TY - BOOK AU - Feller, Erika D TI - Clinical and economic impact of ventricular assist device infections: a real-world claims analysis SN - 1369-6998 PY - 2024/// KW - *Heart Failure KW - *Heart-Assist Devices KW - Heart Failure/th [Therapy] KW - Heart-Assist Devices/ae [Adverse Effects] KW - Humans KW - Insurance Claim Review KW - Retrospective Studies KW - Risk Factors KW - Treatment Outcome KW - United States/ep [Epidemiology] KW - MedStar Heart and Vascular Institute, Baltimore KW - Journal Article N2 - BACKGROUND: VAD therapy has revolutionized the treatment of end-stage heart failure, but infections remain an important complication. The objective of this study was to characterize the clinical and economic impacts of VAD-specific infections; CONCLUSIONS: VAD infections were associated with higher mortality, more healthcare utilization, and higher total cost. Strategies to minimize VAD-specific infections could lead to improved clinical and economic outcomes; METHODS: A retrospective analysis of a United States claims database identified members >= 18 years with a claim for a VAD implant procedure, at least 6 months of pre-implant baseline data, and 12 months of follow-up between 1 June 2016 and 31 December 2019. Cumulative incidence of infection was calculated. Infection and non-infection cohorts were compared regarding mortality, healthcare utilization, and total cost. Regression models were used to identify risk factors associated with infections and mortality; RESULTS: A total of 2,259 patients with a VAD implant were included, with 369 experiencing infection (12-month cumulative incidence 16.1%). Patients with infection were 2.1 times more likely to die (p < 0.001, 95% CI [1.5-2.9]). The mean 12-month total cost per US patient was UR - https://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13696998.2023.2292912 ER -