HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Personal Folders Download to citation manager Author home page(s): Vivek Rao Mehmet C. Oz Katharine A. Catanese Michael Argenziano Yoshifumi Naka Permission Requests Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Rao, V. Articles by Naka, Y. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Rao, V. Articles by Naka, Y. Related Collections Mechanical Circulatory Assistance

J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2003;125:855-862
© 2003 The American Association for Thoracic Surgery

Cardiopulmonary Support and Physiology

Revised screening scale to predict survival after insertion of a left ventricular assist device

From the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, New York Presbyterian Hospital and Columbia University, New York, NY.

Received for publication Sept 24, 2001. Revisions requested Jan 3, 2002; revisions received July 15, 2002. Accepted for publication July 23, 2002. Address for reprints: Vivek Rao, MD, PhD, FRCS(C), Toronto General Hospital, 200 Elizabeth St, EN 14-222, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 2C4 Canada (E-mail: vivek.rao{at}uhn.on.ca).

Background: We previously calculated a risk factor summation score that successfully predicted survival after insertion of a left ventricular assist device. We sought to validate our previous score by using a single center's clinical experience and to determine emerging risk factors for mortality after device insertion.
Methods: The clinical records of 130 consecutive patients who received the HeartMate VE left ventricular assist device (Thoratec Corp, Pleasanton, Calif) at our institution between June 1996 and March 2001 as a bridge to transplantation were reviewed. Univariate and multivariable analyses were performed to determine the predictors of operative mortality after device insertion. Using the relative risks for each identified variable, we devised a new risk factor summation score. The new and old scores were then compared by using linear regression analyses to determine whether the revised score improved statistical accuracy.
Results: Overall operative mortality was 25% (n = 33). The old score successfully predicted operative mortality in the current patient population (operative mortality of 38% for score >5 vs 13% for score 5). However, the revised score improved risk discrimination (operative mortality of 46% for a score >5 vs 12% for a score to 5). Statistical accuracy was comparable between scores, but the relationship between observed and predicted outcomes was improved with the revised score.
Conclusions: The changing demographic profile and management of patients presenting for mechanical circulatory support has led to a change in the predictors of mortality after device insertion. Periodic remodeling and recalibration of risk indices helps to accurately predict outcomes in high-risk patient groups and identifies emerging risk factors for mortality.