Sex-Based Differences in Patients With Left Ventricular-Assisted Devices and Strokes

Sex-based differences in clinical outcomes among patients with stroke related to left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) are not well described.

In this study, the authors examined differences in clinical characteristics and outcomes in men and women who had a stroke during LVAD hospitalization.

The National Inpatient Sample from 2010 and 2019 was used to identify patients with stroke during LVAD hospitalization. Outcomes of interest include inpatient mortality and clinical complications among men vs women. Weighted logistic regression was used to determine the association of sex and outcomes. Adjustments were made for age and the Elixhauser comorbidity index.

In total, 35,820 patients underwent LVAD implantation (77% men), and 6.12% (n = 2,192) of patients experienced stroke. Women who had stroke were younger than men who had stroke (mean age in women was 51 years vs men 59 years, P < 0.001). Men with strokes had a higher burden of comorbidities than women. While there were no differences in the odds of ischemic stroke, women had higher odds of hemorrhagic stroke compared to men (OR: 1.49 [95% CI: 1.02-2.18]). Mortality in patients with LVAD who had stroke was significantly higher than in those without stroke. Between 2010 and 2019, stroke rates significantly increased among men, while the trend remained variable among women.

In this national cohort, men had a higher comorbidity burden and had worsening stroke trends over the last decade compared to women. Women had fewer LVAD implants and a higher incidence of hemorrhagic stroke. Understanding the factors that contribute to sex-related outcome disparities among LVAD stroke patients is crucial in addressing these diverging trends.