Epistaxis in Patients with Left Ventricular Assist Devices - Incidence, Risk Factors, and Implications

METHODS • We performed a retrospective, single-center cohort study of 272 patients implanted with heartmate II or Heartwares between 1/2005 and 6/2013. • Patients who developed epistaxis requiring hospitalization, blood transfusion or ED visit were compared to those who did not. • The primary endpoint was mortality; secondary endpoints included rate of GI bleed, hospitalization, ER visits, median length of hospitalization. RESULTS