Gender-Dependent Clinical Outcome and Other Predictors of In-Hospital Mortality Following Out-Of-Center Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation and Extracorporeal Life Support: A Single Center Experience.

BACKGROUND: Out-of-center extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and extracorporeal life support (ECLS) implantation for the treatment of acute cardiorespiratory failure with subsequent transport to a tertiary care center has been introduced successfully into the medical practice. However, due to the very specific and resource intensive nature of this therapeutic concept, it seems important to generate algorithms for adequate patient selection. The aim of our study was to analyze the impact of patients' gender on early clinical outcome in this specific therapeutic scenario. METHODS: Ninety-seven consecutive patients treated by out-of-center ECMO/ECLS implantation and subsequent transport and treatment in our tertiary care cardiovascular center within the Hallesche Extracorporeal Life Support Program (HELP) retrospectively were analyzed, regarding the impact of patients' gender on early clinical outcome. RESULTS: Mechanical circulatory support successfully was weaned in two-thirds of the male patients. This result was achieved in only one-third of the female patients (59.4% in male vs. 33.3% in female, P = .0267). Overall survival significantly was higher in the male group (62.5% in male versus 30.3% in female, P = .0052). In uni- and multivariate logistic regression analysis, female gender was an independent predictor of in-hospital mortality (uni: OR:3.833, CI:1.597-9.745, P = .0034; multi: OR:3.477, CI:1.146-11.494, P = .0322). Worse outcome also was associated with following independent predictors, age, SOFA score, lactate and ventilation time pre-ECMO/ECLS implantation. CONCLUSION: The current study demonstrates a worse early survival for women, following emergent out-of- center ECMO/ECLS implantation and subsequent transport and treatment in our tertiary care cardiovascular center. Gender should be included in patient selection algorithms while basic research approaches are needed to better understand the mechanisms underlying these gender- specific outcome disparities.

Transaortic Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation: Learning Curve, Perioperative, and Midterm Follow-Up Results of a Single Center.

BACKGROUND: We present our initial institutional experience with transaortic (TAo) transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) using a self-expanding aortic bioprosthesis. METHODS: A total of 106 patients underwent TAo TAVI with Medtronic CoreValve through a small partial upper sternotomy. We focus our analysis on the overall perioperative results, procedural learning curve (first 30 patients), and midterm follow-up outcomes. RESULTS: VARC-2 device success was achieved in 95 patients (89%), and there were no intraoperative deaths. Nine patients (8.4%) required a second valve and conversion to standard surgery was required in 2 patients (1.8%). The final aortic insufficiency was grade 0 in 65 patients (62%) and grade 1 in 39 (37%). Although patients treated in the TAo TAVI learning phase required a significantly longer radiation time and contrast agent use, device success (93.4% versus 88.2%, P = .7) and prostheses hemodynamics were similar. All-cause mortality at 30 days was 12% (13/106). At a median follow-up of 392 days (IQR: 216-494 days) estimated overall 1-year survival was 72%. No significant differences were reported in terms of 30-day and 1-year observed mortality, and estimated 1-year survival in the learning and later phase of TAo TAVI. CONCLUSION: TAo TAVI can be performed safely even in the very early phase of the learning curve. Although satisfactory results can be achieved from the beginning, a significant reduction in contrast agent use and radiological exposure are expected as the technique is mastered. Good hemodynamics have been documented and should be further improved with modifications achieved in the TAVI self-expandable valves technology.