Clinical Outcomes, Trends in Weight, and Weight Loss Strategies in Patients With Obesity After Durable Ventricular Assist Device Implantation

Purpose of Review To discuss clinical outcomes, changes in weight, and weight loss strategies of patients with obesity post left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation. Recent Findings Despite increased complications in patients with obesity after LVAD implantation, survival is comparable to patients without obesity. A minority of patients with obesity lose significant weight and become eligible for heart transplantation after LVAD implantation. In fact, a great majority of such patients gain weight post-implantation. Summary Obesity by itself should not be considered prohibitive for LVAD therapy but, rather, should be incorporated into the overall risk assessment for LVAD implantation. Concerted strategies should be developed to promote sustainable weight loss in patients with obesity and LVAD to improve quality of life, eligibility, and outcomes after heart transplantation. Investigation of the long-term impact of weight loss on patients with obesity with LVAD is warranted.

Automated summary

Obesity should not be considered a barrier to LVAD therapy, but rather integrated into the overall risk assessment for LVAD implantation; targeted strategies should be developed to promote sustainable weight loss in obese patients with LVAD to improve quality of life, eligibility, and outcomes after heart transplantation. Investigation into the long-term impact of weight loss on obese patients with LVAD is necessary.