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Updated: Dec 13, 2025

Insertion, Maintenance, and Removal of the Percutaneous Dual Lumen Cannula Right Ventricular Assist Device
Published on: July 20, 2022
Complications of LVAD utilization in older adults
Alexander J Gazda1, Min Ji Kwak2, Bindu Akkanti3
1Department of Internal Medicine, McGovern Medical School, Houston, TX.
Background:
Yearly rate and mean patient age of left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation increased from 2009 to 2014. Data are lacking regarding trends of LVAD implantation in older adults.
Objectives:
To describe the trends of LVAD implantation in older adults and the clinical impact of associated procedural complications.
Methods:
We retrospectively analyzed the National Inpatient Sample from 2005 to 2014, calculated the percentage of older adults (>65 years of age) among those who underwent LVAD implantation, and compared their clinical characteristics. Primary outcomes were in-hospital mortality and discharge home.
Results:
In total, 4491 patients were included. The percentage of older adults among those receiving LVAD increased from 12.53% to 31.65% (p<0.01). Older adults were more likely to develop postoperative delirium (17.90% vs. 11.92% in younger patients; p<0.01), which portended lesser odds of discharge home.
Conclusions:
Delirium develops with greater incidence in older adults undergoing LVAD implantation, which decreases odds of favorable discharge disposition.
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