Chances of Prolonged 5- and 10-year Survival after Continuous-Flow LVAD Implantation?

Purpose Continuous-flow LVADs (CF-LVADs) have been implanted for both bridge-to-transplant and for destination therapy. Extended survival with CF-LVADs has not been completely examined. We examined the likelihood of surviving more than 5 to 10 years with a CF-LVAD Methods We reviewed the 198 patients alive and currently being followed at our institution after CF-LVAD implantation. Patients were stratified as to type of pump implanted (HeartMate 2, HeartWare, or HeartMate 3), reason for implantation (Bridge-to-transplant or destination therapy), and length of survival ( 10 years). Results Seven (7) of the 198 patients being followed had a CF-LVAD in place and functioning for more than 10 years. 4 of these 7 patients surviving more than 10 years had not required pump exchange. There were 18 patients being followed with a CF-LVAD in place for 5-10 years. There were 173 being followed with a CF-LVAD in place for Of the 7 patients with a CF-LVAD in place >10 years, 6 were HeartMate 2 (HM2) CF-LVADs and one was a HeartWare (HW). Five (5) of the 7 patients with a CF-LVAD in place >10 years had the LVAD implanted as a bridge-to-transplant. Of the 18 patients with a CF-LVAD in place for 5-10 years, 9 had a HM2, 8 had a HW, and 1 had a HeartMate3 (HM3). The CF LVAD was implanted as a bridge-to-transplant in 5 of the 18 patients Conclusion Prolonged survival after CF-LVAD implantation is increasingly likely. A substantial number of patients with a CF-LVAD in place for more than 5 years originally had the device implanted as a bridge-to-transplant.