Postimplant Phosphodiesterase Type 5 Inhibitors Use Is Associated With Lower Rates of Thrombotic Events After Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation

BACKGROUND: Left ventricular assist device (LVAD) thrombosis is clinically devastating and impacts the cost effectiveness of LVAD therapy for advanced heart failure. Anticoagulation and antiplatelet therapies represent the standard of care to mitigate LVAD thrombosis. Phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE‐5is) exhibit hemodynamic, antiplatelet, and antithrombotic effects. Using a national registry, we examined the relationship of PDE‐5i use on thrombotic events in patients with continuous‐flow LVADs. METHODS AND RESULTS: We obtained data from 13 772 patients with continuous flow LVADs participating in a national registry. Patients implanted with primary LVADs from 2012 to 2017 were included in the analysis. The primary end point was a composite of LVAD thrombosis and ischemic stroke. Patients were analyzed according to any use of PDE‐5i after LVAD implantation (PDE‐5i group) versus no use after LVAD implantation (no PDE‐5i group). The primary end point was significantly lower in the PDE‐5i group compared with the no PDE‐5i group (hazard ratio [HR], 0.84; 95% CI, 0.77–0.91; P<0.001) at 48 months. The components of the primary end point (LVAD thrombosis: HR, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.74–0.90; P<0.001; and ischemic stroke: HR, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.75–0.97; P=0.019), as well as the secondary end point all‐cause mortality (HR, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.79–0.93; P<0.001) were lower in the PDE‐5i group versus the no PDE‐5i at 48 months post LVAD. The favorable results observed with postimplant PDE‐5i use were consistent with both axial and centrifugal flow devices. CONCLUSIONS: The postimplant use of PDE‐5i was associated with fewer thrombotic events and improved survival in LVAD patients. A randomized clinical trial is warranted to confirm these findings.