A left ventricular assist device (LVAD) is used to support patients with end-stage heart failure.

To examine the role of comorbidities and complications in predicting in-hospital mortality since the introduction of continuous flow (CF)-LVAD.

The Nationwide Inpatient Sample was queried from 2010 to 2014 using International Classification of Disease-9 code for LVAD among patients 18 years or older. The sample consisted of 2,359 patients (mean age = 55 ± 13.7 years, 76.8% men, 59.3% Caucasian).

Comparative analysis revealed mortality did not differ from 2010 to 2014 (p = 0.653). Increases in comorbidities of atrial fibrillation, acute kidney injury, mechanical ventilation, body mass index ≥ 25, cerebrovascular disease, and mild liver disease were evidenced over the 5-year period (p values ≤ 0.049). Multivariate analysis showed that significant predictors of mortality were comorbid hemodialysis (AOR = 7.62, 95% CI [4.78, 12.27]), cerebrovascular disease (AOR = 5.38, 95% CI [3.49, 8.26]), mechanical ventilation (AOR = 3.83, 95% CI [2.84, 5.18]), mild liver disease (AOR = 1.96, 95% CI [1.38, 2.76]), and acute kidney injury (AOR = 1.62, 95% CI [1.16, 2.28]). Predictive complications included disseminated intravascular coagulation (AOR = 6.41, 95% CI [2.79, 6.84]), sepsis (AOR = 4.37, 95% CI [2.79, 6.84]), septic shock (AOR = 3.9, 95% CI [2.11, 7.59]), and gastrointestinal bleed (AOR = 1.81, 95% CI [1.11, 2.93]).

CF-LVADs have not reduced mortality, possibly due to utilization in patients with comorbid conditions. Future trials are necessary for improved patient selection and reduced post-procedural complications.