Although left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation is associated with acceptable
survival, previous reports have demonstrated that advanced age is associated with
increased short-term mortality. Because age is a relative contraindication to transplantation,
nontransplant centers tend to implant a disproportionate number of elderly patients.
We undertook this study to evaluate the impact of advanced age on LVAD outcomes at
a nontransplant center.
We conducted a retrospective review of all LVAD implants at our center from 2017 to
2022. Primary stratification was by age >70 years. The primary outcome was survival
as assessed by the Kaplan–Meier method. The risk of 1-year mortality was further evaluated
using multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression modeling.
From 2017 to 2022, 93 patients underwent LVAD implantation. The mean age was 65.03
± 11.28 years, with a median age of 68 (60 to 73) years. Most patients were INTERMACS
1 or 2 (71 patients; 76.34%). When stratified by age, 41 patients (44.09%) were aged
≥70 years. Patients aged ≥70 years had similar 30-day (96.15% vs 100.00%, p = 0.213),
1-year (90.05% vs 84.00%, p = 0.444), and 2-year survival (82.03% vs 84.00%, p = 0.870).
When only the INTERMACS 1 and 2 patients with higher acuity were included, there was
still no difference in 30-day, 1-year, or 2-year survival. On multivariable analysis,
age >70 years was not associated with an increased hazard of 1-year mortality (0.90
[0.22 to 3.67], p = 0.878).
In conclusion, in carefully selected patients, age >70 years is not associated with
increased short-term mortality. Age alone should not be a contraindication to LVAD
therapy.
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: December 13, 2022
Received:
October 1,
2022
Footnotes
Funding: none.
Identification
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© 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
