HeartMate 3 implantation with an emphasis on the biventricular configuration.

OBJECTIVES: Right ventricular failure following implantation of a durable left ventricular assist device (LVAD) is a major driver of mortality. Reported survival following biventricular (BiVAD) or total artificial heart (TAH) implantation remains substantially inferior to LVAD alone. We report our outcomes with LVAD and BiVAD HeartMate 3 (HM3). METHODS: Consecutive patients undergoing implantation of an HM3 LVAD between November 2014 and December 2021, at The Alfred, Australia were included in the study. Comparison was made between the BiVAD and LVAD alone groups. RESULTS: A total of 86 patients, 65 patients with LVAD alone and 21 in a BiVAD configuration underwent implantation. The median age of the LVAD and BiVAD groups was 56 years (Interquartile range 46-62) and 49 years (Interquartile range 37-55), respectively. By 4 years after implantation, 54% of LVAD patients and 43% of BiVAD patients had undergone cardiac transplantation. The incidence of stroke in the entire experience was 3.5% and pump thrombosis 5% (all in the RVAD). There were 14 deaths in the LVAD group and 1 in the BiVAD group. The actuarial survival for LVAD patients at 1 year was 85% and BiVAD patients at 1 year was 95%. CONCLUSIONS: The application of HM 3 BiVAD support in selected patients appears to offer a satisfactory solution to patients requiring biventricular support.

Spontaneous echo contrast mimicking aortic root thrombus in a patient supported with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

Aortic root spontaneous echo contrast is a rare but significant finding. We report a 31-year-old female who was placed on venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation emergently for acute mitral regurgitation secondary to papillary muscle rupture. Following stabilization, subsequent transesophageal echocardiography suggested aortic root thrombus and prompted emergent surgery. However, further inspection with intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography revealed a spontaneous echo contrast which aided us in the intraoperative decision making.

Reversal of end-stage heart failure in juvenile hemochromatosis with iron chelation therapy: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Juvenile hemochromatosis is the most severe form of iron overloading phenotype. Although rare, it should be suspected in patients who present with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, diabetes mellitus, or cardiomyopathy without a clear cause. CASE PRESENTATION: A young Serbian male presenting with end-stage heart failure was referred for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. An endomyocardial biopsy revealed cytoplasmic iron deposits in myocytes. His condition was stabilized with biventricular assist devices and he was listed for heart transplantation. Iron chelation therapy was commenced and resulted in rapid removal of iron burden. Serial outpatient echocardiograms demonstrated myocardial recovery such that a successful biventricular assist device explant occurred 131 days after initial implant. Targeted gene sequencing revealed a loss-of-function mutation within the HJV gene, which is consistent with juvenile hemochromatosis. CONCLUSIONS: This rare case of a patient with juvenile hemochromatosis associated with a HJV mutation provides histologic evidence documenting the reversal of associated end-stage heart failure, requiring emergent mechanical circulatory support, with iron chelation therapy.

Exercise Hemodynamics as a Predictor of Myocardial Recovery in LVAD Patients.

Mechanical circulatory support using left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) has been demonstrated to improve survival in patients with advanced heart failure. Left ventricular assist device therapy also promotes reverse ventricular remodeling, which in some cases has led to sufficient myocardial recovery to allow LVAD removal. Identification of suitable patients for LVAD removal however remains challenging. We investigated the hypothesis that invasive assessment of exercise hemodynamics may provide additional information in relation to the assessment of contractile reserve in potential candidates for LVAD explant.

Physical function after extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in patients pre or post heart transplantation - An observational study.

OBJECTIVE: To describe physical function, leg complications and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in the three months following extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) pre- or post-heart transplantation (HTx). BACKGROUND: Little is known about functional recovery following ECMO before or after HTx. METHODS: A 2-year retrospective study in patients who received ECMO pre or post HTx. Strength, mobility, leg complications and HRQOL were recorded to hospital discharge. Six-minute walk distance (6MWD) was assessed at hospital discharge and 3 months. RESULTS: 25 patients were included, with 80% (20/25) survival to hospital discharge. At ICU discharge, strength and mobility were poor but improved by hospital discharge (p < 0.001) despite leg complications in 44% (11/25) of patients. The 6MWD improved over time (mean 203 m, 95% confidence interval 140-265). HRQOL scores were lower than Australian norms (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Patients requiring ECMO pre or post HTx had impaired physical function at ICU discharge and leg complications were common.

Successful Bridge to Orthotopic Cardiac Transplantation with Implantation of a HeartWare HVAD in Management of Systemic Right Ventricular Failure in a Patient with Transposition of the Great Arteries and Previous Atrial Switch Procedure.

A clinical case is described of a patient with a history of dextro-transposition of the great arteries (d-TGA) and prior atrial switch procedure who developed significant pulmonary hypertension whilst awaiting orthotopic cardiac transplantation. The increase in his pulmonary pressures necessitated de-listing for cardiac transplantation. A strategy of ventricular assist device (VAD) placement was then employed which provided improvement in his systemic cardiac output with left atrial off-loading to provide pulmonary vascular remodelling and consequently reduction in pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR). He was supported for a period of 408 days prior to successful orthotopic cardiac transplantation. A small number of cases with this abnormality undergoing VAD implantation have been described. Mechanical circulatory support has an important role in some patients with congenital heart disease.

Effects of exercise training on exercise capacity and quality of life in patients with a left ventricular assist device: a preliminary randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: A paucity of studies has examined the effect of exercise training after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation. Previous research has demonstrated that insertion of the LVAD alone improves exercise capacity and quality of life (QOL). This study investigated whether supervised exercise training results in a further improvement. METHODS: This prospective, randomized controlled trial with concealed allocation, assessor blinding, and intention-to-treat analysis investigated the effect of exercise training on exercise capacity and QOL in 14 patients who underwent LVAD insertion as a bridge to heart transplantation. Exercise training consisted of 8 weeks of gym-based aerobic and strengthening exercises 3 times a week, with a progressive mobilization program, compared with the control group that completed mobilization alone. Exercise capacity was measured before and after the intervention using maximal cardiopulmonary exercise testing and 6-minute walk distance (6MWD). QOL was measured using the Short Form 36-item assessment. RESULTS: No adverse events were reported. There was a trend toward greater improvement in peak oxygen consumption (Vo(2)), 6MWD, and QOL in the exercise group (n = 7) compared with the control group (n = 7); however, no significant between-group difference was detected for improvements in peak Vo(2) [mean difference (exercise--control)] of 2.96 ml/kg/min (95% confidence interval, -1.04 to 6.97), 6MWD at 54 meters (-51 to 159 meters), and QOL scores over time (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Exercise training is feasible and safe in patients with a LVAD. Trends toward greater improvement in exercise capacity and QOL after exercise training warrant further investigation in a larger trial.