Predictors of gastrointestinal bleeding in patients following left ventricular assist device implantation: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Our study aims to provide a more holistic understanding of the available data and predictive risk factors for gastrointestinal bleed (GIB). We searched MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and Web of Science Core Collection and calculated relative risk and meta-regression was utilized to evaluate for risk factors in order to assess the effect of covariates. Our meta-analysis reported a pooled prevalence rate of GIB of 24.4%. Meta-regression analysis did not yield a statistically significant association between GIB and risk factors, including age, gender, hypertension, chronic kidney disease and diabetes. Studies investigating larger sample sizes are required for conclusive findings.