ATC Abstracts

American Transplant Congress abstracts

  • Home
  • Meetings Archive
    • 2022 American Transplant Congress
    • 2021 American Transplant Congress
    • 2020 American Transplant Congress
    • 2019 American Transplant Congress
    • 2018 American Transplant Congress
    • 2017 American Transplant Congress
    • 2016 American Transplant Congress
    • 2015 American Transplant Congress
    • 2013 American Transplant Congress
  • Keyword Index
  • Resources
    • 2021 Resources
    • 2016 Resources
      • 2016 Welcome Letter
      • ATC 2016 Program Planning Committees
      • ASTS Council 2015-2016
      • AST Board of Directors 2015-2016
    • 2015 Resources
      • 2015 Welcome Letter
      • ATC 2015 Program Planning Committees
      • ASTS Council 2014-2015
      • AST Board of Directors 2014-2015
      • 2015 Conference Schedule
  • Search

Could Intravenous Iron Strengthen The Chances Of Heart Transplantation For Patients With Left Ventricular Assist Devices?

A. Mardis1, C. Mardis2, J. Barham3, A. Poole3, S. Branham3, R. Napier4, J. Martin3, P. McCann4

1Department of Pharmacy, Palmetto Health, Columbia, SC, 2Clinical Pharmacy and Outcomes Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 3Cardiothoracic Surgery, Palmetto Health, Columbia, SC, 4Cardiology, Palmetto Health, Columbia, SC

Meeting: 2019 American Transplant Congress

Abstract number: B90

Keywords: Heart transplant patients, Sensitization, Ventricular assist devices

Session Information

Session Name: Poster Session B: Heart and VADs: All Topics

Session Type: Poster Session

Date: Sunday, June 2, 2019

Session Time: 6:00pm-7:00pm

 Presentation Time: 6:00pm-7:00pm

Location: Hall C & D

*Purpose: Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is prevalent in patients supported by left ventricular assist devices (LVADs), is associated with functional limitations, and often warrants blood transfusions. Immunologic sensitization secondary to blood transfusions may lead to delays in transplantation. This pilot study aimed to determine the impact of ferric carboxymaltose (FCM) on IDA, transfusion requirements, readmissions, & functional capacity in an LVAD population.

*Methods: This was a single-center prospective, observational study of LVAD patients at a non-transplant center with IDA (ferritin <100 ng/mL or 100-300 ng/mL with transferrin saturation <20%). Patients received FCM 750 mg x 2 doses as an outpatient. Functional capacity was evaluated by 6-minute walk test (6MWT) prior to and following therapy. Blood transfusion requirements & readmissions were assessed.

*Results: Thirty-four patients received FCM therapy. Baseline data are shown in Table 1. On average, patients were 16 months post-implant, 56% had a history of gastrointestinal bleed (GIB), a third were bridge-to-transplant (BTT), and average baseline lab values included Hgb of 9.9 g/dL and ferritin of 44.2 ng/mL. At 1 month, the average Hgb was significantly improved (12.1±1.5 g/dL vs 9.9±1.4, p<0.0001), and this continued at 3 months (12.1±1.7, p<0.0001) and 6 months (12.5±1.6, p<0.0001) post-treatment. Blood transfusion requirements were significantly lower in the 3 months post-therapy versus the prior 3 months, though the reduction in admissions over this period did not reach statistical significance. While all patients noted subjective functional improvements, there was no difference in 6MWT (Table 2).

*Conclusions: Pilot data in this prospective evaluation of IV iron replacement in LVAD patients with IDA shows a significant improvement in Hgb through 6 months with reduced blood transfusion requirements. Future directions include assessing the impact of limiting IDA-related blood transfusions on panel reactive antibody, other markers of functional status, and transplant rate in the BTT population.

 border=

  • Tweet
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • Click to print (Opens in new window) Print

To cite this abstract in AMA style:

Mardis A, Mardis C, Barham J, Poole A, Branham S, Napier R, Martin J, McCann P. Could Intravenous Iron Strengthen The Chances Of Heart Transplantation For Patients With Left Ventricular Assist Devices? [abstract]. Am J Transplant. 2019; 19 (suppl 3). https://atcmeetingabstracts.com/abstract/could-intravenous-iron-strengthen-the-chances-of-heart-transplantation-for-patients-with-left-ventricular-assist-devices/. Accessed May 31, 2025.

« Back to 2019 American Transplant Congress

Visit Our Partner Sites

American Transplant Congress (ATC)

Visit the official site for the American Transplant Congress »

American Journal of Transplantation

The official publication for the American Society of Transplantation (AST) and the American Society of Transplant Surgeons (ASTS) »

American Society of Transplantation (AST)

An organization of more than 3000 professionals dedicated to advancing the field of transplantation. »

American Society of Transplant Surgeons (ASTS)

The society represents approximately 1,800 professionals dedicated to excellence in transplantation surgery. »

Copyright © 2013-2025 by American Society of Transplantation and the American Society of Transplant Surgeons. All rights reserved.

Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Cookie Preferences