Living at Distance from the Implanting Center: Any Impact on LVAD Patients Outcome?

PurposeImplanting Centers (IC) provide higher standard of care for LVAD patients compared to other facilities. The study aimed analyze the impact distance between patient residency and IC on outcomes.MethodsAll discharged from 5 Italian after implantation 2010 2020 were divided into 2 groups by IC: A<100 Miles (n=175) B>100 (n=141). Patients followed-up regularly VAD Teams. Primary end-point was freedom Adverse Events (AEs), a composite outcome including death device-related complications. Secondary end-points included event rates mortality complications.ResultsBaseline clinical characteristics indications did not differ two (Table). Group A received more centrifugal flow pump (p=0.02). During mean time 23±18 months, B likely receive Heart Transplantation (27% vs 14%, p=0.01). Freedom AEs at 3 years 51% 43% B, respectively (p=0.32), Fig A. Event-rates complications similar groups, as shown in B.ConclusionA >100 does represent risk factor worse outcomes mid-term follow-up. Different factors (strict follow-up protocols and/or telemedicine) could justify satisfactory results independently residency. rate heart transplantation group be related different allocation policies among IC. Implanting outcomes. All Baseline B.