Can a Left Ventricular Assist Device in Individuals with Advanced Systolic Heart Failure Improve or Reverse Frailty?

ABSTRACT:

Background/objectives

Frailty, characterized by low physiological reserves, is strongly associated with vulnerability to adverse outcomes. Features of frailty overlap with those of advanced heart failure, making a distinction between them difficult. We sought to determine whether implantation of a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) would decrease frailty.

Design

Prospective, cohort study.

Setting

Five academic medical centers.

Participants

Frail individuals (N = 29; mean age 70.6 ± 5.5, 72.4% male).

Measurements

Frailty, defined as having 3 or more of the Fried frailty criteria, was assessed before LVAD implantation and 1, 3, and 6 months after implantation. Other domains assessed included quality of life, using the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Question

SUBMITTER: Maurer MS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5681378 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature