The Influence of Arrhythmias and Metabolic Profile on Inpatient Mortality in Patients with Left Ventricular Assist Devices

Abstract

Background: In patients with end-stage heart failure, durable Left Ventricular Assist Devices (LVADs) can be used as a bridge to transplant or destination therapy. LVADs have been shown to improve survival for patients with heart failure (HF). HF is associated with electrolyte abnormalities and the development of sustained arrhythmias. However, data on the influence of arrhythmias and electrolyte imbalances on inpatient outcomes in LVAD patients are lacking. Furthermore, previous works assessing inpatient outcomes focused mainly on the role of chronic comorbidities in those outcomes. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we used discharge data from the National Inpatient Sample from 2019 to 2020 to assess the influence of acute arrhythmias on inpatient mortality in patients with LVADs. We also investigated the relationship between acute medical conditions and mortality. Results: There were 9418 (not survey-adjusted) hospitalizations with LVAD, among which 2539 (27%) died during the hospitalization. Univariate analysis of arrhythmias showed that ventricular arrhythmias (VAs)—ventricular fibrillation/flutter and ventricular tachycardia—as well as complete heart block were associated with significantly higher odds of mortality. Follow-up multivariable logistic analysis showed that these arrhythmias retain their increased association with death. Hyperkalemia and acidosis had increased adjusted odds of death (1.54 (95% confidence interval: 1.28–1.85) (p < 0.001) and 2.44 (CI: 2.14–2.77) (p < 0.001), respectively). Conclusions: VAs, complete heart block, hyperkalemia, and acidosis were associated with increased odds of all-cause mortality. Females had higher odds of inpatient mortality. These findings suggest that electrolyte management, maintenance of optimal acid–base balance, and interventions to treat sustained ventricular arrhythmias may be suitable therapeutic targets to reduce mortality in hospitalized patients with LVADs.