Date Approved

2008

Degree Type

Open Access Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department or School

Health Sciences

Committee Member

Stephen Sonstein, PhD

Committee Member

Francis D. Pagani, MD, PhD

Abstract

Short-term ventricular assist devices (VADs) are mechanical pumps that are used to temporarily support a patient who is in cardiogenic shock. These VADs are effective in sustaining a patient’s life until he or she can been transferred to a tertiary cardiac center such as the University of Michigan Health System. The researcher examined patients’ clinical status at the time of transfer and used univariate analysis to determine which factors are likely to predict a successful outcome. Multivariate analysis showed that younger age and better kidney function were prognostic variables in the patients’ 30-day and long-term survival. These factors improve the chances of a patient becoming a heart transplant candidate and increase the probability of long-term survival.

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