Outcomes and Predictors of Readmissions with GI Bleeding in Patients with Left Ventricular Assist Devices.

CONCLUSIONS: After LVAD implantation, there is a fivefold increased risk of readmission with GI bleeding within 60 days. Gastroduodenal and small intestinal arteriovenous malformations are the most common culprit lesions. These findings suggest that small bowel enteroscopy should be considered as the initial test of choice in patients with suspected upper gastroduodenal bleeding. Readmissions with bleeding in patients with LVADs increase morbidity and cost of care but not mortality. Older patients and those with a history of bleeding during LVAD implantation are at higher risk of bleeding readmission and may benefit from close monitoring and cautious anticoagulation to prevent rebleeding. PMID: 30392001 [PubMed - in process]
Source: Southern Medical Journal - Category: General Medicine Tags: South Med J Source Type: research