Durability of left ventricular assist devices: Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support (INTERMACS) 2006 to 2011

Abstract

Objectives: The present study compared the interval until device exchange or death from pump-related failure in patients with pulsatile versus continuous flow left ventricular assist devices. Methods: Data from Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support (June 23, 2006, to March 31, 2011) compared the durability of implanted pulsatile and continuous flow left ventricular assist devices. The durability issues included pump replacement for infection, thrombosis-hemolysis, driveline failure, or pump drive unit failure, and death from driveline or pump drive unit failure. Results: A total of 3302 left ventricular assist devices were implanted (486 pulsatile, 2816 continuous flow) and 98 pump exchanges or deaths from durability issues (46 pulsatile, 52 continuous flow; 3% of implants). The interval to device issue was greater for the continuous flow than for the pulsatile devices (P