Clinical Outcomes Associated With Diltiazem Use in Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction After Implementation of a Clinical Support System.

BACKGROUND: Despite atrial fibrillation guideline recommendations, many patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (EF) continue to receive IV diltiazem for acute rate control. OBJECTIVE: Our institution recently implemented a clinical decision support system (CDSS)-based tool that recommends against the use of diltiazem in patients with an EF ≤ 40%. The objective of this study was to evaluate outcomes of adherence to the aforementioned CDSS-based tool. METHODS: This multi-hospital, retrospective study assessed patients who triggered the CDSS alert and compared those who did and did not discontinue diltiazem. The primary outcome was the occurrence of clinical deterioration. The primary endpoint was compared utilizing a Fisher's Exact Test, and a multivariate logistic regression model was developed to confirm the results of the primary analysis. RESULTS: A total of 246 patients were included in this study with 146 patients in the nonadherent group (received diltiazem) and 100 patients in the adherent group (did not receive diltiazem). There was a higher proportion of patients experiencing clinical deterioration in the alert nonadherence group (33% vs 21%, P = 0.044), including increased utilization of inotropes and vasopressors, and higher rate of transfer to ICU. CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE: In patients with heart failure with reduced EF, diltiazem use after nonadherence to a CDSS alert resulted in an increased risk of clinical deterioration. This study highlights the need for improved provider adherence to diltiazem clinical decision support systems.

Outcomes of Impella 5.0 and 5.5 for cardiogenic shock: A single-center 137 patient experience.

BACKGROUND: This study evaluated the outcomes of patients with cardiogenic shock (CS) supported with Impella 5.0 or 5.5 and identified risk factors for in-hospital mortality. METHODS: Adults with CS who were supported with Impella 5.0 or 5.5 at a single institution were included. Patients were stratified into three groups according to their CS etiology: (1) acute myocardial infarction (AMI), (2) acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF), and (3) postcardiotomy (PC). The primary outcome was survival, and secondary outcomes included adverse events during Impella support and length of stay. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify risk factors for in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: One hundred and thirty-seven patients with CS secondary to AMI (n = 47), ADHF (n = 86), and PC (n = 4) were included. The ADHF group had the highest survival rates at all time points. Acute kidney injury (AKI) was the most common complication during Impella support in all 3 groups. Increased rates of AKI and de novo renal replacement therapy were observed in the PC group, and the AMI group experienced a higher incidence of bleeding requiring transfusion. Multivariable analysis demonstrated diabetes mellitus, elevated pre-insertion serum lactate, and elevated pre-insertion serum creatinine were independent predictors of in-hospital mortality, but the etiology of CS did not impact mortality. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that Impella 5.0 and 5.5 provide effective mechanical support for patients with CS with favorable outcomes, with nearly two-thirds of patients alive at 180 days. Diabetes, elevated pre-insertion serum lactate, and elevated pre-insertion serum creatinine are strong risk factors for in-hospital mortality.

Pulmonary Artery Catheter Use and Risk of In-hospital Death in Heart Failure Cardiogenic Shock.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary artery catheters (PACs) are increasingly used to guide management decisions in cardiogenic shock (CS). The goal of this study was to determine if PAC use was associated with a lower risk of in-hospital mortality in CS owing to acute heart failure (HF-CS). METHODS AND RESULTS: This multicenter, retrospective, observational study included patients with CS hospitalized between 2019 and 2021 at 15 US hospitals participating in the Cardiogenic Shock Working Group registry. The primary end point was in-hospital mortality. Inverse probability of treatment-weighted logistic regression models were used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI), accounting for multiple variables at admission. The association between the timing of PAC placement and in-hospital death was also analyzed. A total of 1055 patients with HF-CS were included, of whom 834 (79%) received a PAC during their hospitalization. In-hospital mortality risk for the cohort was 24.7% (n = 261). PAC use was associated with lower adjusted in-hospital mortality risk (22.2% vs 29.8%, OR 0.68, 95% CI 0.50-0.94). Similar associations were found across SCAI stages of shock, both at admission and at maximum SCAI stage during hospitalization. Early PAC use (≤6 hours of admission) was observed in 220 PAC recipients (26%) and associated with a lower adjusted risk of in-hospital mortality compared with delayed (≥48 hours) or no PAC use (17.3% vs 27.7%, OR 0.54, 95% CI 0.37-0.81). CONCLUSIONS: This observational study supports PAC use, because it was associated with decreased in-hospital mortality in HF-CS, especially if performed within 6 hours of hospital admission. CONDENSED ABSTRACT: An observational study from the Cardiogenic Shock Working Group registry of 1055 patients with HF-CS showed that pulmonary artery catheter (PAC) use was associated with a lower adjusted in-hospital mortality risk (22.2% vs 29.8%, odds ratio 0.68, 95% confidence interval 0.50-0.94) compared with outcomes in patients managed without PAC. Early PAC use (≤6 hours of admission) was associated with a lower adjusted risk of in-hospital mortality compared with delayed (≥48 hours) or no PAC use (17.3% vs 27.7%, odds ratio 0.54, 95% confidence interval 0.37-0.81).

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation for Graft Dysfunction Early After Heart Transplantation: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) is a prevailing option for the management of severe early graft dysfunction. This systematic review and individual patient data (IPD) meta-analysis aims to evaluate (1) mortality, (2) rates of major complications, (3) prognostic factors, and (4) the effect of different VA-ECMO strategies on outcomes in adult heart transplant (HT) recipients supported with VA-ECMO. METHODS AND RESULTS: We conducted a systematic search and included studies of adults (≥18 years) who received VA-ECMO during their index hospitalization after HT and reported on mortality at any timepoint. We pooled data using random effects models. To identify prognostic factors, we analysed IPD using mixed effects logistic regression. We assessed the certainty in the evidence using the GRADE framework. We included 49 observational studies of 1477 patients who received VA-ECMO after HT, of which 15 studies provided IPD for 448 patients. There were no differences in mortality estimates between IPD and non-IPD studies. The short-term (30-day/in-hospital) mortality estimate was 33% (moderate certainty, 95% confidence interval [CI] 28%-39%) and 1-year mortality estimate 50% (moderate certainty, 95% CI 43%-57%). Recipient age (odds ratio 1.02, 95% CI 1.01-1.04) and prior sternotomy (OR 1.57, 95% CI 0.99-2.49) are associated with increased short-term mortality. There is low certainty evidence that early intraoperative cannulation and peripheral cannulation reduce the risk of short-term death. CONCLUSIONS: One-third of patients who receive VA-ECMO for early graft dysfunction do not survive 30 days or to hospital discharge, and one-half do not survive to 1 year after HT. Improving outcomes will require ongoing research focused on optimizing VA-ECMO strategies and care in the first year after HT.

Basiliximab induction versus no induction in adult heart transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Induction immunosuppression in heart transplant recipients varies greatly by center. Basiliximab (BAS) is the most commonly used induction immunosuppressant but has not been shown to reduce rejection or improve survival. The objective of this retrospective study was to compare rejection, infection, and mortality within the first 12 months following heart transplant in patients who received BAS or no induction. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study of adult heart transplant recipients given BAS or no induction from January 1, 2017 to May 31, 2021. The primary endpoint was incidence of treated acute cellular rejection (ACR) at 12-months post-transplant. Secondary endpoints included ACR at 90 days post-transplant, incidence of antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) at 90 days and 1 year, incidence of infection, and all-cause mortality at 1 year. RESULTS: A total of 108 patients received BAS, and 26 patients received no induction within the specified timeframe. There was a lower incidence of ACR within the first year in the BAS group compared to the no induction group (27.7 vs. 68.2%, p < .002). BAS was independently associated with a lower probability of having a rejection event during the first 12-months post-transplant (hazard ratio (HR) .285, 95% confidence interval [CI] .142-.571, p < .001). There was no difference in the rate of infection and in mortality after hospital discharge at 1-year post-transplant (6% vs. 0%, p = .20). CONCLUSION: BAS appears to be associated with greater freedom from rejection without an increase in infections. BAS may be a preferred to a no induction strategy in patients undergoing heart transplantation.

Reduction of HLA donor specific antibodies in heart transplant patients treated with proteasome inhibitors for antibody mediated rejection.

In this project, we describe proteasome inhibitor (PI) treatment of antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) in heart transplantation (HTX). From January 2018 to September 2021, 10 patients were treated with PI for AMR: carfilzomib (CFZ) n = 8; bortezomib (BTZ) n = 2. Patients received 1-3 cycles of PI. All patients had ≥1 strong donor-specific antibody (DSA) (mean fluorescence intensity [MFI] > 8000) in undiluted serum. Most DSAs (20/21) had HLA class II specificity. The MFI of strong DSAs had a median reduction of 56% (IQR = 13%-89%) in undiluted serum and 92% (IQR = 53%-95%) at 1:16 dilution. Seventeen DSAs in seven patients were reduced > 50% at 1:16 dilution after treatment. Four DSAs from three patients did not respond. DSA with MFI > 8000 at 1:16 dilution was less responsive to treatment. 60% (6/10) patients presented with graft dysfunction; 4/6 recovered ejection fraction > 40% after treatment. Pathologic AMR was resolved in 5/7 (71.4%) of patients within 1 year after treatment. 9/10 (90%) patients survived to 1 year after AMR diagnosis. Using PI in AMR resulted in significant DSA reduction with some resolution of graft dysfunction. Larger studies are needed to evaluate PI for AMR.

Outcomes of systemic bivalirudin and sodium bicarbonate purge solution for Impella 5.5.

BACKGROUND: Impella 5.5 (Abiomed; Danvers, MA) (IMP5) is a commonly used, surgically implanted, tMCS device that requires systemic anticoagulation and purge solution to avoid pump failure. To avoid heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) from unfractionated heparin (UFH) use, our program has explored the utility of bivalirudin (BIV) for systemic anticoagulation and sodium bicarbonate-dextrose purge solution (SBPS) in IMP5.5. METHODS: This single center, retrospective study included 34 patients supported on IMP5.5 with BIV based AC and SBPS between December 1st 2020 to December 1st 2021.The efficacy and safety end points were incidence of development of HIT, Tissue Plasminogen Activator (tPA) use for suspected pump thrombosis, stroke, and device failure as well as clinically significant bleeding. RESULTS: The median duration of IMP5.5 support was 9.8 days (IQR: 6-15). Most patients were bridged to HTX (58%) followed by recovery (27%) and LVAD implantation (15%). Patients were therapeutic on bivalirudin for 64% of their IMP5.5 support. One patient (2.9%) suffered from ischemic stroke and 26.5% (9) patients developed clinically significant bleeding. tPA was administered to 7(21%) patients. One patient in the entire cohort developed HIT. CONCLUSIONS: Our experience supports the use of systemic BIV and SBPS as a method to avoid heparin exposure in a patient population predisposed to the development of HIT.

Health-related quality of life and psychological indicators of thriving 15-19 years after heart or lung transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Survival into the second decade after cardiothoracic transplantation (CTX) is no longer uncommon. Few data exist on any health-related quality of life (HRQOL) impairments survivors face, or whether they may even experience positive psychological outcomes indicative of "thriving" (e.g., personal growth). We provide such data in a long-term survivor cohort. METHODS: Among 304 patients prospectively studied across the first 2 years post-CTX, we re-interviewed patients ≥15 years post-CTX. We (a) examined levels of HRQOL and positive psychological outcomes (posttraumatic growth related to CTX, purpose in life, life satisfaction) at follow-up, (b) evaluated change since transplant with mixed-effects models, and (c) identified psychosocial and clinical correlates of study outcomes with multivariable regression. RESULTS: Of 77 survivors, 64 (83%) were assessed (35 heart, 29 lung recipients; 15-19 years post-CTX). Physical HRQOL was poorer than the general population norm and earlier post-transplant levels (P's < .001). Mental HRQOL exceeded the norm (P < .001), with little temporal change (P = .070). Mean positive psychological outcome scores exceeded scales' midpoints at follow-up. Life satisfaction, assessed longitudinally, declined over time (P < .001) but remained similar to the norm at follow-up. Recent hospitalization and dyspnea increased patients' likelihood of poor physical HRQOL at follow-up (P's ≤ .022). Lower sense of mastery and poorer caregiver support lessened patients' likelihood of positive psychological outcomes (P's ≤ .049). Medical comorbidities and type of CTX were not associated with study outcomes at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Despite physical HRQOL impairment, long-term CTX survivors otherwise showed favorable outcomes. Clinical attention to correlates of HRQOL and positive psychological outcomes may help maximize survivors' well-being.

Artificial Intelligence and Mechanical Circulatory Support.

Advances in machine learning algorithms and computing power have fueled a rapid increase in artificial intelligence research in health care, including mechanical circulatory support. In this review, we highlight the needs for artificial intelligence in the mechanical circulatory support field and summarize existing artificial intelligence applications in 3 areas: identifying patients appropriate for mechanical circulatory support therapy, predicting risks after mechanical circulatory support device implantation, and monitoring for adverse events. We address the challenges of incorporating artificial intelligence in daily clinical practice and recommend demonstration of artificial intelligence tools' clinical efficacy, reliability, transparency, and equity to drive implementation.

Geographic disparities in heart transplantation persist under the new allocation policy.

BACKGROUND: This study evaluated the impact of the 2018 heart allocation policy change on geographic disparities in United States orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT). METHODS: The United Network for Organ Sharing registry was queried to measure geographic disparity in OHT rates between pre-policy and post-policy change eras. We performed multilevel Poisson regression to measure region-level OHT rates. We derived an allocation priority-adjusted median incidence rate ratio (MIRR) for each policy era, a measure of median change in OHT rates between regions. RESULTS: 5958.78 waitlist person-years were analyzed, comprising 6596 OHT procedures (3890 pre-policy and 2706 post-policy). Median region-level OHT rate was .94 transplants/person-years before and 1.51 transplants/person-years after the policy change (P < .001). The unadjusted OHT MIRR across regions was 1.29 (95% CI 1.00-1.50) pre-policy change and 1.17 (95% CI 1.00-1.43) post-policy change, suggesting that the region-related variance in OHT rates decreased under the new allocation. After adjustment for allocation priority risk factors, the MIRR pre-policy change was 1.13 (95% CI 1.01-1.32) and post-policy change was 1.15 (95% CI 1.00-1.35). CONCLUSIONS: Geography accounts for ∼10% of the disparity among United States OHT rates. Despite broader heart sharing, the updated allocation policy did not substantially alter the existing geographic disparities among OHT recipients.

Impact of various sizing metrics on female donor to male recipient heart transplant outcomes.

BACKGROUND: This study evaluated the impact of various sizing metrics on outcomes of female donor to male recipient orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT). METHODS: We queried the United Network of Organ Sharing database to analyze all isolated, primary adult OHTs from January 1, 2010 to January 20, 020. Patients were stratified by donor-recipient sex pairing. Logistic regression was used to investigate risk-adjusted effects of current size matching criteria (weight ratio, body mass index [BMI] ratio, predicted heart mass [pHM] ratio) on 1-year posttransplant mortality. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to compare posttransplant survival among cohorts. RESULTS: A total of 22,450 patients were analyzed, of which 3019 (13.4%) underwent female-to-male transplantation. Of sex-matched pairs, female-to-male donation had the lowest proportion of undersized hearts using weight and BMI ratio metrics (10.5% and 5.2%) but had the highest proportion of undersizing using pHM metrics (48.1%) (all p < 0.001). Female-to-male recipients had the lowest rate of unadjusted 1-year survival (90.0%, p = 0.0169), and increased hazards of mortality after risk adjustment (odds ratio [OR]: 1.17, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01-1.36, p = 0.034). Undersizing using pHM (donor-recipient ratio <0.85) was the only metric found to be associated in increased mortality after risk adjustment (OR: 1.32, 95% CI: 1.02-1.71, p = 0.035). CONCLUSION: Female-to-male heart transplantation has the worst survival of all sex-matching combinations. Although female donors in this cohort are appropriately sized using traditional metrics, half are under-sized using pHM. This, combined with its strong association with mortality, underscores the importance of routine pHM assessment when evaluating female donors for male recipients.

The predictive value of preimplant pulmonary function testing in LVAD patients.

BACKGROUND: The predictive value of preoperative pulmonary function testing (PFT) in left ventricular assist device (LVAD) patients remains unknown. This study evaluates the relationship between abnormal PFTs and postimplant outcomes in LVAD patients. METHODS: LVAD implants from January 2004 to December 2018 at a single institution were included. Patients were stratified based on the presence of abnormal preoperative PFTs, and the primary outcome was respiratory adverse events (AE). Secondary outcomes included 1-year overall postimplant survival, and complications including bleeding, renal failure, thromboembolism, and device malfunction. RESULTS: The total of 333 patients underwent LVAD implant, 46.5% (n = 155) with normal PFTs and 53.5% (n = 178) with abnormal PFTs. Patients with abnormal PFTs were noted to have higher rates of respiratory AEs (25.9% vs. 15.1%, p = .049). In multivariable analysis, the impact of PFTs was most significant when forced expiratory volume in 1 s/forced expiratory volume (FEV1/FVC) ratio was less than 0.5 (hazard ratio [HR] 16.32, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.70-156.78). The rates of other AEs including bleeding, renal failure, right heart failure, and device malfunction were similar. One-year overall postimplant survival was comparable between the groups (56.8% vs. 68.8%, p = .3183), though patients in the lowest strata of FEV1 (<60% predicted) and FEV1/FVC (<0.5) had elevated risk-adjusted hazards for mortality (HR 2.63, 95% CI, 1.51-4.60 and HR 18.92, 95% CI, 2.10-170.40, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of abnormal preoperative PFTs is not prohibitory for LVAD implantation although it can be used for risk stratification for respiratory AEs and mortality, particularly in patients with severely reduced metrics. The importance of careful patient selection should be underscored in this higher risk patient subset.

Acute right ventricular failure in a patient with nonischemic cardiogenic shock on left-sided mechanical circulatory support.

We report a case of acute right ventricular failure in a patient with cardiogenic shock on left-sided mechanical circulatory support with Impella 5.0. The patient was successfully bridged to heart transplantation using additional right-sided support with Protek Duo. Key learning points of the case include prompt recognition of acute right ventricular failure in patients on left-sided support, early consideration of right-ventricular mechanical support platforms, and timely deployment of right-sided mechanical support.

Twenty-year survival following orthotopic heart transplantation in the United States.

BACKGROUND: This study evaluated 20-year survival after adult orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT). METHODS: The United Network of Organ Sharing Registry database was queried to study adult OHT recipients between 1987 and 1998 with over 20-year posttransplant follow-up. The primary and secondary outcomes were 20-year survival and cause of death after OHT, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify significant independent predictors of long-term survival, and long-term survival was compared among cohorts stratified by number of predictors using Kaplan Meier survival analysis. RESULTS: 20,658 patients undergoing OHT were included, with a median follow-up of 9.0 (IQR, 3.2-15.4) years. Kaplan-Meier estimates of 10-, 15-, and 20-year survival were 50.2%, 30.1%, and 17.2%, respectively. Median survival was 10.1 (IQR, 3.9-16.9) years. Increasing recipient age (>65 years), increasing donor age (>40 years), increasing recipient body mass index (>30), black race, ischemic cardiomyopathy, and longer cold ischemic time (>4 h) were adversely associated with a 20-year survival. Of these 6 negative predictors, presence of 0 risk factors had the greatest 10-year (59.7%) and 20-year survival (26.2%), with decreasing survival with additional negative predictors. The most common cause of death in 20-year survivors was renal, liver, and/or multisystem organ failure whereas graft failure more greatly impacted earlier mortality. CONCLUSIONS: This study identifies six negative preoperative predictors of 20-year survival with 20-year survival rates exceeding 25% in the absence of these factors. These data highlight the potential for very long-term survival after OHT in patients with end-stage heart failure and may be useful for patient selection and prognostication.

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation bridge to heart transplant: Trends following the allocation change.

BACKGROUND: This study compared outcomes of patients bridged with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) to orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT) following the recent heart allocation policy change. METHODS: The United Network of Organ Sharing Registry (UNOS) database was queried to examine OHT patients between 2010 and 2020 that were bridged with ECMO. Waitlist outcomes and 1-year posttransplant survival were compared between patients waitlisted and/or transplanted before and after the heart allocation policy change. Secondary outcomes included posttransplant stroke, renal failure, and 1-year rejection. RESULTS: A total of 285 waitlisted patients were included, 173 (60.7%) waitlisted under the old policy and 112 (39.3%) under the new policy. New policy patients were more likely to receive OHT (82.2% vs. 40.6%), and less likely to be removed from the waitlist due to death or clinical deterioration (15.0% vs. 41.3%; both p < .001). A total of 165 patients bridged from ECMO to OHT were analyzed, 72 (43.6%) transplanted during the old policy and 93 (56.3%) under the new. Median waitlist time was reduced under the new policy (4 days [interquartile range {IQR}: 2-6] vs. 47 days [IQR: 10-228]). Postoperative renal failure was higher in the new policy group (23% vs. 6%; p = .002), but rates of stroke and 1-year acute rejection were equivalent. One-year survival was lower the new policy but was not significant (79.8% vs. 90.3%; p = .3917). CONCLUSIONS: The UNOS heart allocation policy change has resulted in decreased waitlist times and higher likelihood of transplant in patients supported with ECMO. Posttransplant 1-year survival has remained comparable although absolute rates are lower.

Nationwide variability in the use of induction immunosuppression for adult heart transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Institutional factors have been shown to impact outcomes following orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT). This study evaluated center variability in the utilization of induction therapy for OHT and its implications on clinical outcomes. METHODS: Adult OHT patients between 2010 and 2018 were identified from the United Network for Organ Sharing registry. Transplant centers were stratified based on their rates of induction therapy utilization. Mixed-effects logistic regression models were created with drug-treated rejection within 1 year as primary endpoint and individual centers as a random parameter. Risk-adjusted Cox regression was used to evaluate patient-level mortality outcomes. RESULTS: In 17,524 OHTs performed at 100 centers, induction therapy was utilized in 48.6% (n = 8411) with substantial variability between centers (interquartile range, 21.4%-79.1%). There were 36, 30, and 34 centers in the low (<29%), intermediate (29%-66%), and high (>67%) induction utilization terciles groups, respectively. Induction therapy did not account for the observed variability in the treated rejection rate at 1 year among centers after adjusting for donor and recipient factors (p = .20). No differences were observed in postoperative outcomes among induction utilization centers groups (all, p > .05). Furthermore, there was a weak correlation between the percentage of induction therapy utilization at the center-level and recipients found to have moderate (r = .03) or high (r = .04) baseline risks for acute rejection at 1 year. CONCLUSIONS: This analysis demonstrates that there is substantial variability in the use of induction therapy among OHT centers. In addition, there was a minimal correlation with baseline recipient risk or 1-year rejection rates, suggesting a need for better-standardized practices for induction therapy use in OHT.

Initial skin cancer screening for solid organ transplant recipients in the United States: Delphi method development of expert consensus guidelines.

Skin cancer is the most common malignancy affecting solid organ transplant recipients (SOTR), and SOTR experience increased skin cancer-associated morbidity and mortality. There are no formal multidisciplinary guidelines for skin cancer screening after transplant, and current practices are widely variable. We conducted three rounds of Delphi method surveys with a panel of 84 U.S. dermatologists and transplant physicians to establish skin cancer screening recommendations for SOTR. The transplant team should risk stratify SOTR for screening, and dermatologists should perform skin cancer screening by full-body skin examination. SOTR with a history of skin cancer should continue regular follow-up with dermatology for skin cancer surveillance. High-risk transplant patients include thoracic organ recipients, SOTR age 50 and above, and male SOTR. High-risk Caucasian patients should be screened within 2 years after transplant, all Caucasian, Asian, Hispanic, and high-risk African American patients should be screened within 5 years after transplant. No consensus was reached regarding screening for low-risk African American SOTR. We propose a standardized approach to skin cancer screening in SOTR based on multidisciplinary expert consensus. These guidelines prioritize and emphasize the need for screening for SOTR at greatest risk for skin cancer.

Pulmonary vascular resistance determines mortality in end-stage renal disease patients with pulmonary hypertension.

The multifactorial etiology of pulmonary hypertension (PH) in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) includes patients with and without elevated pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR). We explored the prognostic implication of this distinction by evaluating pretransplant ESRD patients who underwent right heart catheterization and echocardiography. Demographics, clinical data, and test results were analyzed. All-cause mortality data were obtained. Median follow-up was 4 years. Of the 150 patients evaluated, echocardiography identified 99 patients (66%) with estimated pulmonary artery (PA) systolic pressure > 36 mm Hg, which correlated poorly with mortality (HR = 1.28, 95% CI 0.72-2.27, P = .387). Right heart catheterization identified 88 (59%) patients with mean PA pressure ≥ 25 mm Hg. Of these, 70 had PVR ≤ 3 Wood units and 18 had PVR > 3 Wood units. Survival analysis demonstrated a significant prognostic effect of an elevated PVR in patients with high mean PA pressures (HR = 2.26, 95% CI 1.07-4.77, P = .03), while patients with high mean PA pressure and normal PVR had equivalent survival to those with normal PA pressure. Despite the high prevalence of PH in ESRD patients, elevated PVR is uncommon and is a determinant of prognosis in patients with PH. Patients with normal PVR had survival equivalent to those with normal PA pressures.

Donation after circulatory death improves probability of heart transplantation in waitlisted candidates and results in post-transplant outcomes similar to those achieved with brain-dead donors.

OBJECTIVE: To quantitate the impact of heart donation after circulatory death (DCD) donor utilization on both waitlist and post-transplant outcomes in the United States. METHODS: The United Network for Organ Sharing database was queried to identify all adult waitlisted and transplanted candidates between October 18, 2018, and December 31, 2022. Waitlisted candidates were stratified according to whether they had been approved for donation after brain death (DBD) offers only or also approved for DCD offers. The cumulative incidence of transplantation was compared between the 2 cohorts. In a post-transplant analysis, 1-year post-transplant survival was compared between unmatched and propensity-score-matched cohorts of DBD and DCD recipients. RESULTS: A total of 14,803 candidates were waitlisted, including 12,287 approved for DBD donors only and 2516 approved for DCD donors. Overall, DCD approval was associated with an increased sub-hazard ratio (HR) for transplantation and a lower sub-HR for delisting owing to death/deterioration after risk adjustment. In a subgroup analysis, candidates with blood type B and status 4 designation received the greatest benefit from DCD approval. A total of 12,238 recipients underwent transplantation, 11,636 with DBD hearts and 602 with DCD hearts. Median waitlist times were significantly shorter for status 3 and status 4 recipients receiving DCD hearts. One-year post-transplant survival was comparable between unmatched and propensity score-matched cohorts of DBD and DCD recipients. CONCLUSIONS: The use of DCD hearts confers a higher probability of transplantation and a lower incidence of death/deterioration while on the waitlist, particularly among certain subpopulations such as status 4 candidates. Importantly, the use of DCD donors results in similar post-transplant survival as DBD donors.

Beta blockers are associated with lower all-cause mortality among HFpEF patients.

BACKGROUND: The evidence regarding beta blocker (BB) benefit in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) remains inconclusive, leading to consideration of BB withdrawal in this population. OBJECTIVES: In this study, we retrospectively analyzed the association of BB on all-cause mortality in HFpEF patients. METHODS: This is a single-center retrospective cohort study of 20,206 patients with left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) ≥ 50% who were hospitalized with decompensated HF between January 2011 and March 2020. Survival is reported at 30 days, 1 year, and 3 years. A secondary analysis comparing mortality for patients on BB with additional indications including hypertension (HTN), coronary artery disease (CAD), and atrial fibrillation (AF) was completed. Mortality was compared between patients on BB and additional therapies of spironolactone or angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers (ACEi/ARBs). RESULTS: BB showed lower all-cause mortality at 30 days, 1 year, and 3 years (p < 0.0001). This association with lower all-cause mortality was validated by a supplementary propensity score-matched analysis. At 3 years, there was significant mortality reduction with addition of BB to either spironolactone (p = 0.0359) or ACEi/ARBs (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: In a large single-center retrospective registry, BB use was associated with lower mortality in HFpEF patients with a recent decompensated HF hospitalization. The mortality benefit persisted in those treated with spironolactone or ACEi/ARBs, and in those with AF. This provocative data further highlights the uncertainty of the benefit of BB use in this cohort and calls for re-consideration of BB withdrawal, especially in those tolerating it well, without conclusive, large, and randomized trials showing lack of benefit or harm.