Early Outcomes in Patients With LVAD Undergoing Heart Transplant via Use of the SherpaPak Cardiac Transport System

Circ Heart Fail. 2024 May;17(5):e010904. doi: 10.1161/CIRCHEARTFAILURE.123.010904. Epub 2024 Apr 11.

Abstract

Background: Heart transplant (HT) in recipients with left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) is associated with poor early post-HT outcomes, including primary graft dysfunction (PGD). As complicated heart explants in recipients with LVADs may produce longer ischemic times, innovations in donor heart preservation may yield improved post-HT outcomes. The SherpaPak Cardiac Transport System is an organ preservation technology that maintains donor heart temperatures between 4 °C and 8 °C, which may minimize ischemic and cold-induced graft injuries. This analysis sought to identify whether the use of SherpaPak versus traditional cold storage was associated with differential outcomes among patients with durable LVAD undergoing HT.

Methods: Global Utilization and Registry Database for Improved Heart Preservation-Heart (NCT04141605) is a multicenter registry assessing post-HT outcomes comparing 2 methods of donor heart preservation: SherpaPak versus traditional cold storage. A retrospective review of all patients with durable LVAD who underwent HT was performed. Outcomes assessed included rates of PGD, post-HT mechanical circulatory support use, and 30-day and 1-year survival.

Results: SherpaPak (n=149) and traditional cold storage (n=178) patients had similar baseline characteristics. SherpaPak use was associated with reduced PGD (adjusted odds ratio, 0.56 [95% CI, 0.32-0.99]; P=0.045) and severe PGD (adjusted odds ratio, 0.31 [95% CI, 0.13-0.75]; P=0.009), despite an increased total ischemic time in the SherpaPak group. Propensity matched analysis also noted a trend toward reduced intensive care unit (SherpaPak 7.5±6.4 days versus traditional cold storage 11.3±18.8 days; P=0.09) and hospital (SherpaPak 20.5±11.9 days versus traditional cold storage 28.7±37.0 days; P=0.06) lengths of stay. The 30-day and 1-year survival was similar between groups.

Conclusions: SherpaPak use was associated with improved early post-HT outcomes among patients with LVAD undergoing HT. This innovation in preservation technology may be an option for HT candidates at increased risk for PGD.

Registration: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT04141605.

Keywords: heart transplantation; heart-assist devices; humans; retrospective studies.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Female
  • Heart Failure* / mortality
  • Heart Failure* / physiopathology
  • Heart Failure* / surgery
  • Heart Failure* / therapy
  • Heart Transplantation*
  • Heart-Assist Devices*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Organ Preservation* / methods
  • Primary Graft Dysfunction
  • Registries*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome

Associated data

  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT04141605