Uncorrected pre-operative mitral valve regurgitation is not associated with adverse outcomes after continuous-flow left ventricular assist device implantation

John M Stulak; Vakhtang Tchantchaleishvili; Nicholas A Haglund; Mary E Davis; John A Schirger; Jennifer A Cowger; Palak Shah; Keith D Aaronson; Francis D Pagani; Simon Maltais

doi:10.1016/j.healun.2014.11.023

Uncorrected pre-operative mitral valve regurgitation is not associated with adverse outcomes after continuous-flow left ventricular assist device implantation

J Heart Lung Transplant. 2015 May;34(5):718-23. doi: 10.1016/j.healun.2014.11.023. Epub 2014 Dec 8.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota. Electronic address: [email protected].
² University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York.
³ Vanderbilt Heart and Vascular Institute, Nashville, Tennessee.
⁴ Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota.
⁵ St. Vincent Heart Center of Indiana, Indianapolis, Indiana.
⁶ Inova Fairfax Hospital, Falls Church, Virginia.
⁷ University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, Michigan.

PMID: 25697807
DOI: 10.1016/j.healun.2014.11.023

Abstract

Background: Mitral valve regurgitation (MR) is prevalent in patients with heart failure. Because very few data exist examining the influence of significant pre-operative MR on outcomes after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation, we evaluate our experience.

Methods: Between October 1996 and August 2013, 756 patients underwent primary LVAD implantation at our institutions. Of these, 508 patients received a continuous-flow LVAD and represent the contemporary cohort for this analysis. Devices implanted included the HeartMate II in 410 patients (81%) and HeartWare HVAD in 98 patients (19%). Based on availability of pre-operative echocardiography, 491 patients were divided into 2 study groups according to degree of pre-operative MR; 189 patients (39%) had moderate to severe or greater MR (MR group), and 302 (61%) had less than moderate to severe MR (less MR group). Median age at operation (60 years in MR group vs 58 years in less MR group, p = 0.19), male sex (78% in MR group vs 81% in less MR group, p = 0.42), and ischemic etiology (46% in MR group vs 51% in less MR group, p = 0.35) were similar between groups.

Results: There were 40 early deaths (7.9%), and follow-up was available in all 468 early survivors for 641 patient-years of support. Patients in the MR group had higher late survival (2 years, 75%; 4 years, 65%) compared with patients in the less MR group (2 years, 66%; 4 years, 48%; p < 0.04). Cox proportional hazards model confirmed the independent interaction between MR and late survival (hazard ratio 0.62, p = 0.04).

Conclusions: There was improved survival in patients with severe pre-operative MR after continuous-flow LVAD implantation in our cohort. These findings may lend insight into the possible lack of value of addressing significant MR at the time of LVAD implantation.

Keywords: cardiomyopathy; heart failure; mechanical support; mitral valve regurgitation; ventricular assist device.

Publication types

Multicenter Study

MeSH terms

Aged
Echocardiography
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Heart Failure / complications
Heart Failure / mortality
Heart Failure / surgery*
Heart-Assist Devices*
Humans
Incidence
Male
Middle Aged
Mitral Valve Insufficiency / complications*
Mitral Valve Insufficiency / epidemiology
Mitral Valve Insufficiency / therapy
Prognosis
Retrospective Studies
Survival Rate / trends
Treatment Outcome
United States / epidemiology