Impact of prolonged microaxial flow pump support on outcomes in heart transplantation: A single-center experience

Objective: To evaluate whether patients receiving prolonged Impella 5.5 support (greater than 30 days) as a bridge to heart transplantation experience comparable outcomes with those receiving shorter-term support (up to 30 days). Methods: Institutional data were queried between December 2020 and December 2024 for adult patients who were bridged to heart transplantation with the Impella 5.5 device. Patients were stratified into 2 cohorts on the basis of the duration of Impella support (30 days or less vs more than 30 days). Key end points including in-hospital mortality rate and Impella-related complications were compared. Results: < .05). Conclusions: Prolonged Impella 5.5 support was associated with comparable waitlist mortality and greater device-related complications. Our data suggest that prolonged Impella 5.5 support is a viable strategy for bridge to heart transplantation.