Factors Predicting Renal Failure After Total Artificial Heart Implantation

Lower baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), a history of coronary artery disease (CAD), and need for pre-operative extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support were found to predict the risk for hemodialysis for renal failure after total artificial heart implantation, according to a study published in the Journal of Cardiac Failure.

This was a retrospective review of 87 patients who received a total artificial heart within the Virginia Commonwealth University Health System between 2006 and 2017. Patients’ medical records were reviewed for baseline clinical data closest to the implantation date. A logistic regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of renal failure following total artificial heart implantation. Renal function was assessed with serum creatinine concentration and eGFR.

A total of 24 patients (28%) required hemodialysis after total artificial heart implantation. Patients who did vs did not require post-implantation hemodialysis were more likely to have a history of CAD (58% vs 29%, respectively; P =.01), to require pre-operative ECMO (33% vs 4.8%, respectively; P =.001), mechanical ventilation (33% vs 7.9%, respectively; P =.006), to have lower baseline eGFR (54±29 vs 67±24 mL/min/1.73m², respectively; P =.04), lower preoperative serum albumin concentrations (3.3±0.4 vs 3.5±0.5, respectively; P =.07), and lower hematocrit (29±5.6 vs 34±6.3, respectively; P =.003), and had a higher risk for mortality on device at 1 year (33% vs 5%, respectively; hazard ratio, 6.6; 95% CI, 1.8-23; P =.001).

Limitations of this study include its retrospective and single-center design and small sample size.

“These data offer an opportunity to further risk-stratify patients considered for the total artificial heart,” noted the study authors.

Factors Predicting Renal Failure After Total Artificial Heart Implantation

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