Decision Aid Calculator Results
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Date calculated: January 1, 2000
Life Prolongation
This summary will provide you information on the potential benefits and risks you can expect from receiving an LVAD. It is designed to be reviewed with the input of your healthcare team and alongside the “Deciding Together” decision, which you can find at www.lvaddecisionaid.com.
WITHOUT AN LVAD
WE ESTIMATE THAT:
Below is our best guess for your survival past 1 and 2 years without an LVAD.
00 out of 00 patients
will survive past 1 year.
00 out of 00 patients
will survive past 2 years.
WITH AN LVAD
WE ESTIMATE THAT:
Below are personalized estimates for surviving past 1 and 2 years with an LVAD.
00 out of 00 patients like you
will survive past 1 year.
00 out of 00 patients like you
will survive past 2 years.
Patients who will survive
Patients who will not survive
The survival estimates for living without an LVAD are generated differently by different healthcare teams, and if you are on IV medications, your prolongation may be lower. The numbers you see represent your healthcare team’s best guess at your survival at 1 and 2 years. The personalized estimates are generated by the HM3RS calculator, which compares your clinical profile against others like you who have received an LVAD. For more, go to www.lvaddecisionaid.com.
Possible Challenges
LVAD also comes with some risks and potential complications. The material below provides average risk estimates of certain complications and difficulties involved in life post-VAD.
How often do LVAD complications happen?
Long-term results from a group of 1,685 patients during surgery and in the first 2 years after LVAD implant:
0 to 1 out of 10 patients (1%) will have suspected or confirmed pump thrombosis
0 to 1 out of 10 patients (3%) will need surgery to replace their LVAD
1 out of 10 patients will have a stroke
1 out of 10 patients will experience renal failure
2 out of 10 patients will get a LVAD drive-line infection
2 out of 10 patients will have respiratory failure
4 out of 10 patients will get a local infection not associated with LVAD
4 out of 10 patients will have any right heart failure
5 out of 10 patients will experience any bleeding
1. Mehra, Mandeep R., Joseph C. Cleveland, Nir Uriel, Jennifer A. Cowger, Shelley Hall, Douglas Horstmanshof, Yoshifumi Naka, et al. “Primary Results of Long-term Outcomes in the MOMENTUM 3 Pivotal Trial and Continued Access Protocol Study Phase: A Study of 2200 HeartMate 3 Left Ventricular Assist Device Implants.” European Journal of Heart Failure 23, no. 8 (August 2021): 1392-1400. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33932272/
Your survival estimates and risks of experiencing adverse complications may change over time. Ask your doctor about ways you might reduce the risks you face.
AGGREGATE BENEFITS
Functionality
- NYHA class I-II functional capacity in 75–80% at 2 years
- 2.5 fold improvement in 6MWD (to >300 meters at 2 years)
Quality of Life
- >75% increase in KCCQ score (+30 points)
2. Mehra, Mandeep R., Nayak, Aditi, Desai, Akshay, S. "Life-Prolonging Benefits of LVAD Therapy in Advanced Heart Failure: A Clinician's Action and Communication Aid." JACC Heart Fail. 2023 Aug;11(8 Pt 1):1011-1017. doi: 10.1016/j.jchf.2023.05.013. Epub 2023 May 24. PMID: 37226447.
Treatment Goals and Making a Decision
Being clear about what your treatment goals are can help you when you speak with your healthcare team. Below, please circle the items which are most on your mind when thinking about getting an LVAD.
- Prolonging your life for as long as possible
- Avoiding a stroke
- Increasing dependence on others
- Improving heart failure symptoms
- Increasing your mobility
- Adjustment to new lifestyle
- Avoiding frequent rehospitalizations
- Bridging to a transplant
