1. Using existing technology better: Improving outcomes with the HeartWare left ventricular assist device
- Author
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Adam Mcdiarmid, Noelia Bouzas-Cruz, Denis O'Leary, Gareth Parry, A. Woods, Guy A. MacGowan, Stephan Schueler, S. Tovey, N. Robinson-Smith, and Oscar Gonzalez-Fernandez
- Subjects
Adult ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Technology ,medicine.medical_treatment ,Intracranial haemorrhage ,030204 cardiovascular system & hematology ,Lower risk ,Hospital records ,03 medical and health sciences ,0302 clinical medicine ,Right heart failure ,medicine ,Humans ,030212 general & internal medicine ,Retrospective Studies ,Heart Failure ,business.industry ,United Kingdom ,Treatment Outcome ,Newcastle upon tyne ,Ventricular assist device ,Emergency medicine ,Ventricular Function, Right ,Heart-Assist Devices ,Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine ,business - Abstract
The HeartWare left ventricular assist device has been in use for over 12 years. We sought to determine how outcomes at our centre have improved over time.Review of electronic hospital records at the Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom.A total of 255 first time adult implants were divided into 2 eras: Era 1: 2009-2015 (N = 154) and Era 2: 2016-2020 (N = 101). We prospectively aimed to avoid higher risk Intermacs Classifications in Era 2, which resulted in significant changes in Intermacs class to lower risk in Era 2 (P 0.001). There was a significant improvement in survival in Era 2, with 1 year survival increasing from 70 to 80% (P 0.05). This was particularly associated with lower 30 day mortality in Era 2 (1.7 ± 2.3 vs 15.5 ± 7%, P 0.005). This was associated with better right ventricular function in Era 2, and there was a trend to more temporary right ventricular assist devices used in Era 2 (28 ± 13 vs 12 ± 14%, P = 0.06). Deaths from intracranial haemorrhage, sepsis and right heart failure were unchanged between eras, though there was a trend towards less deaths in Era 2 from combined thromboses deaths (stroke and device thrombosis; 3.3 ± 5.4 vs 11.1 ± 7.4%, P = 0.07).Better patient selection in association with more use of temporary right ventricular assist support has resulted in a significant improvement in survival. Intracranial haemorrhage, sepsis and right heart failure remain significant problems.
- Published
- 2020