Outcomes of Older Patients With Cardiogenic Shock Using the Impella Device - Insights From the Japanese Registry for Percutaneous Ventricular Assist Device (J-PVAD).

Background: Aging has progressed in several regions of the world with more older patients experiencing acute cardiovascular disease. Impella is a percutaneous potent circulatory support device associated with substantial cost and potential device-related complications.

Methods and results: We analyzed the Japanese nationwide registry, encompassing consecutive patients with cardiogenic shock using Impella. Among 5,718 patients treated between 2020 and 2022, we compared older patients (≥75 years) with younger patients. The primary outcome was the Kaplan-Meier estimated 30-day mortality, and the secondary outcome was Impella-related complications. The median age of the 5,718 patients was 69 (58-77) years, and 1,807 (31.6%) were older, with smaller body mass index, frequent acute coronary syndrome, and infrequent myocarditis. Comorbidities were frequently observed in older patients with a higher ejection fraction and less frequency of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Older patients had a higher 30-day mortality than younger patients (38.9% vs. 32.5%; P<0.0001). The 30-day mortality was statistically equivalent among older subsets (75-79 vs. 80-84 vs. ≥85 years). Device-related complications similarly occurred similarly among the older subsets, except for a modest increase in cardiac tamponade and limb ischemia. Older age, body mass index, myocarditis, prior arrhythmia, shock severity, renal and hepatic impairment, and limb ischemia were associated with 30-day mortality.

Conclusions: The selected older patients using Impella exhibited modestly higher 30-day mortality with similar safety profiles. A longer follow up and optimal patient selection are important.