4. Discussion
Present study was an exploratory analysis that assessed PDI as a
potential tool for predicting short and long-term mortality following
continuous-flow LVAD implantation. Key findings from this study were as
follows: i) patients with the highest PDI values were significantly more
likely to have a higher mortality within 15 days of LVAD implantation,
ii) PDI was not useful to predict long term mortality, though patients
with intermediate PDI values had better survival and iii) a high PDI
reflects lower RAP and elevated PVR. While a higher PDI also indicated a
lower short-term survival free of RVF, this was driven mainly by
mortality rather than RVF.