CRIPSR/Cas9 Technology: Hypoimmunogenic Pluripotent Stem Cells Evade Immune Rejection in Fully Immunocompetent Allogeneic Recipients

those with advanced heart failure (HF).Racial disparities in disease management also exist.Methods: In a retrospective review of patients referred for advanced HF therapy at our center, evaluation status was classified as approved for evaluation or as terminated due to access to insurance, other or unspecified reasons.Race and gender distributions were compared to statewide proportions adjusted for incidence of HF and by evaluation status.A multivariable model of the proportion approved, accounting for gender, age (<60, 60-69, 70+), race, program (destination VAD, transplant/bridge to transplant VAD), and interactions, was constructed.Results: Of 2893 referred patients, 2085 (72%) were approved for evaluation, 138 (5%) terminated due to insurance access, 108 (4%) other, and 560 (19%) unspecified.Three in 4 referrals were men, indicating a bias relative to statewide data (74% vs. 48%; p<0.001).Moreover, the proportion of men approved was 7% greater than women (95% CI: 3% -11%; Fig. 1A).The racial composition was 25% African American and 73% Caucasian.Relative to statewide data, representation of African Americans was 5% greater (25% vs. 20%; <0.001) and comparable for Caucasians (73% vs. 74%; p = 0.55) with no differences between Caucasians vs. non-Caucasians approved (Fig. 1B).Accounting for variables in Fig. 1C, significant differences in the odds of acceptance were found by gender, race for 60-69 year-olds, and program for 70+ year-olds (Fig. 1D).Conclusion: In this cohort, incoming referral bias toward males was further skewed at entry into the evaluation process for advanced HF therapy.Incoming referral bias toward African Americans is suggested.In 60-69 year-olds, approval for evaluation is skewed toward Caucasians.Understanding this data may help ensure equitable access to advanced HF therapies.