Graft function and incidence of cardiac allograft vasculopathy in donation after circulatory-determined death heart transplant recipients.

Experience in donation after circulatory-determined death (DCD) heart transplantation (HTx) is expanding. There is limited information on the functional outcomes of DCD HTx recipients. We sought to evaluate functional outcomes in our cohort of DCD recipients. We performed a single-center, retrospective, observational cohort study comparing outcomes in consecutive DCD and donation after brain death (DBD) HTx recipients between 2015 and 2019. Primary outcome was allograft function by echocardiography at 12 and 24 months. Secondary outcomes included incidence of cardiac allograft vasculopathy, treated rejection, renal function, and survival. Seventy-seven DCD and 153 DBD recipients were included. There was no difference in left ventricular ejection fraction at 12 months (59% vs 59%, P = .57) and 24 months (58% vs 58%, P = .87). There was no significant difference in right ventricular function at 12 and 24 months. Unadjusted survival between DCD and DBD recipients at 5 years (85.7% DCD and 81% DBD recipients; P = .45) was similar. There were no significant differences in incidence of cardiac allograft vasculopathy (odds ratio 1.59, P = .21, 95% confidence interval 0.77-3.3) or treated rejection (odds ratio 0.60, P = .12, 95% confidence interval 0.32-1.15) between DBD and DCD recipients. Post-transplant renal function was similar at 1 and 2 years. In conclusion, cardiac allografts from DCD donors perform similarly to a contemporary population of DBD allografts in the medium term.

Comparing Cardiac Mechanics and Myocardial Fibrosis in DBD and DCD Heart Transplant Recipients.

BACKGROUND: Heart transplantation (HTx) after donation after circulatory death (DCD) is an expanding practice but is associated with increased warm ischemic time. The impact of DCD HTx on cardiac mechanics and myocardial fibrosis has not been reported. We aimed to compare cardiac mechanics and myocardial fibrosis using cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging in donation after brain death (DBD) and DCD HTx recipients and healthy controls. METHODS AND RESULTS: Consecutive HTx recipients between March 2015 and March 2021 who underwent routine surveillance CMR imaging were included. Cardiac mechanics were assessed using CMR feature tracking to compute global longitudinal strain, global circumferential strain, and right ventricular free-wall longitudinal myocardial strain. Fibrosis was assessed using late gadolinium enhancement imaging and estimation of extracellular volume. There were 82 (DBD n = 42, DCD n = 40) HTx recipients (aged 53 years, interquartile range 41-59 years, 24% female) who underwent CMR imaging at median of 9 months (interquartile range 6-14 months) after transplantation. HTx recipients had increased extracellular volume (29.7 ± 3.6%) compared with normal ranges (25.9%, interquartile range 25.4-26.5). Myocardial strain was impaired after transplantation compared with controls (global longitudinal strain -12.6 ± 3.1% vs -17.2 ± 1.8%, P < .0001; global circumferential strain -16.9 ± 3.1% vs -19.2 ± 2.0%, P = .002; right ventricular free-wall longitudinal strain -15.7 ± 4.5% vs -21.6 ± 4.7%, P < .0001). There were no differences in fibrosis burden (extracellular volume 30.6 ± 4.4% vs 29.2 ± 3.2%; P = .39) or cardiac mechanics (global longitudinal strain -13.1 ± 3.0% vs -12.1 ± 3.1%, P = .14; global circumferential strain -17.3 ± 2.9% vs -16.6 ± 3.1%, P = .27; right ventricular free-wall longitudinal strain -15.9 ± 4.9% vs -15.5 ± 4.1%, P = .71) between DCD and DBD HTx. CONCLUSIONS: HTx recipients have impaired cardiac mechanics compared with controls, with increased myocardial fibrosis. There were no differences in early CMR imaging characteristics between DBD and DCD heart transplants, providing further evidence that DCD and DBD HTx outcomes are comparable.

Successful transition for adolescent survivors of CHD: the Cambridge cardiac transition pathway.

PURPOSE: National standards to ensure effective transition and smooth transfer of adolescents from paediatric to adult services are available but data on successful transition in CHD are limited. The aim of this study is to assess the effectiveness of our transition pathway. METHODS: Adolescents with CHD, aged 15-19 years, who attended the joint cardiac transition clinic between 2009 and 2018 were identified from the Patient Administration Systems. Patient attendance at their first adult CHD service appointment at Royal Papworth Hospital was recorded. RESULTS: 179 adolescents were seen in the joint cardiac transition clinic in the 9-year study period. The median age of the patients when seen was 16 (range 15-19) years. 145 patients were initially planned for transfer to the Royal Papworth Hospital adult CHD service. Three patients were subsequently excluded and the success of the transfer of care in 142 patients were analysed. 112 (78%) attended their first follow-up in the adult CHD clinic as planned, 28 (20%) attended after reminders were sent out with 5/28 requiring multiple reminders, and only 2 (1.4%) failed to attend. Overall, transfer of care was achieved in 140 (98.6%) patients. CONCLUSION: A dedicated joint cardiac transition clinic involving multi-professional medical and nursing teams from paediatric and adult cardiology services appears to achieve high engagement rates with the adult services. This approach allows a 'face' to be put on a named clinician delivering the adult service and should be encouraged.

Coronary imaging of cardiac allograft vasculopathy predicts current and future deterioration of left ventricular function in patients with orthotopic heart transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) improve sensitivity of cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) detection compared to invasive coronary angiography (ICA), but their ability to predict clinical events is unknown. We determined whether severe CAV detected with ICA, IVUS, or OCT correlates with graft function. METHODS: Comparison of specific vessel parameters between IVUS and OCT on 20 patients attending for angiography 12-24 months post-orthotopic heart transplant. Serial left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) was recorded prospectively. RESULTS: Analyzing 55 coronary arteries, OCT and IVUS correlated well for vessel CAV characteristics. A mean intimal thickness (MIT)OCT  > .25 mm had a sensitivity of 86.7% and specificity of 74.3% at detecting Stanford grade 4 CAV. Those with angiographically evident CAV had significant reduction in graft EF over 7.3 years follow-up (median ΔEF -2% vs +1.5%, P = .03). Patients with MITOCT  > .25 mm in at least one vessel had a lower median EF at time of surveillance (57% vs 62%, P = .014). Two MACEs were noted. CONCLUSION: Imaging with OCT correlates well with IVUS for CAV detection. Combined angiography and OCT to screen for CAV within 12-24 months of transplant predicts concurrent and future deterioration in graft function.

Transfer of Patients With Cardiogenic Shock Using Veno-Arterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation.

OBJECTIVES: The authors describe the experience of patient transfer on veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) used as a salvage therapy for refractory cardiogenic shock, examining feasibility and long-term outcomes. DESIGN: A retrospective case series. SETTING: A tertiary referral cardiothoracic transplantation center. PARTICIPANTS AND INTERVENTIONS: Since 2012, the authors' multidisciplinary team has traveled to the referring center of 15 patients referred with refractory cardiogenic shock. Of these, 13 were instituted on VA ECMO support (8 peripheral and 5 central) and subsequently transferred to the authors' center. A further 11 patients were transferred to the authors' institution by the referring team, already having been placed on VA-ECMO (8 peripheral and 3 central). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: All patients were safely transferred. The distance travelled ranged from 16 to 341 miles. The median duration of support on VA-ECMO was 4 days, ranging from 1 to 24 days. The VA-ECMO support was weaned, or the patient underwent a definitive surgical management (including 4 undergoing cardiac transplantation and 3 pulmonary endarterectomy) in 15 (62.5%) patients. The median intensive care unit stay was 15 days (range 1-109). Overall 30-day survival for this patient cohort was 69.6% with 1-year survival of 59.8%. For patients who were weaned from VA-ECMO, the 30-day survival was 100% and 1-year survival 92.9%. CONCLUSIONS: The authors' experience demonstrates the feasibility and survival benefit of a salvage VA-ECMO retrieval service for carefully selected patients with refractory cardiogenic shock. The authors suggest that a system based on the model of nationally commissioned severe respiratory failure services could be organized to support the transfer of these patients.

Intravascular ultrasound of the proximal left anterior descending artery is sufficient to detect early cardiac allograft vasculopathy.

OBJECTIVE: Cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) can be detected early with intravascular ultrasound (IVUS), but there is limited information on the most efficient imaging protocol. METHODS: Coronary angiography and IVUS of the three coronary arteries were performed. Volumetric IVUS analysis was performed, and a Stanford grade determined for each vessel. RESULTS: Eighteen patients were included 18 (range 12-24) months after transplantation. Angiographic CAV severity ranged from none (CAV0) to mild (CAV1), whereas IVUS CAV severity ranged from none (Stanford grade I) to severe (grade IV). Maximal intimal thickness measured with IVUS was significantly greater in the LAD (0.84 ± 0.48 mm) than in the LCX (0.46 ± 0.32 mm) or the RCA (0.53 ± 0.41 mm, P = .005). Diagnostic accuracy of IVUS in the left anterior descending artery was 100% (18 of 18 Stanford grades matched the patient's highest overall Stanford grade), 66% in the right coronary artery (12 of 18), and 56% in the left circumflex artery (11 of 18). The minimal required length of left anterior descending artery pullbacks to attain 100% accuracy was 36 mm (range 3-36 mm) distal from the guide catheter ostium. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that focal IVUS imaging of the proximal LAD followed by volumetric analysis may suffice when screening for transplant vasculopathy.

Retained pacemaker and implantable cardioverter-defibrillator components after heart transplantation are common and may lead to adverse events.

Aims: Many patients have a cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) extracted at the time of heart transplantation. CIED components may be retained after heart transplantation, but their frequency, nature, and clinical significance is uncertain. Methods and results: Consecutive patients that underwent heart transplantation over 10 years from 1 January 2007 until 1 January 2017 were identified from the unit database. Pre- and post-operative chest radiographs were reviewed by two independent observers for the presence of CIED components. Adverse events relating to any retained CIED component were recorded. Two hundred and six patients had a CIED removed at the time of transplantation. Retained CIED components were present in 86 (42%) patients. The most common retained CIED components were suture sleeves and superior vena cava (SVC) coils of dual coil implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) leads. An SVC coil was retained in 25% of patients that had a dual coil ICD lead. Seven adverse events were associated with CIED removal or retained CIED components, including one fatal event. However, retained CIED components were not associated with reduced long-term survival after heart transplantation. Conclusion: Retained CIED components were seen in 42% of patients that had a CIED prior to transplantation, may be associated with serious adverse events but are not associated with reduced long-term survival. Cardiac surgeons should be aware of all CIED system components and be familiar with techniques for their complete removal at the time of transplantation.

Future Hospital Commission, 10 years on - Lessons learned and next steps: The Chief Registrar Programme - what has been achieved?

The Royal College of Physicians (RCP) Chief Registrar Programme (CRP) emerged from the RCP Future Hospital Commission Report (2013) and aimed to address development of clinical leadership and quality improvement to maintain high standards of patient safety and experience. The 2016 pilot created a new senior leadership role recruiting doctors in training committed to quality improvement and leadership development to champion delivering change in trusts, supported by a year-long bespoke development programme designed and delivered by the RCP. Following validation of the pilot's impact, the CRP has evolved to become a 'flagship' programme for the RCP with increasing penetrance across the UK to maximise impact for chief registrars to lead and deliver quality improvement in trusts. The longer-term goal is that enthusiastic early leaders will deliver sustainable and impactful change regionally and in the wider NHS. This article seeks to explore the CRP development themes and reflects on the learning from the programme and the experiences of chief registrars. The CRP has evolved during a time of significant healthcare challenge with the programme delivering a future generation of medical leaders to navigate these challenges, deliver improvement and innovation across the health sector. We show how chief registrars and alumni can continue to drive forward widespread impact on individuals, organisations and the wider NHS, providing a strategic solution to meet current and future challenges in the NHS.

Mechanical circulatory support in patients with congenital heart disease: a European Registry for Patients with Mechanical Circulatory Support (EUROMACS) study.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to explore characteristics and clinical outcomes of patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) in the European Registry for Patients with Mechanical Circulatory Support (EUROMACS). METHODS: This is a retrospective study of EUROMACS participants receiving MCS as bridge-to-transplant, possible bridge-to-transplant, or rescue therapy/bridge-to-recovery from 2011 to 2023 (n = 5340). Adult and paediatric cohorts were analysed separately. The primary outcome was mortality on MCS; secondary outcomes included recovery, transplant and complications including bleeding, cerebrovascular events, and sepsis. RESULTS: Among adult patients, mortality at 1-year was 33.3% among the CHD cohort vs 22.1% in the non-CHD cohort. Adult CHD patients had higher hazards of mortality within the first year after MCS implantation [hazard ratios 1.98, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.35-2.91, P < 0.001] and bleeding events (subdistribution hazard ratios 2.10, 95% CI 1.40-3.16, P < 0.001) compared with non-CHD patients. Both associations remained significant after accounting for multiple mediators. Among paediatric patients, mortality at 1 year was 22.1% in the CHD cohort vs 17.3% in the non-CHD cohort (hazard ratios 1.39, 95% CI 0.83-2.32, P = 0.213). CONCLUSIONS: Adult and paediatric patients with CHD on MCS have higher adverse event risk compared with non-CHD MCS patients, though children did not have greater risk of mortality. As the number of CHD patients requiring advanced heart failure management continues to grow, these findings can enhance informed decision-making. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: Registry name: EUROMACS.

The impact of interprofessional incivility on medical performance, service and patient care: a systematic review.

The stressful nature of the medical profession is a known trigger for aggression or abuse among healthcare staff. Interprofessional incivility, defined as low-intensity negative interactions with ambiguous or unclear intent to harm, has recently become an occupational concern in healthcare. While incivility in nursing has been widely investigated, its prevalence among physicians and its impact on patient care are poorly understood. This review summarises current understanding of the effects of interprofessional incivility on medical performance, service and patient care. A structured search and screening of literature returned 13 studies of diverse origin, methodology, quality, size and population type. The consensus is that interprofessional incivility is common among physicians and nurses and has both psychological and clinical outcomes, resulting in stress, compromised patient safety and poor quality of care. Junior staff are affected more often than consultants, with higher rates in radiology, general surgery, neurosurgery and cardiology. Incivility also undermines medical team performance, particularly in perioperative settings. In patient care, incivility is associated with complications, medical errors, mortality, and compromised patient safety and quality of care. Patients whose surgeons have a record of incivility can be at higher risk of complications. The impact of incivility on medical performance, service and patient care appears systemic and must be addressed accordingly. This analysis was limited by the methodological weaknesses of the included studies, which highlights the need for more high-quality empirical research. This would benefit the NHS and other stakeholders when designing targeted interventions. In particular, establishing quantitative methods for identifying and measuring incivility will be crucial for improving our understanding of the phenomenon.

Prognostic value of three iron deficiency definitions in patients with advanced heart failure.

AIMS: There is uncertainty about the definition of iron deficiency (ID) and the association between ID and prognosis in patients with advanced heart failure. We evaluated three definitions of ID in patients referred for heart transplantation. METHODS AND RESULTS: Consecutive patients assessed for heart transplantation at a single UK centre between January 2010 and May 2022 were included. ID was defined as (1) serum ferritin concentration of <100 ng/ml, or 100-299 ng/ml with transferrin saturation <20% (guideline definition), (2) serum iron concentration ≤13 µmol/L, or (3) transferrin saturation <20%. The primary outcome measure was a composite of all-cause mortality, urgent heart transplantation or need for mechanical circulatory support. Overall, 801 patients were included, and the prevalence of ID was 39-55% depending on the definition used. ID, defined by either serum iron or transferrin saturation, was an independent predictor of the primary outcome measure (hazard ratio [HR] 1.532, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.264-1.944, and HR 1.595, 95% CI 1.323-2.033, respectively), but the same association was not seen with the guideline definition of ID (HR 1.085, 95% CI 0.8827-1.333). These findings were robust in multivariable Cox regression analysis. ID, by all definitions, was associated with lower 6-min walk distance, lower peak oxygen consumption, higher intra-cardiac filling pressures and lower cardiac output. CONCLUSIONS: Iron deficiency, when defined by serum iron concentration or transferrin saturation, was associated with increased frequency of adverse clinical outcomes in patients with advanced heart failure. The same association was not seen with guideline definition of ID.

COVID-19 in congenital heart disease (COaCHeD) study.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 has caused significant worldwide morbidity and mortality. Congenital heart disease (CHD) is likely to increase vulnerability and understanding the predictors of adverse outcomes is key to optimising care. OBJECTIVE: Ascertain the impact of COVID-19 on people with CHD and define risk factors for adverse outcomes. METHODS: Multicentre UK study undertaken 1 March 2020-30 June 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were collected on CHD diagnoses, clinical presentation and outcomes. Multivariable logistic regression with multiple imputation was performed to explore predictors of death and hospitalisation. RESULTS: There were 405 reported cases (127 paediatric/278 adult). In children (age <16 years), there were 5 (3.9%) deaths. Adjusted ORs (AORs) for hospitalisation in children were significantly lower with each ascending year of age (OR 0.85, 95% CI 0.75 to 0.96 (p<0.01)). In adults, there were 24 (8.6%) deaths (19 with comorbidities) and 74 (26.6%) hospital admissions. AORs for death in adults were significantly increased with each year of age (OR 1.05, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.10 (p<0.01)) and with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH; OR 5.99, 95% CI 1.34 to 26.91 (p=0.02)). AORs for hospitalisation in adults were significantly higher with each additional year of age (OR 1.03, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.05 (p=0.04)), additional comorbidities (OR 3.23, 95% CI 1.31 to 7.97 (p=0.01)) and genetic disease (OR 2.87, 95% CI 1.04 to 7.94 (p=0.04)). CONCLUSIONS: Children were at low risk of death and hospitalisation secondary to COVID-19 even with severe CHD, but hospital admission rates were higher in younger children, independent of comorbidity. In adults, higher likelihood of death was associated with increasing age and PAH, and of hospitalisation with age, comorbidities and genetic disease. An individualised approach, based on age and comorbidities, should be taken to COVID-19 management in patients with CHD.

Prioritising transplantation for adult congenital heart disease, UK national data.

OBJECTIVE: There are no multi-centre data on the outcomes of transplant for adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) outside of North America. The literature has identified a number of concerns for this population such as increased wait-list and early post-operative mortality. We investigated outcomes in a national cohort to see if these problems are replicated outside of America. METHODS: Adults (aged ≥16 years) undergoing primary heart transplantation 1995-2014 were identified in the UK Registry and registration, operative and post-transplantation related clinical factors were compared to non ACHD recipients. RESULTS: Of 3026 adults who underwent primary heart transplantation, 134 (4.4%) had ACHD (median age 30 years; 40.3% female). For the ACHD patients listed as urgent status, the time to transplant was not significantly different to non ACHD patients and ACHD were not more likely to die or be removed from the wait list. Despite ACHD recipients having longer hospital stays (27 vs. 22 days; p = 0.003) and worse 90-day survival (79.5% vs. 86.6%; p = 0.02), long-term post-transplantation survival was not significantly different. Creatinine clearance was significantly better in ACHD patients at follow-up. In the last 10 years of our study period, all single ventricle transplants have been restricted to experienced ACHD teams, one year survival for Fontan patients was 89.5%. CONCLUSIONS: The use of urgent listing appears to have benefited the ACHD group by allowing equal access to transplantation, and recent concentration of expertise for single ventricle transplants has been associated with excellent early survival.

Vasoplegia following heart transplantation and left ventricular assist device explant is not associated with inferior outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Vasoplegia has been associated with inferior outcomes following heart transplantation (HTx). This observational study was designed to investigate outcomes in recipients with vasoplegia following left ventricular assist device (LVAD) explant HTx. METHODS: Patients undergoing LVAD explant followed by HTx from 01/2013-12/2018 at our centre were included. Vasoplegia was defined as the requirement for high dose vasopressor [noradrenaline (>0.5 µg/kg/min) and vasopressin (>1 U/h)] over the first 24 hours following HTx. Demographic and outcome data were retrieved from the transplant unit database. RESULTS: During the study period 24 patients underwent LVAD explant HTx. Of these, 13 (54.2%) developed vasoplegia. Both groups had similar duration of LVAD support (median 684 vs. 620 days P=0.62). There was a higher incidence of driveline infection in patients developing vasoplegia (69.2% vs. 18.2% P=0.02). HTx following donation after circulatory death (DCD) occurred in 9 (37.5%) patients and was not associated with a higher incidence of vasoplegia (P=0.21). Vasoplegia developed early following reperfusion and intensive care unit admission vasopressor-inotrope scores were significantly higher in patients with vasoplegia (P=0.002). Patients developing vasoplegia had similar ICU (P=0.79) and hospital (P=0.93) lengths of stay. Survival was equivalent both at 30-day (92.3% vs. 100% P=0.99) and 1-year (67.7% vs. 74.7% P=0.70). Our overall HTx 1-year survival was 89.3% over this period. CONCLUSIONS: Vasoplegia is seen with a high incidence in HTx recipients bridged with an LVAD. This appears to be associated with the presence of driveline infections. Early aggressive management is advocated, resulting in equivalent 1-year survival to those patients not developing vasoplegia.

A 5-year single-center early experience of heart transplantation from donation after circulatory-determined death donors.

BACKGROUND: In an effort to address the increasing demand for heart transplantation within the United Kingdom (UK), we established a clinical program of heart transplantation from donation after circulatory-determined death (DCD) donors in 2015. After 5 years, we report the clinical early outcomes and impact of the program. METHODS: This is a single-center, retrospective, matched, observational cohort study comparing outcomes of hearts transplanted from DCD donors from March 1, 2015 to February 29, 2020 with those from matched donation after brain death (DBD) donors at Royal Papworth Hospital (RPH) (Cambridge, UK). DCD hearts were either retrieved using thoracoabdominal normothermic regional perfusion or the direct procurement and perfusion technique. All DBD hearts were procured using standard cold static storage. The primary outcomes were recipient 30-day and 1-year survival. RESULTS: During the 5-year study, DCD heart donation increased overall heart transplant activity by 48% (79 for DCD and 164 for DBD). There was no difference in survival at 30 days (97% for DCD vs 99% for DBD, p = 1.00) or 1 year (91% for DCD vs 89% for DBD, p = 0.72). There was no difference in the length of stay in the intensive care unit (7 for DCD vs 6 for DBD days, p = 0.24) or in the hospital (24 for DCD vs 25 for DBD days, p = 0.84). CONCLUSIONS: DCD heart donation increased overall heart transplant activity at RPH by 48%, with no difference in 30-day or 1-year survival in comparison with conventional DBD heart transplantations. DCD heart donation is set to make a dramatic difference in the number of patients who can benefit from heart transplantation.

Outcome after heart transplantation from donation after circulatory-determined death donors.

BACKGROUND: The requirement for heart transplantation is increasing, vastly outgrowing the supply of hearts available from donation after brain death (DBD) donors. Transplanting hearts after donation after circulatory-determined death (DCD) may be a viable additive alternative to DBD donors. This study compared outcomes from the largest single-center experience of DCD heart transplantation against matched DBD heart transplants. METHODS: DCD hearts were retrieved using normothermic regional perfusion (NRP) or direct procurement and perfusion (DPP). During NRP, perfusion was restored to the arrested heart within the donor with the exclusion of the cerebral circulation, whereas DPP hearts were removed directly. All hearts were maintained on machine perfusion during transportation. A retrospective cohort of DBD heart transplants, matched for donor and recipient characteristics, was used as a comparison group. The primary outcome measure of this study (set by the United Kingdom regulatory body) was 90-day survival. RESULTS: There were 28 DCD heart transplants performed during the 25-month study period. Survival at 90 days was not significantly different between DCD and matched DBD transplant recipients (DCD, 92%; DBD, 96%; p = 1.0). Hospital length of stay, treated rejection episodes, allograft function, and 1-year survival (DCD, 86%; DBD, 88%; p = 0.98) were comparable between groups. The method of retrieval (NRP or DPP) was not associated with a difference in outcome. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that heart transplantation from DCD heart donation provides comparable short-term outcomes to traditional DBD heart transplants and can serve to increase heart transplant activity in well-selected patients.

Socioeconomic Deprivation and Survival After Heart Transplantation in England: An Analysis of the United Kingdom Transplant Registry.

BACKGROUND: Socioeconomic deprivation (SED) is associated with shorter survival across a range of cardiovascular and noncardiovascular diseases. The association of SED with survival after heart transplantation in England, where there is universal healthcare provision, is unknown. METHODS AND RESULTS: Long-term follow-up data were obtained for all patients in England who underwent heart transplantation between 1995 and 2014. We used the United Kingdom Index of Multiple Deprivation (UK IMD), a neighborhood level measure of SED, to estimate the relative degree of deprivation for each recipient. Cox proportional hazard models were used to examine the association between SED and overall survival and conditional survival (dependant on survival at 1 year after transplantation) during follow-up. Models were stratified by transplant center and adjusted for donor and recipient age and sex, ethnicity, serum creatinine, diabetes mellitus, and heart failure cause. A total of 2384 patients underwent heart transplantation. There were 1101 deaths during 17 040 patient-year follow-up. Median overall survival was 12.6 years, and conditional survival was 15.6 years. Comparing the most deprived with the least deprived quintile, adjusted hazard ratios for all-cause mortality were 1.27 (1.04-1.55; P=0.021) and 1.59 (1.22-2.09; P=0.001) in the overall and conditional models, respectively. Median overall survival and conditional survival were 3.4 years shorter in the most deprived quintile than in the least deprived. CONCLUSIONS: Higher SED is associated with shorter survival in heart transplant recipients in England and should be considered when comparing outcomes between centers. Future research should seek to identify modifiable mediators of this association.

Biventricular assist device use in non-dilated hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Advanced heart failure is a rare but important complication of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). The only definitive treatment is heart transplantation and the role of ventricular assist devices remains uncertain. We describe the use of implantable biventricular assist devices in the treatment of a patient with 'end-stage' non-dilated HCM.

Right ventricular failure due to late embolic RV infarction during continuous flow LVAD support.

This report describes a 63-year-old man with a dilated cardiomyopathy, who was supported with a continuous flow left ventricular assist device (LVAD), and on the waiting list for heart transplantation. After a long period of stability, he presented with recurrent ventricular tachycardia and rapidly developed progressive right ventricular (RV) failure. He required implantation of a temporary RV assist device to regain stability and subsequently underwent urgent heart transplantation. The explanted heart showed multiple areas of ischaemic damage to the RV myocardium, but there was no significant underlying coronary artery disease. It appears that the ventricular arrhythmias and subsequent RV failure were due to an embolic event in the territory of the right coronary artery. The case highlights that coronary embolism is a rare cause of RV failure during LVAD support and demonstrates the utility of temporary RV assist device support as a bridge to heart transplantation.