LAUSR

Introduction: Stroke and infection are among the more common complications of LVAD therapy related to higher rates of mortality. The characteristics and disability outcomes of LVAD-associated cerebrovascular events and infections, particularly in the setting of infectious intracranial aneurysms (IIA), have not been defined. Methods: A single-center retrospective review of patients having undergone LVAD implantation between 2011-2017 was conducted using institutional registries and screened for hemorrhagic and ischemic strokes. Patients with hemorrhagic stroke were assessed for concurrent bacteremia; neurovascular imaging was then used to isolate patients with associated IIA. Review of comorbidities, imaging characteristics, and management were performed to determine predictors of disability outcomes, as defined by 90-day modified Rankin scales (mRS). Results: Of 383 patients with HeartMate II LVAD implantation, 46 all-cause stroke events were identified across 38 (12%) patients. 31 ICH events were identified, with 22 complicated by bacteremia (evidenced by chronic driveline infection and/or positive blood cultures on admission). Of patients with ICH and bacteremia, Staphylococcus aureus (n=12, 54.5%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n= 10, 45.5%) infection were the highest associated causal organisms; severe disability or death (90-day mRS > 4) was seen in 16 (72.7%) patients. 7 (31.8 %) patients had confirmed findings of IIA on diagnostic cerebral angiogram, and were associated with distal MCA territory involvement (100%), concurrent Pseudomonas infection (83.3%), and INR > 3.0 (66.7%). Despite endovascular intervention in patients with IIA, 4 patients failed management and were withdrawn from care. Conclusion: Our results indicate Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia are associated with greater incidence of hemorrhage and neurological disability. Further investigation is warranted to better define management of these patients. Future considerations may include pre-implantation cerebrovascular imaging to assess for vascular pathology as a screen for higher risk patients, as well as more aggressive antibiotic therapy at bacteremia onset.