Transition From Temporary to Durable Circulatory Support Systems

Background: The decision to implant durable mechanical circulatory systems (MCSs) in patients on extracorporeal life support (ECLS) is challenging due to expected poor outcomes in these patients. Objectives: The aim of this study was to identify outcome predictors that may facilitate future patient selection and decision making. Methods: The Durable MCS after ECLS registry is a multicenter retrospective study that gathered data on consecutive patients who underwent MCS implantation after ECLS between January 2010 and August 2018 in 11 high-volume European centers. Several perioperative parameters were collected. The primary endpoint was survival at 1 year after durable MCS implantation. Results: A total of 531 durable MCSs after ECLS were implanted during this period. The average patient age was 53 ± 12 years old. ECLS cannulation was peripheral in 87% of patients and 33% of the patients had history of cardiopulmonary resuscitation before ECLS implantation. The 30-day, 1-year, and 3-year actuarial survival rates were 77%, 53%, and 43%, respectively. The following predictors for 1-year outcome have been observed: age, female sex, lactate value, Model of End-Stage Liver Disease XI score, history of atrial fibrillation, redo surgery, and body mass index >30 kg/m². On the basis of this data, a risk score and an app to estimate 1-year mortality was created. Conclusions: The outcome in patients receiving durable MCS after ECLS remains limited, yet preoperative factors may allow differentiating futile patients from those with significant survival benefit.