Less Invasive HeartMate 3 Implantation is a Safe and Effective Approach for Obese Patients

Purpose The present study aimed to compare the outcomes of obese patients who underwent HeartMate 3 implantation through less invasive surgery (LIS) with those who received full sternotomy (FS) implantation. We hypothesized that LIS is a safe and effective technique for LVAD implantation in obese patients. Methods We performed a retrospective review of all patients implanted with HeartMate 3 LVAD in our institution from September 2015 through Jun 2020. Obese patients (BMI≥ 30 kg/m2) were included in the study and dichotomized based on surgical approach into the full sternotomy (FS) cohort or LIS. Primary outcomes were index hospitalization and 30-day survival. Secondary outcomes were incidence of index hospitalization major complications. Results Of 231 patients implanted patients, 107 (46.3%) were obese and included in the study. FS was used in 26 (24.3%) patients and LIS approach in 81 (75.7%) patients. Preoperative patient characteristics were similar between the cohorts (Table 1). In the immediate postoperative course, fewer patients in the LIS cohort received units of packed red blood cells (34.6% vs 57.7%, p=0.042) and fresh frozen plasma (19.8 vs 46.2%, p=0.011). Duration of postoperative inotropic support was shorter in LIS cohort (p=0.049). The incidence of major complications was similar between the groups. Decreased incidence of severe RV failure (30.8% vs 11.1% LIS, p=0.028) and need for RVAD implantation (p=0.037) were observed in LIS cohort. Survival to discharge for the obese population was 87.5% overall and did not differ based on an approach (76.9% FS vs 91.4% LIS, p=0.079). Conclusion These data demonstrate multiple potential benefits of the less invasive surgical technique, including fewer postoperative complications and a trend towards better survival to discharge. This study suggests that less invasive HeartMate 3 implantation is a safe and effective approach for obese patients. Future prospective randomized trials are required to confirm our data.