Long-Term Outcome After Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation as Bridge to Left Ventricular Assist Device Preceding Heart Transplantation

Abstract

Objectives: To determine if venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA ECMO) as a bridge to left ventricular assist device (LVAD) in heart transplant (HT) candidates (ie, double bridge to HT) was associated with increased morbidity and mortality when compared to LVAD bridging to HT (ie, single bridge to HT).

Design: A retrospective analysis of patients undergoing LVAD support from 2011 to 2020. A Kaplan-Meier survival curve and Cox-Mantel hazard ratios (HR) were calculated during LVAD support and after HT. Postoperative complications were collected.

Setting: University Hospital Erasme.

Participants: HT candidates requiring LVAD.

Interventions: VA ECMO bridging to LVAD (ECMO-LVAD group [n = 24]) versus LVAD (LVAD group [n = 64]).

Measurements and main results: Eighty-eight patients underwent HeartWare LVAD (HVAD, Medtronic) placement. Survival to hospital discharge and during the entire study period were lower in the ECMO-LVAD group (66.7% v 92.2%; p = 0.0027, and 37.5% v 62.5%; p = 0.035, respectively). Overall HR of death was 2.46 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.13-5.37; p = 0.005) in the ECMO-LVAD group and remained elevated throughout their time on LVAD support (HR 3.24 [95% CI: 1.15-9.14]; p = 0.0036). However, in patients who underwent HT (n = 50), mortality was similar between groups (HR 1.33 [95% CI: 0.33-5.31]; p = 0.66). Postoperative complications were more frequent in the ECMO-LVAD group (infection = 83.3% v 51.6%, p = 0.007; renal replacement therapy = 45.8% v 9.4%, p = 0.0001; post-LVAD ECMO = 25.0% v 1.6%; p = 0.0003).

Conclusions: VA ECMO as a bridge to LVAD support before HT was associated with increased morbidity and mortality during LVAD support. However, in patients who underwent HT, outcomes were similar regardless of VA ECMO bridging.

Keywords: cardiac surgery; heart failure; mechanical circulatory support.