Up to 50% of heart transplant candidates require bridging with left ventricular assist devices (VAD). This study describes hospital activity and cost 1 year preceding and 1 year following VAD implant (pre-VAD) and for the year before transplant (pre-HTX). The sample comprises an Australian cohort and is the first study to investigate costs using both institutional and linked administrative data.

Institutional activity was established for 77 consecutive patients actively listed for transplant between 2009 and 2012. Costs were sourced from the institution or Australian refined diagnosis groups (arDRGs) and the National Efficient Price for admissions to other public and private institutions. Data from 25/77 VAD recipients were analysed and compared with data from 52/77 pre-transplant patients. Total and per day at risk costs were assessed, as well as totals per resource.

Fifty per cent (50%) of the hospital costs in the pre-VAD year occurred during admission of VAD implant. Sixty-four per cent (64%) of costs in the pre-HTX and 38% in the pre-VAD period occurred outside the implanting centre. Costs in the year prior to VAD, $97,565 (IQR $86,907–$153,916), were significantly higher than costs accrued in the year prior to transplant, $40,250 ($13,493–$81,260), p < 0.0001. Once discharged, costs per day at risk for post-VAD patients approximated those from the pre-admission period, p = 0.16 and in the more clinically stable pre-HTX cohort, p = 0.08.

Compared with the year prior, VAD implant stabilised hospital cost in patients discharged home. A high proportion of the hospital costs in the pre-implant year occur outside the implanting centre and should be considered in economic models assessing the impact of VAD implant.