Combination Evaluation of Preoperative Risk Indices Predicts Requirement of Biventricular Assist Device

Background: Patients with biventricular assist device (BiVAD) placement have a poor prognosis, but preoperative risk factors for the necessity of BiVAD have not been fully elucidated. Methods and Results: Data from 79 patients who received left ventricular assist device (LVAD) between November 2002 and December 2011 were retrospectively reviewed. Overall, 9 patients (11.4%) required BiVAD, and the survival rate of BiVAD patients was significantly lower than that of LVAD patients (P20 using the new scoring method indicated significantly high probability of BiVAD requirement (OR, 16.00; P=0.019). Conclusions: The new scoring method, which includes CVP/PCWP ratio, is a novel risk stratification tool for BiVAD therapy. (Circ J 2012; 76: 2785–2791)