Urgent desensitization in patients bridged to heart transplantation under extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support: A preliminary experience.

Antihuman leukocyte antigen (HLA) antibodies restrict the access to cardiac allografts. Desensitization therapy is a major challenge in patients with cardiogenic shock waiting for urgent heart transplantation (HT). We retrospectively reviewed six patients (mean age of 37.5 years [16-70]) who underwent plasmapheresis (PP) under extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) before transplant between January 2017 and September 2018. The average duration of follow-up was 25 months [20-32]. Mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of HLA-specific antibodies was reported as follows: score 4 for MFI < 1000, score 6 for 1000 < MFI < 3000 and score 8 for MFI > 3000. The mean duration of ECMO support was 29 days [1-74] and 6.8 [1-29] PP sessions were performed per patient before transplant. The mean number of HLA-specific antibodies before HT was 9.6 for score 6 [4-13] and 5.8 for score 8 [1-12]. Four patients had major complications after transplantation (2 hemorrhagic shocks, 5 infectious events). Mean MFI reduction rate was 94% [79-100] for Class I and 44.2% for Class II [0-83]. Hospital survival was 100%, and early antibody-mediated rejection was diagnosed in one patient at 7 days after HT. Plasmapheresis under ECMO support was associated with favorable early outcomes in highly sensitized candidates for urgent heart transplantation.

Proximal outflow graft extrinsic compression of the Heartmate 3 centrifugal flow left ventricular assist device resulting in pump dysfunction.

We herein report an unusual life-threatening complication with the Hearmate 3 centrifugal ventricular assist device: proximal outflow graft extrinsic compression due to external thrombus leading to pump dysfunction and urgent heart transplantation. Low flow alarms without other abnormalities lead to the diagnosis of outflow occlusion. There was no evidence for a twist of the outflow graft, and no evidence for outflow thrombosis. The location of the outflow occlusion was particularly difficult to diagnose due to metallic artifacts around the pump. This report underscores that this complication should be screened in case of persistent low-flow alarms with the Heartmate 3 centrifugal pump.

Impact of Proactive Nurse Participation in ICU Family Conferences: A Mixed-Method Study.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate family perceptions of having a nurse participating in family conferences and to assess the psychologic well being of the same families after ICU discharge. DESIGN: Mixed-method design with a qualitative study embedded in a single-center randomized study. SETTING: Twelve-bed medical-surgical ICU in a 460-bed tertiary hospital. SUBJECTS: One family member for each consecutive patient who received more than 48 hours of mechanical ventilation in the ICU. INTERVENTION: Planned proactive participation of a nurse in family conferences led by a physician. In the control group, conferences were led by a physician without a nurse. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Of the 172 eligible family members, 100 (60.2%) were randomized; among them, 88 underwent semistructured interviews at ICU discharge and 86 completed the Peritraumatic Dissociative Experiences Questionnaire at ICU discharge and then the Hospital Anxiety Depression Questionnaire and the Impact of Event Scale (for posttraumatic stress-related symptoms) 3 months later. The intervention and control groups were not significantly different regarding the prevalence of posttraumatic stress-related symptoms (52.3 vs 50%, respectively; p = 0.83). Anxiety and depression subscale scores were significantly lower in the intervention group. The qualitative data indicated that the families valued the principle of the conference itself. Perceptions of nurse participation clustered into four main themes: trust that ICU teamwork was effective (50/88; 56.8%), trust that care was centered on the patient (33/88; 37.5%), trust in effective dissemination of information (15/88; 17%), and trust that every effort was made to relieve anxiety in family members (12/88; 13.6%). CONCLUSIONS: Families valued the conferences themselves and valued the proactive participation of a nurse. These positive perceptions were associated with significant anxiety or depression subscale scores but not with changes in posttraumatic stress-related symptoms.

Doppler echocardiography for surveillance of acute cardiac allograft rejection: a 28-year single-center experience.

Background: Endomyocardial biopsies (EMB) are recommended for the detection of acute cardiac rejection (ACR) despite limited sensitivity. We report the long-term post-transplant results of Doppler echocardiography as a noninvasive alternative of routine EMB. Methods: Two cohorts of heart transplantation (HT) recipients were chronologically defined as follows: the Dual Monitoring Cohort (DMC) from January 1990 to December 1997 included patients who underwent routine EMB and Doppler echocardiography within 24 hours for ACR surveillance; and the "Echo-First Cohort" (EFC), including patients transplanted from January 1998 to December 2018 with Doppler echocardiography as first-line approach for ACR surveillance. Echocardiographic measurements of interest were collected: early diastolic (E) wave peak velocity; pressure half time (PHT) and isovolumetric relaxation time (IVRT). Post-transplant outcomes were reviewed and the Kaplan-Meier approach was used for survival estimates. Inter-operator variability for ultrasound measurements was investigated. Data were collected from medical records from January 2019 to December 2020. Results: A total of 228 patients were included, 99 patients in the DMC and 129 in the EFC. Overall, 5-, 10- and 15-year survival rates were 65.4%, 55.5% and 44.1% respectively, without any significant difference between the two cohorts (log rank test, P=0.71). Echocardiography variables and EMB findings were associated with a mean area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC-ROC) of 0.73 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.54-0.91], 0.74 (95% CI: 0.54-0.94) and 0.75 (95% CI: 0.57-0.94) respectively for E wave, PHT and IVRT. IVRT and PHT were significantly decreased, and E wave significantly increased, in case of histologically proven ACR. Inter-operator variability was not significant for E wave and IVRT measurements (P=0.13 and 0.30 respectively). Conclusions: Doppler echocardiography as a first-line method for surveillance of ACR did not impair long-term results after HT. These findings suggest that this non-invasive approach might be a reasonable alternative to systematic EMB, limiting risk and improving the quality of life.

Computed Simulation of Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Mitral Valve Repair - A Proof of Concept Study.

AIMS: As transcatheter mitral valve (MV) interventions are expanding and more device types and sizes become available, a tool supporting operators in preprocedural planning and the clinical decision-making process is highly desirable. We sought to develop a finite element (FE) computational simulation model to predict results of transcatheter edge-to-edge (TEER) interventions. METHODS AND RESULTS: We prospectively enrolled patients with secondary mitral regurgitation (MR) referred for a clinically indicated TEER. Three-dimensional (3D) transesophageal echocardiograms performed at the beginning of the procedure were used to perform the simulation. On the 3D dynamic model of the MV that was first obtained, we simulated the clip implantation using the same clip(s) type, size, number, and implantation location that was used during the intervention. The 3D model of the MV obtained after simulation of the clip implantation was compared to the clinical results obtained at the end of the intervention. We analyzed the degree and location of residual MR and the shape and area of the diastolic mitral valve area. We performed computational simulation on 5 patients. Overall, the simulated models predicted well the degree and location of the residual regurgitant orifice(s) but tended to underestimate the diastolic mitral orifice area. CONCLUSIONS: In this proof-of-concept study, we present preliminary results on our algorithm simulating clip implantation in 5 patients with functional MR. We show promising results regarding the feasibility and accuracy in terms of predicting residual MR and the need to improve the estimation of the diastolic mitral valve area.

Predictors of Clinical Success After Transcatheter Paravalvular Leak Closure: An International Prospective Multicenter Registry.

BACKGROUND: Transcatheter closure of a symptomatic prosthetic paravalvular leak (PVL) is feasible, but there is presently no conclusive evidence to show consistent efficacy. We aimed to identify predictors of clinical success after transcatheter PVL closure. METHODS: Consecutive patients referred to 24 European centers for transcatheter PVL closure in 2017 to 2019 were included in a prospective registry (Fermeture de Fuite ParaProthétique, FFPP). Clinical success was absence of any of the following within 1 month: re-admission for heart failure, blood transfusion, open-heart valvular surgery, and death. RESULTS: We included 216 symptomatic patients, who underwent 238 percutaneous PVL closure procedures on the mitral (64.3%), aortic (34.0%), or tricuspid (1.7%) valve. Symptoms were heart failure, hemolytic anemia, or both in 48.9%, 7.8%, and 43.3% of patients, respectively. One, 2, and 3 leaks were treated during the same procedure in 69.6%, 26.6%, and 3.8% of patients, respectively. The PVL was pinpoint or involved 1/8 or 1/4 of the valve circumference in 18.6%, 52.4%, and 28.1% of cases, respectively. The most frequently used devices were the Vascular Plug 3, Ventricular Septal Defect Occluder, Vascular Plug 2, and Paravalvular Leak Device (45.0%, 16.6%, 14.2%, and 13.6% of cases, respectively). Successful device(s) implantation with leak reduction to ≤grade 2 was obtained in 85.0% of mitral and 91.4% of aortic procedures, respectively (P=0.164); with major periprocedural adverse event rates of 3.3% and 1.2%, respectively (P=0.371); and clinical success rates of 70.3% and 88.0%, respectively (P=0.004). By multivariate analysis, technical failure, mechanical valve, and hemolytic anemia were independently associated with absence of clinical success (odds ratios [95% CIs], 7.7 [2.0-25.0]; P=0.002; 3.6 [1.1-11.1]; P=0.036; and 3.7 [1.2-11.9]; P=0.025; respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Transcatheter PVL closure is efficient and safe in symptomatic patients but is associated with a lower clinical success rate in patients with hemolysis and/or a mechanical valve. REGISTRATION: URL: https://www. CLINICALTRIALS: gov; Unique identifiers: NCT05089136.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Iron Deficiency in Heart Failure: OFICSel study by the French Heart Failure Working Group.

AIMS: Iron deficiency (ID) occurs in about 50% of patients with heart failure (HF). The European Society of Cardiology (ESC) recommends ID diagnostic testing in newly diagnosed patients with HF and during follow-up, with intravenous iron supplementation (IS) only recommended in patients with HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). This study aimed to assess prevalence, clinical characteristics, and application of ESC guidelines for ID and IS in patients with HF in the real-life clinical setting. METHODS AND RESULTS: The French transversal multicentre OFICSel registry (300 cardiologists) conducted in 2017 included patients hospitalized for HF at least once in the previous 5 years. Diverse adult patients were eligible including inpatients and outpatients and those with acute and chronic HF. Data were collected from cardiologists and patients using study-specific surveys. Data included demographic and clinical data, as well as HF and ID management data. Overall, 2822 patients, mainly male (69.3%) with a median age of 69 years (interquartile range 58-78), were included. A total of 1075 patients (38.1%) were tested for ID, with 364 (33.9%) diagnosed. Of these, 168 (46.2%) received IS: 128 (76.2%) intravenous IS and 40 (23.8%) oral. Among the 201 patients with HFrEF diagnosed with ID, 99 (49.3%) received IS: 79 (79.8%) intravenous IS and 20 (20.2%) oral. CONCLUSIONS: In clinical practice, only one-third of patients with HF had a diagnostic test for ID. In patients with ID with HFrEF, only 39.3% received intravenous IS as recommended. Thus, in general, cardiologists should be encouraged to follow the ESC guidelines to ensure optimal treatment for patients with HF.

Usefulness of trans-oesophageal echocardiography using intracardiac echography probe in guiding patent foramen ovale percutaneous closure.

AIMS: To evaluate the use of intracardiac echocardiography probe through oesophageal route (ICE-TEE) for the monitoring of percutaneous foramen ovale (PFO) closure procedure. METHODS AND RESULTS: The study was conducted in 50 patients divided into two groups: in group I (n = 24), accuracy of ICE-TEE in assessing the inter-atrial septum (IAS) was compared with standard TEE, and in group II, we used ICE-TEE to monitor 26 consecutive patients referred for PFO closure. In group I, IAS was constantly visualized with a close correlation between ICE-TEE and standard TEE for IAS excursion (r = 0.9, P < 0.0001). In group II, ICE-TEE allowed to rule out four patients (three without PFO and one with septal atrial defect associated) and identified three complications during PFO closure procedure (pericardial effusion, inadequate device deployment, and cardiac thrombus). Finally, device implantation was successfully performed in the 22 patients with no residual shunt and thrombus observed after 3 months. CONCLUSION: ICE-TEE could be used to monitor PFO closure procedure.

Current results of left ventricular assist device therapy in France: the ASSIST-ICD registry.

OBJECTIVES: Our goal was to provide a picture of left ventricular assist device (LVAD) activity in France between 2007 and 2016 based on the multicentric ASSIST-ICD registry. METHODS: We retrospectively collected 136 variables including in-hospital data, follow-up survival rates and adverse events from 671 LVAD recipients at 20 out of 24 LVAD implant centres in France. The average follow-up time was 1.2 years (standard deviation: 1.4); the total follow-up time was 807.5 patient-years. RESULTS: The included devices were the HeartMate II®, HeartWare LVAS® or Jarvik 2000®. The overall likelihood of being alive while on LVAD support or having a transplant (primary end point) at 1, 2, 3 and 5 years postimplantation was 65.2%, 59.7%, 55.9% and 47.7%, respectively, given a cumulative incidence of 29.2% of receiving a transplant at year 5. At implantation, 21.5% of patients were on extracorporeal life support. The overall rate of cardiogenic shock at implantation was 53%. The major complications were driveline infection (26.1%), pump pocket or cannula infection (12.6%), LVAD thrombosis (12.2%), ischaemic (12.8%) or haemorrhagic stroke (5.4%; all strokes 18.2%), non-cerebral haemorrhage (9.1%) and LVAD exchange (5.2%). The primary end point (survival) was stratified by age at surgery and by the type of device used, with inference from baseline profiles. The primary end point combined with an absence of complications (secondary end point) was also stratified by device type. CONCLUSIONS: The ASSIST-ICD registry provides a real-life picture of LVAD use in 20 of the 24 implant centres in France. Despite older average age and a higher proportion of patients chosen for destination therapy, survival rates improved compared to those in previous national registry results. This LVAD registry contrasts with other international registries because patients with implants have more severe disease, and the national policy for graft attribution is distinct. We recommend referring patients for LVAD earlier and suggest a discussion of the optimal timing of a transplant for bridged patients (more dismal results after the second year of support?).

Multimodality imaging guidance for percutaneous paravalvular leak closure: Insights from the multi-centre FFPP register.

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous paravalvular leak (PVL) closure has emerged as a palliative alternative to surgical management in selected high-risk patients. Percutaneous procedures are challenging, especially for mitral PVL. Accurate imaging of the morphologies of the defects is mandatory, together with precise guidance in the catheterization laboratory to enhance success rates. AIMS: To describe imaging modalities used in clinical practice to guide percutaneous PVL closure and assess the potential of new imaging tools. METHODS: Data from the 'Fermeture de Fuite paraprothétique' (FFPP) register were used. The FFPP register is an international multi-institutional collaborative register started in 2017 with a retrospective and a prospective part. A descriptive analysis of multimodality imaging used to guide PVL closure in clinical practice was performed. RESULTS: Data from 173 procedures performed in 19 centres from three countries (France, Belgium and Poland) were collected, which included eight cases of PVL following transcatheter valve replacement. Transoesophageal echocardiography was used in 167 cases (96.5%) and 3D echocardiography in 87.4% of cases. In one case, 3D-echocardiography was fused with fluoroscopy images in real time using echonavigator software. Details about multimodality imaging were available from a sample of 31 patients. Cardiac computed tomography (CT) was performed before 10 of the procedures. In one case, fusion between preprocedural cardiac CT angiography data and fluoroscopy data was used. In two cases, a 3D model of the valve with PVL was printed. CONCLUSION: Echocardiography, particularly the 3D mode, is the cornerstone of PVL imaging. Other imaging modalities, such as cardiac CT and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, may be of complementary interest. New techniques such as imaging fusion and printing may further facilitate the percutaneous approach of PVLs.

Pulmonary Artery Dissection: A Case Treated by Homograft Replacement.

Pulmonary artery dissection was diagnosed in a 32-year-old man who was admitted to the emergency department with intense chest pain. He had a history of pulmonary balloon valvuloplasty for congenital pulmonary stenosis at the age of 7 and no pulmonary hypertension. The operation was performed with cardiopulmonary bypass. The dissected pulmonary arterial trunk was removed with the distorted valve, and replaced with a pulmonary artery homograft. The postoperative course was uneventful. Histologic examination revealed medionecrosis. Pulmonary artery dissection is a rare but highly lethal pathology. In the absence of pulmonary hypertension, surgical treatment with homograft replacement can lead to excellent results.

Exclusion of Complex Paraannular Aortic Abscess With the Freestyle Xenograft.

Destructive aortic valve endocarditis is a serious condition that can result in aortoventricular disjunction. The appropriate surgical approach for severe excavating lesions remains a matter of debate. Homografts, prosthetic valves associated with a pericardial patch for annulus repair, and prosthetic valve conduits can be used. We report the technical issue of subcoronary inclusion of the full root Freestyle xenograft for complicated aortic endocarditis extending to the left ventricular outflow tract.

Incremental value of global longitudinal strain for predicting early outcome after cardiac surgery.

AIMS: Global longitudinal strain (GLS) seems accurate for detecting subclinical myocardial dysfunction, and may therefore be used to improve risk stratification for cardiac surgery. METHODS AND RESULTS: Longitudinal strain (by two-dimensional speckle tracking) was computed in 425 patients [mean age 67 ± 13 years, 69% male, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) 51 ± 13%] referred for cardiac surgery [isolated coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) (n = 155), aortic valve surgery (n = 174), mitral surgery (n = 96)]. GLS (global-ε) was assessed for predicting early postoperative death. Despite a fair correlation between LVEF and global strain (r = -0.73, P < 0.0001), 40% of patients with preserved LVEF (defined as LVEF ≥50%) had abnormal global-ε (defined as global-ε >-16%): -12.8 ± 1.7%, range -15% to -8%. In patients with preserved LVEF, NT-proBNP level (983 vs. 541 pg/mL, P = 0.03), heart failure symptoms (NYHA class, 2.2 ± 0.9 vs. 1.9 ± 0.9, P = 0.02), and the need for prolonged (>48 h) inotropic support after surgery (33.3 vs. 21.2%, P = 0.03) were greater when global-ε was impaired. Importantly, despite similar EuroSCORE (9.7 ± 12 vs. 7.7 ± 9%, P = 0.2 for EuroSCORE I and 4.2 ± 6.2 vs. 3.4 ± 4.9%, P = 0.4 for EuroSCORE II), the rate of postoperative death was 2.4-fold (11.8 vs. 4.9%, P = 0.04) in patients with preserved LVEF when global-ε was impaired. Multivariate analysis showed that global-ε is an independent predictor for early postoperative mortality [odds ratio = 1.10 (1.01-1.21)] after adjustment to EuroSCORE. CONCLUSION: GLS has an incremental value over LVEF for risk stratification in patients referred for cardiac surgery.

Prognostic value of right ventricular two-dimensional global strain in patients referred for cardiac surgery.

BACKGROUND: Right ventricular (RV) function is a strong predictor of patient outcome after cardiac surgery. Limited studies have compared the predictive value of RV global longitudinal strain (RV-GLS) with tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) and RV fractional area change (RVFAC) in this setting. METHODS: The study included 250 patients (66 ± 13 years old, LVEF = 52% ± 12%) referred for cardiac surgery (EuroSCORE-II = 4.8% ± 8.0%). RV function before surgery was assessed by RV-GLS by using speckle-tracking analysis (3-segment from the RV free wall), RVFAC and TAPSE was compared with postoperative outcome defined by 1-month mortality. RESULTS: Overall, 19 patients (7.6%) had RVFAC < 35%, 34 (13.6%) had TAPSE < 16 mm, and 99 (39.6%) had impaired RV-GLS > -21% (35% with normal RVFAC ≥ 35%). Postoperative death (n = 25) was higher in patients with abnormal RV-GLS > -21% (22% vs 3%; P < .0001), TAPSE < 16 mm (24% vs 8%; P = .007), and RVFAC < 35% (32% vs 9%; P = .001). Mortality was 3% in patients with preserved RV-GLS. In patients with preserved RVFAC ≥ 35% but abnormal RV-GLS, mortality was similar to that of those with RVFAC < 35% (20% vs 32%; P = .12). Among RV systolic indexes, only RV-GLS was associated with patient outcome by multivariate analysis adjusted to EuroSCORE-II and cardiopulmonary bypass duration. CONCLUSIONS: RV-GLS is a sensitive marker of RV dysfunction and correlates with postoperative mortality.

Comparison of real-time three-dimensional speckle tracking to magnetic resonance imaging in patients with coronary heart disease.

This study compared strain values from 2-dimensional (2D) and real-time 3-dimensional (3D) speckle tracking with hyperenhancement transmural extent by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The study included 18 control subjects (mean age 51 ± 10 years) and 25 patients (20 men, mean age 62 ± 16 years) with ischemic left ventricular (LV) dysfunction (mean LV ejection fraction 41 ± 9%) referred for viability assessment using MRI. Longitudinal, radial, and circumferential strain values were computed using 2D speckle tracking. From analysis of 3D speckle tracking, conventional strain markers (longitudinal, radial, and circumferential) and 2 new 3D strain indexes (area and 3D strains) were obtained from apical view 3D datasets. A hyperenhancement transmural extent segment (16-segment model) was defined as delayed contrast enhancement >50%. Overall, 661 of 688 segments (96%) were analyzable by MRI and 3D speckle tracking. All 3D strain components in hyperenhancement transmural extent segments (n = 154) were lower than in nontransmural necrosis (n = 219) and control (n = 288) segments. Longitudinal strain by 3D, but not by 2D, differentiated nontransmural segments with scar <25%. All 3D global strain indexes correlated with LV ejection fraction (r(2) = 0.67 to 0.26, p <0.05 for all comparisons), whereas only area, longitudinal, and circumferential 3D strains correlated with global scar extent. The best reproducibility was provided by 3D longitudinal (6%) and area (8%) strains. In conclusion, longitudinal and area strains by 3D speckle tracking provide an accurate and reproducible measurement of myocardial deformation that correlate with infarct size in patients with ischemic LV dysfunction.