Risk factors for stroke on left ventricular assist devices

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Neurology
• Medical Devices

Background:

• Patients with end-stage heart failure often require left ventricular assist devices (LVADs).
• Stroke is a significant complication in patients with LVADs.
• Preoperative factors influencing stroke risk in LVAD recipients are not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify preoperative factors associated with an increased risk of stroke in patients receiving a rotary flow LVAD.
• To analyze the incidence and predictors of stroke in LVAD patients.

Main Methods:

• A single-center retrospective review of 390 patients who underwent LVAD implantation between 2009 and 2014.
• Logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with stroke.
• Patients with cerebrovascular events underwent non-contrast head CT scans.

Main Results:

• 15.6% of patients (61 out of 390) experienced a stroke during an average follow-up of 3.5 years.
• Stroke was associated with significantly higher mortality (62% of stroke patients died).
• Independent predictors of stroke included a history of cerebrovascular accident (CVA), hyperlipidemia, and history of venous thromboembolism (VTE).

Conclusions:

• Postoperative stroke following LVAD implantation is linked to increased mortality.
• Identifying and managing preoperative risk factors like CVA, hyperlipidemia, and VTE is crucial for stroke prevention in LVAD patients.