Search

Background: Infections and thrombotic events remain life‐threatening complications in patients with ventricular assist devices (VAD). Methods: We describe the relationship between both events in our cohort of patients (n = 220) supported with the HeartWare VAD (HVAD). This is a retrospective analysis of patients undergoing HVAD implantation between July 2009 and March 2019 at the Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom. Results: Infection was the most common adverse event in HVAD patients, with 125 patients (56.8%) experiencing ≥ one infection (n = 168, 0.33 event per person year (EPPY)), followed by pump thrombosis (PT) in 61 patients (27.7%, 0.16 EPPY). VAD‐specific infections were the largest group of infections. Of the 125 patients who had an infection, 66 (53%) had a thrombotic event. Both thrombotic events and infections were related to the duration of support, though there was only limited evidence that infections predispose to thrombosis. Those with higher than median levels of C‐reactive protein during the infection were more likely to have an ischaemic stroke (IS) (34.5% vs 16.7%, p =.03), though not PT or a combined thrombotic event (CTE: first PT or IS). However, in multivariate analysis, there was no significant effect of infection predisposing to CTE. Conclusions: Infection and thrombotic events are significant adverse events related to the duration of support in patients receiving HVADs. Infections do not clearly predispose to thrombotic events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The HeartWare left ventricular assist device has been in use for over 12 years. We sought to determine how outcomes at our centre have improved over time. Review of electronic hospital records at the Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom. A total of 255 first time adult implants were divided into 2 eras: Era 1: 2009–2015 (N = 154) and Era 2: 2016–2020 (N = 101). We prospectively aimed to avoid higher risk Intermacs Classifications in Era 2, which resulted in significant changes in Intermacs class to lower risk in Era 2 (P < 0.001). There was a significant improvement in survival in Era 2, with 1 year survival increasing from 70 to 80% (P < 0.05). This was particularly associated with lower 30 day mortality in Era 2 (1.7 ± 2.3 vs 15.5 ± 7%, P < 0.005). This was associated with better right ventricular function in Era 2, and there was a trend to more temporary right ventricular assist devices used in Era 2 (28 ± 13 vs 12 ± 14%, P = 0.06). Deaths from intracranial haemorrhage, sepsis and right heart failure were unchanged between eras, though there was a trend towards less deaths in Era 2 from combined thromboses deaths (stroke and device thrombosis; 3.3 ± 5.4 vs 11.1 ± 7.4%, P = 0.07). Better patient selection in association with more use of temporary right ventricular assist support has resulted in a significant improvement in survival. Intracranial haemorrhage, sepsis and right heart failure remain significant problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]