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Resternotomy does not adversely affect outcome after left ventricular assist device implantation
Maria Papathanasiou1, Loukas Tsourelis1, Nikolaus Pizanis2
1Department of Cardiology and Vascular Medicine, West German Heart and Vascular Center, University Hospital Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, 45147, Essen, Germany.
European Journal of Medical Research
|November 17, 2017
Summary
Previous sternotomy did not worsen outcomes for patients receiving a continuous-flow left ventricular assist device (LVAD). This finding suggests resternotomy is not a significant risk factor in LVAD recipients.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Cardiac Surgery
- Mechanical Circulatory Support
Background:
- Resternotomy is a known risk factor for complications in cardiac surgery.
- Previous studies show conflicting results on resternotomy's impact on clinical outcomes.
- Cardiac surgery history is linked to mortality in mixed populations using circulatory support devices.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prognostic significance of resternotomy in a uniform cohort of left ventricular assist device (LVAD) recipients.
- To determine if a history of sternotomy affects outcomes after LVAD implantation.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of adult patients who received a continuous-flow LVAD between 2010-2016.
- Evaluation of postoperative adverse events and length of stay.
- Assessment of survival at 6 months and study end, with multivariate risk factor analysis for mortality predictors.
Main Results:
- 112 patients received an intrapericardial LVAD; 24.1% had prior sternotomy.
- Patients with prior sternotomy were older, less likely to be bridged, and had more coronary heart disease.
- No significant differences in postoperative complications or survival were observed between groups.
- Destination therapy was the sole identified predictor of mortality (p=0.02).
Conclusions:
- Resternotomy was not associated with adverse outcomes in this cohort of LVAD recipients.
- The findings suggest resternotomy does not negatively impact LVAD implantation results.
