Abstract
Background: Stroke is a common cause of death in patients with left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) and there is wide variation around end-of-life care. Palliative care encounters (PCEs) are associated with 6% of all stroke-related hospitalizations in the US but little is known about the palliative care needs or practices of PCE after LVAD-related stroke. We sought to better understand current practices around PCE after LVAD-related stroke and its association with outcomes. Methods: Using the National Inpatient Sample (2012 - 2018) we identified all LVAD-related acute ischemic stroke (IS), intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), and subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) hospitalizations. Demographics, clinical variables, utilization of life-prolonging interventions (LPIs; e.g., percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy and tracheostomy) and outcomes were compared using multivariable regression. Results: 952 LVAD-related strokes were identified (58% IS, 22% ICH, and 19% SAH); 30% occurred perioperatively. PCE was associated with 16.9% of strokes (in 11% of IS, 24% of ICH and 28% of SAH), a rate that remained stable over time (P=0.112 for trend). Women made up a smaller proportion of those receiving PCE (17% vs 25%, P = 0.05). PCE was associated with 6% of non-fatal strokes and 46% of strokes resulting in in-hospital death. Among patients who died, SAH had the highest rate of PCE (54%), followed by IS (44%), and ICH (40%). Among decedents, PCE was associated with less frequent use of LPIs in ICH and SAH but did not effect length of stay (Figure). Conclusion: Although PCE is utilized more frequently in LVAD-related stroke compared to rates in the general stroke population, many LVAD stroke patients die without PCE intervention. PCE is not consistently associated with less aggressive care or early death in LVAD patients dying of stroke. Further work is needed to increase patient and family awareness of PCE services aimed at directing goal-concordant care after devastating neurologic injuries.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
