An Analysis of 186 Transplants for Pediatric or Congenital Heart Disease: Impact of Pretransplant VAD

Abstract

BackgroundWe reviewed our management strategy and outcome data for all 181 patients with pediatric or congenital heart disease who received 186 heart transplants from January 1, 2011, to March 1, 2022, and evaluated the impact of pretransplant ventricular assist device (VAD). MethodsContinuous variables are presented as mean (SD); median [interquartile range] (range). Categorical variables are presented as number (percentage). Univariable associations with long-term mortality were assessed with Cox proportional hazards models. Impact of pretransplant VAD on survival was estimated with multivariable models. ResultsPretransplant VAD was present in 53 of 186 transplants (28.5%). Patients with VAD were younger (years): 4.8 (5.6); 1 [0.5-8] (0.1-18) vs 12.1 (12.7); 10 [0.7-17] (0.1-58); P = .0001. Patients with VAD had a higher number of prior cardiac operations: 3.0 (2.3); 2 [1-4] (1-12) vs 1.8 (1.9); 2 [0-3] (0-8); P = .0003. Patients with VAD were also more likely to receive an ABO-incompatible transplant: 10 of 53 (18.9%) vs 9 of 133 (6.8%); P = .028.Univariable associations with long-term mortality included:•Prior cardiac operation: hazard ratio (HR), 6.0 (1.41-25.4); P = .015•Number of prior cardiac operations: HR multiplies by 1.3 for each additional operation (1.12-1.50); P = .0004•Functionally univentricular heart: HR, 2.4 (1.05-5.49); P = .038•Congenital heart disease (vs acquired): HR, 5.7 (1.69-18.9); P = .005•Pretransplant renal dysfunction: HR, 3.4 (1.54-7.48); P = .003In multivariable analysis, pretransplant VAD did not impact survival while controlling for each one of the factors shown in univariable analysis to be associated with long-term mortality. Kaplan-Meier 5-year survival (95% CI) was 85.8% (80.0%-92.1%) for all patients, 84.3% (77.2%-92.0%) without pretransplant VAD, and 91.1% (83.1%-99.9%) with pretransplant VAD. ConclusionsOur single-institution analysis of 181 patients receiving 186 heart transplants for pediatric or congenital heart disease over 11.25 years reveals similar survival in patients with (n = 51) and without (n = 130) pretransplant VAD. The presence of a pretransplant VAD is not a risk factor for mortality after transplantation for pediatric or congenital heart disease.