Meta-analysis of the relation of ventricular arrhythmias to all-cause mortality after implantation of a left ventricular assist device

Ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) are commonly reported after implantation of left ventricular assist devices (LVADs). Their relation to all-cause mortality and potential risk factors remains unclear. We conducted a meta-analysis of observational studies with the primary objective of evaluating the association of post-LVAD VAs with all-cause mortality at 60, 120, and 180 days. The secondary end point was the association of potential risk factors (cause of cardiomyopathy, indication for LVAD, and history of VA) with mortality in patients with post-LVAD VAs. We searched MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Central from 2001 to 2015. Two reviewers independently searched, selected, and assessed quality of included studies with differences resolved by consensus. Data were collected and analyzed using random- and fixed-effect model, as appropriate, with inverse-variance weighting. Of 2,393 studies identified, 9 observational studies were eligible including 1,179 patients with a mean follow-up of 220 days. Post-LVAD VAs were associated with increased risk of all-cause mortality after adjusting for competing risk factors at 60 days (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.91, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.18 to 3.11, p = 0.001), 120 days (adjusted OR 1.97, 95% CI 1.01 to 3.85, p = 0.05), and 180 days (adjusted OR 2.04, 95% CI 1.01 to 4.15, p = 0.05). Using meta-regression analysis, it was found that only history of VA was a risk factor for mortality after LVAD implantation. In conclusion, post-LVAD VA is associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality with pre-LVAD VAs acting as a risk factor. This meta-analysis, despite being only hypothesis generating, sets the stage for prospective collection of VA information in a prospective device trial or in the Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support.