Data Collection
Data was collected retrospectively from the electronic medical record.
Demographic and baseline data collected include sex, age, body mass
index (BMI), race, tobacco use, and past medical history including
diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia. Predicted operative
mortality was calculated for each patient, accounting for patient risk
factors, using the European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation
II (EuroSCORE II) 22. Intraoperative data collected
include LVAD device type, transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) time,
cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time, total operative time, and total
intubation time including during the postoperative period. The intent of
therapy as bridge to transplant or destination therapy was also
recorded. Total intubation time was recorded for the primary intubation
event from the immediate preoperative intubation time to postoperative
extubation time.
Dysphagia variables collected include whether a speech-language
pathologist (SLP) was consulted, whether a barium swallow study was
performed and time to swallow study following surgery, and dysphagia
status and severity. Dysphagia status was recorded as a binary variable,
and severity was recorded as described in the electronic medical record
as mild, moderate, or severe.
Health-related outcomes recorded include total time NPO postoperatively,
intensive care unit (ICU), postoperative and total length of stay (LOS),
incidence of pneumonia and sepsis, 30-day readmission, and 30-day,
1-year, 2-year, and 3-year mortality. Total time NPO was defined as the
time from surgery to the first diet order by mouth excluding orders for
ice chips. Pneumonia was recorded when the medical record documented
clinical suspicion, supporting chest x-ray findings and clinical
features, and a plan of management.