PEDS5: VAD Discharge at Pediatric Centers- Why can’t we get home?

Abstract

Background: The use of intra-corporeal continuous flow ventricular assist devices (CF-VAD) has allowed patients with advanced heart failure to be discharged home. Moreover, it has been shown that heart transplant (HTx)>30 days after VAD implant offers some survival benefit. Despite this, only about 50% of patients at pediatric centers are discharged, while others remain in hospital until HTx. We sought to characterize the cohort of patients who are transplanted during their index VAD admission as a means to identify potential barriers to discharge. Methods: Using the Advanced Cardiac Therapies Improving Outcomes Network (ACTION) registry, individuals who underwent implant with a dischargeable VAD (HVAD and HM3) at a pediatric center were included. Data including patient demographics, characteristics and clinical course were compared between the discharged versus hospitalized cohorts. Patients who recovered or died during their VAD admission were excluded. Results: From December 2012 to June 2022, 220 patients underwent implant with HM3 (n=108) or HVAD (n=111) across 32 pediatric centers. Overall, 28% (62/220) of patients remained hospitalized until HTx. There was no significant difference in age, underlying diagnosis, days to extubation, INTERMACS profile, or history of ECMO in those who were discharged versus hospitalized. There was also no significant difference in adverse events including stroke, bleeding, infection, hepatic or renal dysfunction, or right heart failure between the two groups (See Table 1). Patients with HM3 were less likely to be discharged if lower BSA (p=0.05) or on BiVAD support (p=0.04). Conclusion: Although discharge in VAD patients at pediatric centers is improving, nearly one-third of patients undergoing implant with dischargeable VADs remain hospitalized until transplant. There was no significant difference in markers of severity of illness or adverse events in those who remain hospitalized versus discharged. Thus, perceived non-medical barriers by providers or families may be limiting discharge at pediatric centers and may be a potential target for further education.