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The Randomized Evaluation of Mechanical Assistance for the Treatment of Congestive Heart Failure (REMATCH) trial demonstrated increased 1- and 2-year survival and improved quality of life for end-stage heart failure patients implanted with the HeartMate VE Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) (Thoratec Corporation, Pleasanton, CA) compared with optimal medical management. This is the first report of Destination Therapy (DT) experience since REMATCH and incorporates improvements with the HeartMate XVE LVAD and patient management. Forty-two patients with end-stage heart failure at higher volume institutions were supported with the LVAD over a duration of 26.7 patient years (mean 232 days). Compared with REMATCH, DT patients had a 40% lower rate of death (0.49 vs. 0.84 deaths per patient year). Kaplan-Meier estimates of survival in the DT and REMATCH LVAD groups at 30 days were 90% and 81%, and at 1 year were 61% and 52%. The death rate due to sepsis was 8.3 times lower in DT patients (risk ratio, 0.12; 95% confidence interval, 0.02-0.90). DT patients were 2.1 times less likely to experience an adverse event (risk ratio, 0.47; 95% confidence interval, 0.35-0.63). These results demonstrate continued improvement with outcomes in long-term DT with LVADs. Given that these DT patients were similar to those in the REMATCH trial, the improved outcomes likely reflect improvements in the HeartMate XVE LVAD and experience with patient management.
Long et al. (Sun,) studied this question.