Survival on the Heart Transplant Waiting List: Impact of Continuous Flow Left Ventricular Assist Device as Bridge to Transplant

The impact of continuous flow VAD on survival among patients awaiting heart transplant is not well known.  Pts on the UNOS list were propensity score matched 1:2 (HeartMate II vs no VAD). Wait list mortality was 10% during the 7.5 year study.  Use of a VAD improved survival to transplant at 1 (91% vs 77%) and 2 years (85% vs 68%).  Use of VAD as a bridge to transplant may improve survival and improve organ allocation.