Clinical Outcomes After Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation in Older Adults: An INTERMACS Analysis

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine outcomes after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation in older adults (>75 years of age).

Background: An aging heart failure population together with improvements in mechanical circulatory support (MCS) technology have led to increasing LVAD implantations in older adults. However, data presenting age-specific outcomes are limited.

Methods: Adult patients in the Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support (INTERMACS) who required durable MCS between 2008 and 2017 were included. Patients were stratified by 4 age groups: <55 years of age, 55 to 64 years of age, and >75 years of age. Kaplan-Meier survival estimates were used to assess post-LVAD outcomes, with log-rank testing used to compare groups. Univariate and multivariate cox proportional hazard regression models were used to determine predictors of survival and complications.

Results: A total of 20,939 individuals received an LVAD during the study period: 7,743 (37.0%) were <55 years of age, 6,755 (32.3%) were 55 to 64 years of age, 5,418 (25.9%) were 65 to 74 years of age, and 1,023 (4.9%) were ≥75 years of age or older. After multivariate adjustment, adults ≥75 years of age had increased mortality post-LVAD implantation. Elderly patients with LVADs had a higher incidence of gastrointestinal bleeding but lower rates of device thrombosis. Compared to 84.5% of patients <55 years of age who were discharged home, only 46.8% of adults ≥75 years of age were discharged home following implantation (p < 0.001). Use of a RVAD, serum albumin level, and 6-min walk test distances were identified as predictors of outcomes in the oldest cohort.

Conclusions: Despite careful selection of older adults for LVAD implantation, age remains a significant predictor of mortality. Higher bleeding and lower clotting risk in elderly patients with LVADs support the use of a less intense antithrombotic regimen in this unique population.