Analysis of Minimally Invasive Left Thoracotomy HVAD Implantation - A Single-Center Experience.

BACKGROUND: Minimally invasive left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation may reduce peri-/postoperative complications and risks associated with resternotomies. In this study, we describe our first results using a minimally invasive LVAD implantation technique (lateral thoracotomy [LT] group). These results were compared with LVAD implantations done via full median sternotomy (STX group). METHODS: HVAD (HeartWare, Framingham, Massachusetts, United States) implantations in 70 patients (LT group n = 22, 52 ± 15 years old; STX group n = 48, 59 ± 11 years old) were retrospectively analyzed. Minimally invasive access via left thoracotomy was feasible in 22 patients. Peri- and postoperative analyses of survival and adverse events were performed. RESULTS: No survival differences were observed between the LT and STX group (p = 0.43). LT patients without temporary right ventricular assist device (tRVAD) showed a significantly better survival rate compared to LT patients with concomitant tRVAD implantation (p = 0.02), which could not be demonstrated in the STX group (p = 0.11). Two LT and four STX patients were successfully bridged to heart transplantation and three STX patients were successfully weaned with subsequent LVAD explantations. LVAD-related infections (n = 4 LT group vs n = 20 STX group, p = 0.04) were less likely in the LT group. No wound dehiscence occurred in the LT group, whereas five were observed in the STX group (p = 0.17). The amount of perioperative blood transfusions (within the first 7 postoperative days) did not differ in both study groups (p = 0.48). CONCLUSION: The minimally invasive approach is a viable alternative with the possibility to reduce complications and should be particularly considered for bridge-to-transplant patients.

Immunological monitoring of extracorporeal photopheresis after heart transplantation.

Extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) has been used as a prophylactic and therapeutic option to avoid and treat rejection after heart transplantation (HTx). Tolerance-inducing effects of ECP such as up-regulation of regulatory T cells (T(regs)) are known, but specific effects of ECP on regulatory T cell (T(reg)) subsets and dendritic cells (DCs) are lacking. We analysed different subsets of T(regs) and DCs as well as the immune balance status during ECP treatment after HTx. Blood samples were collected from HTx patients treated with ECP for prophylaxis (n = 9) or from patients with histologically proven acute cellular rejection (ACR) of grade ≥ 1B (n = 9), as well as from control HTx patients without ECP (HTxC; n = 7). Subsets of T(regs) and DCs as well as different cytokine levels were analysed. Almost 80% of the HTx patients showed an effect to ECP treatment with an increase of T(regs) and plasmacytoid DCs (pDCs). The percentage of pDCs before ECP treatment was significantly higher in patients with no ECP effect (26·3% ± 5·6%) compared to patients who showed an effect to ECP (9·8% ± 10·2%; P = 0·011). Analysis of functional subsets of CD4⁺CD25(high)CD127(low) T(regs) showed that CD62L-, CD120b- and CD147-positive T(regs) did not differ between the groups. CD39-positive T(regs) increased during ECP treatment compared to HTxC. ECP-treated patients showed higher levels for T helper type 1 (Th1), Th2 and Th17 cytokines. Cytokine levels were higher in HTx patients with rejection before ECP treatment compared to patients with prophylactic ECP treatment. We recommend a monitoring strategy that includes the quantification and analysis of T(regs), pDCs and the immune balance status before and up to 12 months after starting ECP.

Sotrastaurin, a novel small molecule inhibiting protein kinase C: first clinical results in renal-transplant recipients.

Sotrastaurin, a novel protein-kinase-C inhibitor, blocks early T-cell activation. In this 12-month, Phase II study, de novo renal-transplant patients were randomized to sotrastaurin (200 mg b.i.d.) + standard-exposure tacrolimus (SET) or reduced-exposure tacrolimus (RET) (SET: n = 76; RET: n = 66), or control (SET + mycophenolic acid [MPA, 720 mg b.i.d.]; n = 74). In both sotrastaurin groups, patients were converted from tacrolimus to MPA after Month 3, achieving calcineurin inhibitor-free immunosuppression. The primary endpoint was composite efficacy failure (treated biopsy-proven acute rejection, graft loss, death or loss to follow-up). The key secondary endpoint was glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Composite efficacy failure rates were: 4.1%, 5.4% and 1.5% at Month 3 (preconversion) and 7.8%, 44.8% and 34.1% at study end in the control, sotrastaurin + SET and sotrastaurin + RET groups, respectively; these results led to premature study discontinuation. Median GFR at Month 6 was: 57.0, 53.0 and 60.0 mL/min/1.73 m(2), respectively. Study-drug discontinuations due to adverse events occurred in 16.2%, 18.4% and 12.1%, respectively. Leukopenia and neutropenia occurred more frequently preconversion in control versus sotrastaurin groups: 13.7%, 5.6%, and 4.6%; and 11.1%, 4.3% and 3.1%, respectively. The initial sotrastaurin + tacrolimus regimen was efficacious and well tolerated but the postconversion sotrastaurin + MPA regimen showed inadequate efficacy. Longer-term evaluation of sotrastaurin + tacrolimus is warranted.

Application of HACCP principles to control visitor health threats on dairy farms open to the general public.

An increasing number of Dutch dairy farmers have diversified their activities, often opening their farm up to visitors (tourist accommodation, farm shop, contact with livestock, etc). It is essential to prevent these visitors from having accidents or becoming ill, which could result in financial claims and might harm the reputation of the agricultural sector. This article describes how the hazard analysis critical control points concept and principles (HACCP) can be applied to these activities and integrated with on-farm operational herd health and production management programmes.

Effects of autologous stem cells on immunohistochemical patterns and gene expression of metalloproteinases and their tissue inhibitors in doxorubicin cardiomyopathy in a rabbit model.

This study aims to investigate the expression of metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their tissue inhibitors (TIMPs) in chronic doxorubicin cardiomyopathy in a rabbit model and to evaluate the effects of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) transplantation in this disease. Thirty-nine 3-month-old New Zealand rabbits were divided into 4 groups: group 1 (n = 9) was the untreated control. Groups 2-4 were treated with 6 weeks of doxorubicin (3 mg/kg). Group 2 (n = 6) received no further treatment. In group 3 (n = 9), animals were treated with culture medium (CM) alone. In group 4 (n = 15), autologous MSCs (1.5-2.0 x 10(6)/ml) were injected in the left ventricular (LV) wall. Hearts were stained with HE and picrosirius red. MMP-1, -2, -3 and -9 and TIMP-2 and -3 were detected immunohistochemically. The mRNA levels were determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction. The results confirmed that doxorubicin treatment resulted in minimal myocardial fibrosis and showed that expression of MMPs increased and TIMP-3 decreased. The injection procedure resulted in increased myocardial fibrosis in groups 3 and 4. After MSC injection, MMP-1, MMP-2, and TIMP-3 expression was higher than that in group 2. CM injection led to more fibrosis, elevated TIMP-3, but diminished MMP-1 and MMP-2 expression compared with MSC injection. The mRNA levels of MMPs and TIMPs were not significantly different among all groups. In conclusion, chronic doxorubicin cardiomyopathy was characterized by increased MMP and decreased TIMP-3 expression. MSCs injection into the LV resulted in marked differences of collagen content and MMP/TIMP expression in the whole heart, although significant numbers of living MSCs were not detected after 4 weeks.

Ultrastructural findings in porcine hearts after extracorporeal long-term preservation with a modified Langendorff perfusion system.

Preserved ultrastructure is an important precondition for functional regeneration after heart transplantation. We investigated the effectiveness of a newly developed modified Langendorff system in extracorporeal heart perfusion. (Experiment I) Cardioplegia and cold ischaemia were performed in six pigs. Hearts were connected to a modified Langendorff system, and perfused with leucocyte depleted autologous blood. (Experiment II) The untreated hearts of three healthy pigs served as controls. Forty-seven myocardial biopsies at different timepoints (I: n = 29, II: n = 18) were investigated by transmission electronmicroscopy. Cardioplegia/hypothermia (I) induced mild-to-moderate mitochondrial swelling, mild myofibrillar degeneration in cardiomyocytes and moderate endothelial oedema. After 4 h reperfusion cardiomyocytes showed moderate myofibrillar and mild sarcolemmal damage. Moderate endothelial degeneration, mild interstitial oedema and haemorrhages appeared. Untreated hearts (II) showed severely damaged mitochondria and nuclei after 30 min while the myofibrillar structure remained unaffected until 4 h later. This is a promising model for extracorporeal heart perfusion. However, ultrastructural findings indicated that some necessary modifications to prevent cellular damages during reperfusion were needed.

Pharmacodynamics of T-cell function for monitoring immunosuppression.

OBJECTIVES: Recent studies show that measuring pharmacodynamic (PD) effects offers a unique possibility to predict immunosuppression. Thus, in this study we have monitored the PD properties of immunosuppressants on diverse T-cell functions in heart transplant (HTx) recipients. MATERIALS: PDs and blood concentrations (PK) of three different basis-immunosuppressive drugs were studied: cyclosporin A (CsA); tacrolimus (TRL) and sirolimus (SRL). T-cell function was analysed by expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) labelling, expression of cytokines (IL-2, IFN-gamma) and surface antigen (for example, CD25) by FACS analysis. RESULTS: In group I, at time points C0 and C2, increased CsA-PK significantly inhibited expression of IL-2, IFN-gamma, PCNA and CD25 (P < 0.05). Correlations (r(2)) at C2 between inhibition of T-cell functions (PD) with PK and with drug doses were: CsA-PK: 0.71-0.91 and CsA-dose: 0.73-0.87. In group II, increased TRL-PK over time did not further inhibit expression of CD25, but inhibited PCNA expression more on day 3, and IL-2 and IFN-gamma expression was significantly higher on days 2 and 3 compared to PD effects of CsA (P < 0.05). Blood SRL concentrations in C0 group III, increased on day 1 and remained stable at days 3 and 4. Expression of PCNA was not altered in the SRL-PK category, whereas expression of CD25 was higher and expression of cytokines was lower than PD effects of CsA. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that PD effects on T-cell function can be used to monitor immunosuppression bringing potential to increase the efficacy and safety of immunosuppressive therapy after HTx.

Diabetes in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. Impact on perioperative outcome.

Diabetes mellitus is an established risk factor related to significant morbidity and mortality after coronary artery bypass grafting. Data on 9682 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting either with (n=8917) or without cardiopulmonary bypass (off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting; n=765) were subjected to an univariate analysis to identify potential associations between diabetes mellitus and 26 a priori selected perioperative outcome variables. Those having a significant association with diabetes were then subjected to a stepwise logistic regression model to identify the impact of diabetes as compared to additional 22 different a priori chosen patient related risk factors and treatment variables. Prevalence of outcome variables independently associated with diabetes has been determined in the subgroup of diabetics undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting with cardiopulmonary bypass or off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting surgery to evaluate the effect of avoiding cardiopulmonary bypass on perioperative patient outcome. Diabetes mellitus was defined as glucose intolerance either treated dietary, with oral hypoglycemics or with insulin. According to this definition of diabetes mellitus we found an overall prevalence of 37.1% (coronary artery bypass grafting with cardiopulmonary bypass: 37.5%; off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting: 32.5%). Eleven outcome variables having a significant association with diabetes were identified. Diabetes could be identified as an independent predictor of postoperative delirium, renal dysfunction and respiratory insufficiency. Prevalence of these three variables was lower in diabetics undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting as in those undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting with cardiopulmonary bypass surgery reaching statistical significance with regard to postoperative delirium and respiratory insufficiency. In conclusion, diabetes mellitus is a significant independent predictor for three postoperative outcome variables in coronary artery bypass surgery. Avoiding cardiopulmonary bypass in diabetics seems to have a beneficial effect.

Foreign body in the airway: unusual cause of acute dyspnoe after cardiac surgery.

We report on a 68-year-old male who presented with acute onset of dyspnoea and cough. After coronary artery bypass grafting and mitral valve repair with an annuloplasty ring, postoperative recovery was initially uneventful. On the 6th postoperative day, he came back to intensive care unit due to acute dyspnoea. Fig. 1 demonstrates chest x-ray. We identified the foreign body as a dental prosthesis (Fig. 2). Removal from the right bronchial tree was successful using a flexible bronchoscope under local anesthesia; intubation was not required. This procedure was safe and well tolerated by the patient. Clinical presentation of adult foreign body aspiration are often nonspecific. Chest x-ray is very helpful for identification and localization of foreign bodies in the airway. Extraction can be performed with flexible or rigid bronchoscopy. For the removal, biopsy forceps, Fogarty balloon catheter, alligator forceps or wire baskets are effective.

Tumour budding as prognostic factor in stage I/II colorectal carcinoma.

AIMS: The term tumour 'budding' has been coined for the detachment of tumour cells from the neoplastic glands of adenocarcinomas and is presumed to be an early step in the metastatic process. A limited number of studies have shown budding to be an adverse prognostic factor. METHODS AND RESULTS: All primary single, non-metachronous TNM stage I/II colorectal carcinomas without neoadjuvant treatment resected in the years 1994-1999 were included (n = 186). Tumour buds were counted in pan-cytokeratin immunostains in a 0.785-mm2 field of vision (250 x). During follow-up 21 patients had distant metastases and 12 patients died of their disease. Budding was determined at 14 and 20.46, median and mean, respectively (range 0-120). A cut-off of 25 was found to be sensitive (0.76) and specific (0.739). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed high budding to be a strong adverse prognosticator. By Cox regression, high budding together with venous angioinvasion were independent prognostic factors. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms the prognostic value of budding in a contemporary series of colorectal carcinomas that by TNM were low risk. Technically easy, rapid and robust to determine, budding quantified in pan-cytokeratin stains significantly aids in the identification of high-risk patients and is recommended for more general use in surgical pathology.

C0h/C2h monitoring of the pharmacodynamics of cyclosporin plus mycophenolate mofetil in human heart transplant recipients.

UNLABELLED: Pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters like C2h have improved efficacy of immunosuppressive therapy. However, drug interactions, toxicities, and individual differences to drug effects still remain challenging. Therefore, this study was designed to assess pharmacodynamic (PD) effects of the combination cyclosporin (CsA) plus mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) on lymphocyte functions in peripheral blood of stable heart transplant recipients (HTx) using our established FACS assays. METHODS: Blood from 25 HTx patients was drawn before (C0h) and 2 hours after dosing (C2h). CsA and mycophenolic acid (MPA) concentrations were measured by EMIT. FACS assessed expression of cytokine production (IL-2, TNF-alpha), lymphocyte proliferation (PCNA), and T-cell activation (CD25, CD95). RESULTS: Evening doses of CsA (25/50/75 or 100 mg) and MMF (250/500 or 1000 mg) produced C0h levels as follows: CsA, 162 +/- 12 ng/mL; MPA, 1.7 +/- 0.2 mg/L. Morning doses of CsA (50/75 or 100 mg) and MMF (250/500/1000 or 1500 mg) produced C2h-levels as follows: CsA, 589 +/- 56 ng/mL and MPA, 7.4 +/- 1.3 mg/L. PD effects at C0h/C2h (% expression +/- SEM, all P < .05) were IL-2, 18 +/- 3/10 +/- 2; TNF-alpha, 12 +/- 2/7 +/- 1; PCNA, 8 +/- 1/5 +/- 1; CD25, 26 +/- 4/13 +/- 2; CD95, 23 +/- 4/11 +/- 2). Correlations (r2) at time point C2h between inhibition of lymphocyte functions (PD) with drug concentrations (PK) and with drug doses were CsA-PK, 0.71 to 0.91; MMF-PK, 0.55 to 0.76; CsA-dose, 0.73 to 0.87; MMF-dose, 0.61 to 0.80. CONCLUSION: For the first time, the immunosuppressive effects of the combination CsA plus MMF were quantified in whole blood of human HTx at different time points. PD assays may offer the opportunity to optimize clinical immunosuppressive drug therapy.

Pharmacodynamic monitoring of the conversion of cyclosporine to tacrolimus in heart and lung transplant recipients.

OBJECTIVE: Conversion from cyclosporine (CsA) to tacrolimus (TRL) remains challenging in the daily routine due to individual variations in blood concentrations (pharmacokinetics, PK), pharmacodynamics (PD) and in interactions on plasma mycophenolic acid (MPA) concentrations. Therefore, we used our PD assays of lymphocyte function to monitor the conversion of CsA to TRL in heart (HTx) and lung (LTx) transplant recipients. METHODS: Patients (six HTx, two LTx) were converted from CsA to TRL because of gingival hyperplasia. All patients were treated with 6 mg BID TRL 24 hours after the last CsA dose and received mycophenolate mofetil BID cotherapy. PK measurements of CsA, TRL, and MPA were done by EMIT. Expression of cytokine production (IL-2, TNF-alpha), lymphocyte proliferation (PCNA), and activation (CD25) was assessed by FACS. RESULTS: TRL concentrations increased from day 1 to 3, but did not alter MPA concentrations, which were comparably high to MPA concentrations in combination with CsA (day 0). Compared to CsA therapy, increased TRL concentrations did not further inhibit PCNA expression, inhibited CD25 expression less on days 1 and 2 and equally high on day 3, but inhibited expression of IL-2 and TNF-alpha significantly higher on days 2 and 3 (P < .05). CONCLUSION: This study shows that monitoring PD of lymphocyte functions after conversion from CsA to TRL in HTx and LTx recipients revealed differences of inhibition of lymphocyte functions. Monitoring PD of lymphocyte function may provide insights in drug interactions of immunosuppressive combination therapy and may help to tailor immunosuppression to avoid toxicity and to enhance efficacy.

Microvessel densities and microvascular architecture in colorectal carcinomas and their liver metastases: significant correlation of high microvessel densities with better survival.

AIMS: Microvessel densities in cancers have been shown to be a prognostic factor for some types of cancer. For colorectal cancer, however, the situation is far from clear. METHODS: A consecutive series of 173 colorectal carcinomas was investigated, and to these were added 55 liver metastases originating from colorectal cancer. Microvessels were counted in hotspots (factor VIII immunostaining, 0.74 mm2). The capillary architecture was scored according to the degree of order and envelopment of the neoplastic glands. Endothelial proliferation was determined by factor VIII/Ki67 double labelling. RESULTS: Mean microvessel densities were 51.8 for colorectal carcinomas (range 8-140) and 31.9 for liver metastases (range 3-101). Stratification according to stage, depth of infiltration and nodal involvement showed a significant inverse relation with increase. Mean microvessel densities in primaries were significantly higher than in metastases. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed a significantly higher cancer-specific survival for high microvessel densities (median as cut-off) and for a more ordered microvascular architecture. Endothelial proliferation in carcinomas was significantly higher than in normal mucosa. CONCLUSIONS: Contrary to other types of cancer, for colorectal cancer high microvessel densities confer good rather than poor prognosis. We hypothesize that neoangiogenesis, though extant in colorectal cancer, is not rate-limiting in the metastatic cascade.

Malignant conversion of florid oral and labial papillomatosis during topical immunotherapy with imiquimod.

We report a case of a 61-year-old woman suffering from florid oral papillomatosis with a squamous-cell cancer of the floor of the mouth, which was removed by scalpel surgery combined with a radical neck dissection in 1996. Between 1996 and 2000 several histologically benign papillomatous lesions of mouth and lips were removed with laser and electrosurgery. However, the lesions recurred. In July 2000 hyperkeratotic, wart-like lesions were present at the lower and upper lips and at the right angle of the mouth and the adjacent oral mucosa. Overnight treatment with a topical 5% imiquimod cream on a Monday-Wednesday-Friday schedule was initiated. However, due to severe irritation and pain the application had to be reduced to 4 h per night, three times a week, followed by a therapy-free interval of 2 weeks. Despite this treatment consisting of four cycles of 3 weeks (1 week treatment and 2 weeks pause), the lesions increased markedly in size. A biopsy taken from the tumorous lesion from the right angle of the mouth proved to be a squamous-cell carcinoma. The tumors of the labial and oral mucosal sites as well as the right submandibular lymph nodes were removed by wide scalpel excision. The lips were reconstructed by plastic surgery. 24 months after surgical intervention no recurrence nor metastasis to lymph nodes or distal sites were observed.

Impact of diabetes mellitus on cardiac surgery outcome.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus is an established independent risk factor related to significant morbidity and mortality after cardiac surgical procedures. METHODS: Data on 16,184 patients undergoing cardiac surgery with and without cardiopulmonary bypass between April 1996 and August 2001 were prospectively evaluated. Diabetes mellitus as a patient related risk factor was subjected to univariate analysis to identify potential associations to 28 intra- and postoperative outcome variables. Outcome variables having a significant association with diabetes mellitus (p < 0.05) were then subjected to a stepwise logistic regression model to identify the influence of diabetes mellitus as compared to additional 30 different patient related risk factors and treatment variables. Diabetes mellitus was defined as glucose intolerance treated either dietary, with oral hypoglycemics or with insulin. RESULTS: Overall prevalence of diabetes mellitus was 33.3 %. Compared to non-diabetic patients the group with diabetes mellitus was older (p < 0.0001) and had a significantly lower ejection fraction (p < 0.0001). 15 outcome variables having a significant association with diabetes mellitus were identified. Furthermore, diabetes mellitus could be identified as an independent predictor for 7 postoperative outcome variables (prolonged ICU-stay, sternal instability and/or infection, sternal revision and refixation respiratory insufficiency, postoperative delirium, perioperative stroke, renal dysfunction, postoperative reintubation). CONCLUSION: Diabetes mellitus is a significant independent predictor for several postoperative outcome variables after cardiac surgery associated with higher postoperative morbidity and prolonged hospital stay.