Early stroke after left ventricular assist device implantation: role of right heart failure

Both stroke and right heart failure (RHF) are common and serious complications after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation. The objective of this study was to evaluate relation between stroke and RHF early after LVAD implantation.

This is a retrospective observational cohort study. From January 2012 to December 2020, patients who underwent LVAD implantation in a single-center were enrolled. Patients with a non-dischargeable LVAD or without follow-up data were excluded. Early stroke was defined as a stroke event within 6 months after implantation. Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support (INTERMACS) definition was used for the diagnosis of RHF.

A total of 70 patients underwent LVAD implantation. Sixty-seven patients (95.7%) were successfully discharged and 16 patients (22.9%) died during follow-up. 14 patients (20.0%) experienced a stroke within 6 months after implantation, and 0.28 stroke events per patient-year occurred during follow-up. Postoperative RHF was more common in the stroke group (64.3% vs. 23.2%, P=0.008) and the median time from implantation to RHF was 1 day. In the Cox multivariable analysis, postoperative RHF [hazard ratio (HR): 5.063; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.682-15.245; P=0.004], and cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) on postoperative day (POD) 1 (HR: 0.923; 95% CI: 0.858-0.992; P=0.030) were independent predictors for early stroke. A CPP of 62 mmHg (sensitivity, 71.4%; specificity, 59.3%) was the cutoff value for early stroke according to the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis.

RHF after LVAD implantation may be a risk factor for early stroke. Prevention and management of postoperative RHF with adequate CPP could prevent early stroke after LVAD implantation.