Antithrombotic therapy for left ventricular assist devices in adults: a systematic review

• Published in: Journal of thrombosis and haemostasis Vol. 13; no. 6; pp. 946 - 955
• Main Authors: Baumann Kreuziger, L. M., Kim, B., Wieselthaler, G. M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Limited 01.06.2015
• Subjects: Anticoagulants; Anticoagulants - adverse effects; Anticoagulants - therapeutic use; Blood Coagulation - drug effects; Chi-Square Distribution; Drug Monitoring - methods; Fibrinolytic Agents - adverse effects; Fibrinolytic Agents - therapeutic use; Heart Failure - diagnosis; Heart Failure - physiopathology; Heart Failure - therapy; Heart-Assist Devices - adverse effects; hemorrhage; Hemorrhage - chemically induced; Humans; International Normalized Ratio; Medical treatment; Odds Ratio; Platelet Aggregation - drug effects; platelet aggregation inhibitors; Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors - adverse effects; Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors - therapeutic use; Predictive Value of Tests; Prosthesis Design; Risk Assessment; Risk Factors; thrombosis; Thrombosis - blood; Thrombosis - etiology; Thrombosis - prevention & control; Treatment Outcome; ventricular assist device; Ventricular Function, Left; ventricular assist device; anticoagulants; thrombosis; platelet aggregation inhibitors; hemorrhage
• ISSN: 1538-7933; 1538-7836; 1538-7836
• DOI: 10.1111/jth.12948

Summary Background Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) have dramatically increased the survival of adults with end‐stage systolic heart failure. However, rates of bleeding and thromboembolism remain high. Objectives We completed a systematic review to evaluate outcomes of adults with LVADs treated with various anticoagulant and antiplatelet strategies. Methods Databases were searched using the terms ‘assist device’, ‘thrombosis’, and ‘anticoagulant’ or ‘platelet aggregation inhibitor’ with appropriate synonyms, device names and manufacturers. Results and Conclusions Of 977 manuscripts, 24 articles met the inclusion criteria of adults with implanted LVADs where clinical outcomes were defined based on anticoagulant and/or antiplatelet regimen. Most studies reported treatment with unfractionated heparin post‐operatively which was transitioned to a vitamin K antagonist (VKA). Goal INR varied between 1.5–3.5. Antiplatelet regimens ranged from no treatment to dual therapy. Definition of major bleeding differed between trials and incidence varied between 0% and 58%. The available evidence could not demonstrate a clear benefit of aspirin compared with VKA therapy alone [stroke RR 1.02 (95% CI 0.49–2.1)]. There was a suggestion that treatment with aspirin and dipyridamole decreased the risk of thromboembolism compared to aspirin [RR 0.50 (0.36–0.68)], but the comparison is limited by differences in demographics, devices, and INR goals among studies. Additionally, most studies did not blind investigators to outcomes thus contributing to an increased risk for bias. Clinical equipoise exists as to the most appropriate antithrombotic therapy in LVAD patients. Randomization between regimens within a prospective trial is needed to define the treatment regimen that minimizes both bleeding and thrombotic complications.