Pulse Oximeter Derived Blood Pressure Measurement in Patients With a Continuous Flow Left Ventricular Assist Device.

Currently, blood pressure (BP) measurement is obtained noninvasively in patients with continuous flow left ventricular assist device (LVAD) by placing a Doppler probe over the brachial or radial artery with inflation and deflation of a manual BP cuff. We hypothesized that replacing the Doppler probe with a finger-based pulse oximeter can yield BP measurements similar to the Doppler derived mean arterial pressure (MAP). We conducted a prospective study consisting of patients with contemporary continuous flow LVADs. In a small pilot phase I inpatient study, we compared direct arterial line measurements with an automated blood pressure (ABP) cuff, Doppler and pulse oximeter derived MAP. Our main phase II study included LVAD outpatients with a comparison between Doppler, ABP, and pulse oximeter derived MAP. A total of five phase I and 36 phase II patients were recruited during February-June 2014. In phase I, the average MAP measured by pulse oximeter was closer to arterial line MAP rather than Doppler (P = 0.06) or ABP (P < 0.01). In phase II, pulse oximeter MAP (96.6 mm Hg) was significantly closer to Doppler MAP (96.5 mm Hg) when compared to ABP (82.1 mm Hg) (P = 0.0001). Pulse oximeter derived blood pressure measurement may be as reliable as Doppler in patients with continuous flow LVADs.

B-Type Natriuretic Peptide Levels Predict Ventricular Arrhythmia Post Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation.

B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels have been shown to predict ventricular arrhythmia (VA) and sudden death in patients with heart failure. We sought to determine whether BNP levels before left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation can predict VA post LVAD implantation in advanced heart failure patients. We conducted a retrospective study consisting of patients who underwent LVAD implantation in our institution during the period of May 2009-March 2013. The study was limited to patients receiving a HeartMate II or HeartWare LVAD. Acute myocardial infarction patients were excluded. We compared between the patients who developed VA within 15 days post LVAD implantation to the patients without VA. A total of 85 patients underwent LVAD implantation during the study period. Eleven patients were excluded (five acute MI, four without BNP measurements, and two discharged earlier than 13 days post LVAD implantation). The incidence of VA was 31%, with 91% ventricular tachycardia (VT) and 9% ventricular fibrillation. BNP remained the single most powerful predictor of VA even after adjustment for other borderline significant factors in a multivariate logistic regression model (P < 0.05). BNP levels are a strong predictor of VA post LVAD implantation, surpassing previously described risk factors such as age and VT in the past.

Successful Treatment of Refractory Post-Transplant Lymphoproliferative Disorder With Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell Therapy in a Heart Transplant Recipient.

Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLDs) are opportunistic malignancies that complicate the success of hematopoietic stem cell or solid organ transplantation. These disorders often arise post-transplant due to the immunosuppression required for minimizing the risk of rejection of donor tissue. First-line treatment of these disorders includes limiting immunosuppression when permissible. Subsequent treatment includes the use of monoclonal anti-CD20 antibody (rituximab), and/or combination chemotherapy. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy has revolutionized the treatment paradigm in many lymphoid malignancies. It is not approved for PTLD due to exclusion of PTLD patients from pivotal clinical trials. Also, its utilization post-transplant can be complex and multidisciplinary care is of utmost importance for successful administration of a potentially curative treatment. We present a 68-year-old patient with history of heart transplant for non-ischemic cardiomyopathy, diagnosed with PTLD that was refractory to treatment using current guidelines until successfully receiving CAR T-cell therapy.

Transmission of yellow fever vaccine virus through blood transfusion and organ transplantation in the USA in 2021: report of an investigation.

BACKGROUND: In 2021, four patients who had received solid organ transplants in the USA developed encephalitis beginning 2-6 weeks after transplantation from a common organ donor. We describe an investigation into the cause of encephalitis in these patients. METHODS: From Nov 7, 2021, to Feb 24, 2022, we conducted a public health investigation involving 15 agencies and medical centres in the USA. We tested various specimens (blood, cerebrospinal fluid, intraocular fluid, serum, and tissues) from the organ donor and recipients by serology, RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry, metagenomic next-generation sequencing, and host gene expression, and conducted a traceback of blood transfusions received by the organ donor. FINDINGS: We identified one read from yellow fever virus in cerebrospinal fluid from the recipient of a kidney using metagenomic next-generation sequencing. Recent infection with yellow fever virus was confirmed in all four organ recipients by identification of yellow fever virus RNA consistent with the 17D vaccine strain in brain tissue from one recipient and seroconversion after transplantation in three recipients. Two patients recovered and two patients had no neurological recovery and died. 3 days before organ procurement, the organ donor received a blood transfusion from a donor who had received a yellow fever vaccine 6 days before blood donation. INTERPRETATION: This investigation substantiates the use of metagenomic next-generation sequencing for the broad-based detection of rare or unexpected pathogens. Health-care workers providing vaccinations should inform patients of the need to defer blood donation for at least 2 weeks after receiving a yellow fever vaccine. Despite mitigation strategies and safety interventions, a low risk of transfusion-transmitted infections remains. FUNDING: US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, and the CDC Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity Cooperative Agreement for Infectious Diseases.

A Case for Inclusion of Genetic Counselors in Cardiac Care.

Recent advances in genetic testing for heritable cardiac diseases have led to an increasing involvement of the genetic counselor in cardiology practice. We present a series of cases collected from a nationwide query of genetics professionals regarding issues related to cost and utilization of genetic testing. Three themes emerged across cases: (1) choosing the most appropriate genetic test, (2) choosing the best person to test, and (3) interpreting results accurately. These cases demonstrate that involvement of a genetic counselor throughout the evaluation, diagnosis, and continuing management of individuals and families with inherited cardiovascular conditions helps to promote the efficient use of healthcare dollars.

B-type natriuretic peptide-guided therapy and length of hospital stay post left ventricular assist device implantation.

B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP)-guided therapy during the early postoperative period following left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation has not been well described in the literature. We conducted a retrospective cohort study consisting of consecutive patients who underwent LVAD implantation at our institution during May 2009 to March 2013. The study was limited to patients receiving HeartMate II (Thoratec) or HVAD (HeartWare) LVADs. Patients with acute myocardial infarction were excluded. We compared between patients with multiple postoperative BNP tests (BNP-guided therapy) and earlier period patients who typically had only a baseline BNP measurement (non-BNP-guided therapy). A total of 85 patients underwent LVAD implantation during the study period. Eight patients were excluded (five acute myocardial infarction, three without BNP measurements). The only differences in the baseline characteristics of BNP versus non-BNP-guided therapy included age and female gender. The postoperative length of hospital stay (LOS) in the BNP-guided therapy group was 5 days shorter when compared with the non-BNP-guided therapy group. In multivariate analysis, BNP-guided therapy remained a significant predictor of reduced LOS. The use of repeated BNP measurements during the early postoperative period was associated with a significantly lower LOS post LVAD implantation.