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Objectives We sought to evaluate predictors of stroke on LVAD from data available prior to implantation, and quantify stroke-related morbidity and mortality Background Stroke is a major complication after LVAD. Pre-implant factors that influence stroke are not well understood. Methods We evaluated all patients in the INTERMACS registry who were implanted with continuous-flow LVADs from May 1, 2012 to March 31, 2015. Preoperative risk factors for stroke, and stroke incidence, morbidity, and mortality were analyzed. Results During the study period, 7112 patients underwent CF LVAD placement. Median follow-up was 9.79 months (range 0.02–34.96 months). Of all patients, 752 (10.57%) had at least one stroke, with an incidence rate of 0.123 strokes per patient-year. 447 (51.38%) strokes were ischemic and 423 (48.62%) were hemorrhagic. Patients with hemorrhagic stroke had worse survival than those with ischemic strokes (30-day survival 45.3% vs. 80.7, p <0.001). Of patients with a first stroke, 13% had a second stroke. Pre-implant predictors of stroke were female gender (HR 1.51, 95% CI 1.25–1.82, p <0.001), pre-implant systolic blood pressure (HR 1.01, 95% CI 1.00–1.01, p = 0.002), heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) (HR 3.68, 95% CI 1.60–8.47, p = 0.002), intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) (HR 1.21, 95% CI 1.01–1.46, p = 0.043), and primary cardiac diagnosis (ischemic/other/unknown) (p = 0.040). Conclusion Despite improvements in LVAD technology, stroke-related morbidity and mortality is substantial. Further investigation is necessary to decrease the risk of this devastating complication.

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