Outcomes in peripheral right ventricular device support: Comparing the dual lumen, single canula and femoral vein cannulation strategies for right ventricular support

Introduction The Protek Duo (PtD) dual lumen, single cannula was developed as a percutaneous system for temporary mechanical support, inserted through the internal jugular vein (IJ) for both atrial inflow and pulmonary artery outflow. Outcomes of PtD compared to alternative Peripheral Right Ventricular Assist Device (pRVAD) methods are limited. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted of pRVAD recipients from January 2017 - February 2022 ( n = 111). These were classified into PtD ( n = 52) patients and Non-Protek [(N-PtD) ( n = 59)] recipients undergoing cannulation of the IJ and femoral vein. Results were further stratified by indication for pRVAD support: cardiogenic etiologies of heart failure and progressive ARDS. Results No survival benefit was detected between PtD and N-PtD groups at 1-week (OR: 1.32, 95% CI: 0.49–3.56, p = 0.58) or 6-month (OR: 9.83, 95% CI: 0.37–1.84, p = 0.64) follow-up. There were no statistically significant differences in whether patients’ mobility progressed to out-of-bed activity ( p = 0.26) or ambulation ( p = 0.38). No differences were noted in time to out-of-bed ( p = 0.26) or time to ambulation ( p = 0.36). On subgroup analysis of patients by indication for pRVAD cannulation, these results persisted; no difference was noted in mid-term mortality (Cardiogenic: p = 0.39; ARDS: p = 0.91), progression to out-of-bed ( p = 0.59; p = 1.00), or ambulation ( p = 0.51; p -0.68). Among secondary outcomes, PtD patients had an increased dialysis requirement ( p = 0.02). There were no differences in ability to wean from RVAD ( p = 0.06), tracheostomy ( p = 0.88), major bleeding events ( p = 0.57), stroke ( p = 0.58), or hospital length of stay ( p = 0.39). Conclusions Outcomes with PtD are comparable to those of traditional pRVAD cannulation strategies. Of note, no mobility benefit was observed to the use of PtD across several metrics.