Increased Need for Right Ventricular Support in Patients With Chemotherapy-Induced Cardiomyopathy Undergoing Mechanical Circulatory Support

Objectives The aim of this study was to investigate the use of durable mechanical circulatory support (MCS) in patients with chemotherapy-induced cardiomyopathy (CCMP) and determine their outcomes and survival in comparison to that of other patients with end-stage heart failure treated similarly. Background Patients with end-stage heart failure as a result of CCMP from anthracyclines are often precluded from heart transplantation because of a history of cancer. In such patients, durable MCS may offer an important chance for life prolongation. Yet, there are no data to support the use of MCS in this increasingly prevalent group of patients. Methods We searched 3,812 MCS patients from June 2006 through March 2011 in the INTERMACS (Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support) database for the diagnosis of CCMP. We compared characteristics, outcomes, and survival between CCMP patients and patients with nonischemic cardiomyopathy and ischemic cardiomyopathy. Results Compared with patients with nonischemic cardiomyopathy and ischemic cardiomyopathy, patients with CCMP were overwhelmingly female (72% vs. 24% vs. 13%, p = 0.001), had MCS more often implanted as destination therapy (33% vs. 14% vs. 22%, p = 0.03), required more right ventricular assist device support (19% vs. 11% vs. 6%, p = 0.006), and had a higher risk of bleeding (p = 0001). Survival of CCMP patients was similar to that of other groups. Conclusions CCMP patients treated with MCS have survival similar to other MCS patients despite more frequent need for right ventricular assist device support and increased bleeding risk. (1 Am Coll Cardiol 2014;63:240-8) 2014 by the American College of Cardiology Foundation