Increased Risk of Thromboembolic Events Following Gastrointestinal Bleeds among Left Ventricular Assist Device Patients

Introduction: Patients with left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) are typically treated with warfarin and aspirin to prevent pump thrombosis and ischemic stroke. It has been observed that LVAD patients have a high incidence of bleeding complications, most commonly from the gastrointestinal tract. Patients who experience gastrointestinal bleeds (GIB) requiring hospitalization typically undergo a reduction in their anticoagulation and/or antiplatelet regimen. Few studies have examined the relationship between GIB and thromboembolic (TE) events in this population.
Source: Journal of Cardiac Failure - Category: Cardiology Authors: Source Type: research