23 Stroke outcomes in patients with left ventricular assist device

Left ventricular assist device (LVAD) has been used for end-stage heart failure both as bridge to transplantation (BTT) and destination therapy (DT) for patients not suitable for heart transplantation. Stroke is a major cause of morbidity and mortality associated with LVAD therapy. We aimed to review the incidence and outcome of stroke during LVAD therapy in Hong Kong. Patients who had LVAD implantation from August 2010 to August 2018 for end-stage heart failure were reviewed. A total of 65 patients had LVAD implanted for end-stage heart failure (57 as BTT, 87.7%). The majority were male (n=55, 84.6%), with mean age of 49 years. Overall survival rates were 86.2% at 6 months and 79.2% at 12 months. There were 43 HeartMate IITM, 14 HeartWareTM HVADTM and 8 HeartMate 3TM implants. Twenty neurological events occurred in 18 patients with 10 cases of disabling stroke throughout the whole study period. There were 11 haemorrhagic strokes, 7 ischaemic strokes and 2 transient ischaemic attacks. Stroke and disabling stroke rates at 6 months were 20.7% and 12.1%, respectively. Disabling strokes were more common when haemorrhagic in origin (7 out of 10) and were the commonest cause of mortality in 9 out of 15 (60%) patients throughout the study period. In conclusion, stroke remains an important cause of morbidity and mortality among Hong Kong patients receiving LVAD therapy.