Abstract
Background: The most worrisome complications in patients
supported by left ventricular assist device (LVAD) are pump thrombosis,
embolism, and bleeding. The actual rate of these events in patients with
sickle-cell disease (SCD) has not well investigated. The aim of our
study is to evaluate the outcomes of LVAD implantation in patients with
sickle-cell hemoglobinopathy at our institution.
Methods: This retrospective, observational, single-center study
was conducted on patients with sickle-cell trait (SCT), who underwent
LVAD implantation using the HeartMate3 LVAD.
Results: LVAD devices were implanted in four patients with SCT.
All procedures were performed successfully. All patients had uneventful
post-implant course. Overall, the mean follow-up time was 25 months
(range 21-28 months) and showed an unremarkable post-implant course.
There was a significant improvement in hematological markers over the
follow-up period.
Conclusions: Despite the limited numbers of patients enrolled
in this study, our findings indicate that LVAD surgery is safe in SCD
patients and offers remarkable clinical improvement. Further studies are
needed to provide more evidence regarding this type of patients
undergoing LVAD implantation.
Keywords: LVAD, Sickle Cell Disease, Thrombosis, hemorrhage.