Heart Transplant Outcomes After Total Artificial Heart.

BACKGROUND: We sought to compare heart transplant (HTX) outcomes from patients with a total artificial heart (TAH), biventricular assist device (BiVAD), or left ventricular assist device (LVAD) as a bridge to transplant (BTT). Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support (INTERMACS)-Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (SRTR) created a dataset with TAH or durable mechanical circulatory support (MCS) who reached HTX between 2006 and 2015. METHODS: The retrospective analysis compared TAH outcomes with those with a BiVAD or LVAD before HTX. The primary outcome was posttransplant survival at 1, 36, and 60 months. Secondary outcomes included simultaneous heart-kidney transplants, donor characteristics, and mortality risk factors. INTERMACS-SRTR cohort had, at the time of HTX, 2762 patients with LVAD; 205 BiVAD (139 durable and 66 temporary RVAD); 176 TAH (6 prior HeartMate II). RESULTS: Sixty months after HTX, mortality rates were 16.5% in the total group: LVAD 15.2%, BiVAD 22.4%, and TAH 29%. Survival differed between the LVAD, the TAH, and BiVAD but not between the BiVAD and TAH groups. One-year survival and complication rates were similar across groups-there was no difference in survival by donor age in the overall cohort. There was a difference in TTD based on recipient age in the LVAD group but not in BiVAD or TAH groups. Occurrence of HTX-kidney and post-transplant dialysis were higher in the TAH versus LVAD and BiVAD groups. CONCLUSIONS: The TAH is an efficacious BTT. Refinements in technology and patient selection may improve outcomes.

Lessons learned from a delayed diagnosis of atrioesophageal fistula: A multidisciplinary approach.

Atrioesophageal fistulas are a rare complication of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) that requires rapid identification and emergent surgical repair to prevent morbidity and mortality. We report a case of a 32-year-old man with atrial fibrillation presenting with chest pain followed by rapidly progressive sepsis and embolic cerebrovascular accident 23 days after RFA. Subtle initially overlooked findings on multiple computed tomography caused a delay in diagnosis. Atrioesophageal fistulas remain diagnostically challenging. A high index of suspicion coupled with serial computed tomography of the chest with intravenous and oral contrast reviewed by a multimodal team is essential to make a timely diagnosis.

Coronary Artery Fistula Ligation Using Selective Coronary Artery Angiography.

A 55-year-old male presented with worsening shortness of breath and was found to have multiple coronary artery fistulas on coronary angiogram with coronary steal. He subsequently underwent successful ligation of three of the fistulas using intraoperative coronary angiography in the hybrid suite to assist with the identification and confirmation of closure. There are currently no formal recommendations for the use of intraoperative imaging in such cases, but the results of our case contribute to the sparse body of literature supporting the utilization of intraoperative angiography in ligating multiple coronary artery fistulas.

An updated meta-analysis of TAVR in patients at intermediate risk for SAVR.

BACKGROUND: Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has been approved for use in patients with severe aortic stenosis at intermediate, high and extreme surgical risk. This meta-analysis was performed to assess the safety and efficacy of TAVR compared to surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) in intermediate risk patients. METHODS: We searched PubMed, EMBASE, Web of science, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases for studies comparing TAVR versus SAVR in patients at intermediate surgical risk, with a mean Society of Thoracic Surgeon score of 3-8% or a mean logistic European risk score of 10-20%. The primary endpoint was to assess the efficacy of TAVR compared to SAVR, defined as all-cause and cardiovascular mortality at 30-days, 1-year, and ≥2 years of follow-up. Secondary endpoints were the safety profile, comprising of cerebrovascular events, myocardial infarctions, permanent pacemaker placement, new onset atrial fibrillation, aortic regurgitation, vascular complications, major bleeding and acute kidney injury. RESULTS: This is the largest and most contemporary meta-analysis of 5647 intermediate risk patients in eleven studies published to date. There were no statistically significant differences in all-cause and cardiac mortality at 30 days, 1- year and >2-years of follow up. Acute kidney injury and atrial fibrillation occurred more frequently in patients treated with SAVR and permanent pacemaker implantation and aortic insufficiency were more frequent in patients treated with TAVR. CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis suggests that for intermediate risk patients with severe aortic stenosis, TAVR has similar efficacy as SAVR but with a different adverse event profile.

Total artificial heart implantation in a young Marfan syndrome patient.

INTRODUCTION: Cardiovascular complications represent the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with Marfan syndrome. Here, we describe a unique case where a total artificial heart was implanted in a young Marfan syndrome woman. METHODS: A 22-year-old postpartum African American female with Marfan syndrome developed multiple severe valve dysfunction and biventricular failure that was refractory to medical management. She previously had a Bentall procedure for Type A aortic dissection and repair of a Type B dissection. RESULTS: We implanted a total artificial heart with a good outcome. CONCLUSION: Total artificial heart is a durable option for severe biventricular failure and multiple valvular dysfunction as a bridge to transplant in a young patient with Marfan syndrome.

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in acute respiratory distress syndrome due to influenza A (H1N1)pdm09 pneumonia. A single-center experience during the 2013-2014 season. / Oxigenação por membrana extracorpórea na síndrome do desconforto respiratório agudo devido à pneumonia por influenza A (H1N1) pdm09. Experiência em um único centro durante a temporada de 2013-2014.

OBJECTIVE: This report aimed to describe the outcomes of the patients with severe H1N1 associated acute respiratory distress syndrome who were treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation therapy. METHODS: This retrospective review analyzed a single-center cohort of adult patients with H1N1-related acute respiratory distress syndrome who were managed with veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation during the winter of 2013/2014. RESULTS: A total of 10 patients received veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for H1N1 influenza between January 2013 and March 2014. Seven patients were transferred to our center for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation consideration (all within 72 hours of initiating mechanical ventilation). The median patient age was forty years, and 30% were female. The median arterial oxygen partial pressure to fraction of inspired oxygen ratio was 62.5, and the median RESP score was 6. Three patients received inhaled nitric oxide, and four patients were proned as rescue therapy before extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was initiated. The median duration of mechanical ventilation was twenty-two days (range, 14 - 32). The median length of stay in the intensive care unit was twenty-seven days (range, 14 - 39). The median hospital length of stay was 29.1 days (range, 16.0 - 46.9). Minor bleeding complications occurred in 6 of 10 patients. Eight of the ten patients survived to hospital discharge. CONCLUSION: The survivors were relatively young and discharged with good functional status (i.e., enhancing quality-adjusted life-years-saved). Our experience shows that even a relatively new extracorporeal membrane oxygenation program can play an important role in that capacity and provide excellent outcomes for the sickest patients.

OBJETIVO: Descrever os desfechos de pacientes com síndrome do desconforto respiratório agudo associada à influenza subtipo H1N1 grave tratados com oxigenação por membrana extracorpórea. MÉTODOS: Trata-se de revisão retrospectiva de uma coorte de pacientes oriunda de um único centro, constituída por adultos com síndrome do desconforto respiratório agudo relacionada com influenza subtipo H1N1 e tratados com oxigenação venovenosa por membrana extracorpórea durante a temporada de inverno no hemisfério norte de 2013/2014. RESULTADOS: Dez pacientes receberam oxigenação venovenosa por membrana extracorpórea para tratamento de influenza subtipo H1N1 entre janeiro de 2013 e março de 2014. Sete deles foram transferidos para nosso centro visando à utilização de oxigenação por membrana extracorpórea dentro de um período de 72 horas após o início da ventilação mecânica. A idade mediana foi de 40 anos, sendo 30% dos pacientes do sexo feminino. O valor mediano da proporção entre pressão parcial de oxigênio e fração inspirada de oxigênio foi de 62,5, sendo o escore RESP mediano de 6. Três pacientes receberam inalação de óxido nítrico e quatro utilizaram posição prona como tratamento de resgate antes de ser iniciada a oxigenação por membrana extracorpórea. A duração mediana da ventilação mecânica foi de 22 dias (variação de 14 - 32). O tempo mediano de permanência na unidade de terapia intensiva foi de 27 dias (variação de 14 - 39). O tempo mediano de permanência no hospital foi de 29,1 dias (variação de 16,0 - 46,9). Ocorreram complicações não importantes de sangramento em seis dos dez pacientes. Oito dos dez pacientes sobreviveram até a alta hospitalar. CONCLUSÃO: Os sobreviventes eram relativamente jovens e tiveram alta com boas condições funcionais, o que salienta os anos de vida ajustados pela qualidade que foram salvos. Nossa experiência demonstra que mesmo um programa ainda relativamente novo de oxigenação por membrana extracorpórea pode desempenhar um papel importante, e proporcionar resultados excelentes para os pacientes mais graves.

Oxigenação por membrana extracorpórea na síndrome do desconforto respiratório agudo devido à pneumonia por influenza A (H1N1) pdm09. Experiência em um único centro durante a temporada de 2013-2014 / Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in acute respiratory distress syndrome due to influenza A (H1N1)pdm09 pneumonia. A single-center experience during the 2013-2014 season

RESUMO Objetivo: Descrever os desfechos de pacientes com síndrome do desconforto respiratório agudo associada à influenza subtipo H1N1 grave tratados com oxigenação por membrana extracorpórea. Métodos: Trata-se de revisão retrospectiva de uma coorte de pacientes oriunda de um único centro, constituída por adultos com síndrome do desconforto respiratório agudo relacionada com influenza subtipo H1N1 e tratados com oxigenação venovenosa por membrana extracorpórea durante a temporada de inverno no hemisfério norte de 2013/2014. Resultados: Dez pacientes receberam oxigenação venovenosa por membrana extracorpórea para tratamento de influenza subtipo H1N1 entre janeiro de 2013 e março de 2014. Sete deles foram transferidos para nosso centro visando à utilização de oxigenação por membrana extracorpórea dentro de um período de 72 horas após o início da ventilação mecânica. A idade mediana foi de 40 anos, sendo 30% dos pacientes do sexo feminino. O valor mediano da proporção entre pressão parcial de oxigênio e fração inspirada de oxigênio foi de 62,5, sendo o escore RESP mediano de 6. Três pacientes receberam inalação de óxido nítrico e quatro utilizaram posição prona como tratamento de resgate antes de ser iniciada a oxigenação por membrana extracorpórea. A duração mediana da ventilação mecânica foi de 22 dias (variação de 14 - 32). O tempo mediano de permanência na unidade de terapia intensiva foi de 27 dias (variação de 14 - 39). O tempo mediano de permanência no hospital foi de 29,1 dias (variação de 16,0 - 46,9). Ocorreram complicações não importantes de sangramento em seis dos dez pacientes. Oito dos dez pacientes sobreviveram até a alta hospitalar. Conclusão: Os sobreviventes eram relativamente jovens e tiveram alta com boas condições funcionais, o que salienta os anos de vida ajustados pela qualidade que foram salvos. Nossa experiência demonstra que mesmo um programa ainda relativamente novo de oxigenação por membrana extracorpórea pode desempenhar um papel importante, e proporcionar resultados excelentes para os pacientes mais graves.

ABSTRACT Objective: This report aimed to describe the outcomes of the patients with severe H1N1 associated acute respiratory distress syndrome who were treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation therapy. Methods: This retrospective review analyzed a single-center cohort of adult patients with H1N1-related acute respiratory distress syndrome who were managed with veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation during the winter of 2013/2014. Results: A total of 10 patients received veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for H1N1 influenza between January 2013 and March 2014. Seven patients were transferred to our center for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation consideration (all within 72 hours of initiating mechanical ventilation). The median patient age was forty years, and 30% were female. The median arterial oxygen partial pressure to fraction of inspired oxygen ratio was 62.5, and the median RESP score was 6. Three patients received inhaled nitric oxide, and four patients were proned as rescue therapy before extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was initiated. The median duration of mechanical ventilation was twenty-two days (range, 14 - 32). The median length of stay in the intensive care unit was twenty-seven days (range, 14 - 39). The median hospital length of stay was 29.1 days (range, 16.0 - 46.9). Minor bleeding complications occurred in 6 of 10 patients. Eight of the ten patients survived to hospital discharge. Conclusion: The survivors were relatively young and discharged with good functional status (i.e., enhancing quality-adjusted life-years-saved). Our experience shows that even a relatively new extracorporeal membrane oxygenation program can play an important role in that capacity and provide excellent outcomes for the sickest patients.

Compelling argument for an agitated saline bubble study prior to cardiac transplantation.

Cardiac transplant recipients with patent foramen ovale (PFO) are at risk for right-to-left shunting. Failure to identify this abnormality can have serious posttransplant consequences. In this article, we describe a cardiac transplant recipient with hypoxemia where a PFO was diagnosed postoperatively despite direct surgical investigation at the time of orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT). Transthoracic echocardiography with bubble study is relatively inexpensive, noninvasive, and simple and can be a useful method to identify PFO/atrial septal defect. Thus, authors recommend critically screening both donor and recipient hearts prior to OHT.