Impact of Dietary Vitamin K Intake on Anticoagulation Therapy in Patients With Left Ventricular Assist Device During the 2018 Osaka Earthquake

Abstract

Background: The 2018 Osaka earthquake caused severe damage to the National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, and the interruption to the delivery of hospital food in particular had a significant effect on patients with left ventricular assist devices (LVAD).

Methods and Results: We retrospectively assessed 10 patients who had been provided with emergency rations on the day of earthquake and the next day for breakfast. Catered foods were provided thereafter. Vitamin K content was largely reduced due to emergency rations; the prothrombin time-international normalized ratio (PT-INR) on day 2 was significantly higher than on day 1.

Conclusions: Close monitoring of PT-INR and assessing vitamin K content may be important for preventing complications in patients with a LVAD during a disaster.