Diagnosis of obstructive coronary artery disease by cardiogoniometry: a field test in a real-life setting.

Cardiogoniometry is an electrocardiographic and vectorcardiographic method utilizing computer-assisted analysis of cardiac potentials focusing on T-wave abnormalities resulting from myocardial malperfusion. We describe a case of diagnosis of obstructive coronary artery disease with this method and discuss the possible implications for the clinical setting.

Introduction of machine perfusion of donor hearts in a single center in Germany.

Introduction: Organ shortage, subsequent use of extended donor criteria organs and high-risk recipients needing redo-surgery are increasing the complexity of heart transplantation. Donor organ machine perfusion (MP) is an emerging technology allowing reduction of ischemia time as well as standardized evaluation of the organ. The aim of this study was to review the introduction of MP and analyze the results of heart transplantation after MP in our center. Methods: In a retrospective single-center study, data from a prospectively collected database were analysed. From July 2018 to August 2021, fourteen hearts were retrieved and perfused using the Organ Care System (OCS), 12 hearts were transplanted. Criteria to use the OCS were based on donor/recipient characteristics. Primary objective was 30-day survival, secondary objectives were major cardiac adverse events, graft function, rejection episodes as well as overall survival in the follow-up and assessment of MP technical reliability. Results: All patients survived the procedure and the postoperative 30-day interval. No MP related complications were noted. Graft ejection fraction beyond 14 days was ≥ 50% in all cases. Endomyocardial biopsy showed excellent results with no or mild rejection. Two donor hearts were rejected after OCS perfusion and evaluation. Conclusion: Ex vivo normothermic MP during organ procurement is a safe and promising technique to expand the donor pool. Reduction of cold ischemic time while providing additional donor heart assessment and reconditioning options increased the number of acceptable donor hearts. Additional clinical trials are necessary to develop guidelines regarding the application of MP.

Liver failure in total artificial heart therapy.

BACKGROUND: Congestive hepatopathy (CH) and acute liver failure (ALF) are common among biventricular heart failure patients. We sought to evaluate the impact of total artificial heart (TAH) therapy on hepatic function and associated clinical outcomes. METHODS: A total of 31 patients received a Syncardia Total Artificial Heart. Preoperatively 17 patients exhibited normal liver function or mild hepatic derangements that were clinically insignificant and did not qualify as acute or chronic liver failure, 5 patients exhibited ALF and 9 various hepatic derangements owing to CH. Liver associated mortality and postoperative course of liver values were prospectively documented and retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: Liver associated mortality in normal liver function, ALF and CH cases was 0%, 20% (P=0.03) and 44.4% (P=0.0008) respectively. 1/17 (5.8%) patients with a normal liver function developed an ALF, 4/5 (80%) patients with an ALF experienced a markedly improvement of hepatic function and 6/9 (66.6%) patients with CH a significant deterioration. CONCLUSIONS: TAH therapy results in recovery of hepatic function in ALF cases. Patients with CH prior to surgery form a high risk group with increased liver associated mortality.

Expanding Applicability of Total Artificial Heart Therapy: The 50-cc SynCardia Total Artificial Heart.

The 50-cc SynCardia total artificial heart is designed to facilitate orthotopic replacement of the native ventricles in patients with a body surface area below 1.7 m(2) in need of long-term circulatory support as a result of end-stage biventricular heart failure. We describe the implementation of this technology in a female patient with irreversible cardiogenic shock on the grounds of acute myocardial infarction and chronic ischemic cardiomyopathy.

Implantation technique of the 50-cm3 SynCardia Total Artificial Heart: does size make a difference?

Despite downsizing, implantation technique of the 50-cm(3) SynCardia Total Artificial Heart and settings of the Companion driver remain unchanged. Owing to the absence of de-airing nipples, de-airing procedure is even more crucial and has to be performed carefully.

Percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy following total artificial heart implantation.

Coagulation disorders and an immune-altered state are common among total artificial heart patients. In this context, we sought to evaluate the safety of percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy in cases of prolonged need for mechanical ventilatory support. We retrospectively analysed the charts of 11 total artificial heart patients who received percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy. We focused on early and late complications. We observed no major complications and no procedure-related deaths. Early minor complications included venous oozing (45.4%) and one case of local infection. Late complications, including subglottic stenosis, stomal infection or infections of the lower respiratory tract, were not observed. In conclusion, percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy in total artificial heart patients is safe. Considering the well-known benefits of early tracheotomy over prolonged translaryngeal intubation, we advocate early timing of therapy in cases of prolonged mechanical ventilation.