Left-Ventricular Unloading With Impella During Refractory Cardiac Arrest Treated With Extracorporeal Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVES: Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) is the implementation of venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) during refractory cardiac arrest. The role of left-ventricular (LV) unloading with Impella in addition to VA-ECMO ("ECMELLA") remains unclear during ECPR. This is the first systematic review and meta-analysis to characterize patients with ECPR receiving LV unloading and to compare in-hospital mortality between ECMELLA and VA-ECMO during ECPR. DATA SOURCES: Medline, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Embase, and abstract websites of the three largest cardiology societies (American Heart Association, American College of Cardiology, and European Society of Cardiology). STUDY SELECTION: Observational studies with adult patients with refractory cardiac arrest receiving ECPR with ECMELLA or VA-ECMO until July 2023 according to the Preferred Reported Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis checklist. DATA EXTRACTION: Patient and treatment characteristics and in-hospital mortality from 13 study records at 32 hospitals with a total of 1014 ECPR patients. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CI were computed with the Mantel-Haenszel test using a random-effects model. DATA SYNTHESIS: Seven hundred sixty-two patients (75.1%) received VA-ECMO and 252 (24.9%) ECMELLA. Compared with VA-ECMO, the ECMELLA group was comprised of more patients with initial shockable electrocardiogram rhythms (58.6% vs. 49.3%), acute myocardial infarctions (79.7% vs. 51.5%), and percutaneous coronary interventions (79.0% vs. 47.5%). VA-ECMO alone was more frequently used in pulmonary embolism (9.5% vs. 0.7%). Age, rate of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, and low-flow times were similar between both groups. ECMELLA support was associated with reduced odds of mortality (OR, 0.53 [95% CI, 0.30-0.91]) and higher odds of good neurologic outcome (OR, 2.22 [95% CI, 1.17-4.22]) compared with VA-ECMO support alone. ECMELLA therapy was associated with numerically increased but not significantly higher complication rates. Primary results remained robust in multiple sensitivity analyses. CONCLUSIONS: ECMELLA support was predominantly used in patients with acute myocardial infarction and VA-ECMO for pulmonary embolism. ECMELLA support during ECPR might be associated with improved survival and neurologic outcome despite higher complication rates. However, indications and frequency of ECMELLA support varied strongly between institutions. Further scientific evidence is urgently required to elaborate standardized guidelines for the use of LV unloading during ECPR.

HeartMate 3 Explantation Using Felt Plug for Ventriculotomy Occlusion.

Left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) can be utilized for heart failure patients as a bridge to transplant, bridge to destination, or bridge to recovery. Given the lack of a universally accepted consensus for assessing myocardial recovery, techniques and strategies in LVAD explantation also vary. In addition, the incidence of LVAD explantation remains relatively low, and surgical techniques of explantation continue to be areas of interest. Our approach using a felt-plug Dacron technique is an effective way to preserve left ventricular geometry and cardiac function.

Fusion of Bovine Tissue Aortic Valve Leaflets in a Patient With Left Ventricular Assist Device.

Patients with both a prosthetic aortic valve and prolonged left ventricular assist device support can develop rapid deterioration of their valve prosthesis. In patients with myocardial recovery who are undergoing explantation of their ventricular assist device, preoperative and intraoperative evaluation of the valve prosthesis should be performed to ensure adequate function. (Level of Difficulty: Advanced.).

Liver stiffness and prediction of cardiac outcomes in patients with acute decompensated heart failure.

BACKGROUND: In acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF), noninvasive markers that predict morbidity and mortality are limited. Liver stiffness measurement (LSM) increases with hepatic fibrosis; however, it may be falsely elevated in patients with ADHF in the absence of liver disease. We investigated whether elevated LSM predicts cardiac outcomes in ADHF. METHODS: In a prospective study, we examined 52 ADHF patients without liver disease between 2016 and 2017. Patients underwent liver 2D shear wave elastography (SWE) and were followed for 12 months to assess the outcomes of left ventricular assist device (LVAD), heart transplant (HT) or death. RESULTS: The median LSM was elevated in patients who received an LVAD or HT within 30-days compared to those who did not (median [IQR]: 55.6 [22.5 - 63.4] vs 13.8 [9.5 - 40.3] kPa, p = .049). Moreover, the risk of composite outcome was highest in the 3rd tertile (> 39.8 kPa compared to 1st and 2nd combined, HR 2.83, 95% CI 1.20- 6.67, p = .02). Each 1-kPa increase in LSM was associated with a 1%-increase in the incidence rate of readmissions (IRR 1.01, 95% CI 1.00-1.02, p = .01). CONCLUSIONS: LSM may serve as a novel noninvasive tool to determine LVAD, HT, or death in patients with ADHF.

Impact of symptom-guided, progressive cardiac rehabilitation after left ventricular assist device implantation.

A 29-year-old woman with a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) completed a progressive, symptom-limited cardiac rehabilitation program consisting of boxing, weight-lifting, and aerobic exercise, where she improved her exercise capacity by 2.7 metabolic equivalents (P < 0.001) and demonstrated significant myocardial recovery, allowing for successful LVAD explant 9 months after implantation.

Asymptomatic ventricular fibrillation in peripartum cardiomyopathy with a left ventricular assist device.

Ventricular fibrillation (VF) is a dangerous ventricular arrhythmia that results in pulselessness and sudden cardiac death. We present a 43-year-old woman with peripartum cardiomyopathy with a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) and recalcitrant right-sided heart failure who presented with unsuccessful defibrillator shocks. The patient was asymptomatic while in persistent VF for over 4 hours. Echocardiography showed the heart to be in asystole. We hypothesize that a combination of chronic right heart failure and LVAD kept her asymptomatic. Patients supported with LVAD can survive prolonged periods with VF.

Relation of Vasoplegia in the Absence of Primary Graft Dysfunction to Mortality Following Cardiac Transplantation.

Vasoplegia following cardiac transplantation is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Previous studies have not accounted for primary graft dysfunction (PGD). The definition of vasoplegia is based on pressor requirement at 48 hours, many PGD parameters may have normalized after the initial 24 hours on inotropes. We surmised that the purported negative effects of vasoplegia following transplantation may in part be driven by PGD. We reviewed 240 consecutive adult cardiac transplants at our center between 2012 and 2016. The severity of vasoplegia was evaluated as a risk factor for 1-year survival, and the analysis was repeated for the subgroup of 177 patients who did not develop PGD. Overall, 63 (26%) of patients developed mild, moderate, or severe PGD. In those without PGD, vasoplegia was associated with length of stay but not with short- or long-term mortality. Moderate and/or severe vasoplegia occurred in 35 (15%) patients and was associated with higher short-term mortality, length of stay, and PGD. Multivariate logistic regression identified body mass index ≥35 kg/m2, left ventricular assist device before transplantation, and use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation as joint risk factors for vasoplegia. In patients without PGD, only left ventricular assist device before transplantation was associated with vasoplegia. In conclusion, our results show that, in the sizeable subgroup of patients with no signs of PGD, vasoplegia had a much more modest impact on post-transplant morbidity and no significant effect on 1- and 3-year survival. This suggests that PGD may be a confounder when assessing vasoplegia as a risk factor for adverse outcomes.

Bilateral sympathectomy for treatment of refractory ventricular tachycardia.

Ventricular tachycardia (VT) commonly occurs in patients with ischemic or nonischemic cardiomyopathy and requires antiarrhythmic drugs, ablation, or advanced circulatory support. However, life-threatening VT may be refractory to these therapies, and may cause frequent implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) discharges. Left cardiac sympathetic denervation reduces the occurrence of these fatal arrhythmias by inhibiting the sympathetic outflow to the cardiac tissue. We present a 69-year-old man with nonischemic cardiomyopathy, life-threatening VT, and hemodynamic instability with numerous ICD discharges, who remained refractory to antiarrhythmic drug therapy and ablation attempts. He was effectively treated with bilateral cardiac sympathectomy. Six months later, he remained free of VT with no ICD discharges.

Validation of Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter-Derived Fick Cardiac Outputs in Patients with Heart Failure.

The pulmonary artery catheter (PAC) remains the gold standard to calculate Fick cardiac outputs (FCOs) in patients with heart failure admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). The peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) provides long-term intravenous access and is used outside the ICU; however, there is scant literature validating venous oxygen saturations (VOSs) from PICC lines. Heart failure patients in the ICU with an existing PAC requiring a PICC line to transition were enrolled. Three blood samples were taken per person (1 at PICC, 1 at central venous pressure [CVP], and 1 at distal PAC). We performed repeated measures analysis of variance, as well as reliability analysis on 31 subjects (77% male, 71% Caucasian, mean ± standard deviation age 60 ± 8 years, 80% on inotropes). The average VOSs were 62 ± 11%, 62 ± 12%, and 61 ± 9% for the PICC line, CVP, and distal port, respectively (p = 0.66); there was excellent reliability (0.79). The median FCOs were 5 [4, 6], 5 [4, 6], and 5 [4, 6] L/min at the PICC, CVP, and distal port, respectively (p = 0.91); there was fair-to-good reliability (0.67). In conclusion, VOS and FCO did not differ by location, on average. Reliable data may be obtained through the PICC line, after evaluation from the PAC. The PICC may provide longer-term hemodynamic assessment while improving patient comfort.

Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia: An Under-recognized Form of Inherited Cardiomyopathy.

We report a case of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy/dysplasia (ARVD) in order to evaluate the course of an under-recognized form of cardiomyopathy with a vast array of clinical manifestations. The patient is a 49-year-old white woman transferred from an outside hospital due to dyspnea and persistent hypoxia. She had a pertinent family history that included a sister who died suddenly in her 30s from unexplained heart failure. Initial work-up for hypoxia was unrevealing. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed isolated right ventricular dysfunction with dilation and multiple trabeculations. Further investigation, including cardiac computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, revealed fatty infiltration into the right ventricular wall suggestive of ARVD.

Single-tube nested quantitative PCR: a rational and sensitive technique for detection of retroviral DNA. Application to RERV-H/HRV-5 and confirmation of its rabbit origin.

It was reported earlier that a few patients suffering from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma had low amounts of DNA from the so-called fifth human exogenous retrovirus, HRV-5. A sensitive and rational method for large-scale screening for HRV-5 DNA was therefore developed. It is a single-tube nested quantitative PCR (stnQPCR), which uses two functionally isolated primer pairs and one probe target distinct from related endogenous retroviral sequences, yet encompassing known HRV-5 variation, allowing optimal use of sequence conservation. DNA from lymphoma, myeloma, and follicular dendritic cell lines was tested for HRV-5 positivity, as was DNA from whole blood of blood donors, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and systemic lupus erythematosus patients, as well as DNA from lymph node biopsies of rheumatoid arthritis patients with lymphoma. One blood donor, one systemic lupus erythematosus patient, two previously known positive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma patients, and one rheumatoid arthritis lymphoma patient, came out positive. They had 24, 2, 148, 480 and 30 proviral copies per microg of DNA from PBMC or lymphoma tissue, respectively. During the completion of this work it was reported that HRV-5 is a rabbit endogenous retrovirus (RERV-H), and that HRV-5 positivity was due to presence of rabbit DNA. DNA from six RERV-H/HRV-5 positive samples was therefore retested. Three also contained rabbit mitochondrial DNA. A search for HRV-5 antibodies using synthetic peptides was negative in sera from three RERV-H/HRV-5 positive individuals, as well as in 144 other sera, according with a noninfectious origin of the RERV-H/HRV-5 DNA in human samples. A search for possible sources of rabbit DNA contamination was negative. Methods for prevention of PCR contamination were strictly adhered to. Three samples from RERV-H/HRV-5 positive individuals positive at the Uppsala laboratory were retested at one or two other laboratories, and all three were positive. Two other samples, which were positive in the Riga laboratory, were tested also in London and also found positive. One non-Hodgkin's lymphoma patient was RERV-H/HRV-5 positive in four consecutive samples, showing that positivity was a property of that patient. It is concluded that the stnQPCR developed to detect and quantify minute amounts of RERV-H/HRV-5 DNA is a principle which can be applied widely and HRV-5 is a RERV-H. Its presence in a few human blood samples could not be explained.