An external validation study of the Utah Bleeding Risk Score

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Gastroenterology
• Medical Devices

Background:

• Gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) is a significant complication in patients with continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices (CF-LVAD).
• The Utah Bleeding Risk Score (UBRS) was developed to predict GIB in CF-LVAD patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To externally validate the predictive ability of the UBRS in a cohort of CF-LVAD patients.
• To assess the applicability of the UBRS for predicting GIB in this population.

Main Methods:

• The UBRS was calculated for 111 CF-LVAD patients.
• GIB events were summarized, and patients were stratified into risk groups.
• Predictive ability was examined using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis at 3 years and during the entire support period.

Main Results:

• The UBRS showed poor predictive ability (AUC < 0.52) for GIB at 3 years and during the whole support time.
• No significant difference in UBRS was observed between patients with and without GIB.
• Coronary artery disease was associated with an increased risk of GIB beyond the third year of support.

Conclusions:

• The UBRS is not applicable for predicting GIB in this cohort of CF-LVAD patients.
• Coronary artery disease may be a risk factor for GIB in CF-LVAD patients.
• Further validation in a larger cohort is recommended.