Diffuse Connective Tissue Diseases and Left-Ventricular Assist Devices: Insights from the National Inpatient Sample

Durable left-ventricular assist devices (LVAD) have become an increasingly frequent treatment strategy for end-stage heart failure (HF) but their use remains limited by complications including bleeding, thrombosis, and stroke. The impact of LVAD therapy on outcomes in HF patients with postulated higher risk comorbid conditions, such as diffuse connective tissue diseases (DCTD), has not been well studied to date. Given that these patients have an inherently higher risk of hematological complications than the general population, we aimed to investigate demographic characteristics and outcomes after LVAD implantation in this unique patient cohort.

Source: Journal of Cardiac Failure - August 1, 2018 Category: Cardiology Authors: Ann Gage, Vanessa Blumer, Miguel Ortiz, Emer Joyce Tags: 323 Source Type: research