Bridge To Transplantation Versus Standard Heart Transplantation: Heart Transplantation Performed After Ventricular Assistance Device Is Associated With Improved Survival.

Aim Mechanical circulatory support is an alternative strategy as a bridge to transplantation for critical situations such as circulatory shock or graft shortage. The purpose of this study was to evaluate long-term results and outcome after heart transplantation performed in patients with ventricular assistance device (VAD) versus no mechanical circulatory support. Methods All the patients who underwent heart transplantation between 2005 and 2012 were included in this monocentric retrospective study. We compared 52 VAD patients who underwent heart transplantation to 289 patients transplanted without VAD. Results Mean age was 46±11 years in the VAD group vs 51±13 years in the standard group (p=0.01) and 17% of the VAD patients were women vs 25% (p=0.21). Ischemic time was longer in the VAD group (207±54 vs 169±60 min, p 60 years (OR 0.2.35 [1.34-4.14], p 60 years (HR 1.570 [1.05-2.34], p=0.02), recipient creatinin (HR 1.005 [1.002-1.008], p=0.02), and ischemic time (HR 1.004 [1.001-1.007], p=0.01). Conclusion: Bridge to transplantation by ventricular assistance device reduced one-year mortality and improved mid-term survival rate after heart transplantation.