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Gastrointestinal Bleeding in Mechanical Cardiac Support
Alexander P McNally1, Nicholas L Bandy1, Colten Yahn1
16040Department of Surgery, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, USA.
Insights
Gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) affects over 25% of patients on mechanical cardiac support (MCS), with higher risks in those with comorbidities. Early endoscopy and careful anticoagulation management are crucial for these patients.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Gastroenterology
- Medical Devices
Background:
- Mechanical cardiac support (MCS) is vital for heart failure patients.
- Gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) is a significant risk associated with MCS.
- Understanding GIB incidence and risk factors in MCS patients is critical.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence of GIB in patients receiving mechanical cardiac support.
- To identify risk factors associated with GIB in this patient population.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of patients (2009-2018) with durable and nondurable MCS.
- Evaluation of clinical records for demographics, GIB characteristics, and interventions.
- Univariate and multivariate analyses to identify risk factors.
Main Results:
- 25.9% of 427 patients experienced 218 GIB episodes.
- GIB incidence reached 44.9% by 6 months and 60.6% by 12 months.
- Hypertension, diabetes, pulmonary, hepatic, and renal diseases were associated with higher bleeding rates. Angiodysplasia was the most common cause.
Conclusions:
- GIB is a significant adverse event in MCS patients.
- Careful management of anticoagulation is essential.
- Early endoscopic evaluation is important for diagnosis and treatment.
Background:
Mechanical cardiac support (MCS) is a lifesaving therapy option in patients with heart failure and other medical disorders. However, there is an associated risk of gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB). The goal of this study was to determine GIB incidence and associated risk factors.
Methods:
All patients at one institution from 2009 to 2018 under durable and nondurable support were retrospectively reviewed for GIB during their MCS period. Clinical records were evaluated for patient demographics, GIB characteristics, and interventions. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to compare patient groups.
Results:
A total of 427 patients were reviewed, with 111 (25.9%) patients representing 218 episodes of GIB during our study period. The incidence rate from support initiation to GIB was 44.9% by 6 months and 60.6% in 12 months, occurring at a mean of 216.7 days. Higher rates of bleeding were found in patients with hypertension (82% vs 71.5%; P = .03) and diabetes mellitus (62.2% vs 38.3%; P < .0001), as well as pulmonary (48.7% vs 35.4%; P = .014), hepatic (21.6% vs 10.4%; P = .003), and renal disease (48.7% vs 37.3%; P = .037). Endoscopy revealed an upper GI source in 56% (n = 123) of bleeds. The most common etiology of bleeding included angiodysplasia/vascular malformation (35.7%). Therapeutic intervention was performed in 109 (50%) cases, with only 1 surgical intervention.
Discussion:
Overall, GIB can be a significant adverse event in patients under mechanical cardiac support, so proper management of anticoagulation and early endoscopy evaluation remains of great importance.
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