Renal Function after Ventricular Assist Device Implantation

Purpose Previous studies have shown a correlation between improved renal function and ventricular assist device implantation, resulting in improved survival rates. This study aims to strengthen this correlation and establish long term findings by increasing the size of the study cohort as well as study period. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the data of 389 patients who received ventricular assist device implantation due to terminal heart failure at our center from 12/2003 to 03/2018. Median duration of LVAD support was 307 days (range 1 to 2849 days). Renal function was assessed using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease study-derived Glomerular Filtration Rates (MDRD-GFR; mL x min(-1) x 1.73m(-2)). According to pre-implantation measured GFR rates patients were categorized in three groups: normal renal function (GFR>90, n= 52); moderately impaired renal function (GFR 30-90; n=295) and severely impaired renal function (GFR Results Mean GFR showed a significant increase of renal function in both the moderately impaired and severely impaired kidney function groups at week 1 post-implantation (moderately: 56.0 ± 15.6 to 81.6 ± 39.0; severely: 22.7 ± 5.0 to 43.5 ± 19.0; p Conclusion Ventricular assist device implantation improves the renal function in terminal heart failure patients with moderate to severe kidney dysfunction. Normal renal function is correlated with better outcomes post LVAD implantation.