LVADs Superior to IV Inotropic Therapy as a Bridge to Transplantation

Patients may be bridged to heart transplantation with either pharmacologic or device therapy. In this retrospective, single-center study, researchers compared how intravenous inotropes and left . . .

Patients may be bridged to heart transplantation with either pharmacologic or device therapy. In this retrospective, single-center study, researchers compared how intravenous inotropes and left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) each affected survival to transplantation, post-transplantation survival, and overall survival in 104 patients.

Overall survival rates were significantly better among patients who were bridged to transplantation with an LVAD (80% at 1 year, 77% at 3 and 4 years) than among patients bridged with IV inotropes (56% at 1 year, 44% at 3 and 4 years). Underlying these better rates in the LVAD group were a nonsignificant trend toward better survival to transplantation and significantly better post-transplantation survival. …

Reviewing Author

William T. Abraham, MD