Abstract 297: Trends in 1-year hospitalizations and costs from 2004 to 2010 among Medicare Fee-For-Service beneficiaries with LVADs

• DOI: 10.1161/circoutcomes.6.suppl_1.a297
• Publication Date: 2022-03-20T00:30:26Z
• Authors: Julianna F Lampro...; Nancy Kim; Yun Wang; Harlan M Krumholz
• Keywords: 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; 3. Good health

Background: Short-term mortality among elderly Left Ventricular Assist Devices (LVADs) recipients has improved over time, yet LVADS are expensive and usually reserved for patients with severe heart failure few other treatment options. Little is known about the long-term illness burden of these how it changed time improvements in LVAD technology. The aim this study to characterize duration cost re-hospitalizations Medicare beneficiaries surviving one year post-LVAD implant from 2004-2010. Methods: We used inpatient National Claims History files Centers Medicaid Services (CMS) identify 100% fee-for-service (FFS) aged ≥65 years that received 2004 2011 were alive 1 after discharge. data was tracking 1-year outcomes 2010 patients. censored died within follow-up. ascertained hospitalizations in-hospital days through corresponding vital status files. Costs defined as total health care facility payments made by per patient. Results: One implantation, proportion living increased 42% (n=45/107) 80% (n=348/433) 2010. readmitted decreased 71% (n= 32/45) 61% (n=281/348) mean number patient hospitalized 30.2 20.8 Total CMS all $50,111 $53,632 Conclusions: From 2010, more survived implant. Elderly spent a decreasing hospital slight increase costs Medicare. This reduction suggests decrease morbidity complementary decline vulnerable group recipients.