Gender disparities with the use of percutaneous left ventricular assist device in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention complicated by cardiogenic shock: From pVAD Working Group

BACKGROUND: Hemodynamic support with Impella (Abiomed Inc., Danvers, MA) devices is becoming a more prevalent treatment option for patients with cardiogenic shock (CS) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). There exists only limited published data regarding outcome differences between male and female patients. Therefore, the objective of this paper is to analyze these gender differences between short-term survival and in-hospital outcomes in those undergoing PCI with CS. METHODS: Between January 2011 and July 2016, patients undergoing PCI with simultaneous use of Impella were identified. Only patients presenting with CS were included in the analysis. All-cause in-hospital mortality was the primary outcome. Using SAS 9.4 for propensity score matching, additional secondary outcomes were also compared. RESULTS: The primary outcome was comparable between males and females (39.5% vs. 26.3%, p = 0.33) in CS patients. Secondary outcomes were also comparable and included: myocardial infarction, stroke, CS, heart failure, dialysis requirement, bleeding within 72 h, blood transfusion, dysrhythmia, composite of all complications, major adverse cardiac events. Survival at 30 days was equal in both groups. A reduced mortality in males was noted for pre-PCI initiation of Impella. Additionally, both genders who received pre-PCI Impella support, experienced a significant reduction in inotrope use. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the small number of cohorts, this study did not reveal any significant differences among gender with the use of percutaneous left ventricular assist devices for PCI in patients with acute myocardial infarction complicated by CS. However, initiation of Impella prior to PCI may be associated with improved mortality and morbidity in both genders.