Three-Dimensional-Enabled Surgical Planning for the Correction of Right Partial Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Return.

Objectives: The surgical technique for right partial anomalous pulmonary venous return (PAPVR) depends on the location of the anomalous pulmonary veins (PVs). With this in mind, we sought to evaluate the impact of 3D heart segmentation and reconstruction on preoperative surgical planning. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on all patients who underwent PAPVR repair at our institution between January 2018 and October 2021; three-dimensional segmentations and reconstructions of all the heart anatomies were performed. A score (the PAPVR score) was established and calculated using two anatomical parameters (the distance between the most cranial anomalous PV and the superior rim of the sinus venosus defect/the sum of the latter and the distance between the PV and the azygos vein) to predict the type of correction. Results: A total of 30 patients were included in the study. The PAPVR score was found to be a good predictor of the type of surgery performed. A value > 0.68 was significantly associated with a Warden procedure (p < 0.001) versus single/double patch repair. Conclusions: Three-dimensional heart segmentations and reconstructions improve the quality of surgical planning in the case of PAPVR and allow for the introduction of a score that may facilitate surgical decisions on the type of repair required.

A Device Strategy-Matched Comparison Analysis among Different Intermacs Profiles: A Single Center Experience.

Background: The present study evaluates outcomes of LVAD patients, taking into account the device strategy and the INTERMACS profile. Methods: We included 192 LVAD-patients implanted between January 2012 and May 2021. The primary and secondary end-points were survival and major adverse events between Profiles 1-3 vs. Profile 4, depending on implantation strategies (Bridge-to-transplant-BTT; Bridge-to-candidacy-BTC; Destination-Therapy-DT). Results: The overall survival was 67% (61-75) at 12 months and 61% (54-70) at 24 months. Profile 4 patients showed significantly higher survival (p = 0.018). Incidences of acute right-ventricular-failure (RVF) (p = 0.046), right-ventricular-assist-device (RVAD) implantation (p = 0.015), and continuous-venovenous-hemofiltration (CVVH) (p = 0.006) were higher in Profile 1-3 patients, as well as a longer intensive care unit stays (p = 0.050) and in-hospital-mortality (p = 0.012). Twelve-month and 24-month survival rates were higher in the BTT rather than in BTC (log-rank = 0.410; log-rank = 0.120) and in DT groups (log-rank = 0.046). In the BTT group, Profile 1-3 patients had a higher need for RVAD support (p = 0.042). Conclusions: LVAD implantation in elective patients was associated with better survival and lower complications incidence. LVAD implantation in BTC patients has to be considered before their conditions deteriorate. DT should be addressed to elective patients in order to guarantee acceptable results.

Impact of Continuous Flow Left Ventricular Assist Device on Heart Transplant Candidates: A Multi-State Survival Analysis.

(1) Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of the prolonged use of continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) on heart transplant (HTx) candidates. (2) Methods: Between January 2012 and December 2019, we included all consecutive patients diagnosed with end-stage heart failure considered for HTx at our institution, who were also eligible for LVAD therapy as a bridge to transplant (BTT). Patients were divided into two groups: those who received an LVAD as BTT (LVAD group) and those who were listed without durable support (No-LVAD group). (3) Results: A total of 250 patients were analyzed. Of these, 70 patients (28%) were directly implanted with an LVAD as BTT, 11 (4.4%) received delayed LVAD implantation, and 169 (67%) were never assisted with an implantable device. The mean follow-up time was 36 ± 29 months. In the multivariate analysis of survival before HTx, LVAD implantation showed a protective effect: LVAD vs. No-LVAD HR 0.01 (p < 0.01) and LVAD vs. LVAD delayed HR 0.13 (p = 0.02). Mortality and adverse events after HTx were similar between LVAD and No-LVAD (p = 0.65 and p = 0.39, respectively). The multi-state survival analysis showed a significantly higher probability of death for No-LVAD vs. LVAD patients with (p = 0.03) or without (p = 0.04) HTx. (4) Conclusions: The use of LVAD as a bridge to transplant was associated with an overall survival benefit, compared to patients listed without LVAD support.

Marginal versus Standard Donors in Heart Transplantation: Proper Selection Means Heart Transplant Benefit.

BACKGROUND: In this study, we assessed the mid-term outcomes of patients who received a heart donation from a marginal donor (MD), and compared them with those who received an organ from a standard donor (SD). METHODS: All patients who underwent HTx between January 2012 and December 2020 were enrolled at a single institution. The primary endpoints were early and long-term survival of MD recipients. Risk factors for primary graft failure (PGF) and mortality in MD recipients were also analyzed. The secondary endpoint was the comparison of survival of MD versus SD recipients. RESULTS: In total, 238 patients underwent HTx, 64 (26.9%) of whom received an organ from an MD. Hospital mortality in the MD recipient cohort was 23%, with an estimated 1 and 5-year survival of 70% (59.2-82.7) and 68.1% (57.1-81), respectively. A multivariate analysis in MD recipients showed that decreased renal function and increased inotropic support of recipients were associated with higher mortality (p = 0.04 and p = 0.03). Cold ischemic time (p = 0.03) and increased donor inotropic support (p = 0.04) were independent risk factors for PGF. Overall survival was higher in SD than MD (85% vs. 68% at 5 years, log-rank = 0.008). However, risk-adjusted mortality (p = 0.2) and 5-year conditional survival (log-rank = 0.6) were comparable. CONCLUSIONS: Selected MDs are a valuable resource for expanding the cardiac donor pool, showing promising results. The use of MDs after prolonged ischemic times, increased inotropic support of the MD or the recipient and decreased renal function are associated with worse outcomes.

Total Endovascular Aortic Arch Repair: From Dream to Reality.

The gold-standard therapy for the treatment of aortic arch pathologies is conventional open surgery. Recently, total endovascular aortic arch replacement with branched stent-grafts has been introduced into clinical practice with the aim of reducing invasiveness especially in selected high-risk patients. The aim of this review is to describe the two most commonly used branched devices for endovascular arch stent-grafting: Nexus (Endospan, Herzlia, Israle) and RelayBranch (Terumo Aortic, Glasgow, United Kingdom). Nexus is a CE-certified off-the-shelf, single branch, double stent graft system. It consists of two different components: a main module for the aortic arch and the descending aorta with a side-branch for the brachiocephalic artery (BCA), and a curved module for the ascending aorta that lands into the sino-tubular junction and connects to the main module through a side-facing self-protecting sleeve. Nexus may be used in urgent-emergency cases and also in patients with only one suitable supra-aortic target vessel but, on the other hand, it makes cerebral blood flow dependent on one source vessel only. The RelayBranch Thoracic Stent-Graft System is a custom made, double branched endograft with a wide window on its superior portion to accommodate two inner tunnels for BCA and left common carotid artery connection; bilateral cervical accesses are generally used to advance guidewires for catheterization of the inner tunnels in a retrograde fashion. RelayBranch can be customized on every patient's specific anatomy and provides a double blood source for the brain, but it cannot be used in urgent-emergency conditions. Therefore, in order to optimize outcomes, the choice of the most appropriate device should be made considering pros and cons of each system and patient's anatomy by an experienced aortic team. In conclusion, total endovascular aortic arch exclusion is a promising reality in selected high-risk patients.

Marginal donors and organ shortness: concomitant surgical procedures during heart transplantation: a literature review.

Heart transplantation represents the gold standard for end-stage heart failure. However, due to the increasing demand and the shortage of available organs, donor supply remains the main limitation. Marginal donor hearts in high-risk candidates who do not meet standard listing criteria are the only alternative when life expectancy is limited, but their use is still debated. Surgical correction of detected coronary lesions or valvular heart defects allows further enlargement of the number of available organs. In this article, we offer a literature review on this topic and report two marginal donor hearts with angiography evidence of coronary stenosis and preserved ventricular function, which underwent concomitant myocardial revascularization during heart implantation.

Transapical Antegrade Ascending Aorta Stent-Grafting: Going Through the Front Door.

OBJECTIVE: Ascending aorta stent-grafting (AASG) is a new option that has shown initial promising results. In selected cases, when neither conventional surgery nor transfemoral retrograde approach are feasible, antegrade transapical (TA) access can be performed. The aim of this single-center retrospective study was to evaluate outcomes of patients undergoing AASG through a TA approach. METHODS: We analyzed all patients undergoing AASG through a TA approach at our institution. Three different devices were used, including Relay Stent-Graft System (Terumo Aortic, UK), Gore Conformable Thoracic Aortic Graft (W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc., USA), and Valiant Thoracic Stent Graft (Medtronic, Ireland). All patients underwent clinical and computed tomographic angiogram (CTA) evaluation before hospital discharge. RESULTS: From May 2010 to December 2019, 3 consecutive patients underwent AASG at our institution. Mean age was 69 years. Three different types of endografts were used in 1 patient each. All patients stayed in the intensive care unit for 24 hr and mean hospital stay was 12 days. We did not observe any major adverse event. One patient died of pneumonia 2 months after the procedure and the other 2 patients are alive and in good clinical conditions at a mean follow-up of 56 months. Predischarge CTA showed good anatomic results with no endoleaks in all cases. CONCLUSIONS: This initial experience shows that AASG is feasible and provides encouraging clinical and anatomic results in selected high-risk patients.

Transapical off-pump echo-guided mitral valve repair with neochordae implantation mid-term outcomes.

BACKGROUND: The NeoChord echo-guided transapical beating heart repair is a promising early-stage minimally invasive surgical procedure for degenerative mitral valve (MV) regurgitation (DMR) correction. The technique has been improved since its inception following procedure standardization, patient selection optimization, and learning curve stabilization. We hereby present the mid-term clinical results through three years of our large single center experience. METHODS: All consecutive patients with severe symptomatic DMR due to prolapse or flail of one or both mitral leaflets that underwent the NeoChord procedure between November 2013 and June 2019 were included. Patients were categorized according to MV anatomy; Type A isolated central posterior leaflet prolapse and/or flail, Type B posterior multi-segment prolapse and/or flail, Type C anterior and/or bi-leaflet prolapse or flail, Type D paracommissural prolapse and/or flail and/or significant leaflet and/or annular calcifications. Patients underwent clinical and echocardiographic follow-up at one, three, six, twelve months and yearly thereafter. Clinical outcomes and the composite primary endpoint (patient success) were defined according to Mitral Valve Academic Research Consortium (MVARC) criteria. Mitral regurgitation (MR) severity was graded as absent, mild, moderate and severe according to American Society of Echocardiography (ASE) and European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guidelines. RESULTS: Two hundred and three patients were included; median follow-up was 24 months [interquartile range (IQR), 9-36]. Median age was 64 years (IQR, 54-74 years), median Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) Predicted Risk of Mortality (PROM) was 0.60% (IQR, 0.32-1.44%). There were 106 Type A patients (52.2%), 68 Type B (33.5%), 16 Type C (7.9%), and 13 Type D (6.4%). Kaplan-Meier estimate of survival was 99.0%±0.7% at one and two years and 94.0%±2.9% at three years. At one-year follow-up patient success was 91.2%±2.0% and 111 patients (74%) presented a residual MR mild or less (1+). At three-year follow-up patient success was 81.2%±3.8% and 32 patients (64%) had a residual MR mild or less (1+). Patient success was significantly different according to anatomical type (P=0.001). Echocardiographic analysis showed a significant acute left ventricle and left atrial reverse remodeling that was maintained up to three years. CONCLUSIONS: The NeoChord echo-guided transapical beating heart repair procedure demonstrated good clinical outcomes and echocardiographic results up to three-year follow-up.

COVID-19 in Heart Transplant Recipients: A Multicenter Analysis of the Northern Italian Outbreak.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the clinical course and outcomes of all heart transplant recipients affected by coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) who were followed at the leading heart transplant centers of Northern Italy. BACKGROUND: The worldwide severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has created unprecedented challenges for public health, demanding exceptional efforts for the successful management and treatment of affected patients. Heart transplant patients represent a unique cohort of chronically immunosuppressed subjects in which SARS-CoV-2 may stimulate an unpredictable clinical course of infection. METHODS: Since February 2020, we enrolled all 47 cases (79% male) in a first cohort of patients, with a mean age of 61.8 ± 14.5 years, who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, out of 2,676 heart transplant recipients alive before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic at 7 heart transplant centers in Northern Italy. RESULTS: To date, 38 patients required hospitalization while 9 remained self-home quarantined and 14 died. Compared to the general population, prevalence (18 vs. 7 cases per 1,000) and related case fatality rate (29.7% vs. 15.4%) in heart transplant recipients were doubled. Univariable analysis showed older age (p = 0.002), diabetes mellitus (p = 0.040), extracardiac arteriopathy (p = 0.040), previous PCI (p = 0.040), CAV score (p = 0.039), lower GFR (p = 0.004), and higher NYHA functional classes (p = 0.023) were all significantly associated with in-hospital mortality. During the follow-up two patients died and a third patient has prolonged viral-shedding alternating positive and negative swabs. Since July 1st, 2020, we had 6 new patients who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, 5 patients asymptomatic were self-quarantined, while 1 is still hospitalized for pneumonia. A standard therapy was maintained for all, except for the hospitalized patient. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence and mortality of SARS-CoV-2 should spur clinicians to immediately refer heart transplant recipients suspected as having SARS-CoV2 infection to centers specializing in the care of this vulnerable population.

Recurrent autoimmune myocarditis in a young woman during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

We report a unique case of a young woman with recurrent immune-mediated (virus-negative) lymphocytic fulminant myocarditis during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. At the first endomyocardial biopsy (EMB)-proven episode, she had concomitant pneumonia, and a temporary biventricular assist device implant was followed by complete and long-lasting cardiac recovery. Five years later, she was re-admitted for relapsing cardiogenic shock with a recent history of pneumonia. She was treated with extracorporeal life support with apical venting for left ventricular unloading, and full recovery was achieved. Despite negative seriate nasopharyngeal swabs and EMB during hospitalization, an antibody positivity for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 was discovered after 4 weeks from discharge. This is the first report of an EMB-proven, immune-mediated (virus-negative) recurrence of fulminant myocarditis. We hypothesize that in patients with a predisposing immunogenetic background, autoimmune disease may be triggered or reactivated by major infections, for example, pneumonia, that may act as adjuvants leading to an immune-mediated hyper-response.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the heart transplant population: a single-centre experience.

OBJECTIVES: Few anecdotal cases have been reported in the literature regarding heart transplant recipients and infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). We report our experience with 6 patients hospitalized in Northern Italy during the outbreak. METHODS: Of the 396 living heart transplant recipients from 1985 to 2020 included in the study, 6 patients developed the novel 2019 coronavirus disease. Risk factors, last follow-up characteristics, onset presentation, in-hospital course of disease and blood examinations data were collected for these patients. RESULTS: All patients were symptomatic and had positive results from a nasopharyngeal swab test for SARS-CoV-2. Of the 6 patients, 5 were hospitalized and 1 remained self-quarantined at home. Two patients died and 3 were discharged home. Two patients were admittted to the intensive care unit . Immunosuppressive therapy was modified with a median reduction comprising doses that were 50% cyclosporine and 50% mycophenolate. All patients received a medium-dose of corticosteroids as a bolus medication in addition to their therapy. All hospitalized patients received hydroxychloroquine; 2 patients received ritonavir/lopinavir. Broad-spectrum antibiotics for prophylaxis were administered to all. One patient had an ischaemic stroke and died of sepsis. CONCLUSIONS: In the absence of any strong evidence regarding the treatment of heart transplant recipients infected with SARS-CoV-2, we faced a new challenge in managing viral infection in an immunosuppressed population. Because immunomodulation interaction with the infection seems to be crucial for developing severe forms of the disease, we managed to reduce immunosuppressive therapy by adding medium doses of corticosteroids. Despite the limited number of affected patients, this report suggests that special considerations should be given to treating coronavirus disease in the heart transplant recipient population.

Endovascular exclusion of the entire aortic arch with branched stent-grafts after surgery for acute type A aortic dissection.

BACKGROUND: The treatment of residual pathology of the aortic arch after surgical repair for type A acute dissection (AAD) represents a therapeutic challenge. Recently, new branched endovascular devices have expanded the possibility of aortic arch stent-grafting (ASG) with proximal landing in zone 0. The aim of this retrospective, single-center study was to evaluate outcomes of patients with a history of surgical repair for AAD undergoing ASG with branched devices. METHODS: We analyzed patients undergoing ASG after treatment for type AAD with 2 different branched devices: Nexus (dual-module, single branch, off-the-shelf) and RelayBranch (single-module, dual branch, custom-made). Before ASG, surgical bypass of supra-aortic vessels was performed according to patient's anatomy and to the selected device. All patients underwent clinical and computed tomography scan evaluation before hospital discharge, at 6 months, and on a yearly basis thereafter. RESULTS: From March 2017 to April 2019, 4 consecutive patients underwent ASG after surgery for AAD at our institution. Mean time from surgery for AAD to ASG was 20 months. Mean age at the time of ASG was 72 years. Nexus and Relay were implanted in 2 patients each. All patients survived and were successfully discharged. Mean intensive care unit stay and hospital stay were 3 and 19 days, respectively. We did not observe any major adverse events. At a mean follow-up of 28 months, all patients are alive and computed tomography scans showed good anatomic results with no endoleaks. CONCLUSIONS: This preliminary experience shows that ASG after surgery for AAD is feasible and provides encouraging clinical and anatomic early results.

A New and Unexpected Complication After Arch Stent Grafting for Residual Dissection.

This report describes a complication after stent grafting of the aortic arch for residual dissection after ascending aorta and aortic arch replacement for acute type A dissection. One year later, a pseudoaneurysm originating from the proximal suture line and therefore far from the stent graft landing zone developed and fistulized into the pulmonary artery. Possible causes were suture damage during stent deployment and change of system forces after stent placement leading to high tension on the suture line. Emergency surgery was performed. Aortic arch stent grafting is a new and promising technique, but its complications are still not completely known.