Aortic root thrombosis in patients supported with continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices

Aortic root thrombosis (ART) is a recently recognized complication of continuous-flow left ventricular assist device (CF-LVAD) therapy. However, little is known about the prevalence or clinical significance of this complication. The aim of our study was to systematically evaluate the incidence and significance of ART on CF-LVAD support.

We retrospectively reviewed all patients who underwent HeartMate II or HeartWare HVAD CF-LVAD implantation from April 2004 through June 2016 at the Columbia University Medical Center. Echocardiography studies were systematically reviewed to identify patients who developed ART. Study outcomes included post-ART survival on CF-LVAD support, stroke, pump thrombosis, and clinically significant myocardial infarction (MI).

The study cohort consisted of 436 CF-LVAD patients with 21 patients (4.8%) diagnosed with confirmed ART at a median time of 22 days (interquartile range [IQR] 3 to 56 days) after CF-LVAD implantation. Involvement of the non-coronary cusp was the most common location of the ART (n = 15, 71.4%) and concomitant RV failure occurred in 14 patients (66.7%). Actuarial survival at 1 and 2 years after diagnosis of ART was 73.8% and 44.3%, respectively. ART was associated with a high rate of complications, including stroke (28.6%, 0.337 episode per patient-year [EPPY]) and clinically significant MI (28.6%, 0.337 EPPY).

ART is not uncommon after CF-LVAD implantation and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality in CF-LVAD patients. Given the early occurrence and high incidence of stroke and MI in patients who develop ART, surveillance and treatment strategies should be implemented to address this potentially devastating complication.