Does Small Size Matter With Continuous Flow Devices?: Analysis of the INTERMACS Database of Adults With BSA ≤1.5 m²

This study investigated how small patient size affects clinical outcomes in patients implanted with a continuous flow left ventricular assist device (CFLVAD).

The development of smaller CFLVADs has allowed ventricular assist device (VAD) use in anatomically smaller patients; however, limited outcome data exist regarding CFLVAD use in patients with a body surface area (BSA) ≤1.5 m².

All CFLVAD patients entered in the Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support registry April 2008 to September 2013 and with BSA data were included. Biventricular VAD patients were excluded. Patient characteristics and clinical outcomes were compared between patients with BSA ≤1.5 m² (small patients) and those >1.5 m².

Of 10,813 CFLVAD recipients, 231 had a BSA ≤1.5 m². Small patients were more commonly female patients (68% vs. 20%; p < 0.01), Hispanic (10% vs. 6%; p < 0.03), and on intravenous inotropes (88% vs. 80%; p < 0.01). Small patients had higher bleeding (p < 0.01) and driveline infection (p < 0.01) rates, while exhibiting lower rates of right heart failure (p < 0.01) and renal dysfunction (p < 0.01). Device malfunction rate (p > 0.05), overall survival (p > 0.05), and 1-year competing outcomes (p > 0.05) were similar between BSA groups.

Patients with a BSA ≤1.5 m² supported with a CFLVAD have similar survival to larger patients. These data support the use of CFLVAD in anatomically small patients.