Disparity in receiving destination treatment for heart failure patients according to HIV status

Abstract Background Patients living with HIV (PLWH) are well known to be at higher risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. However, PLWH with end-stage HF (ESHF) might not be considered for definitive treatments equally as their HIV-negative counterparts. Methods National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database was queried to identify ESHF patients hospitalized to receive left ventricular assist device (LVAD) or undergo heart transplantation (HTX). In-hospital outcomes of this population were stratified based on HIV status. Results Weighted data of a total of 16,700 ESHF patients was retrieved, out of which 65 patients (0.2%) had a positive HIV status. Out of 65 PLWH with ESHF, 35 patients (53.8%) received LVAD, and 30 patients (46.1%) received HTX, which were comparable to their HIV-negative counterparts (58.4% and 43.1%, respectively). Although PLWH had a longer length of stay (39.7±35.6 days vs. 49.5±, 42.3 days, p=0.3) and higher hospital charges ($1,458,527±$ 1,509,873 vs. $1,113,344±$953,830) than HIV negative counterparts, the difference was not statistically significant. Mortality rate did not differ between HF patients based on HIV positive status or the bridge/destination treatment they had received. Conclusions Although the proportion of PLWH with HF who received HTX has decreased over the last few years, the proportion of those who received LVAD has been on a compensatory rise. HIV positive status is not associated with a higher mortality rate but increases the length of stay and hospital charges.