Long-Term Outcomes in Ventricular Assist Device Outflow Cannula Anastomosis to the Descending Aorta.

Background: Left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation via thoracotomy with outflow cannula anastomosis to the descending aorta is an alternative implantation technique that uses a single incision and avoids anterior mediastinal planes. We evaluated long-term survival and hospital readmissions after LVAD implantation via thoracotomy with outflow cannula anastomosis to the descending aorta.

Methods: Adult patients implanted with a continuous flow centrifugal LVAD at an academic center were retrospectively analyzed.