Functional Recovery and Quality-of-Life Improvement 12 Months After LVAD Implantation: A Single-Center Cohort

Q: What are the key findings of this study?

HeartMate 3 LVAD implantation improved the mean quality of life-12 score from 36.1 at baseline to 46.1 at 12 months.

Q: What is the clinical evidence from this study?

Study design: Cohort. Population: Advanced heart failure (n=41). Intervention: HeartMate 3 LVAD vs. Baseline (within-patient comparison). Primary outcome: Change in Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire-12 (KCCQ-12) overall score at 12 months (MD 10.0, p=<0.001).

Q: What does this research mean for the field?

Left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation significantly improves health-related quality of life and functional capacity at 12 months in patients with advanced heart failure. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

Q: What question did this study set out to answer?

To evaluate the extent of functional capacity recovery and health-related quality-of-life improvement in advanced heart failure patients 12 months after receiving a left ventricular assist device.

Mohammed Najdat Seijari; Taraneh Zamani; Ma'in Abumuhfouz; Souwdamini Sethuram; Mohamed Fael; Saadeddine Khayat; Angel Mena; Peter Dinh Tran; Kathryn Lynne O'Keefe; Omar H. Jawaid; Samer Kaspo; Ahmed Chaaban; Sateesh Kesari

doi:10.1016/j.jhlto.2026.100633

July 1, 2026JHLT OpenOpen Access

Functional Recovery and Quality-of-Life Improvement 12 Months After LVAD Implantation: A Single-Center Cohort

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Key result

HeartMate 3 LVAD improves quality of life with a ~10-point gain in 12-month quality of life-12 score.

MD +10.0
P<0.001
n=41

Figures

Why the study?

LVADs improve survival in advanced heart failure, but the extent of functional and quality-of-life recovery remains incompletely characterized.

Does HeartMate 3 LVAD implantation improve functional capacity and quality of life at 12 months in adults with advanced heart failure?

Key Points

To evaluate the extent of functional capacity recovery and health-related quality-of-life improvement in advanced heart failure patients 12 months after receiving a left ventricular assist device.
Conducted a single-center retrospective cohort study of 41 LVAD recipients (all receiving HeartMate 3 devices; 95% destination therapy) at baseline and 12 months post-implant.
Evaluated paired within-patient changes in 35 evaluable patients using standardized instruments, including the KCCQ-12, EQ-5D-3L, EQ-VAS, and 6-minute walk distance (6MWD).
Total KCCQ-12 scores improved from 36.1 ± 11.0 at baseline to 46.1 ± 10.8 at 12 months (p < 0.001), with significant improvements in life enjoyment (p = 0.025), performing household chores (p = 0.026), and jogging limitations (p = 0.018).
Physical endurance and overall health ratings increased significantly, with 6MWD rising from 242 ± 104 m to 320 ± 113 m (p = 0.0054) and EQ-VAS scores increasing from 54.4 ± 23.0 to 72.6 ± 17.0 (p < 0.001).
Patients reported lower stress scores (decreasing from 6.4 to 4.4, p = 0.002) and higher satisfaction with heart failure management (increasing from 7.2 to 8.5, p = 0.033), while secondary outcomes included a 12.2% stroke rate, 26.8% driveline infection rate, and 19.5% all-cause mortality.

Study Design

Type

Cohort (n=41)

Multicenter

No

Structured PICO

Does HeartMate 3 LVAD implantation improve functional capacity and quality of life at 12 months in adults with advanced heart failure?

P

Population

41 adults (mean age 62.2, 32% female) with advanced heart failure receiving HeartMate 3 LVAD implantation predominantly as destination therapy, evaluated at 12 months post-implant.

E

Exposure

HeartMate 3 left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation with standardized follow-up and evaluation at 12 months.

O

Outcome

Changes from baseline to 12 months post LVAD implantation in functional, quality of life, and psychosocial measurements including KCCQ-12, EQ-5D-3L domains, EQ-VAS, 6-minute walk distance (6MWD), and patient-reported stress and satisfaction scores.patient reported

Main Result

Mean Difference: 10

Absolute Event Rate: 46.1% vs 36.1%

p-value: p=<0.001

Limitations

Single-center retrospective design
Modest sample size limits generalizability
Complete-case paired analyses may introduce selection and survivor bias
Missing follow-up data beyond 12 months
Lack of an LVAD-specific patient-reported outcome instrument

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Implication

HeartMate 3 LVAD implantation in a contemporary community-based setting significantly improves patient-reported functional capacity, quality of life, and psychosocial well-being at one year.

Abstract

Background Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) improve survival in advanced heart failure, but the extent of functional and quality-of-life (QoL) recovery remains incompletely characterized. Methods This single-center retrospective study evaluated 41 LVAD recipients at baseline and 12 months post-implant in a contemporary community-based program, with 95% of implants performed as destination therapy, using standardized instruments (KCCQ-12, EQ-5D-3L, EQ-VAS, 6MWD). Paired statistical testing assessed within-patient changes. Results KCCQ-12 scores increased from 36.1 ± 11.0 to 46.1 ± 10.8 (p < 0.001); 6MWD improved from 242 ± 104 m to 320 ± 113 m (p = 0.0054); and EQ-VAS improved from 54.4 ± 23.0 to 72.6 ± 17.0 (p < 0.001). Domains reflecting enjoyment of life (p = 0.025), ability to perform household chores (p = 0.026), and jogging/hurrying limitation (p = 0.018) all improved significantly. Self-reported stress decreased (6.4 → 4.4; p=0.002), and satisfaction with HF therapy increased (7.2 → 8.5; p=0.033). Conclusions One year after LVAD implantation, patients demonstrated improvements in functional capacity and QoL, underscoring the importance of integrating psychosocial and rehabilitative strategies in LVAD care.

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Cite This Study

Seijari et al. (2026) conducted a cohort in Advanced heart failure (n=41). HeartMate 3 LVAD vs. Baseline (within-patient comparison) was evaluated on Change in Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire-12 (KCCQ-12) overall score at 12 months (MD 10.0, p=<0.001). HeartMate 3 LVAD implantation improved the mean quality of life-12 score from 36.1 at baseline to 46.1 at 12 months.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a61e5c2437918011ec92198 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhlto.2026.100633

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Functional Recovery and Quality-of-Life Improvement 12 Months After LVAD Implantation: A Single-Center Cohort

Figures

Key Points

Study Design

Structured PICO

Main Result

Limitations

Ask about this paper

Implication

Abstract

Discussion

Cite This Study

Functional Recovery and Quality-of-Life Improvement 12 Months After LVAD Implantation: A Single-Center Cohort

Figures

Key Points

Study Design

Structured PICO

Main Result

Limitations

Ask about this paper

Implication

Abstract

Discussion

Cite This Study

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