Transplantation Outcomes with Donor Hearts after Circulatory Death.

BACKGROUND: Data showing the efficacy and safety of the transplantation of hearts obtained from donors after circulatory death as compared with hearts obtained from donors after brain death are limited. METHODS: We conducted a randomized, noninferiority trial in which adult candidates for heart transplantation were assigned in a 3:1 ratio to receive a heart after the circulatory death of the donor or a heart from a donor after brain death if that heart was available first (circulatory-death group) or to receive only a heart that had been preserved with the use of traditional cold storage after the brain death of the donor (brain-death group). The primary end point was the risk-adjusted survival at 6 months in the as-treated circulatory-death group as compared with the brain-death group. The primary safety end point was serious adverse events associated with the heart graft at 30 days after transplantation. RESULTS: A total of 180 patients underwent transplantation; 90 (assigned to the circulatory-death group) received a heart donated after circulatory death and 90 (regardless of group assignment) received a heart donated after brain death. A total of 166 transplant recipients were included in the as-treated primary analysis (80 who received a heart from a circulatory-death donor and 86 who received a heart from a brain-death donor). The risk-adjusted 6-month survival in the as-treated population was 94% (95% confidence interval [CI], 88 to 99) among recipients of a heart from a circulatory-death donor, as compared with 90% (95% CI, 84 to 97) among recipients of a heart from a brain-death donor (least-squares mean difference, -3 percentage points; 90% CI, -10 to 3; P<0.001 for noninferiority [margin, 20 percentage points]). There were no substantial between-group differences in the mean per-patient number of serious adverse events associated with the heart graft at 30 days after transplantation. CONCLUSIONS: In this trial, risk-adjusted survival at 6 months after transplantation with a donor heart that had been reanimated and assessed with the use of extracorporeal nonischemic perfusion after circulatory death was not inferior to that after standard-care transplantation with a donor heart that had been preserved with the use of cold storage after brain death. (Funded by TransMedics; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT03831048.).

A Pilot Study Using Machine Learning Algorithms and Wearable Technology for the Early Detection of Postoperative Complications After Cardiothoracic Surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether a machine learning algorithm (i.e. the "NightSignal" algorithm) can be used for the detection of postoperative complications prior to symptom onset after cardiothoracic surgery. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Methods that enable the early detection of postoperative complications after cardiothoracic surgery are needed. METHODS: This was a prospective observational cohort study conducted from July 2021 to February 2023 at a single academic tertiary care hospital. Patients aged 18 years or older scheduled to undergo cardiothoracic surgery were recruited. Study participants wore a Fitbit watch continuously for at least 1 week preoperatively and up to 90-days postoperatively. The ability of the NightSignal algorithm-which was previously developed for the early detection of Covid-19-to detect postoperative complications was evaluated. The primary outcomes were algorithm sensitivity and specificity for postoperative event detection. RESULTS: A total of 56 patients undergoing cardiothoracic surgery met inclusion criteria, of which 24 (42.9%) underwent thoracic operations and 32 (57.1%) underwent cardiac operations. The median age was 62 (IQR: 51-68) years and 30 (53.6%) patients were female. The NightSignal algorithm detected 17 of the 21 postoperative events a median of 2 (IQR: 1-3) days prior to symptom onset, representing a sensitivity of 81%. The specificity, negative predictive value, and positive predictive value of the algorithm for the detection of postoperative events were 75%, 97%, and 28%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Machine learning analysis of biometric data collected from wearable devices has the potential to detect postoperative complications-prior to symptom onset-after cardiothoracic surgery.

Enhanced recovery protocols after surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials in cardiac surgery.

BACKGROUND: Previous meta-analyses combining randomized and observational evidence in cardiac surgery have shown positive impact of enhanced recovery protocols after surgery (ERAS) on postoperative outcomes. However, definitive data based on randomized studies are missing, and the entirety of the ERAS measures and pathway, as recently systematized in guidelines and consensus statements, have not been captured in the published studies. The available literature actually focuses on "ERAS-like" protocols or only limited number of ERAS measures. This study aims at analyzing all randomized studies applying ERAS-like protocols in cardiac surgery for perioperative outcomes. METHODS: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing ERAS-like with standard protocols of perioperative care was performed (PROSPERO registration CRD42021283765). PRISMA guidelines were used for abstracting and assessing data. RESULTS: Thirteen single center RCTs (N = 1704, 850 in ERAS-like protocol and 854 in the standard care group) were selected. The most common procedures were surgical revascularization (66.3%) and valvular surgery (24.9%). No difference was found in the incidence of inhospital mortality between the ERAS and standard treatment group (risk ratio [RR] 0.61 [0.31; 1.20], p = 0.15). ERAS was associated with reduced intensive care unit (standardized mean difference [SMD] -0.57, p < 0.01) and hospital stay (SMD -0.23, p < 0.01) and reduced rates of overall complications when compared to the standard protocol (RR 0.60, p < 0.01) driven by the reduction in stroke (RR 0.29 [0.13; 0.62], p < 0.01). A significant heterogeneity in terms of the elements of the ERAS protocol included in the studies was observed. CONCLUSIONS: ERAS-like protocols have no impact on short-term survival after cardiac surgery but allows for a faster hospital discharge while potentially reducing surgical complications. However, this study highlights a significant nonadherence and heterogeneity to the entirety of ERAS protocols warranting further RCTs in this field including a greater number of elements of the framework.

Nighttime/Weekend Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Cannulation Is Not Associated With Increased 1-Year Mortality for Non-Extracorporeal Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Indications.

BACKGROUND: The process of placing a patient on venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) is complex and requires the activation and coordination of numerous personnel from a variety of disciplines to achieve procedural success, initiate flow, and subsequently monitor the patient's condition. The literature suggests that nighttime cannulation for extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) is associated with adverse outcomes compared to daytime cannulation. Given the strain on personnel that this process can create, it is plausible that patients who are initiated on VA-ECMO for non-ECPR indications during the nighttime and on weekends, which are generally periods with reduced staffing compared to weekday daytime hours, also may experience worse outcomes, including decreased survival. This study aimed to determine whether nighttime/weekend VA-ECMO cannulation is associated with worse outcomes, including decreased survival. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study SETTING: Large quaternary academic medical center PARTICIPANTS: Patients INTERVENTIONS: VA-ECMO cannulation during the day versus night/weekends MEASUREMENTS: We performed a retrospective review of patients at a single center who underwent VA-ECMO cannulation between 2011 and 2021. The 468 patients included 158 patients (33.8%) in the daytime cannulation cohort and 310 (66.2%) in the nighttime/weekend cannulation cohort. Nighttime and weekend VA-ECMO cannulations were not associated with increased 1-year mortality (64.2% vs 60.1%; p = 0.42) or with increased use of renal replacement therapy (25.4% vs 22.2%; p = 0.49). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that nighttime and weekend VA-ECMO cannulations can be performed safely at a large academic medical center.

Rationale and Design of the Randomized Controlled Trial of New Oral Anticoagulants Versus Warfarin for Post Cardiac Surgery Atrial Fibrillation: The NEW-AF Trial.

OBJECTIVE: This manuscript describes the rationale and design of a randomized, controlled trial comparing outcomes with Warfarin vs Novel Oral Anticoagulant (NOAC) therapy in patients with new onset atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery. BACKGROUND: New onset atrial fibrillation commonly occurs after cardiac surgery and is associated with increased rates of stroke and mortality. in nonsurgical patients with atrial fibrillation, NOACs have been shown to confer equivalent benefits for stroke prevention with less bleeding risk and less tedious monitoring requirements compared with Warfarin. However, NOAC use has yet to be adopted widely in cardiac surgery patients. METHODS: The NEW-AF study has been designed as a pragmatic, prospective, randomized controlled trial that will compare financial, convenience and safety outcomes for patients with new onset atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery that are treated with NOACs versus Warfarin. RESULTS: Study results may contribute to optimizing the options for stroke prophylaxis in cardiac surgery patients and catalyze more widespread application of NOAC therapy in this patient population. CONCLUSIONS: The study is ongoing and actively enrolling at the time of the publication. The trial is registered with clinicaltrials.gov under registration number NCT03702582.

Progress Toward Cardiac Xenotransplantation.

Consistent survival of life-supporting pig heart xenograft recipients beyond 90 days was recently reported using genetically modified pigs and a clinically applicable drug treatment regimen. If this remarkable achievement proves reproducible, published benchmarks for clinical translation of cardiac xenografts appear to be within reach. Key mechanistic insights are summarized here that informed recent pig design and therapeutic choices, which together appear likely to enable early clinical translation.

Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation for Postcardiotomy Shock-Analysis of the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization Registry.

OBJECTIVES: Refractory postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock complicating cardiac surgery yields nearly 100% mortality when untreated. Use of venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock has increased worldwide recently. The aim of the current analysis was to outline the trends in use, changing patient profiles, and in-hospital outcomes including complications in patients undergoing venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock. DESIGN: Analysis of extracorporeal life support organization registry from January 2010 to December 2018. SETTING: Multicenter worldwide registry. PATIENTS: Seven-thousand one-hundred eighty-five patients supported with venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock. INTERVENTIONS: Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Hospital death, weaning from extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, hospital complications. Mortality predictors were assessed by multivariable logistic regression. Propensity score matching was performed for comparison of peripheral and central cannulation for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. A significant trend toward more extracorporeal membrane oxygenation use in recent years (coefficient, 0.009; p < 0.001) was found. Mean age was 56.3 ± 14.9 years and significantly increased over time (coefficient, 0.513; p < 0.001). Most commonly, venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was instituted after coronary artery bypass surgery (26.8%) and valvular surgery (25.6%), followed by heart transplantation (20.7%). Overall, successful extracorporeal membrane oxygenation weaning was possible in 4,520 cases (56.4%), and survival to hospital discharge was achieved in 41.7% of cases. In-hospital mortality rates remained constant over time (coefficient, -8.775; p = 0.682), whereas complication rates were significantly reduced (coefficient, -0.009; p = 0.003). Higher mortality was observed after coronary artery bypass surgery (65.4%), combined coronary artery bypass surgery with valve (68.4%), and aortic (69.6%) procedures than other indications. Lower mortality rates were observed in heart transplantation recipients (46.0%). Age (p < 0.001), central cannulation (p < 0.001), and occurrence of complications while on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation were independently associated with poorer prognosis. CONCLUSIONS: The analysis confirmed increased use of venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock. Mortality rates remained relatively constant over time despite a decrease in complications, in the setting of supporting older patients.

Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) survival: A quaternary center analysis.

BACKGROUND: Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) has emerged as a rescue strategy for nonresponders to conventional CPR (CCPR) in cardiac arrest. Definitive guidelines for ECPR deployment do not exist. Prior studies suggest that arrest rhythm and cardiac origin of arrest may be variables used to assess candidacy for ECPR. AIM: To describe a single-center experience with ECPR and to assess associations between survival and physician-adjudicated origin of arrest and arrest rhythm. METHODS: A retrospective review of all patients who underwent ECPR at a quaternary care center over a 7-year period was performed. Demographic and clinical characteristics were extracted from the medical record and used to adjudicate the origin of cardiac arrest, etiology, rhythm, survival, and outcomes. Univariate analysis was performed to determine the association of patient and arrest characteristics with survival. RESULTS: Between 2010 and 2017, 47 cardiac arrest patients were initiated on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) at the time of active CPR. ECPR patient survival to hospital discharge was 25.5% (n = 12). Twenty-six patients died on ECMO (55.3%) while nine patients (19.1%) survived decannulation but died before discharge. Neither physician-adjudicated arrest rhythm nor underlying origin were significantly associated with survival to discharge, either alone or in combination. Younger age was significantly associated with survival. Nearly all survivors experienced myocardial recovery and left the hospital with a good neurological status. CONCLUSIONS: Arrest rhythm and etiology may be insufficient predictors of survival in ECPR utilization. Further multiinstitutional studies are needed to determine evidenced-based criteria for ECPR deployment.

Pig-to-human heart transplantation: Who goes first?

Cardiac xenotransplantation has recently taken an important step towards clinical reality. In anticipation of the "first-in-human" heart xenotransplantation trial, we propose a set of patient characteristics that define potential candidates. Our premise is that, to be ethically justified, the risks posed by current state-of-the-art options must outweigh the anticipated risks of a pioneering xenotransplant procedure. Suitable candidates include patients who are at high immunologic risk because of sensitization to alloantigens, including those who have exhibited early onset or accelerated cardiac allograft vasculopathy. In addition, patients should be considered (1) for whom mechanical circulatory support would be prohibitively risky due to a hypercoagulable state, a contraindication to anticoagulation, or restrictive physiology; (2) with severe biventricular dysfunction predicting unsuccessful univentricular left heart support; and (3) adults with complex congenital heart disease. In conclusion, because the published preclinical benchmark for clinical translation of heart xenotransplantation appears within reach, carefully and deliberately defining appropriate trial participants is timely as the basis for ethical clinical trial design.

Veno-venous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation for Respiratory Failure in COVID-19 Patients: Early Experience From a Major Academic Medical Center in North America.

AND BACKGROUND DATA: VV ECMO can be utilized as an advanced therapy in select patients with COVID-19 respiratory failure refractory to traditional critical care management and optimal mechanical ventilation. Anticipating a need for such therapies during the pandemic, our center created a targeted protocol for ECMO therapy in COVID-19 patients that allows us to provide this life-saving therapy to our sickest patients without overburdening already stretched resources or excessively exposing healthcare staff to infection risk. METHODS: As a major regional referral program, we used the framework of our well-established ECMO service-line to outline specific team structures, modified patient eligibility criteria, cannulation strategies, and management protocols for the COVID-19 ECMO program. RESULTS: During the first month of the COVID-19 outbreak in Massachusetts, 6 patients were placed on VV ECMO for refractory hypoxemic respiratory failure. The median (interquartile range) age was 47 years (43-53) with most patients being male (83%) and obese (67%). All cannulations were performed at the bedside in the intensive care unit in patients who had undergone a trial of rescue therapies for acute respiratory distress syndrome including lung protective ventilation, paralysis, prone positioning, and inhaled nitric oxide. At the time of this report, 83% (5/6) of the patients are still alive with 1 death on ECMO, attributed to hemorrhagic stroke. 67% of patients (4/6) have been successfully decannulated, including 2 that have been successfully extubated and one who was discharged from the hospital. The median duration of VV ECMO therapy for patients who have been decannulated is 12 days (4-18 days). CONCLUSIONS: This is 1 the first case series describing VV ECMO outcomes in COVID-19 patients. Our initial data suggest that VV ECMO can be successfully utilized in appropriately selected COVID-19 patients with advanced respiratory failure.

Electroencephalogram Burst-suppression during Cardiopulmonary Bypass in Elderly Patients Mediates Postoperative Delirium.

BACKGROUND: Intraoperative burst-suppression is associated with postoperative delirium. Whether this association is causal remains unclear. Therefore, the authors investigated whether burst-suppression during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) mediates the effects of known delirium risk factors on postoperative delirium. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort observational substudy of the Minimizing ICU [intensive care unit] Neurological Dysfunction with Dexmedetomidine-induced Sleep (MINDDS) trial. The authors analyzed data from patients more than 60 yr old undergoing cardiac surgery (n = 159). Univariate and multivariable regression analyses were performed to assess for associations and enable causal inference. Delirium risk factors were evaluated using the abbreviated Montreal Cognitive Assessment and Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System questionnaires for applied cognition, physical function, global health, sleep, and pain. The authors also analyzed electroencephalogram data (n = 141). RESULTS: The incidence of delirium in patients with CPB burst-suppression was 25% (15 of 60) compared with 6% (5 of 81) in patients without CPB burst-suppression. In univariate analyses, age (odds ratio, 1.08 [95% CI, 1.03 to 1.14]; P = 0.002), lowest CPB temperature (odds ratio, 0.79 [0.66 to 0.94]; P = 0.010), alpha power (odds ratio, 0.65 [0.54 to 0.80]; P < 0.001), and physical function (odds ratio, 0.95 [0.91 to 0.98]; P = 0.007) were associated with CPB burst-suppression. In separate univariate analyses, age (odds ratio, 1.09 [1.02 to 1.16]; P = 0.009), abbreviated Montreal Cognitive Assessment (odds ratio, 0.80 [0.66 to 0.97]; P = 0.024), alpha power (odds ratio, 0.75 [0.59 to 0.96]; P = 0.025), and CPB burst-suppression (odds ratio, 3.79 [1.5 to 9.6]; P = 0.005) were associated with delirium. However, only physical function (odds ratio, 0.96 [0.91 to 0.99]; P = 0.044), lowest CPB temperature (odds ratio, 0.73 [0.58 to 0.88]; P = 0.003), and electroencephalogram alpha power (odds ratio, 0.61 [0.47 to 0.76]; P < 0.001) were retained as predictors in the burst-suppression multivariable model. Burst-suppression (odds ratio, 4.1 [1.5 to 13.7]; P = 0.012) and age (odds ratio, 1.07 [0.99 to 1.15]; P = 0.090) were retained as predictors in the delirium multivariable model. Delirium was associated with decreased electroencephalogram power from 6.8 to 24.4 Hertz. CONCLUSIONS: The inference from the present study is that CPB burst-suppression mediates the effects of physical function, lowest CPB temperature, and electroencephalogram alpha power on delirium.

Outcomes of Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Patients Requiring Multiple Episodes of Support.

OBJECTIVES: This study describes the largest North American single-institution experience with adult patients requiring multiple extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) runs in the same admission and aims to describe outcomes of survival and complication rates in this patient population. DESIGN: A retrospective chart review-based study in a single quaternary care center of venoarterial (VA) ECMO patients cannulated multiple times on ECMO support to assess for outcomes and survival (both of ECMO therapy and survival to discharge). SETTING: Single quaternary academic center for ECMO. PARTICIPANTS: All patients undergoing VA ECMO who were at least 18 years of age from 2011 to 2019, composed of a total of 14 patients requiring multiple cannulations. INTERVENTIONS: None, this was a retrospective chart review. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Of the 326 patients reviewed, 14 patients (4.3% of all patients in the database) had multiple ECMO therapies. The average patient age was 55.2 ± 10.99 years of age, and 57% were female; 4 of the 14 (28.6%) patients survived to hospital discharge. The top 2 indications for initial VA ECMO therapy were cardiogenic shock after myocardial infarction (35.7%) and after cardiotomy shock (35.7%). For repeated cannulation, the most common cause was hypoxia (64%, 9 patients), with 6 of these patients requiring a right ventricular assist device plus oxygenator. Other causes for repeated cannulation included post-cardiotomy shock (14%), recurrent ventricular tachycardia (14%), and cardiogenic shock (7%). All patients who required continuous venovenous hemofiltration during their first run of ECMO did not survive to discharge. CONCLUSIONS: Fourteen of 326 patients in the authors' VA ECMO database required additional ECMO therapy after decannulation; this represents at least 1 to 2 cases per year at higher-volume centers. Despite the small number of patients in this retrospective review, it seems that certain patients are reasonable candidates for additional ECMO therapy should their cardiopulmonary function again decline. The findings of renal replacement therapy and infection being more common during a second ECMO run are logical, but larger cohorts (ideally multicenter or from within the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization registry) are required to validate these preliminary findings.

Extracorporeal Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation: Outcomes and Complications at a Quaternary Referral Center.

OBJECTIVE: At a quaternary care center that regularly performs and cares for patients undergoing extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (eCPR), a database of all adult patients who underwent eCPR with venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) over a 10-year period was reviewed. Seventy-one eCPR patients were analyzed to compare outcomes and complication rates. The authors hypothesized that evidence of end-organ injury, such as the need for continuous renal replacement therapy, in their institution's eCPR population would be associated with increased in-hospital mortality. DESIGN: Retrospective chart review of prospectively collected data at a quaternary care center. SETTING: Single quaternary academic referral center for ECMO. PARTICIPANTS: The study comprised adult patients who underwent venoarterial ECMO for eCPR from 2009-2019 and for whom demographic data, survival data, and complication rates were available. INTERVENTIONS: None-this was a retrospective chart review. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: eCPR survival was 53.5% (38 of 71), and hospital survival was 33.8% (24 of 71). The most common complications were hemorrhage (26 of 67), renal failure (19 of 67), and neurologic injury (14 of 67). Of 19 patients requiring renal replacement therapy, only 1 survived to hospital discharge (5.3%) versus 23 of 48 patients without renal failure (47.9%) surviving to discharge (p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In this cohort of 71 patients who underwent eCPR, outcomes were promising; however, complication rates were high, and renal failure in particular demonstrated an extremely high mortality. These are single-institution results that should be followed up with larger multicenter cohorts of eCPR patients.

Predictors of Neurologic Recovery in Patients Who Undergo Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation for Refractory Cardiac Arrest.

OBJECTIVE: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) as a rescue strategy during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) is increasingly being used for nonresponders to conventional cardiopulmonary resuscitation. To identify patients most likely to benefit from ECPR, the authors investigated predictors of hospital discharge with good neurologic function. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort analysis. SETTING: Single institution academic medical center. PARTICIPANTS: Patients who underwent ECPR. INTERVENTIONS: Venoarterial ECMO initiation for witnessed refractory cardiac arrest from 2009-2019. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Baseline characteristics and post-ECMO outcomes were compared between patients who had good versus poor neurologic function at discharge. Good neurologic function was defined as a cerebral performance category 1 to 2, whereas poor neurologic function was defined as a cerebral performance category 3 to 5. Of 54 patients, 13 (24%) were discharged with good neurologic function and 41 (76%) had poor neurologic function (n = 38 in-hospital deaths; n = 3 discharged with severe disability.) Survivors with good neurologic function were younger (41 v 61 y; p = 0.03), more likely to arrest because of pulmonary embolism (46% v 10%; p = 0.01), and more likely to receive concurrent Impella (Abiomed, Danvers, MA) placement while on ECMO (38% v 12%; p = 0.03.) Young age was the most important predictor of good neurologic function (odds ratio 0.92 [0.87-0.97]; p = 0.004), with a threshold for improved survival around 60 years. For all patients, survival to discharge was 30%; however, among survivors with good neurologic function, 5-year survival was 100%. CONCLUSIONS: ECPR is associated with high rates of neurologic morbidity and mortality. However, in select patients, it may be an acceptable option with favorable long-term survival. Additional studies are indicated to further define the appropriate selection criteria for ECPR implementation.

Increasing donor sequence number is not associated with inferior outcomes in lung transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Donor sequence number (DSN) represents the number of recipients to whom an organ has been offered. The impact of seeing numerous prior refusals may potentially influence the decision to accept an organ. We sought to determine if DSN was associated with inferior posttransplant outcomes. METHODS: Using the United Network for Organ Sharing database, a retrospective analysis was performed on 22 361 patients who received a lung transplant between 2005 and 2017. Patients were grouped into low DSN (1-24, n = 16 860) and high DSN (>24, n = 5501) categories. Baseline characteristics and posttransplant outcomes were analyzed. An institutional subgroup was also analyzed to compare rates of primary graft dysfunction (PGD) posttransplant. RESULTS: The DSN ranged from 1 to 1735 (median, 7; interquartile range, 2-24). A total of 18 507 recipients received an organ with at least one prior refusal. Recipients of donors with a higher DSN were older (58 vs 55 years; P < .01) but had lower lung allocation scores (43.5 vs 47.5; P < .01). On adjusted analysis, high DSN was not associated with increased mortality (hazard ratio, 0.99; 95% confidence interval, 0.94-1.04; P = .77). There was no difference in the incidence of graft failure (P = .37) or retransplantation (P = .24). Recipient subgroups who received donors with an increasing DSN >50 and >75 also demonstrated no difference in mortality when compared with a low DSN (P = .86 and P = .97). There was no difference in PGD for patients with a low vs a high DSN at any time posttransplant. CONCLUSIONS: DSN is not associated with increased mortality in patients undergoing lung transplantation and should not negatively influence the decision to accept a lung for transplant.

The effect of donor age on posttransplant mortality in a cohort of adult cardiac transplant recipients aged 18-45.

Hearts from older donors are increasingly utilized for transplantation due to unmet demand. Conflicting evidence exists regarding the prognosis of recipients of advanced age donor hearts, especially in young recipients. A retrospective analysis was performed on 11 433 patients aged 18 to 45 who received a cardiac transplant from 2000 to 2017. Overall, 10 279 patients received hearts from donors less than 45 and 1145 from donors greater than 45. Recipients of older donors were older (37 vs. 34 years, P < .01) and had higher rates of inotropic dependence (48% vs. 42%, P < .01). However, groups were similar in terms of comorbidities and dependence on mechanical circulatory support. Median survival for recipients of older donors was reduced by 2.6 years (12.6 vs. 15.2, P < .01). Multivariable analysis demonstrated donor age greater than 45 to be a predictor of mortality (HR 1.18 [1.05-1.33], P = .01). However, when restricting the analysis to patients who received a donor with a negative preprocurement angiogram, donor age only had a borderline association with mortality (HR 1.20 [0.98-1.46], P = .06). Older donor hearts in young recipients are associated with decreased long-term survival, however this risk is reduced in donors without atherosclerosis. The long-term hazard of this practice should be carefully weighed against the risk of waitlist mortality.

Echocardiographic Assessment of Biventricular Function in 249 Patients During the Peri-Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Period.

OBJECTIVES: At a quaternary care center that regularly performs and cares for patients undergoing extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), a database of all adult patients since 2009 was assembled with echocardiographic parameters of left (LV) and right (RV) ventricular function. From the database, 175 venoarterial (VA) and 74 venovenous (VV) ECMO patients were analyzed to compare the decannulation echocardiographic assessments of biventricular function before, during, and after ECMO in survivors and nonsurvivors. DESIGN: Retrospective chart review-based study. SETTING: A single quaternary care center. PARTICIPANTS: All adult patients who received ECMO from 2009 to 2017 with both survival data and echographic studies were included in this retrospective study. INTERVENTIONS: When indicated, transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiograms were performed for ECMO patients. The results of these echocardiograms were reviewed retrospectively, and differences between survivors and nonsurvivors were examined. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: A retrospective chart review of before, during cannulation, and after decannulation echocardiographic assessments of biventricular function was performed. On average, VA ECMO survivors had better post-decannulation LV function than did nonsurvivors by a full clinical grade-mild impairment versus moderate impairment (p < 0.001). RV function comparison was similar-mild impairment in survivors versus moderate impairment in nonsurvivors (p = 0.007). LV and RV function before and during ECMO in survivors was not different from that of nonsurvivors. The change in biventricular function from before to after cannulation and during cannulation to post-cannulation was approximately a full clinical grade better in survivors than nonsurvivors (p < 0.01 in all cases). In VV ECMO patients, post-decannulation RV function was significantly worse in nonsurvivors (moderate dysfunction vs borderline normal function) (p = 0.013). CONCLUSIONS: Retrospective chart review of 249 patients suggests that echocardiographic assessment of biventricular function before ECMO cannulation is not prognostic in VA or VV ECMO patients. Post-decannulation assessment of biventricular function may aid in triaging more "at risk" patients because nonsurvivors have significantly worse biventricular function after decannulation. The failure to improve biventricular function from the before to after ECMO phases and the during to after ECMO phases is concerning for a poor prognosis.

Pseudoaneurysm of the left main coronary artery: A complication of orbital atherectomy.

Plaque modification devices are used to treat heavily calcified coronary artery lesions during percutaneous coronary artery interventions. As these devices have unique risk profiles, clinicians need to be aware of potential complications associated with their use. A case of a contained rupture (i.e., pseudoaneurysm) of the proximal left main coronary artery following orbital atherectomy is presented. This lesion was managed with coronary artery bypass grafting and oversewing of the left main coronary artery ostium. This case illustrates that lesion location and configuration may influence tracking of these devices, as well as the actual site of tissue ablation. This case underscores the importance of concurrent imaging during treatment and concern for potential unintended consequences of atherectomy.

Pain management and safety profiles after preoperative vs postoperative thoracic epidural insertion for bilateral lung transplantation.

OBJECTIVE: Thoracic epidural analgesia provides effective pain control after lung transplantation; however, the optimal timing of placement is controversial. We sought to compare pain control and pulmonary and epidural morbidity between patients receiving preoperative vs postoperative epidurals. METHODS: Institutional records were reviewed for patients undergoing a bilateral lung transplant via a bilateral anterior thoracotomy with transverse sternotomy incision between January 2014 and January 2017. Pain control was measured using visual analog scale pain scores (0-10). Pulmonary complications included a composite of pneumonia, prolonged intubation, and reintubation/tracheostomy. RESULTS: Among 103 patients, 72 (70%) had an epidural placed preoperatively and 31 (30%) had an epidural placed within 72 hours posttransplant. There were no differences in the rates of cardiopulmonary bypass (3% vs 0%, P = 0.59); however, patients with a preoperative epidural were less likely to be placed on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation intraoperatively (25% vs 52%, P = 0.01). Pain control was similar at 24 hours (1.2 vs 1.7, P = 0.05); however, patients with a preoperative epidural reported lower pain scores at 48 (1.2 vs 2.1, P = 0.02) and 72 hours posttransplant (0.8 vs 1.7, P = 0.02). There were no differences in primary graft dysfunction (42% vs 56%, P = 0.28), length of mechanical ventilation (19.5 vs 24 hours, P = 0.18), or adverse pulmonary events (33% vs 52%, P = 0.12). No adverse events including epidural hematoma, paralysis, or infection resulted from epidural placement. CONCLUSION: Preoperative thoracic epidural placement provides improved analgesia without increased morbidity following lung transplantation.

Impella Placement Guided by Echocardiography Can Be Used as a Strategy to Unload the Left Ventricle During Peripheral Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation.

OBJECTIVE: At the authors' institution, before 2015, patients cannulated for peripheral venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) did not undergo left ventricular (LV) decompression with the use of an LV vent. After 2015, the authors' institution began using the Impella device to vent the left ventricle in patients on VA-ECMO. The authors hypothesized that survival outcomes would improve in patients on VA-ECMO with the use of an Impella for LV venting. DESIGN: Retrospective, chart based review study. SETTING: Single center, university-based hospital. PARTICIPANTS: All adult patients at the authors' institution who required VA-ECMO between January 2015 and May 2017. INTERVENTION: An Impella (Abiomed, Danvers, MA) device was placed percutaneously in patients cannulated for VA-ECMO as a mechanism to provide LV venting and decompression, therefore unloading the heart. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Manual chart review was conducted, and a survival analysis was performed. It was observed that patients on VA-ECMO in whom an Impella was implanted had improved survival and an improvement in LV function as demonstrated by echocardiography compared with patients maintained on VA-ECMO alone. CONCLUSIONS: Patients on VA-ECMO plus Impella implantation demonstrated improved survival compared with patients treated with VA-ECMO alone. Key echocardiographic characteristics such as improved LV function after Impella placement and LV cavity size reduction during therapy may help predict those patients who may benefit most from this cannulation strategy.