Heart Failure Severity Stratification Beyond INTERMACS Profiles: A Step Toward Optimal Left Ventricular Assist Device Timing

Rebecca Cogswell, Jerry D. Estep, Raquel Araujo-Gutierrez, Maria Masotti, Valmiki Majaraj, Levi Teigen, Jessica Schultz, Ranjit John, Cindy M. Martin, Barry Trachtenberg

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

9 Scopus citations

Abstract

The purpose of this analysis is to determine whether pectoralis muscle measures quantified on pre left ventricular assist device (LVAD) computerized tomography (CT) scans can identify subgroups of patients with differential disease severity within each Interagency Registry for Mechanical Circulatory Support (INTERMACS) profile. Patients with chest CTs performed ≤3 months before LVAD implantation at University of Minnesota (n = 143) and Houston Methodist Hospital (n = 133) were identified from the larger LVAD cohorts (University of Minnesota n = 353, Houston Methodist =278). Unilateral Pectoralis muscle mass indexed to body surface area and pectoralis muscle attenuation were measured on preoperative chest CT scans. Patients within each INTERMACS profile were separated into HIGH and LOW PEC muscle groups. Kaplan-Meier and multivariable cox regression analyses were performed to compare mortality among INTERMACS profiles by HIGH and LOW PEC muscle groups. INTERMACS 3 and 4 patients in the HIGH PEC groups had the highest survival on LVAD support (1 year survival 85% vs. 68%, log rank P = 0.0001). Being in this group was associated with a 60% reduction in the hazards rate (HR) of death after LVAD (adjusted HR 0.40, 95% confidence interval 0.25-0.62). Additionally, renal function deterioration in the year before LVAD was associated with lower INTERMACS profiles and lower measured pectoralis muscle tissue attenuation at the time of LVAD implantation. INTERMACS 3 and 4 patients with the highest pectoralis muscle measures had the best survival after LVAD. The association between renal function deterioration and sarcopenia suggests these muscle changes are progressive. Computerized tomography quantification of sarcopenia may help identify optimal LVAD implantation timing.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)554-560
Number of pages7
JournalASAIO Journal
Volume67
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - May 1 2021

Keywords

  • computerized tomography
  • heart failure
  • prognosis
  • sarcopenia
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Proportional Hazards Models
  • Male
  • Pectoralis Muscles/anatomy & histology
  • Heart Failure/mortality
  • Time Factors
  • Adult
  • Female
  • Heart-Assist Devices/adverse effects
  • Registries
  • Aged

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Bioengineering
  • Biophysics
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Biomaterials

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Heart Failure Severity Stratification Beyond INTERMACS Profiles: A Step Toward Optimal Left Ventricular Assist Device Timing'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this