Neurologic Complications in Patients with Left Ventricular Assist Devices: Single Institution Retrospective Review.
World Neurosurg
; 139: e635-e642, 2020 07.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-32330614
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Neurologic complications are common complications encountered by patients with left ventricular assist devices (LVADs). This single-center retrospective study aims to identify the incidence and risk factors of neurologic complications and interventions in patients supported with LVADs and define the associated anticoagulation management.METHODS:
Between August 2009 and August 2017, 244 patients underwent LVAD implantation. Twenty-one patients were excluded for having neurologic complications before LVAD placement or for having previously undergone heart transplantation.RESULTS:
Fifty-six patients (25%) suffered 61 complications, and 11 (19.6%) died as a result. Gender, type of LVAD, or chronic medical comorbidities evaluated did not contribute to a difference in complication rate; in contrast, length of LVAD implantation was directly related to risk of neurologic complication. Eleven patients (19.6%) underwent 13 surgical interventions including 5 mechanical thrombectomies. Anticoagulation was reversed in 16 patients and held without complication. Anticoagulation was not held for ischemic complications, and no clinically significant hemorrhagic transformation occurred. Intravenous tissue plasminogen activator was also successfully administered to 3 patients without complication.CONCLUSIONS:
Neurologic complications were observed in 25% of patients supported with LVADs, of which 20% required neurosurgical intervention. Anticoagulation can be safely withheld in patients with hemorrhagic complications. Patients with ischemic complications can continue to be anticoagulated with no significant risk of hemorrhagic transformation. Length of LVAD implantation was directly related to the risk of neurologic complication. Finally, our study adds to existing literature that mechanical thrombectomy and even intravenous tissue plasminogen activator are options for LVAD patients with ischemic complications.Palavras-chave
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Bases de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Coração Auxiliar
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Doenças do Sistema Nervoso
Tipo de estudo:
Etiology_studies
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Observational_studies
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Prognostic_studies
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Risk_factors_studies
Limite:
Female
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Humans
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Male
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Middle aged
Idioma:
En
Revista:
World Neurosurg
Assunto da revista:
NEUROCIRURGIA
Ano de publicação:
2020
Tipo de documento:
Article