Disparities in Implantable Ventricular Assist Device Utilization: Observation from Nationwide Inpatient Database

Abstract

Introduction Implantable ventricular assist devices (IVADs) use is rising in the United-States as a heart transplant bridge or as destination therapy to improve survival in individuals with advanced heart failure. Previous studies have indicated gender, racial, geographic, and socioeconomic disparities in patients selected to receive IVADs. Methods This retrospective cohort study used the Nationwide Inpatient Sample to identify all patients above 18 years who underwent IVAD implantation from 2011 to 2017. All data was weight as recommended by Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project. Results A total of 25,503 patients had an IVAD implanted. Since 2011, there has been an average annual increase in implantation of IVADs of 9.6% per year (See Figure 1). Mean patient age was 57 ± 13 years, and the majority were men (77%). Most patients receiving IVADs self-identified as White (63%) or Black (24%), with fewer patients of Hispanic (6%), Asian or Pacific Islander (2%), or Native American ( Conclusion Although IVAD utilization in the US has substantially increased in the past decade, there still remains important disparities in various areas including gender, race, geographic location, and socioeconomic status. Further study is needed to evaluate the reasons for, and implications of, these disparities.