Survival on the Heart Transplant Waiting List: Impact of Continuous Flow Left Ventricular Assist Device as Bridge to Transplant [1]
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.