Incidence, characterization, and impact of newly detected donor-specific anti-HLA antibody in the first year after pediatric heart transplantation: A report from the CTOTC-04 study.

Data on the clinical importance of newly detected donor-specific anti-HLA antibodies (ndDSAs) after pediatric heart transplantation are lacking despite mounting evidence of the detrimental effect of de novo DSAs in solid organ transplantation. We prospectively tested 237 pediatric heart transplant recipients for ndDSAs in the first year posttransplantation to determine their incidence, pattern, and clinical impact. One-third of patients developed ndDSAs; when present, these were mostly detected within the first 6 weeks after transplantation, suggesting that memory responses may predominate over true de novo DSA production in this population. In the absence of preexisting DSAs, patients with ndDSAs had significantly more acute cellular rejection but not antibody-mediated rejection, and there was no impact on graft and patient survival in the first year posttransplantation. Risk factors for ndDSAs included common sensitizing events. Given the early detection of the antibody response, memory responses may be more important in the first year after pediatric heart transplantation and patients with a history of a sensitizing event may be at risk even with a negative pretransplantation antibody screen. The impact on late graft and patient outcomes of first-year ndDSAs is being assessed in an extended cohort of patients.

Ex vivo cryoablation of Wolff-Parkinson-white in a donor heart prior to pediatric heart transplantation.

This report describes the use of a donor heart with ventricular pre-excitation for pediatric orthotopic heart transplantation and the successful surgical cryoablation of the donor heart prior to transplantation. The issues related to the preoperative evaluation and surgical management of the donor heart with Wolff-Parkinson White syndrome are discussed.

Twenty-year experience with heart transplantation for infants and children with restrictive cardiomyopathy: 1986-2006.

Idiopathic restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM) is a rare cardiomyopathy in children notable for severe diastolic dysfunction and progressive elevation of pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR). Traditionally, those with pulmonary vascular resistance indices (PVRI) >6 W.U. x m(2) have been precluded from heart transplantation (HTX). The clinical course of all patients transplanted for RCM between 1986 and 2006 were reviewed. Preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative variables were evaluated. A total of 23 patients underwent HTX for RCM, with a mean age of 8.8 +/- 5.6 years and a mean time from listing to HTX of 43 +/- 60 days. Preoperative and postoperative (114 +/- 40 days) PVRI were 5.9 +/- 4.4 and 2.9 +/- 1.5 W.U. x m(2), respectively. At time of most recent follow-up (mean = 5.7 +/- 4.6 years), the mean PVRI was 2.0 +/- 1.0 W.U. x m(2). Increasing preoperative mean pulmonary artery pressure (PA) pressure (p = 0.04) and PVRI > 6 W.U. x m(2) (chi(2)= 7.4, p < 0.01) were associated with the requirement of ECMO postoperatively. Neither PVRI nor mean PA pressure was associated with posttransplant mortality; 30-day and 1-year actuarial survivals were 96% and 86%, respectively. Five of the seven patients with preoperative PVRI > 6 W.U. x m(2) survived the first postoperative year. We report excellent survival for patients undergoing HTX for RCM despite the high proportion of high-risk patients.

Participation in mass screening for colorectal cancer: results of screening and rescreening from the Burgundy study.

A controlled study was made in Burgundy (France) to assess the acceptability and efficiency of colorectal cancer screening using the Hemoccult test. A total of 91,000 people aged 45 to 74 years were included. The first screening campaign was made from January to July 1988 or 1989, and rescreening occurred from January to July 1990. During the first 4 months of the campaign, the General Practitioners (GPs) offered the test to their patients. It was then mailed to all subjects who had not completed it with a recall letter, if necessary, one month later. The overall compliance rate was 54.0% in the first campaign and 55.5% in the second campaign. A total of 63.7% subjects had completed at least one screening test over the two screening campaigns. Compliance was lower among men than women; compliance rate was also lower in the youngest and oldest age group than in the intermediate age groups. During the second screening campaign, the participation rate was 83.6% among participants in the first screening campaign and 20.9% among non-participants. Compliance during the medical offer phase was higher (81.4% during the first campaign, 82.9% during the second campaign) than during the postal offer phase (respectively, 33.8% and 28.5%). It was easier for GPs to propose the test when they had to offer it than when they had to prescribe it. These results suggest that a satisfactory participation rate can be obtained in France if GPs are actively involved in the screening programme. The final objective is to find a 25% difference in 5-year mortality by large bowel cancer between the screened and the test population.

Participation in faecal occult blood screening for colorectal cancer in a well defined French population: results of five screening rounds from 1988 to 1996.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the influence on compliance of demographic variables and of the way of proposing a faecal occult blood test in a colorectal cancer mass screening programme. SETTING: Well defined population in Burgundy (France). METHODS: From 1988 to 1996 five screening rounds were conducted in people aged 45 to 74 on entering the study. The screening test was provided free of charge by primary care physicians over a four month period, then mailed to non-consultants, followed by a potential reminder letter. The whole population was invited to participate in each screening campaign. RESULTS: During the five successive rounds, compliance was 52.8%, 54.0%, 57.3%, 58.3%, and 56.2%. It was higher in women than in men, in those initially aged 50 to 69 than in the extreme age groups, and in urban than in rural areas. Overall, 68.7% of the invited population completed at least one screening test and 37.2% completed the five rounds. Among those who participated once in a screening campaign, between 79.6% and 87.6% participated in the succeeding ones. Compliance was higher when the test was proposed by GPs (varying between 85.2% and 94.0% according to the screening campaign) than when it was sent by post (varying between 26.0% and 33.7%). CONCLUSION: In France, a participation rate of over 50% can be achieved in colorectal cancer screening by means of a faecal occult blood test. To achieve this, primary care physicians have to play an active part in the programme and the test must be mailed to non-consultants.

Regression of pulmonary arteriovenous malformations following heart transplantation.

Pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (PAVMs) can occur following caval to pulmonary artery connection, Glenn and/or Fontan procedure, leading to severe cyanosis and exercise intolerance. It is unknown whether these abnormalities regress or persist following heart transplantation (HTx). Twenty patients with failed Fontan or Glenn procedures were screened for PAVMs prior to HTx by contrast echocardiography, selective pulmonary angiography, and pulmonary venous desaturation. Age at transplant, diagnosis, previous operations, time from Glenn to transplant, systemic oxygenation, hemoglobin level, and ventricular function were determined. The clinical course after HTx was characterized in three patients with significant PAVMs. Indications for HTx were exercise intolerance and severe cyanosis in one patient, and cyanosis and ventricular dysfunction in two. Pre-HTx, mean systemic saturation was 67%; mean pulmonary venous wedge saturation was 81%. Post-HTx, oxygen saturations were normal (> 96%) at 14, 40, and 180 days. Contrast echocardiography, performed 1 month to 3.3 yrs after HTx, showed no intrapulmonary shunting in two patients and minimal shunting in one. One patient suffered an embolic stroke from right-to-left shunting post-HTx. All patients are alive and well 35, 71, and 73 months post-HTx. In patients with single ventricle physiology, PAVMs are not an absolute contraindication to HTx. Heart-lung transplant may not be required for these patients.

Outcome after the single-stage, nonfenestrated Fontan procedure.

BACKGROUND: A completed Fontan circulation is the goal in the management of patients with single-ventricle physiology. To achieve this end, a two-stage rather than a single-stage approach is carried out routinely at many centers. Some groups have advocated baffle fenestration for virtually all patients to minimize post-Fontan complications. Other centers perform single-stage Fontan operations and do not fenestrate. Thus controversies have arisen regarding the indications for the staged procedure versus single stage and for fenestration versus no fenestration. METHODS AND RESULTS: The preoperative risk factors and postoperative course were characterized in 61 consecutive patients (median age, 3.3 years) undergoing a single-stage, nonfenestrated Fontan. The patients were followed for 3.5+/-1.9 years. The relationship between preoperative risk factors and mortality and morbidity was assessed. Preoperative risk factors assessed included age <2 years (n=18), branch pulmonary artery stenosis (n=20), elevated mean pulmonary artery pressure >15 mm Hg (n=16), atrioventricular valve regurgitation (n=5), and decreased ventricular function (n=2). Total caval pulmonary anastomosis was performed in 53 patients. Additional surgery was required at the time of the Fontan in 25 patients (41%). The median duration of mechanical ventilation was 1 day; median chest tube drainage was 5.5 days (range, 1 to 35). Oxygen saturation rose significantly postoperatively, from 83% to 95%. Early mortality was 4.9%; one patient died from pacemaker failure 9 months postoperatively, and one patient underwent successful heart transplant 4 months post-Fontan. One- and 5-year actuarial survival was 93%. No preoperative risk factor was associated with a failed Fontan or significant effusions. CONCLUSIONS: A single-stage, nonfenestrated Fontan was performed in a large group of patients with excellent surgical results and intermediate outcome. There is no evidence that a two-stage approach and/or baffle fenestration is required for a large cohort of patients who are candidates for a Fontan operation.

Heart transplant in a factor VIII-deficient patient with a high-titre inhibitor: perioperative management using high-dose continuous infusion factor VIII and recombinant factor VIIa.

Four years prior to transplantation, a 14-year-old boy with severe haemophilia A and a high-responding factor VIII (FVIII) inhibitor developed an anteroseptal myocardial infarct while receiving high doses of an activated prothrombin complex concentrate (PCC). Cardiac transplantation was required for survival because of the ensuing cardiomyopathy. At surgery, the patient's inhibitor titre was 1.8 Bethesda units (BU). High-dose bolus therapy, followed by a continuous infusion of FVIII provided excellent operative and initial postoperative haemostasis without additional blood-product support. Once anamnaesis developed on day 6 postoperatively, recombinant factor VIIa (rFVIIa) therapy was initiated. Haemostasis remained excellent, except for the transient increase in chest-tube bleeding that was noted on day 7. epsilon-Aminocaproic acid was added and haemostasis was re-established. On day 15, rFVIIa was replaced with alternate day infusions of prothrombin complex concentrates (PCCs). On day 21 following the transplant, the patient was discharged, remaining on daily FVIII immune tolerance and thrice-weekly PCC prophylaxis. He remains well 24 months after transplant with an inhibitor titre of 39 BU. This paper describes the second case of cardiac transplantation complicated by haemophilia and an inhibitor, and discusses preoperative planning and operative and postsurgical haemostasis management.

Carvedilol as therapy in pediatric heart failure: an initial multicenter experience.

OBJECTIVE: The objective was to determine the dosing, efficacy, and side effects of the nonselective beta-blocker carvedilol for the management of heart failure in children. STUDY DESIGN: Carvedilol use in addition to standard medical therapy for pediatric heart failure was reviewed at 6 centers. RESULTS: Children with dilated cardiomyopathy (80%) and congenital heart disease (20%), age 3 months to 19 years (n = 46), were treated with carvedilol. The average initial dose was 0.08 mg/kg, uptitrated over a mean of 11.3 weeks to an average maintenance dose of 0.46 mg/kg. After 3 months on carvedilol, there were improvements in modified New York Heart Association class in 67% of patients (P =.0005, chi2 analysis) and improvement in mean shortening fraction from 16.2% to 19.0% (P =.005, paired t test). Side effects, mainly dizziness, hypotension, and headache, occurred in 54% of patients but were well tolerated. Adverse outcomes (death, cardiac transplantation, and ventricular-assist device placement) occurred in 30% of patients. CONCLUSIONS: Carvedilol as an adjunct to standard therapy for pediatric heart failure improves symptoms and left ventricular function. Side effects are common but well tolerated. Further prospective study is required to determine the effect of carvedilol on survival and to clearly define its role in pediatric heart failure therapy.

Outcome after orthotopic cardiac transplantation in adults with congenital heart disease.

BACKGROUND: Advances in surgical and medical management have greatly improved long-term survival rates in patients with congenital heart disease (CHD). As these patients reach adulthood, myocardial dysfunction can occur, leading to cardiac transplantation. METHODS AND RESULTS: We reviewed the pretransplantation and posttransplantation courses of 24 patients >18 years old (mean age, 26 years; range, 18 to 56 years) with CHD who received a transplant between January 1985 and September 1998. The relation between preoperative and perioperative risk factors for complications and death was assessed. Single ventricle was the pretransplantation diagnosis for 12 patients (50%), and d-transposition of the great vessels was the diagnosis for 4 patients (16%). Twenty-two patients had a mean of 2 previous operations. At cardiac transplantation, additional surgical procedures were required to correct extracardiac lesions in 18 patients (75%). Refractory heart failure was present in 22 patients, significant cyanosis was present in 7, and protein-losing enteropathy was present in 4. There were 5 early deaths due to bleeding (n=3) and infection (n=2). The Kaplan-Meier survival rate after cardiac transplantation was 79% at 1 year and 60% at 5 years. No anatomic or surgical risk factor was predictive of death. The outcome of patients with CHD who received a transplant was compared with that for patients without CHD (n=788). Mean bypass and ischemic times were significantly longer in patients with CHD than in patients without CHD. Survival rates after transplantation did not differ significantly between patients with and those without CHD (P=0.83). CONCLUSIONS: Successful cardiac transplantation is obtainable in adults with complex CHD, with an outcome similar to that of patients without CHD. A detailed assessment of cardiac anatomy and careful surgical planning are essential to the pretransplantation and posttransplantation management of these patients.

Heart transplantation in children: indications. Report of the Ad Hoc Subcommittee of the Pediatric Committee of the American Society of Transplantation (AST).

This review details the indications for heart transplantation in children. Contraindications have evolved from absolute to relative. Controversial issues remain and this paper represents a consensus of more than a dozen centers that have programs that remain active performing pediatric heart transplants.