Digoxin Treatment Reverses Angiogenic Switch during HeartMate 3 Support and is Associated with Decrease Risk for Gastrointestinal Bleeding

Gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) in LVAD patients is most commonly caused by gastrointestinal angiodysplasia (GIAD). Non-pulsatile blood flow in LVAD patients can cause splanchnic submucosal hypoperfusion and hypoxia leading to activation of a HIF1- α /Angiopoietins (Ang) signaling cascade, that can trigger pathological angiogenesis. We have recently shown that the use of digoxin, a potent inhibitor of HIF1-α, is associated with a significant reduction in GIAD related GIB in HeartMate (HM) II and HeartWare HVAD patients.

Source: The Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation - March 31, 2020 Category: Transplant Surgery Authors: S. Vukelic, N. Sibinga, P. Vlismas, C. Alvarez, D. Sims, O. Saeed, J. Shin, S. Forest, S. Patel, D. Goldstein, U.P. Jorde Tags: (40) Source Type: research