Concomitant left atrial appendage closure during left ventricular assist device surgery can reduce ischaemic cerebrovascular accidents.

OBJECTIVES

It remains unknown if the left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) at the time of left ventricular assist device (LVAD) surgery can reduce ischaemic cerebrovascular accidents.

METHODS

Consecutive 310 patients who underwent LVAD surgery with HeartMate II or 3 between January 2012 and November 2021 were included in this study. The cohort was divided into 2 groups: patients with LAAC (group A) and without LAAC (group B). We compared the clinical outcomes including the incidence of cerebrovascular accident between 2 groups.

RESULTS

Ninety-eight patients were included in group A, and 212 patients in group B. There were no significant differences between 2 groups in age, preoperative CHADS2 score and history of atrial fibrillation. In-hospital mortality did not differ significantly between the 2 groups (group A: 7.1%, group B: 12.3%, P = 0.16). Thirty-seven patients (11.9%) experienced ischaemic cerebrovascular accident (5 patients in group A and 32 patients in group B). The cumulative incidence from ischaemic cerebrovascular accidents in group A (5.3% at 12 months and 5.3% at 36 months) was significantly lower than that in group B (8.2% at 12 months and 16.8% at 36 months; P = 0.017). In a multivariable competing risk analysis, LAAC was associated with reducing ischaemic cerebrovascular accidents (hazard ratio 0.38, 95% confidence interval 0.15-0.97, P = 0.043).

CONCLUSIONS

Concomitant LAAC in LVAD surgery can reduce ischaemic cerebrovascular accidents without increasing perioperative mortality and complications.