Opioid usage after left ventricular assist device implantation: A single center retrospective analysis

Abstract

BackgroundOpioid use disorder is a known national concern and extends across multiple populations; however, opioid use in the left ventricular assist device (LVAD) population and subsequent outcomes is not well described. ObjectivesWe sought to understand opioid use and patient characteristics among the LVAD population at a single center and associated outcomes after index LVAD hospitalization in relation to opioid use. MethodsA single center retrospective review of pre-operative and post-operative opioid use was characterized during the index admission for LVAD implantation. Additionally, we reviewed medical records from patients with opioid prescription at hospital discharge stratified by oral morphine equivalents (OME) and refills of opioid prescriptions with analysis of the outcomes of readmission and death after hospital discharge from the index admission for LVAD implantation. ResultsOpioid exposed patients in this cohort increased in frequency from 0% of patients in 2007 to a peak of 25.9% of patients in 2013, and gradually declined thereafter to 12.5% in 2017. ConclusionsDespite the rate of high dose opioid therapy in this cohort, neither opioid use, opioid history, oral morphine equivalents (OME), or opioid refills portended worse survival after LVAD implantation.