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Use of a Percutaneous Ventricular Assist Device/Left Atrium to Femoral Artery Bypass System for Cardiogenic Shock
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Questionable utility of digoxin in left-ventricular assist device recipients: A multicenter, retrospective analysis

Mustafa M Ahmed1, Henri Roukoz2, Jaimin R Trivedi3

  • 1Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States of America.

Plos One
|November 26, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Digoxin use in patients with left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) did not improve survival or reduce hospital readmissions. Discontinuing digoxin after LVAD implantation did not negatively impact outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Medical Devices
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Clinical experience with left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) is growing.
  • Limited data exists on medication use in LVAD recipients.
  • The utility of digoxin in LVAD patients requires evaluation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the effectiveness of digoxin in patients with continuous-flow LVAD.
  • To determine the association between digoxin use and patient outcomes.
  • To compare survival and readmission rates across different digoxin usage patterns.

Main Methods:

  • A multicenter cohort study included 505 patients implanted with continuous-flow LVADs.
  • Patients were categorized into four groups based on digoxin use: none, pre-implant only, continuous, and post-implant only.
  • Survival and all-cause readmission rates were compared between the groups.

Main Results:

  • No significant differences in 1-year or 3-year survival rates were observed between the digoxin groups.
  • All-cause readmission rates per 100 days did not differ significantly across the groups.
  • Digoxin use, regardless of timing, showed no association with improved mortality or hospitalization.

Conclusions:

  • Digoxin use is not associated with improved mortality or hospitalization in continuous-flow LVAD patients.
  • Discontinuation of digoxin post-LVAD implantation does not worsen survival or hospitalization rates.
  • Further research may be needed to clarify the role of digoxin in LVAD management.
Abstract

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