Faculty Collaboration Database

Improved survival in patients with ventricular assist device therapy: the University of Wisconsin experience. Eur J Cardiothorac Surg 2008 Aug;34(2):281-8

Date

06/03/2008

Pubmed ID

18513988

DOI

10.1016/j.ejcts.2008.04.023

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-46749142032 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   19 Citations

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Ventricular assist devices (VADs) have been implanted since 1990 in our institution, becoming an increasingly common treatment for end-stage heart failure. Beginning in 1997, VAD patients were discharged home when feasible. In August 2003, a dedicated multidisciplinary VAD team (cardiac surgeons, cardiologists, VAD coordinators, nurses, rehabilitation specialists, nutrition experts, psychologists, pharmacists, social workers, and administrators) was created to optimize the management of VAD patients. The purpose of this study is to analyze the impact of these changes in care at our center over the last 17 years.

METHODS: We retrospectively studied 107 consecutive VAD recipients between June 1990 and August 2006. VADs were implanted as bridge to recovery, bridge to transplant and destination therapy. The cohort was divided by care plans into early (n=37, June 1990-1996), mid (n=32, 1997-July 2003), and late groups (n=38, August 2003-August 2006). Demographic profile, survival and complications were assessed.

RESULTS: Patient demographics tended to show an increased severity of illness over time. Post-VAD survival rate significantly improved in the late group (post-VAD 1- and 3-year survival rates; early: 54.1% and 40.5%; mid: 51.6% and 41.9%; late: 86.8% and 82.5%, p<0.001, respectively). The incidence of complications including re-operation, major bleeding and major infection, significantly decreased in the late group (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: Outcomes have improved dramatically in recent VAD patients, despite an increasingly high-risk patient population. These data suggest that advances in device technology and medical therapies, as well as a multidisciplinary approach, have improved survival on VAD therapy.

Author List

Osaki S, Edwards NM, Velez M, Johnson MR, Murray MA, Hoffmann JA, Kohmoto T

Author

Takushi Kohmoto MD, PhD Professor in the Surgery department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Adult
Aged
Antibiotic Prophylaxis
Epidemiologic Methods
Female
Heart Failure
Heart-Assist Devices
Hemodynamics
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Patient Care Team
Patient Selection
Postoperative Complications
Prognosis
Reoperation
Treatment Outcome