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Left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation via thoracotomy with outflow cannula anastomosis to the descending aorta is an alternative implantation technique that uses a single incision and avoids anterior mediastinal planes. We evaluated long-term survival and hospital readmissions after LVAD implantation via thoracotomy with outflow cannula anastomosis to the descending aorta.

Adult patients implanted with a continuous flow centrifugal LVAD at an academic center were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were assigned to 1 of 2 cohorts based on the anastomosis site of the LVAD outflow cannula: ascending aorta cohort (Asc-Ao) and descending aorta cohort (Desc-Ao). Primary and secondary outcomes were survival and hospital readmissions during device support. Readmission analysis included patients with ≥30-day survival after discharge. Multivariable analysis and propensity …