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Published on: May 21, 2017
Incidence and clinical implications of aortic root thrombosis in LVAD patients: A single-center experience
Mehmet Karahan1, Sinan Sabit Kocabeyoğlu1, Doğan Emre Sert1
1Clinic of Cardiovascular Surgery, Ankara Bilkent City Hospital, Ankara, Türkiye.
Insights
Aortic root thrombosis (ART) in patients with left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) may be under-recognized. However, this study found no significant impact of ART on mortality or major adverse events in LVAD patients.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Medical Devices
- Thrombosis Research
Background:
- Aortic root thrombosis (ART) is a recognized complication in patients with left ventricular assist devices (LVADs).
- Understanding the clinical outcomes associated with ART is crucial for managing LVAD patients.
- ART may be under-diagnosed, potentially leading to adverse cardiac and end-organ effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the clinical outcomes of patients who develop aortic root thrombosis (ART) after receiving a left ventricular assist device (LVAD).
- To determine the association between ART and adverse events in the LVAD population.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of adult LVAD patients implanted between January 2020 and March 2022.
- Comparison of pre-operative data and post-discharge composite outcomes between patients with and without ART.
- Composite outcomes included cerebrovascular events, pump thrombosis, myocardial infarction, embolic events, bleeding, right ventricular failure, and mortality.
Main Results:
- Of 44 LVAD patients, 20 (45%) developed ART post-discharge, with thrombosis occurring at a median of 59 days.
- The primary site of thrombosis was the non-coronary cusp in 50% of ART cases.
- No significant differences were observed in composite outcomes (p=0.276), mortality (p=0.814), bleeding (p=0.808), or RV failure (p=0.197) between groups.
Conclusions:
- Aortic root thrombosis (ART) is a frequent finding in LVAD patients.
- Despite its occurrence, ART did not significantly increase mortality or major adverse events in this cohort.
- Close monitoring and management of LVAD patients are essential, even in the absence of significant ART-related complications.
Background:
Aortic root thrombosis (ART) in left ventricular assist device (LVAD) patients has gained attention due to potential clinical consequences. This study aims to assess the clinical outcomes associated with ART in LVAD patients.
Methods:
We retrospectively evaluated adult patients who received LVAD implants at our center between January 2020 and March 2022. Pre-operative data, including demographics, laboratory values, and echocardiographic assessments, were similar between the ART and non-ART groups. Composite outcomes such as cerebrovascular events, pump thrombosis, myocardial infarction, embolic events, bleeding, right ventricular (RV) failure, and mortality post-discharge were examined.
Results:
The study included 44 outpatients (36 HeartMate 3, 8 HeartWare). ART was identified in 20 patients (45%) post-discharge. The "no ART" group had a mean age of 47±10 years (23 of 24 patients were male, 95.8%), while the "ART" group had a mean age of 48±12 years (15 of 20 patients were male, 75%), with no significant age difference (p>0.05). Thrombosis occurred at a median of 59 days post-implantation, primarily affecting the non-coronary cusp in 50% of the ART group. The median follow-up period was 416 days. No significant differences were found in composite outcomes (p=0.276), mortality (p=0.814), bleeding (p=0.808), or RV failure (p=0.197).
Conclusion:
ART may be under-recognized in LVAD patients, potentially leading to cardiac and end-organ damage. While ART does not significantly impact mortality, it emphasizes the need for careful management of LVAD patients.
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