Impact of serial measurements of tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion on mortality and morbidity after heart transplantation.

The impact of right ventricular (RV) dysfunction on long-term post-HTx outcomes remains uncertain. We assessed the impact of serial measurements of Tricuspid Annular Plane Systolic Excursion (TAPSE) on post-HTx mortality and morbidity. This two-center retrospective cohort study included consecutive adult HTx recipients (2000-2017). We used multivariable extended hazard regression models to evaluate the association between TAPSE and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), entered as time-dependent variables, and all-cause mortality, cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV), acute cellular rejection (ACR), and chronic kidney disease (CKD). TAPSE was modelled using cubic splines. We included 485 HTx recipients (9461 TAPSE measurements), median (25th- 75th percentile) 19 (10-27) mm; median age was 52 (41-59) years, and 71.3% were male. During a follow-up of 6.7 (3.0-10.8) years, 92 patients died, 225 had ACR >2R, 234 CAV, and 91 CKD. By multivariable analysis, for each 1-mm decrease in patients with a TAPSE value <15mm, mortality increased by 22% (P<.001). For the average HTx recipient with a TAPSE of 15mm, 10mm, and 6mm, 1-year mortality was 3%, 7%, and 17%, and 5-year mortality was 8%, 20%, and 43%, respectively. Reduced TAPSE was significantly associated with increased CAV but notACR and CKD. A decrease in TAPSE below 15mm represents clinically significant graft dysfunction, warranting close monitoring.

Outcome in patients treated with isolated liver transplantation for familial transthyretin amyloidosis to prevent cardiomyopathy.

BACKGROUND: Familial transthyretin (TTR) amyloidosis is caused by different TTR mutations resulting in different clinical phenotypes of the disease. The Leu111Met mutation causes severe restrictive cardiomyopathy. Liver transplantation (LTx) is an established treatment option for patients with TTR amyloidosis; however, information on outcome after isolated LTx in patients with Leu111Met mutation amyloidosis is limited. METHODS: Between 2005 and 2012, six patients with TTR Leu111Met amyloidosis underwent isolated orthotopic LTx. None suffered from neuropathy. Prior to LTx, patients presented with echocardiographic manifestations of early cardiac amyloid involvement and in five endomyocardial biopsy was positive for TTR amyloid. RESULTS: Median age at LTx was 45.5 yr (range 39-54), and four were male (67%). All patients were alive at a median follow-up of 56.6 months (range 18-104). No surgical complications occurred. Two patients (33%) underwent cardiac transplantation during follow-up due to progressive cardiomyopathy. The remaining four patients experienced no echocardiographic or clinical deterioration of cardiac function following LTx. CONCLUSION: Isolated LTx appears to be a valuable treatment option for patients with familial TTR amyloidosis due to Leu111Met mutation. Appropriate timing of LTx is of utmost importance to avoid development of severe amyloid cardiomyopathy and the need for combined heart and liver transplantation.

Factors associated with anti-human leukocyte antigen antibodies in patients supported with continuous-flow devices and effect on probability of transplant and post-transplant outcomes.

BACKGROUND: One major disadvantage of ventricular assist device (VAD) therapy is the development of human-leukocyte antigen (HLA) antibodies. We aimed to identify factors associated with HLA antibodies during continuous flow (CF)-VAD support and assess the effect on transplant probability and outcomes. METHODS: We included 143 consecutive heart failure patients who received a CF-VAD as a bridge-to-transplant at 3 institutions. Factors associated with post-VAD peak panel reactive antibodies (PRA) among several measurements were identified using multivariable linear regression. A parametric survival model was used to assess transplant waiting time and probability, risk of rejection, and a composite outcome of rejection, graft failure, and death. RESULTS: Thirty-six patients (25%) were female; mean age was 47 ± 13 years. Eighty-one patients (57%) had a pre-VAD PRA of 0%, and 16 were highly sensitized (PRA > 80%). Age, female sex, and pre-VAD PRA were independently associated with post-VAD PRA. A 10-year increase in age was associated with a 5% decrease in post-VAD PRA (p = 0.03). Post-VAD PRA was 19% higher in women vs men (p < 0.01). A 10%-increase in pre-VAD PRA was associated with a 4.7% higher post-VAD PRA (p < 0.01). During a mean follow-up of 12 ± 11 months, 90 patients underwent cardiac transplantation. A 20% increase in post-VAD PRA was associated with 13% lower probability of transplant (hazard ratio, 0.87; 95% confidence interval, 0.76-0.99). A high PRA was not associated with adverse post-transplant outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Younger age, female sex, and pre-VAD PRA were independent predictors of elevated PRA post-VAD. Higher PRA was significantly associated with lower transplant probability but not increased rejection, graft failure, or death after transplant.

Long-term outcome in patients treated with combined heart and liver transplantation for familial amyloidotic cardiomyopathy.

BACKGROUND: The amyloidogenic transthyretin (ATTR) mutation Leu111Met causes a primarily cardiac amyloidosis: Familial amyloidotic cardiomyopathy (FAC). Combined heart-liver transplantation (CHLTx) is the preferred treatment for patients with heart failure due to familial amyloidosis, but information on outcome of patients with Leu111Met mutation is limited. The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term outcome of CHLTx in patients with FAC. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Between 1998 and 2009, CHLTx was performed in 7 FAC patients (four men). Six patients underwent simultaneous transplantation. All patients suffered from severe cardiomyopathy. RESULTS: Mean recipient age at transplantation was 48.3 ± 4.2 yr. Mean follow-up was 55 months. No peroperative mortality occured. Two patients died within the first year (infection, multi-organ failure) of transplantation. Cumulative survival at 4.5 yr was 71%. No significant liver rejections occurred. One patient experienced an episode of cardiac rejection requiring treatment (H2R). For the surviving five patients, most recent left ventricular ejection fraction was 0.61 ± 0.02, and plasma creatinine was 129 ± 47 µM. None developed significant allograft vasculopathy or neuropathy after transplantation. No recurrence of cardiac amyloid was found. CONCLUSIONS: CHLTx in selected patients with FAC due to Leu111Met mutation offers acceptable long-term survival, almost comparable with isolated cardiac transplantation. Allograft rejection was rare.