0.02) at three months and it dropped below the preoperative level at six months (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Our study results suggest that left ventricular assist devices can significantly increase the glomerular filtration rate in short-term, irrespective of baseline values. However, this improvement may recede later, particularly in patients with normal renal functions, and it may even disappear following the third postoperative month.