Combined Heart and Kidney Transplantation: Initial Clinical Experience.

INTRODUCTION: Combined solid organ transplantation is infrequently performed in Brazil. The objective of this article is to present our initial experience with combined heart and kidney transplantation. METHODS: From January 2007 to December 2019, four patients were submitted to combined heart and kidney transplantation. Their mean age was 55.7±4.4 years, and three (75%) patients were males. All patients had Chagas cardiomyopathy, two were hospitalized and inotrope dependent, and all patients were on preoperative dialysis (median of 12 months prior to transplant). RESULTS: All patients survived and were in New York Heart Association functional class I at the latest follow-up (mean 34.7±17.5 months). Mean retarded kidney graft function was 22.9±9.7 days. One patient lost the kidney graft two years after the transplant due to Polyomavirus infection. CONCLUSION: Our initial experience of combined heart and kidney transplantation was favorable in selected patients with advanced heart failure and end-stage kidney disease. It requires involvement of a dedicated multispecialty team throughout all the diagnostics and treatment steps.

Combined Heart and Kidney Transplantation: Initial Clinical Experience

ABSTRACT Introduction: Combined solid organ transplantation is infrequently performed in Brazil. The objective of this article is to present our initial experience with combined heart and kidney transplantation. Methods: From January 2007 to December 2019, four patients were submitted to combined heart and kidney transplantation. Their mean age was 55.7±4.4 years, and three (75%) patients were males. All patients had Chagas cardiomyopathy, two were hospitalized and inotrope dependent, and all patients were on preoperative dialysis (median of 12 months prior to transplant). Results: All patients survived and were in New York Heart Association functional class I at the latest follow-up (mean 34.7±17.5 months). Mean retarded kidney graft function was 22.9±9.7 days. One patient lost the kidney graft two years after the transplant due to Polyomavirus infection. Conclusion: Our initial experience of combined heart and kidney transplantation was favorable in selected patients with advanced heart failure and end-stage kidney disease. It requires involvement of a dedicated multispecialty team throughout all the diagnostics and treatment steps.

Outcomes of Orthotopic Heart Transplantation in the Setting of Acute Kidney Injury and Renal Replacement Therapy.

OBJECTIVE: Heart transplantation in the setting of renal insufficiency is controversial. The objective of this study was to perform a descriptive analysis of patients who underwent orthotopic heart transplantation and renal replacement therapy (RRT) due to acute kidney injury (AKI). DESIGN: An observational cohort study with retrospective data collection. SETTING: A tertiary care hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Fifty-one patients underwent orthotopic heart transplantation with cardiogenic shock under inotrope dependence, with nine patients having preoperative RRT and 42 patients not having preoperative RRT. INTERVENTIONS: There were no interventions. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Hospital mortality occurred in eight (15.6%) patients. Although there were no significant differences between the study groups (preoperative RRT 33.3% v controls 11.9%, p = 0.1), this study was underpowered to detect differences in mortality. Dialysis also was required in 52.4% of patients who were not on preoperative RRT. All survivors had full recovery of kidney function with similar timing after transplant (18.5 days v 15 days, p = 0.75). Actuarial survival was 82.4%, 76.5%, and 66.5% at six months, one year, and five years, respectively. A cold ischemic time greater than 180 minutes (hazard ratio [HR] 4.37 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.51-12.6; p = 0.006) and pretransplant RRT (HR = 7.19 95% CI 1.13-45.7; p = 0.04) were independent predictors of long-term mortality. CONCLUSIONS: In a health system with limited funding and availability of mechanical circulatory support, heart transplantation in the setting of AKI, RRT, and low Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support profile was associated with important hospital mortality. Among hospital survivors, however, all patients had full renal recovery and by 25 months there was no difference in mortality between those who required preoperative RRT and those who did not.

Recurrent Cardiac Sarcoma Resection With Modified Partial Autotransplantation.

Primary cardiac sarcomas are very aggressive, being a challenge to cardio-oncology specialty. Surgical planning and innovative techniques have enhanced the possibility of resection. We have described a case of recurrent primary left atrium angiosarcoma, successfully resected with a modified partial autotransplantation technique, planned using a 3-dimensional model created from computed tomography. (Level of Difficulty: Intermediate.).

Does the anthropometric profile influence infection morbidity after coronary artery bypass grafting?

BACKGROUND: Infection after cardiovascular surgery is multifactorial. We sought to determine whether the anthropometric profile influences the occurrence of infection after isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). METHODS: Between January 2011 and June 2016, 1777 consecutive adult patients were submitted to isolated coronary artery bypass grafting. Mean age was 61.7 ± 9.8 years and 1193 (67.1%) were males. Patients were divided into four groups according to the body mass index (BMI) classification: underweight (BMI < 18.5 kg/m2 ; N = 17, 0.9%), normal range (BMI: 18.5-24.99 kg/m2 ; N = 522, 29.4%), overweight (BMI: 25-29.99 kg/m2 ; N = 796, 44.8%), and obese (BMI > 30 kg/m2 ; N = 430, 24.2%). In-hospital outcomes were compared and independent predictors of infection were obtained through multiple Poisson regression with a robust variation. RESULTS: Independent predictors of any infection morbidity were female sex (relative ratio [RR], 1.47; p = .002), age > 60 years (RR, 1.85; p < .0001), cardiopulmonary bypass > 120 min (RR, 1.89; p = .0007), preoperative myocardial infarction < 30 days (RR, 1.37; p = .01), diabetes mellitus (RR, 1.59; p = .0003), ejection fraction < 48% (RR, 2.12; p < .0001), and blood transfusion (RR, 1.55; p = .0008). Among other variables, obesity, as well as diabetes mellitus, were independent predictors of superficial and deep sternal wound infection. CONCLUSIONS: Other factors rather than the anthropometric profile are more important in determining the occurrence of any infection after CABG. However, surgical site infection has occurred more frequently in obese patients. Appropriate patient selection, control of modifiable factors, and application of surgical bundles would minimize this important complication.

Is shortage of heart donors a real problem? Insights from a Brazilian Mid-West heart transplant program.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: In developed countries, the shortage of viable donors is the main limiting factor of heart transplantation. The aim of this study is to determine whether the same reality applies to Brazil. METHODS: Between January 2012 and December 2014, 299 adult heart donor offers were studied in terms of donor profiles and reasons for refusal. The European donor scoring system was calculated, being high-risk donors defined as more than 17 points. The donor scoring system was used to objectively determine the donor profile and correlate with donor acceptance and posttransplant primary graft dysfunction and recipient survival. Cox proportional hazard model was used in determining the predictors of long-term mortality. RESULTS: The rates of donor acceptance and heart transplants performed were 45.8% and 19.3%, respectively. Reasons for refusal were mostly nonmedical (53.7%). The majority of donors were classified as high-risk (65.5%). Hearts from high-risk donors did not impact primary graft dysfunction (14.3% vs 10%; P = .6), neither long-term survival (P = .4 by logrank test). Recipient's age was greater than 50 years (hazard ratio, 6.02; 95% confidence interval, 2.41-16.08; P < .0001) and was the only predictor of long-term mortality. CONCLUSIONS: The shortage of donors is not the main limiting factor of heart transplantation in the Mid-West of Brazil. Nonmedical issues represent the main reason for organ discard. Most of the donors are classified as high risk which indicates that an expanded donor pool is a routine practice in our region, and donor scoring does not seem to influence to proceed with the transplant.

Use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for treating acute cardiomyopathy after liver transplantation: a case report. / Uso de oxigenação por membrana extracorpórea para tratamento de miocardiopatia aguda após transplante hepático: relato de caso.

We report the case of a female patient, 58 years of age, without known heart disease, who underwent liver transplantation without complications. On the second postoperative day, the patient developed cardiogenic shock secondary to stress-induced cardiomyopathy (Takotsubo-like syndrome). The patient was successfully managed with veno-arterial peripheral extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for 6 days, with complete recovery of cardiac function and of the hepatic graft. Coronary syndrome and acute myocarditis were excluded as the causes of the shock. The use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in this scenario is possible and safe, considering its specialized protocols and treatment.

Reportamos o caso de paciente do sexo feminino, 58 anos, sem doença cardíaca conhecida, submetida a transplante hepático sem intercorrências. No segundo dia do pós-operatório desenvolveu choque cardiogênico secundário à miocardiopatia induzida pelo estresse (síndrome de Takotsubo-like). A paciente foi manejada com sucesso com oxigenação por membrana extracorpórea venoarterial periférica, por 6 dias, com recuperação completa da função cardíaca, bem como do enxerto hepático. Síndrome coronariana e miocardite aguda foram excluídas como causas do choque. O uso de oxigenação por membrana extracorpórea neste cenário é possível e seguro, considerando protocolos e tratamento especializado neste tipo de suporte.

Uso de oxigenação por membrana extracorpórea para tratamento de miocardiopatia aguda após transplante hepático: relato de caso / Use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for treating acute cardiomyopathy after liver transplantation: a case report

RESUMO Reportamos o caso de paciente do sexo feminino, 58 anos, sem doença cardíaca conhecida, submetida a transplante hepático sem intercorrências. No segundo dia do pós-operatório desenvolveu choque cardiogênico secundário à miocardiopatia induzida pelo estresse (síndrome de Takotsubo-like). A paciente foi manejada com sucesso com oxigenação por membrana extracorpórea venoarterial periférica, por 6 dias, com recuperação completa da função cardíaca, bem como do enxerto hepático. Síndrome coronariana e miocardite aguda foram excluídas como causas do choque. O uso de oxigenação por membrana extracorpórea neste cenário é possível e seguro, considerando protocolos e tratamento especializado neste tipo de suporte.

ABSTRACT We report the case of a female patient, 58 years of age, without known heart disease, who underwent liver transplantation without complications. On the second postoperative day, the patient developed cardiogenic shock secondary to stress-induced cardiomyopathy (Takotsubo-like syndrome). The patient was successfully managed with veno-arterial peripheral extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for 6 days, with complete recovery of cardiac function and of the hepatic graft. Coronary syndrome and acute myocarditis were excluded as the causes of the shock. The use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in this scenario is possible and safe, considering its specialized protocols and treatment.

Experience of ECMO in Primary Graft Dysfunction after Orthotopic Heart Transplantation / Experiência na Utilização de ECMO na Disfunção Primária de Enxerto Pós-Transplante Cardíaco Ortotópico

Background:Primary graft dysfunction is the main cause of early mortality after heart transplantation. Mechanical circulatory support has been used to treat this syndrome.Objective:Describe the experience with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation to treat post-transplant primary cardiac graft dysfunction.Methods:Between January 2007 and December 2013, a total of 71 orthotopic heart transplantations were performed in patients with advanced heart failure. Eleven (15.5%) of these patients who presented primary graft dysfunction constituted the population of this study. Primary graft dysfunction manifested in our population as failure to wean from cardiopulmonary bypass in six (54.5%) patients, severe hemodynamic instability in the immediate postoperative period with severe cardiac dysfunction in three (27.3%), and cardiac arrest (18.2%). The average ischemia time was 151 ± 82 minutes. Once the diagnosis of primary graft dysfunction was established, we installed a mechanical circulatory support to stabilize the severe hemodynamic condition of the patients and followed their progression longitudinally.Results:The average duration of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support was 76 ± 47.4 hours (range 32 to 144 hours). Weaning with cardiac recovery was successful in nine (81.8%) patients. However, two patients who presented cardiac recovery did not survive to hospital discharge.Conclusion:Mechanical circulatory support with central extracorporeal membrane oxygenation promoted cardiac recovery within a few days in most patients.

Fundamento:A disfunção primária de enxerto é a principal causa de mortalidade precoce após o transplante cardíaco. O uso de assistência circulatória mecânica tem sido empregado no tratamento dessa síndrome.Objetivo:Descrever a experiência com o uso de oxigenação por membrana extracorpórea para tratamento de disfunção primária de enxerto pós-transplante cardíaco.Métodos:Entre janeiro de 2007 e dezembro de 2013, foram realizados 71 transplantes cardíacos ortotópicos em pacientes com insuficiência cardíaca avançada. Destes, 11 (15,5%) pacientes apresentaram disfunção primária de enxerto, os quais constituíram a população deste estudo. As manifestações da disfunção primária de enxerto na nossa população foram falência no desmame da circulação extracorpórea em seis (54,5%) pacientes, instabilidade hemodinâmica grave no pós-operatório imediato com disfunção cardíaca acentuada em três (27,3%) e pós-parada cardíaca em dois (18,2%). O tempo de isquemia médio foi 151 ± 82 minutos. Assim que o diagnóstico de disfunção primária de enxerto foi estabelecido, procedeu-se à instalação de suporte circulatório mecânico para estabilização de quadro hemodinâmico grave, e a evolução dos pacientes foi estudada temporalmente.Resultados:A duração média de assistência em oxigenação por membrana extracorpórea foi 76 ± 47,4 horas (variação de 32 a 144 horas). O desmame com recuperação cardíaca obteve sucesso em nove (81,8%) pacientes. No entanto, dois pacientes, que tiveram recuperação cardíaca, não sobreviveram à alta hospitalar.Conclusão:O uso de assistência circulatória mecânica por meio de oxigenação por membrana extracorpórea central promoveu recuperação cardíaca em poucos dias na maioria dos pacientes.

Experience of ECMO in primary graft dysfunction after orthotopic heart transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Primary graft dysfunction is the main cause of early mortality after heart transplantation. Mechanical circulatory support has been used to treat this syndrome. OBJECTIVE: Describe the experience with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation to treat post-transplant primary cardiac graft dysfunction. METHODS: Between January 2007 and December 2013, a total of 71 orthotopic heart transplantations were performed in patients with advanced heart failure. Eleven (15.5%) of these patients who presented primary graft dysfunction constituted the population of this study. Primary graft dysfunction manifested in our population as failure to wean from cardiopulmonary bypass in six (54.5%) patients, severe hemodynamic instability in the immediate postoperative period with severe cardiac dysfunction in three (27.3%), and cardiac arrest (18.2%). The average ischemia time was 151 ± 82 minutes. Once the diagnosis of primary graft dysfunction was established, we installed a mechanical circulatory support to stabilize the severe hemodynamic condition of the patients and followed their progression longitudinally. RESULTS: The average duration of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support was 76 ± 47.4 hours (range 32 to 144 hours). Weaning with cardiac recovery was successful in nine (81.8%) patients. However, two patients who presented cardiac recovery did not survive to hospital discharge. CONCLUSION: Mechanical circulatory support with central extracorporeal membrane oxygenation promoted cardiac recovery within a few days in most patients.