Table 1.
Demographic and Clinical Characteristics of Patients Prior to LVAD Implantation
| Infection Group (n = 23) | Non-Infection Group (n = 31) | p value | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age at implantation [yrs] | 62.1 ± 8.9 | 57.2 ± 9.8 | 0.06 |
| Male gender | 18 (78.3%) | 26 (83.9%) | 0.87 |
| BMI [kg/m2] | 29.6 ± 6.9 | 28.8 ± 5.6 | 0.31 |
| Etiology | 1 | ||
| ICM | 11 (47.8%) | 16 (51.6%) | |
| DCM | 12 (52.2%) | 15 (48.4%) | |
| NYHA classification | 0.17 | ||
| Class II | 2 (8.3%) | 0 (0%) | |
| Class III | 11 (45.8%) | 11 (35.5%) | |
| Class IV | 11 (45.8%) | 20 (64.5%) | |
| INTERMACS | 0.71 | ||
| 1 | 2 (8.7%) | 2 (6.5%) | |
| 2 | 7 (30.4%) | 6 (19.4%) | |
| 3 | 12 (52.2%) | 21 (67.7%) | |
| 4 | 2 (8.7%) | 2 (6.5%) | |
| Indication of LVAD | 0.09 | ||
| Bridge to transplant | 1 (4.3%) | 5 (16.1%) | |
| Bridge to candidacy | 9 (39.1%) | 17 (54.8%) | |
| Destination therapy | 13 (56.5%) | 9 (29.0%) | |
| LVAD device | 0.41 | ||
| HeartMate 3™ | 19 (82.6%) | 29 (93.5%) | |
| HVAD™ | 4 (17.4%) | 2 (6.5%) | |
| Comorbidities | |||
| Arterial hypertension | 21 (91.3%) | 27 (87.1%) | 0.96 |
| Hyperlipoproteinemia | 13 (56.5%) | 16 (51.6%) | 0.94 |
| Diabetes mellitus type 2 | 10 (43.5%) | 13 (41.9%) | 1 |
| Chronic kidney disease | 17 (73.9%) | 18 (58.1%) | 0.36 |
| Hypothyroidism | 1 (4.3%) | 5 (16.1%) | 0.36 |
| Chronic inflammatory disease | 2 (8.7%) | 0 (0%) | 0.35 |
| COPD/bronchial asthma | 3 (13.0%) | 1 (3.2%) | 0.40 |
| Presence of CRT/ICD | 18 (78.3%) | 21 (67.7%) | 0.59 |
| Prior valve surgery | 8 (34.8%) | 4 (12.9%) | 0.11 |
| Prior CVA | 5 (21.7%) | 3 (9.7%) | 0.40 |
| Prior malign disease | 2 (8.7%) | 5 (16.1%) | 0.69 |
| History of chemotherapy/radiation | 1 (4.3%) | 2 (6.5%) | 1 |
| Intolerances# | 3 (13.0%) | 7 (22.6%) | 0.58 |
| History of drug abuse | 0 (0%) | 2 (6.5%) | 0.50 |
| Nicotine consumption | 0.39 | ||
| Current nicotine abuse | 4 (17.4%) | 7 (22.6%) | |
| Former nicotine abuse | 13 (56.5%) | 11 (35.5%) | |
| Non-smoker | 3 (13.0%) | 4 (12.9%) | |
| Not specified | 3 (13.0%) | 9 (29.0%) | |
| Alcohol consumption | 0.56 | ||
| Current alcohol abuse | 1 (4.3%) | 2 (6.5%) | |
| Former alcohol abuse | 1 (4.3%) | 5 (16.1%) | |
| No alcohol abuse | 8 (34.8%) | 9 (29.0%) | |
| Not specified | 13 (56.5%) | 15 (48.4%) |
Note: #Includes intolerances to medicines, foods, insect venoms.
Abbreviations: BMI, body mass index; COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; CRT, cardiac resynchronisation therapy; CVA, cerebrovascular accident; DCM, dilatative cardiomyopathy; HTx, heart transplantation; ICD, implantable cardioverter-defibrillator; ICM, ischaemic cardiomyopathy; INTERMACS, Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support; LVAD, left ventricular assist device; LVEF, left ventricular ejection fraction; NYHA, New York Heart Association.