Complications and Status Upgrades among Adult Heart Transplant Candidates with Durable LVADs: Waiting 6 to 8 Years for Status Escalation Is Too Long.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

After the 2018 allocation policy change, the rate of listings and transplants with durable LVADs has decreased significantly in favor of bridging patients from temporary mechanical circulatory support to heart transplant. The Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) recently approved a policy, to be implemented in September 2026, stipulating that patients supported by durable LVADs for 6 and 8 years will obtain statuses 3 and 2, respectively.

Methods

Using OPTN data, we identified all adult heart transplant candidates with a durable LVAD implanted between October 18, 2018 and May 31, 2025. We estimated the cumulative incidence of status upgrades and durable LVAD-related complications, treating transplantation and waitlist removal before experiencing

SUBMITTER: Ahn DJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12485994 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature