Regional Strain of Right Ventricle From Computed Tomography Improves Risk Stratification of Right Ventricle Failure.

Patients who undergo implantation of a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) are at a high risk for right ventricular failure (RVF), presumably due to poor right ventricular (RV) function before surgery. Cine computerized tomography (cineCT) can be used to evaluate RV size, function, and endocardial strain. However, CT-based strain measures in patients undergoing workup for LVAD implantation have not been evaluated. We quantified RV strain in the free wall (FW) and septal wall (SW) in patients with end-stage heart failure using cineCT. Compared to controls, both FW and SW strains were significantly impaired in heart failure patients. The difference between FW and SW strains predicted RV failure after LVAD implantation (area-under-the curve [AUC] = 0.82). Cine CT strain can be combined with RV volumetry to risk-stratify patients. In our study, patients with preserved RV volumes and poor strain had a higher rate of RV failure (57%), than those with preserved volume and preserved strain (0%). This suggests that CT could improve risk stratification of patients receiving LVADs and that strain metrics were particularly useful in risk-stratifying patients with preserved RV volumes.

Preoperative Computed Tomography Assessment of Risk of Right Ventricle Failure After Left Ventricular Assist Device Placement.

Identification of patients who are at a high risk for right ventricular failure (RVF) after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation is of critical importance. Conventional tools for predicting RVF, including two-dimensional echocardiography, right heart catheterization (RHC), and clinical parameters, generally have limited sensitivity and specificity. We retrospectively examined the ability of computed tomography (CT) ventricular volume measures to identify patients who experienced RVF after LVAD implantation. Between September 2017 and November 2021, 92 patients underwent LVAD surgery at our institution. Preoperative CT-derived ventricular volumes were obtained in 20 patients. Patients who underwent CT evaluation had a similar demographics and rate of RVF after LVAD as patients who did not undergo cardiac CT imaging. In the study cohort, seven of 20 (35%) patients experienced RVF (2 unplanned biventricular assist device, 5 prolonged inotropic support). Computed tomography-derived right ventricular end-diastolic and end-systolic volume indices were the strongest predictors of RVF compared with demographic, echocardiographic, and RHC data with areas under the receiver operating curve of 0.79 and 0.76, respectively. Computed tomography volumetric assessment of RV size can be performed in patients evaluated for LVAD treatment. RV measures of size provide a promising means of pre-LVAD assessment for postoperative RV failure.

Stability and Visual Outcomes of the Capsulotomy-Fixated FEMTIS-IOL After Automated Femtosecond Laser-Assisted Anterior Capsulotomy.

PURPOSE: To evaluate stability and performance of a new monofocal anterior capsulotomy-fixated intraocular lens (IOL) (FEMTIS; Teleon Surgical B.V., Spankeren, Netherlands) after femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS). DESIGN: Prospective, multicenter, interventional, noncomparative case series. METHODS: FLACS with FEMTIS IOL was performed in 336 eyes of 183 cataract patients with fixation of the IOL to the anterior capsulotomy followed up for 12 months. Examination included uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), best-corrected visual acuity (CDVA), subjective refraction, IOL centration, posterior capsule opacification (PCO), and investigators' satisfaction questionnaire. RESULTS: At 12 months, mean IOL rotation was 1.50 ± 1.76 degrees and decentration 0.14 ± 0.14 mm from baseline (day of surgery). Mean horizontal IOL tilt was 0.70 ± 0.60 degrees and vertical 1.15 ± 1.06 degrees relative to the baseline (crystalline lens). Mean distance between IOL and iris was 0.32 mm to 0.36 mm for all measured meridians. Mean UDVA was 0.12 ± 0.14 logMAR (range -0.20 to 0.54 logMAR), mean CDVA -0.01 ± 0.09 logMAR (range -0.30 to 0.20 logMAR). Mean spherical equivalent was 0.35 ± 0.53 diopter (D) and 98% of eyes (n = 235) were within ±1.0 D. Median PCO score was 1 with an Nd:YAG laser rate of 3.1% after 12 months. Most surgeons were very satisfied (median score: 1) with surgery and implanted IOL. CONCLUSIONS: Implantation of FEMTIS IOL provided excellent visual and stable refractive outcomes. IOL decentration was very low compared to other published studies and showed an exceptional high in-the-bag stability over a 12-month period. This lens benefits from femtosecond laser capsulotomies. It can be positioned very predictably and offers an optimal platform for toric and multifocal IOL optics.