Bleeding Complication Rates Are Higher in Females after Continuous-Flow Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation

ASAIO J. 2018 Nov/Dec;64(6):748-753. doi: 10.1097/MAT.0000000000000734.

Abstract

The aims of this analysis were to characterize the burden and timing of bleeding events in females versus males on left ventricular assist device (LVAD) support. A single-center retrospective review of 375 patients receiving continuous-flow LVADs was performed. Bleeding events included gastrointestinal, naso-oropharyngeal, gynecologic (GYN), intracranial hemorrhage (ICH), and mediastinal bleeding. Cox hazard ratios (HRs) [95% CI] and incident event rates for females versus males were calculated. Eighty-four females (22%) and 291 males (78%) received an LVAD. There were 189 patients with 406 bleeding events over a median 399 days of support. Two-year freedom from bleeding was 33 ± 6.2% in females and 46 ± 3.7% in males (p = 0.027). Correlates of bleeding included female sex (adjusted HR = 1.6 [1.1-2.2]) and older age (adjusted HR = 1.2 [1.1-1.3] per 10 years). There was no sex-associated difference in 30 day mediastinal bleeding (males 12%; females 16% at 30 days; overall p = 0.35), but incident event rates for overall bleeding and naso-oropharyngeal bleeding were higher in females (p < 0.05) and trends were noted in ICH (eppy: 0.06 male vs. 0.10 female, p = 0.14). Eight females (10%) experienced 12 GYN bleeding events; five required surgical intervention. In summary, females had a 60% higher hazard of bleeding than males with significant morbidity encountered from mucosa (including vaginal) bleeding. Future large device studies should be inclusive of sex-specific outcomes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Female
  • Heart Failure / surgery
  • Heart-Assist Devices / adverse effects*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Postoperative Hemorrhage / epidemiology*
  • Postoperative Hemorrhage / etiology*
  • Proportional Hazards Models
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Sex Factors