Body Mass Index is a Useful Predictor of Prognosis After Left Ventricular Assist System Implantation

Background The obesity paradox has recently attracted considerable interest in the study of many diseases. In this investigation we examine the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and prognosis after left ventricular assist system (LVAS) implantation. Methods We measured the BMI of 64 patients 3 months after LVAS implantation for end-stage heart failure. The patients were classified according to BMI into Group A (BMI 1 year) mortality was significantly higher in Group A than in Groups B and C (59% vs 40% and 18%, respectively; p < 0.05). The incidence of sepsis was also significantly higher in Group A than in Groups B and C (68% vs 45% and 32%, respectively; p < 0.05). After multivariate adjustment, BMI