The Clinical Outcomes of Marginal Donor Hearts: A Single Center Experience

Background and Objectives@#Although the shortage of donor is a common problem worldwide, a significant portion of unutilized hearts are classified as marginal donor (MD) hearts. However, research on the correlation between the MD and the prognosis of heart transplantation (HTx) is lacking. This study was conducted to investigate the clinical impact of MD in HTx. @*Methods@#Consecutive 73 HTxs during 2014 and 2021 in a tertiary hospital were analyzed.MD was defined as follows; a donor age >55 years, left ventricular ejection fraction 240 minutes, or significant cardiac structural problems. Preoperative characteristics and postoperative hemodynamic data, primary graft dysfunction (PGD), and the survival rate were analyzed. Risk stratification by Index for Mortality Prediction after Cardiac Transplantation (IMPACT) score was performed to examine the outcomes according to the recipient state. Each group was sub-divided into 2 risk groups according to the IMPACT score (low <10 vs. high ≥10). @*Results@#A total of 32 (43.8%) patients received an organ from MDs. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was more frequent in the non-MD group (34.4% vs. 70.7, p=0.007) There was no significant difference in PGD, 30-day mortality and long-term survival between groups. In the subgroup analysis, early outcomes did not differ between low- and high-risk groups. However, the long-term survival was better in the low-risk group (p=0.01). @*Conclusions@#The outcomes of MD group were not significantly different from non-MD group. Particularly, in low-risk recipient, the MD group showed excellent early and longterm outcomes. These results suggest the usability of selected MD hearts without increasing adverse events.

Sodium/glucose Co-Transporter 2 Inhibitor, Empagliflozin, Alleviated Transient Expression of SGLT2 after Myocardial Infarction

Background and Objectives@#Large clinical studies of sodium/glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors have shown a significant beneficial effect on heart failure-associated hospitalization and cardiovascular events. As SGLT2 is known to be absent in heart cells, improved cardiovascular outcomes are thought to be accounted for by the indirect effects of the drug. We sought to confirm whether such benefits were mediated through SGLT2 expressed in the heart using myocardial infarction (MI) model. @*Methods@#Mice pre-treated with empagliflozin (EMPA), an SGLT2 inhibitor, showed a significantly reduced infarct size compared with the vehicle group three days post-MI.Interestingly, we confirmed SGLT2 localized in the infarct zone. The sequential changes of SGLT2 expression after MI were also evaluated. @*Results@#One day after MI, SGLT2 transiently appeared in the ischemic areas in the vehicle group and increased until 72 hours. The appearance of SGLT2 was delayed and less in amount compared with the vehicle group. Additionally, there was a significant difference in metabolites, including glucose and amino acids in the 1 H nuclear magnetic resonance analysis between groups. @*Conclusions@#Our work demonstrates that SGLT2 is transiently expressed in heart tissue early after MI and EMPA may directly operate on SGLT2 to facilitate metabolic substrates shifts.

Sodium/glucose Co-Transporter 2 Inhibitor, Empagliflozin, Alleviated Transient Expression of SGLT2 after Myocardial Infarction

Background and Objectives@#Large clinical studies of sodium/glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors have shown a significant beneficial effect on heart failure-associated hospitalization and cardiovascular events. As SGLT2 is known to be absent in heart cells, improved cardiovascular outcomes are thought to be accounted for by the indirect effects of the drug. We sought to confirm whether such benefits were mediated through SGLT2 expressed in the heart using myocardial infarction (MI) model. @*Methods@#Mice pre-treated with empagliflozin (EMPA), an SGLT2 inhibitor, showed a significantly reduced infarct size compared with the vehicle group three days post-MI.Interestingly, we confirmed SGLT2 localized in the infarct zone. The sequential changes of SGLT2 expression after MI were also evaluated. @*Results@#One day after MI, SGLT2 transiently appeared in the ischemic areas in the vehicle group and increased until 72 hours. The appearance of SGLT2 was delayed and less in amount compared with the vehicle group. Additionally, there was a significant difference in metabolites, including glucose and amino acids in the 1 H nuclear magnetic resonance analysis between groups. @*Conclusions@#Our work demonstrates that SGLT2 is transiently expressed in heart tissue early after MI and EMPA may directly operate on SGLT2 to facilitate metabolic substrates shifts.

The Current Status of Intervention for Intermediate Coronary Stenosis in the Korean Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (K-PCI) Registry

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Intermediate coronary lesion that can be under- or over-estimated by visual estimation frequently results in stenting of functionally nonsignificant lesions or deferral of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of significant lesions inappropriately. We evaluated current status of PCI for intermediate lesions from a standardized database in Korea. METHODS: We analyzed the Korean percutaneous coronary intervention (K-PCI) registry data which collected a standardized PCI database of the participating hospitals throughout the country from January 1, 2014, through December 31, 2014. Intermediate lesion was defined as a luminal narrowing between 50% and 70% by visual estimation and then compared whether the invasive physiologic or imaging study was performed or not. RESULTS: Physiology-guided PCI for intermediate lesions was performed in 16.8% for left anterior descending artery (LAD), 9.8% for left circumflex artery (LCX), 13.2% for right coronary artery (RCA). PCI was more frequently performed using intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) than using fractional flow reserve (FFR) for coronary artery segments (27.7% vs. 13.9% for LAD, 32.9% vs. 8.1% for LCX, and 33.8% vs. 10.8% for RCA). In accordance with or without FFR, PCI for intermediate lesions was more frequently performed in the hospitals with available FFR device than without FFR, especially in left main artery (LM), proximal LAD lesion (40.9% vs. 5.9% for LM, 24.6% vs 7.6% for proximal LAD). CONCLUSIONS: These data provide the current PCI practice pattern with the use of FFR and IVUS in intermediate lesion. More common use of FFR for intermediate lesion should be encouraged.

The Current Status of Intervention for Intermediate Coronary Stenosis in the Korean Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (K-PCI) Registry

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES@#Intermediate coronary lesion that can be under- or over-estimated by visual estimation frequently results in stenting of functionally nonsignificant lesions or deferral of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of significant lesions inappropriately. We evaluated current status of PCI for intermediate lesions from a standardized database in Korea.@*METHODS@#We analyzed the Korean percutaneous coronary intervention (K-PCI) registry data which collected a standardized PCI database of the participating hospitals throughout the country from January 1, 2014, through December 31, 2014. Intermediate lesion was defined as a luminal narrowing between 50% and 70% by visual estimation and then compared whether the invasive physiologic or imaging study was performed or not.@*RESULTS@#Physiology-guided PCI for intermediate lesions was performed in 16.8% for left anterior descending artery (LAD), 9.8% for left circumflex artery (LCX), 13.2% for right coronary artery (RCA). PCI was more frequently performed using intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) than using fractional flow reserve (FFR) for coronary artery segments (27.7% vs. 13.9% for LAD, 32.9% vs. 8.1% for LCX, and 33.8% vs. 10.8% for RCA). In accordance with or without FFR, PCI for intermediate lesions was more frequently performed in the hospitals with available FFR device than without FFR, especially in left main artery (LM), proximal LAD lesion (40.9% vs. 5.9% for LM, 24.6% vs 7.6% for proximal LAD).@*CONCLUSIONS@#These data provide the current PCI practice pattern with the use of FFR and IVUS in intermediate lesion. More common use of FFR for intermediate lesion should be encouraged.

Computational analysis of the electromechanical performance of mitral valve cerclage annuloplasty using a patient-specific ventricular model

We aimed to propose a novel computational approach to predict the electromechanical performance of pre- and post-mitral valve cerclage annuloplasty (MVCA). Furthermore, we tested a virtual estimation method to optimize the left ventricular basement tightening scheme using a pre-MVCA computer model. The present model combines the three-dimensional (3D) electromechanics of the ventricles with the vascular hemodynamics implemented in a lumped parameter model. 3D models of pre- and post-MVCA were reconstructed from the computed tomography (CT) images of two patients and simulated by solving the electromechanical-governing equations with the finite element method. Computed results indicate that reduction of the dilated heart chambers volume (reverse remodeling) appears to be dependent on ventricular stress distribution. Reduced ventricular stresses in the basement after MVCA treatment were observed in the patients who showed reverse remodeling of heart during follow up over 6 months. In the case who failed to show reverse remodeling after MVCA, more virtual tightening of the ventricular basement diameter than the actual model can induce stress unloading, aiding in heart recovery. The simulation result that virtual tightening of the ventricular basement resulted in a marked increase of myocardial stress unloading provides in silico evidence for a functional impact of MVCA treatment on cardiac mechanics and post-operative heart recovery. This technique contributes to establishing a pre-operative virtual rehearsal procedure before MVCA treatment by using patient-specific cardiac electromechanical modeling of pre-MVCA.

Cardioprotective Effect of the SDF-1α/CXCR4 Axis in Ischemic Postconditioning in Isolated Rat Hearts

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Information about the role of the stromal cell-derived factor-1α (SDF-1α)/chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4) axis in ischemic postconditioning (IPOC) is currently limited. We hypothesized that the SDF-1α/CXCR4 signaling pathway is directly involved in the cardioprotective effect of IPOC. METHODS: Isolated rat hearts were divided into four groups. The control group was subjected to 30-min of regional ischemia and 2-hour of reperfusion (n=12). The IPOC group was induced with 6 cycles of 10-second reperfusion and 10-second global ischemia (n=8) in each cycle. The CXCR4 antagonist, AMD3100, was applied before reperfusion in the IPOC group (AMD+IPOC group, n=11) and control group (AMD group, n=9). Hemodynamic changes with electrocardiography were monitored and infarct size was measured. The SDF-1α, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine kinase (CK) concentrations in perfusate were measured. We also analyzed extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) and Akt phosphorylation state expression. RESULTS: IPOC significantly reduced infarct size, but AMD3100 attenuated the infarct reducing effect of IPOC. IPOC significantly decreased LDH and CK, but these effects were reversed by AMD3100. ERK1/2 and Akt phosphorylation increased with IPOC and these effects were blocked by AMD3100. CONCLUSION: Based on the results of this study, SDF-1α/CXCR4 signaling may be involved in IPOC cardioprotection and this signaling pathway couples to the ERK1/2 and Akt pathways.

Erratum: Right Cardiac Catheterization Using the Antecubital Fossa Vein in Korean Patients

In the article, the 9th author's name was misspelled.

Right Cardiac Catheterization Using the Antecubital Fossa Vein in Korean Patients

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Right heart catheterization is traditionally performed using a femoral vein approach that involves admission, bed rest, and risks of bleeding and hematoma. Recent studies have confirmed safety of the use of forearm vein for right cardiac catheterization. In the present study, we evaluated the feasibility of right cardiac catheterization via the antecubital fossa vein in Korean patients. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The medical records of all patients who underwent right heart catheterization at our hospital between January 2003 and December 2014 were reviewed retrospectively. Right cardiac catheterizations via the antecubital fossa vein and the femoral vein were compared in terms of demographic data (age, sex, weight, height, and body mass index), indications for right cardiac catheterization, and procedural and outcome data (initial success rate, procedure time, compression to ambulation time, and complications). RESULTS: We reviewed 132 cases (antecubital fossa vein approach, n=37; femoral vein approach, n=95). The demographic data, initial success rate (100% vs. 100%) and procedure time (21.6±16.8 min vs. 25.6±12.6 min, p=0.14) were similar in both groups. The antecubital fossa vein group had a shorter mean compression to ambulation time than the femoral vein group (0.0 min vs. 201.2±48.1 min, p<0.01). No complications were observed in either group. CONCLUSION: Our study indicated the ease of performance of right cardiac catheterization via the antecubital fossa vein. Thus, the antecubital fossa vein can be an alternative access site for right cardiac catheterization in Korean patients.

Extraction of a Fully Deployed Coronary Stent during Retrieval of Another Dislodged Stent

Coronary stent dislodgement is a rare and serious complication of percutaneous coronary intervention and is associated with major adverse cardiac events. Successful retrieval of the stent is recommended in this situation because it is important for the prognosis. Recently, a patient was referred to our hospital with a dislodged coronary stent. When attempting to percutaneously extract the dislodged stent, a challenging situation was encountered, as the stent was entrapped and tightly entangled with another fully deployed coronary stent. Extraction of a fully deployed stent is generally prohibited as it may result in severe complications. Nevertheless, we extracted both the dislodged stent and the fully deployed stent, as a last resort. Herein, we report about this case. Our case highlights if the operator had a thorough understanding of the surrounding circumstances regarding the fully deployed coronary stent, successful extraction of the fully deployed coronary stent without any complications could be possible.

Radiation Exposure in Coronary Angiography: A Comparison of Cineangiography and Fluorography

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Coronary angiography (CAG) is the gold standard for diagnosing coronary artery disease. However, exposure to ionizing radiation delivered during CAG has various negative biological effects on humans. In this study, there was an evaluation of whether fluorography resulted in decreased radiation exposure, as compared with cineangiography. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Fifty-five patients were prospectively enrolled and divided into two CAG groups, in accordance with the operator's professional discretion: a conventional cineangiography group versus a fluorography group. Fluorography refers to the photography of fluoroscopic images that are retrospectively stored, e.g., using the "Store fluoro" function of the Siemens cardiac angiography system. The primary outcomes included the air kinetic energy released per unit mass {air kerma (AK) mGy} and the dose (kerma)-area product (DAP; microGy . m2), both measured using built-in software in the Siemens system. The secondary outcomes included the total procedure time and amount of contrast agent used with each CAG method. RESULTS: The total AK and DAP were significantly lower in the fluorography group (159.3+/-64.9 mGy and 1337.9+/-629.6 microGy . m2, respectively) than in the cineangiography group (326.9+/-107.5 mGy and 2341.1+/-849.9 microGy . m2, respectively; p=0.000 for both). The total procedure time (cineangiography vs. fluorography, 12.8+/-4.7 vs. 12.5+/-2.9 min; p=0.779) and contrast agent amount (136.1+/-28.3 vs. 126.3+/-25.7, p=0.214) were comparable between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Fluorography is a useful method to decrease the radiation exposure in selected patients requiring CAG.

The Effect of Radiographic Contrast Media on Reperfusion Injury in the Isolated Rat Heart

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: We investigated the effects of commonly used contrast media (CM) on myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury in isolated rat hearts. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Isolated rat hearts were subjected to 30 minutes of regional ischemia and 2 hours of reperfusion. The following CM (1 mL/1 L Krebs-Henseleit buffer) were randomly perfused for 15 minutes beginning 5 minutes before reperfusion and ending 10 minutes after reperfusion: iohexol (n=8), iopromide (n=8), ioversol (n=8), iomeprol (n=8), iopamidol (n=7), ioxaglate (n=8), and iodixanol (n=7). The effects of a direct bolus injection of undiluted iohexol, iopromide, or ioxaglate (each n=6) via the aortic root immediately prior to reperfusion were also evaluated. The area of necrosis, expressed as the percentage of the area at risk (AN/AR), and cardiodynamic variables were measured. RESULTS: The AN/AR of the control and experimental groups in the order described in methods was 33.7+/-6.4%, 30.3+/-7.4%, 34.7+/-12.6%, 29.2+/-10.2%, 20.9+/-7.6%, 22.6+/-8.7%, 18.8+/-7.9%, and 19.9+/-11.4%, respectively. Groups that received iomeprol and ioxaglate exhibited significantly decreased AN/AR values compared to those of control hearts (p=0.042 and p=0.013). No significant differences in the AN/AR were observed between control hearts and the groups injected with a single bolus of CM. No significant hemodynamic changes were noted after reperfusion among the groups. CONCLUSION: The overall effects of the CM on coronary reperfusion were not deleterious, and better effects were noted in two CM groups. However, it is unclear whether this result was attributed to a specific physiochemical property of the CM.

Thrombolytic Therapy Complemented by ECMO: Successful Treatment for A Case of Massive Pulmonary Thromboembolism with Hemodynamic Collapse

Pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) is a common clinical condition related to significant mortality. Furthermore, patients with PTE presenting with right heart thrombus show higher mortality due to rapid hemodynamic deterioration. But the optimal treatment of massive PTE is controversial although various methods have been developed and improved. Here, we presented a case of 56-yr-old woman with massive PTE showing hemodynamic collapse, who was successfully treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) adjunct to thrombolytic therapy even without thrombectomy. ECMO was useful for resuscitation and stabilization of the cardiopulmonary function. In conclusion, thrombolytic therapy complemented by ECMO may be an effective treatment option for acute massive PTE with hemodynamic instability.

Prediction of Fractional Flow Reserve without Hyperemic Induction Based on Resting Baseline Pd/Pa

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The purposes of this study are 1) to investigate the relationship between resting baseline Pd/Pa, determined by the ratio of the pressures proximal (Pa) and distal (Pd) to the target lesion before, inducing hyperemia and fractional flow reserve (FFR) and 2) to identify a resting baseline Pd/Pa range that might reliably preclude the need for hyperemic induction. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total of 622 pressure wire data sets obtained from intermediate stenotic lesions were analyzed. RESULTS: There was a good linear relationship between resting baseline Pd/Pa and FFR (r=0.746, p0.95 (n=257, 41.3%) had a negative predictive value (NPV) of 98.1% and a sensitivity of 97.3%. the resting baseline Pd/Pa < or =0.88 (n=65, 10.5%) had a positive predictive value (PPV) of 96.2% and a specificity of 99.8%. These were consistent regardless of coronary vessel, lesion location, lesion length, or degree of stenosis. CONCLUSION: In intermediate lesions, the resting baseline Pd/Pa was linearly related to FFR. A certain range of the resting baseline Pd/Pa values had an excellent NPV with high sensitivity or excellent PPV with high specificity for determining the lesion significance.

Usefulness of Intracoronary Epinephrine in Severe Hypotension during Percutaneous Coronary Interventions

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Life-threatening hypotension during percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) is devastating for the patient and is associated with fatal adverse outcomes. The aim of our study was to assess the usefulness of intracoronary epinephrine in severe hypotension unresponsive to other measures during PCI. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We analyzed the Pusan National University Yangsan hospital cardiac catheterization laboratory database to identify patients who underwent PCI from December 2008 to July 2012. The outcomes were changes of blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) before and after intracoronary epinephrine and in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: A total of 30 patients who were initially stable and received intracoronary epinephrine for severe hypotension during PCI were included. Following administration of intracoronary epinephrine (dose 181+/-24.8 microgram), systolic and diastolic BP (from 53.8+/-13.0 mm Hg up to 112.8+/-21.2 mm Hg, from 35+/-7.6 mm Hg up to 70.6+/-12.7 mm Hg, respectively) and HR (from 39.4+/-5.1 beats/min up to 96.8+/-29.3 beats/min) were increased. Additionally, 21 patients (70%) showed hemodynamically acceptable responses to intracoronary epinephrine without the intraaortic balloon pump and temporary pacemaker during the PCI. In-hospital mortality was 17% (n=5). CONCLUSION: Although our study was small, intracoronary epinephrine was found to be well tolerated and resulted in prompt and successful recovery from severe hypotension in most patients when other measures were ineffective. Intracoronary epinephrine could be a safe and useful measure in patients developing severe hypotension during PCI.

Ventricular Fibrillation in a Patient with Tachycardia-Induced Cardiomyopathy after Liver Transplantation

We report a case of atrial fibrillation-related tachycardia induced cardiomyopathy and ventricular fibrillation after liver transplantation in a 41-year-old man with end-stage liver failure. Atrial fibrillation and congestive heart failure occurred postoperatively. Cardiac arrests due to ventricular fibrillation occurred 6 months after the operation with subsequent implantations of an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator. Ventricular arrhythmias did not recur during the 18 months after normalization of heart functions with guideline-directed medical treatments.

Bubbles in a Row: Finding of Pulmonary Arteriovenous Fistula on Transesophageal Echocardiography

No abstract available.

Polyphenol (-)-epigallocatechin gallate-induced cardioprotection may attenuate ischemia-reperfusion injury through adenosine receptor activation: a preliminary study / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: The activation of guanine nucleotide binding protein-coupled receptors, such as adenosine receptor (ADR) and opioid receptor (OPR), protects the heart against ischemia and reperfusion injury. We hypothesized that ADR or OPR might be involved in polyphenol (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)-induced cardioprotection. METHODS: Langendorff perfused rat hearts were subjected to 30 min of regional ischemia and 2 h of reperfusion. Hearts were treated with 10 microM of EGCG, with or without the ADR or OPR antagonist at early reperfusion. Infarct size measured with 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining was chosen as end-point. RESULTS: EGCG significantly reduced infarct volume as a percentage of ischemic volume (33.5 +/- 4.1%) compared to control hearts (14.4 +/- 1.1%, P 0.05 vs. EGCG) blocked the anti-infarct effect by EGCG. The infarct reducing effect of EGCG was significantly reversed by 200 nM of the A1 ADR antagonist DPCPX (25.9 +/- 1.1%, P 0.05 vs. EGCG) and 100 nM of the A3 ADR antagonist MRS1334 (24.1 +/- 1.8%, P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The infarct reducing effect of EGCG appears to involve activation of ADR, especially A1 and A2B ADR, but not OPR.

Congenital Giant Right Coronary Artery Aneurysm With Fistula to the Coronary Sinus and Persistent Left Superior Vena Cava in an Old Woman

The combination of coronary arteriovenous fistula to the coronary sinus (CS), dilatation of the entire length of coronary artery, coronary aneurysm and persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC) is very rare. We present the case of a 63-year-old female admitted for dyspnea on exertion, orthopnea, and facial edema. Echocardiography detected a giant coronary artery with shunt flow, dilated CS and PLSVC and a coronary angiography reaffirmed these findings. The calculated ratio of pulmonary blood flow to systemic blood flow by cardiac catheterization was 1.53. After multidisciplinary review considering old age, hypoactivity due to underlying Parkinsonism and relatively small amount of shunt flow, medical therapy was chosen. The patient remained asymptomatic for 10 months after discharge without intervention.

Severe Aortic Coarctation in a 75-Year-Old Woman: Total Simultaneous Repair of Aortic Coarctation and Severe Aortic Stenosis

Aortic coarctation is usually diagnosed and repaired in childhood and early adulthood. Survival of a patient with an uncorrected coarctation to more than 70 years of age is extremely unusual, and management strategies for these cases remain controversial. We present a case of a 75-year-old woman who was first diagnosed with aortic coarctation and severe aortic valve stenosis 5 years ago and who underwent a successful one-stage repair involving valve replacement and insertion of an extra-anatomical bypass graft from the ascending to the descending aorta.