Long-term heart transplant outcomes after lowering fixed pulmonary hypertension using left ventricular assist devices.

OBJECTIVES: Fixed pulmonary hypertension (fPH) is a contraindication for heart transplantation (HTX). Left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation as a bridge to candidacy can reverse fPH in patients with terminal heart failure by chronic left ventricular unloading. We report our institutional experience with terminal heart failure patients and fPH that were successfully bridged to candidacy and underwent subsequent HTX. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the data of 79 patients with terminal heart failure and fPH who were successfully bridged to candidacy for HTX with 6 different LVAD devices at our centre from October 1998 to September 2016 (Novacor n = 4, MicroMed DeBakey n = 29, DuraHeart n = 2, HeartMate II n = 14, HVAD n = 29 and MVAD n = 1). Median duration of LVAD support was 288 days (range 45-2279 days). Within the same timeframe, a control group of 48 patients underwent HTX after bridge-to-transplant LVAD therapy for reasons other than PH. Study end points were (i) development of fPH after LVAD implantation, (ii) post-transplant outcomes and (iii) incidence of severe adverse events. RESULTS: Pulmonary vascular resistance, assessed by vasodynamic catheterization, was 4.3 ± 1.8 WU before LVAD implantation. After a median support period of 89 days (interquartile range 4-156 days), pulmonary vascular resistance decreased to 2.0 ± 0.9 WU (P ≤ 0.001), and patients were listed for HTX. Median duration of LVAD support in the study group was 288 days (45-2279 days). We observed 2 patients (2.5%) with acute right heart failure who required extracorporeal mechanical support after HTX in the study group. Long-term post-transplant survival between the study group (3 years: 83.5%, 5 years: 81.0%) and the control group (3 years: 87.5%, 5 years: 85.4%) was comparable (log-rank: P = 0.585). CONCLUSIONS: LVAD implantation as a bridge to candidacy reverses fPH in patients with terminal heart failure. Post-HTX survival is excellent and comparable to results obtained in patients without fPH at the time of HTX listing.

Use of Levosimendan in Cardiac Surgery: An Update After the LEVO-CTS, CHEETAH, and LICORN Trials in the Light of Clinical Practice.

Levosimendan is a calcium sensitizer and adenosine triphosphate-dependent potassium channel opener, which exerts sustained hemodynamic, symptomatic, and organ-protective effects. It is registered for the treatment of acute heart failure, and when inotropic support is considered appropriate. In the past 15 years, levosimendan has been widely used in clinical practice and has also been tested in clinical trials to stabilize at-risk patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Recently, 3 randomized, placebo-controlled, multicenter studies (LICORN, CHEETAH, and LEVO-CTS) have been published reporting on the perioperative use of levosimendan in patients with compromised cardiac ventricular function. Taken together, many smaller trials conducted in the past suggested beneficial outcomes with levosimendan in perioperative settings. By contrast, the latest 3 studies were neutral or inconclusive. To understand the reasons for such dissimilarity, a group of experts from Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, and Russia, including investigators from the 3 most recent studies, met to discuss the study results in the light of both the previous literature and current clinical practice. Despite the fact that the null hypothesis could not be ruled out in the recent multicenter trials, we conclude that levosimendan can still be viewed as a safe and effective inodilator in cardiac surgery.

[Intensive care treatment of patients with left ventricular assist devices]. / Intensivbehandlung von Kranken mit Linksherzersatz.

Apart from heart transplantation, implantation of a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) is the only established surgical treatment for therapy-refractory terminal left heart failure, The specific intensive care unit (ICU) management of these patients depends on the reason for the ICU admission and requires understanding of the characteristic hemodynamics of non-pulsatile LVADs as well as of the inherent problems. Knowledge about the specific features in hemodynamic monitoring, understanding of pump characteristics, management of anticoagulation and hemostasis and the handling of problems, such as right heart failure, aortic valve insufficiency and infections is essential. The management of unconscious LVAD patients can be challenging. It requires a sophisticated transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography (TTE/TEE) examination, targeted laboratory diagnostics and consideration of possible alternative diagnoses. Professional interdisciplinary cooperation and exchange of current knowledge is crucial.

Off-pump HeartWare ventricular assist device implantation with outflow graft anastomosis to the left subclavian artery.

A novel, off-pump implantation technique for the HeartWare ventricular assist device with outflow graft anastomosis to the left subclavican artery is described. Cannulation of the left ventricular apex is performed through an incision in the left fourth or fifth intercostal space. The outflow graft is anastomosed to the left subclavian artery after tunneling through the left thoracic cavity and the first intercostal space. This technique is especially appealing in redo cases as well as in patients with significant calcifications of the ascending aorta or in destination-therapy patients.

Preoperative patient optimization using extracorporeal life support improves outcomes of INTERMACS Level I patients receiving a permanent ventricular assist device.

OBJECTIVES: Interagency Registry for Mechanical Assisted Circulatory Support (INTERMACS) Level I patients have the highest early mortality after ventricular assist device (VAD) implantation. This is determined by the exposure of patients in shock with acutely damaged end-organs and high catecholamine support to a significant surgical trauma. We report our experience with a bridge-to-bridge concept consisting of initial veno-arterial extracorporeal life support (ECLS) and deferral of VAD implantation to recovery of end-organ function in INTERMACS Level I patients. METHODS: We reviewed the concept of initial ECLS implantation and deferral of VAD implantation to end-organ recovery in 22 consecutive patients (mean age 54 ± 14 years; 72.2% males; 50% ischemic cardiomyopathy; 100% INTERMACS Level I; 18.2% Heartmate II, 68.2% Heartware HVAD, 4.5% Heartware BiVAD, 9.1% DeBakey LVAD) receiving a VAD for refractory cardiogenic shock between June 2004 and February 2013. Study endpoints were end-organ recovery during ECLS and survival. RESULTS: ECLS significantly improved renal (creatinine 1.86 ± 0.91 vs 1.32 ± 0.52 mg/dl, P = 0.02), hepatic (aspartate aminotransferase 1426 ± 2176 vs 277 ± 259 U/l, P = 0.04; alanine aminotransferase 982 ± 1466 vs 357 ± 447 U/l, P = 0.04) and pulmonary functions (fraction of inspired oxygen 52 ± 18 vs 26 ± 23%, P < 0.01; positive end-expiratory pressure 7 ± 3 vs 5 ± 4 mbar, P = 0.02) over a period of 8 ± 7 days. Catecholamines could be reduced during ECLS (levosimendan 0.056 ± 0.085 vs 0.010 ± 0.032 µg/kg/min, P = 0.06; dobutamine 4.362 ± 5.268 vs 0.056 ± 0.097 µg/kg/min, P = 0.06; noradrenaline 0.408 ± 0.355 vs 0.056 ± 0.097 µg/kg/min, P < 0.01). Thirty-day and in-hospital mortality after VAD implantation were 4.5 and 9.1%, respectively, and 1-year survival was 86.4%. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative patient optimization using ECLS improves outcomes of INTERMACS Level I patients receiving a permanent VAD.

Viennese approach to minimize the invasiveness of ventricular assist device implantation†.

OBJECTIVE: Avoiding full sternotomy and cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) could significantly reduce the invasiveness of left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation. Therefore, we developed minimally invasive implant strategies for the Heartware® VAD (HVAD) and the Thoratec® HeartMate II (HMII) covering isolated LVAD implantation as well as concomitant valve procedures (aortic/tricuspid). We present the surgical techniques and the initial clinical experience. METHODS: From February 2012 to March 2013, 27 patients (mean age 58 ± 8 years; male 85%; Ischemic Cardiomyopathy 63%; redo surgery 22%; Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support Level I: 29%, II: 22%, III: 33%, IV-VII: 16%) underwent minimally invasive LVAD implantation at our department. Apical cannulation was performed via a left lateral minithoracotomy in HVAD patients (n = 20) or a left subcostal incision in HMII patients (n = 7). The outflow graft anastomosis was performed to the ascending aorta via a right minithoracotomy in the second intercostal space (n = 22) or the right subclavian artery (n = 2). If additional valve procedures (aortic/tricuspid) were necessary (n = 3), a hemisternotomy was performed to access the valve and perform the outflow graft anastomosis. Circulatory support for LVAD implantation was CPB (33%), extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (48%) or off-pump (19%). RESULTS: The minimally invasive approach was feasible in all patients with no need for conversions. Thirty-day and in-hospital mortality were 7.4 and 14.8%, respectively. In-hospital stay was 30.0 ± 22.5 days. One patient (4%) died during follow-up from pump thrombus formation. Three patients (11%) underwent surgical revision for bleeding. CONCLUSIONS: Minimally invasive LVAD implantation is feasible and safe. The very encouraging results obtained in this initial series justify a broad application of this technique.

Low-molecular-weight heparin for anti-coagulation after left ventricular assist device implantation.

BACKGROUND: Anti-coagulation is required in patients with left ventricular assist devices (LVADs). We evaluated the feasibility of low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) for initiation of anti-coagulation and transitioning to oral anti-coagulation after LVAD implantation. METHODS: This single-center study included 78 consecutive patients who underwent either Thoratec HeartMate II LVAD (n = 27) or HeartWare ventricular assist device (HVAD, n = 51) implantation. The LMWHs enoxaparin (n = 50) and dalteparin (n = 28) were used. LMWH was started within 24 hours post-operatively in 79.5% of patients. No anti-coagulation was given before starting LMWH therapy. LMWH activity was monitored by determination of anti-factor Xa levels in plasma. RESULTS: The majority of patients (80.7%) had peak anti-Xa activity within the defined range of efficacy of 0.2 to 0.4 IU/ml by the second day of treatment. Mean effective peak anti-Xa activity was 0.28 ± 0.06 IU/ml. Mean duration of anti-coagulation with LMWH was 25.8 ± 18 days. Ischemic strokes were observed in 3 patients (3.8%), with a total of 4 events. Three events occurred while on LMWH, and 1 event occurred during follow-up on oral anti-coagulation. There was 1 fatal stroke. No pump thrombus was observed. Major bleeding was observed in 5 patients (6.4%), with a total of 6 events. Gastrointestinal bleeding was the most common complication (n = 3). There were no fatal bleeding events. CONCLUSIONS: LMWH in the setting of LVAD shows rapid and constant biologic efficacy. Anti-coagulation with LMWH appears feasible after LVAD implantation. These findings support further evaluation of LMWH as an alternative to unfractionated heparin in this patient cohort.

Minimally invasive thoratec Heartmate II implantation in the setting of severe thoracic aortic calcification.

A minimally invasive approach for implantation of the Heart Mate II left ventricular assist device (LVAD) in the setting of severe thoracic aortic calcification is described. Cannulation of the left ventricular apex is performed through a left subcostal incision with preperitoneal creation of the pump pocket. To avoid outflow graft anastomosis to a severely calcified ascending or descending aorta, the outflow graft is tunneled through the diaphragm, the right thoracic cavity, and the second intercostal space, and is anastomosed to the right subclavian artery. This technique is especially appealing in patients with generalized aortic calcification undergoing LVAD implantation.

Effects of high-urgency ambulance transportation on pro-B-type natriuretic peptide levels in patients with heart failure.

OBJECTIVES: We hypothesized that pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (proBNP) levels in venous blood increase in patients with acute out-of-hospital heart failure because of stress during emergency ambulance transportation, and furthermore, we wanted to show if there is an effect of increasing proBNP levels on hemodynamic parameters. METHODS: Venous proBNP levels, visual analog scale (VAS) for pain and anxiety before and after transportation, heart rate, blood pressure, and transcutaneous Spo(2) were measured every 3 minutes in 32 patients with defined clinical signs of heart failure. RESULTS: ProBNP levels increased significantly (P < .01) during transportation (278.13 +/- 113.20 vs 984.67 +/- 627.33 pg/mL), whereas heart rate and mean blood pressure remained almost stable. There was no significant change in VAS for pain and anxiety (3.79 +/- 3.70 and 2.89 +/- 3.01 vs 2.13 +/- 3.30 and 1.57 +/- 2.78). CONCLUSION: A rapid increase in proBNP levels was shown in patients with acute out-of-hospital heart failure during emergency ambulance transportation but no significant changes in hemodynamic parameters.

Age and outcome after continuous-flow left ventricular assist device implantation as bridge to transplantation.

OBJECTIVE: The effect of age on outcomes after continuous-flow left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation as a bridge to transplantation (BTT) was determined. METHODS: From November 1998 to July 2007, 86 patients with advanced heart failure underwent continuous-flow LVAD implantation as BTT and were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were categorized into 2 groups by age at LVAD implantation: 56 patients (65.1%) younger than 60, Group 1; and 30 (34.9%) aged 60 years or older, Group 2. RESULTS: Group 2 patients had a higher incidence of heart failure caused by ischemic heart disease (63.3% vs 32.1%, p = 0.005) and more severely impaired renal function by Modification of Diet in Renal Disease-derived glomerular filtration rates (51.9 +/- 15.9 vs. 68.0 +/- 20.5 ml/min/1.73 m(2), p < 0.001) than Group 1. Age was the only independent predictor of post-LVAD death (hazard ratio, 1.4 p = 0.003). The BTT rate was lower (33.3% vs 62.5%, p = 0.010), and incidence of post-LVAD renal failure was higher (53.3% vs 30.4%, p = 0.037) in Group 2 vs Group 1. Post-LVAD survival at 1, 3, and 6 months was 92.9%, 79.9%, and 74.0% for Group 1 and 90.0%, 62.0%, and 37.0% for Group 2 (p = 0.007). Post-transplant survival at 1, 3, and 5 years was 87.8%, 82.3%, and 76.0% for Group 1 and 90.0%, 67.5%, 67.5% for Group 2 (p = 0.517). CONCLUSIONS: Patients aged 60 years and older have inferior post-LVAD survival; however, post-transplant survival is excellent. We advocate LVAD placement as bridge-to-transplant therapy only in carefully selected older patients most well suited for transplantation.

Renal function and outcome after continuous flow left ventricular assist device implantation.

BACKGROUND: Renal dysfunction as a risk factor with the use of left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) is controversial. We determined the effect of renal function on outcomes after continuous flow LVAD implantation. METHODS: Eighty-six patients with advanced heart failure undergoing continuous flow LVAD implantation as bridge to transplantation from November 1998 to July 2007 were retrospectively analyzed. Renal function was assessed using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease study-derived glomerular filtration rates (GFR [mL x min(-1) x 1.73 m(-2)]). Patients were categorized into two groups based on pre-LVAD GFR: those with normal renal function (GFR > 60, n = 46), and those with renal dysfunction (GFR < 60, n = 40). RESULTS: Post-LVAD survival at 1, 3, and 6 months for GFR greater than 60 was 91.3%, 79.9%, 72.6%, respectively, and for GFR less than 60, it was 92.5%, 66.5%, 47.9%, respectively (p = 0.038). Bridge-to-transplant rate was lower for GFR less than 60 than for GFR greater than 60 (40.0% versus 63.0%, p = 0.033). For GFR less than 60, GFR improved on LVAD support: implant to month 6, 41.7 +/- 11.5 to 62.7 +/- 25.0 (p = 0.021). Post-LVAD survival was improved in GFR less than 60 patients who after LVAD implantation recovered renal function to GFR greater than 60 (p < 0.001). Patients with post-LVAD renal failure had significantly lower post-LVAD survival regardless of pre-LVAD renal function (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with renal dysfunction have poorer outcomes after continuous flow LVAD implantation. However, renal function improves after LVAD implantation and is associated with improved survival. Our data underscore the importance of end-organ function in patient selection for LVAD therapy.

Low molecular weight heparin as an alternative to unfractionated heparin in the immediate postoperative period after left ventricular assist device implantation.

We present a regimen for anticoagulation in the immediate postoperative period after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation using low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) as an alternative to unfractionated heparin. Between May and September 2007, eight consecutive patients undergoing LVAD implantation for advanced heart failure received the LMWH nadroparin. Nadroparin was given twice daily to achieve anti-Factor Xa activity target peak levels of 0.4 +/- 0.1 U/mL. The antiplatelet therapy consisted of aspirin (100 mg/day) and dipyridamole (3 x 75 mg/day). One patient underwent heart transplantation, three patients died, and four patients continued to receive device support. The median duration of support was 78 days (range, 46 to 174). No major bleeding was observed; minor bleeding occurred in three patients. In two patients, pump thrombosis was suspected. There were two ischemic and no hemorrhagic strokes. The use of LMWH may provide a new anticoagulation treatment option in the immediate postoperative period after LVAD implantation.

Renal function after implantation of continuous versus pulsatile flow left ventricular assist devices.

BACKGROUND: This study was designed to determine the effect of continuous vs pulsatile flow devices on renal function after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation. METHODS: Ninety-two patients undergoing LVAD implantation as bridge-to-transplant therapy were retrospectively analyzed. Patients receiving continuous flow devices (n = 63, 68.5%) were compared with patients receiving pulsatile flow devices (n = 29, 31.5%). Renal function was assessed by 2 calculated glomerular filtration rates (GFR) using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD)-derived GFR (ml/min/1.73 m(2)) and the Cockcroft-Gault-derived creatinine clearance (CrCl, ml/min). RESULTS: Mean GFR/CrCl was comparable between the groups at LVAD implantation, in the post-implantation period, and at transplantation. Both groups had a significant increase in mean GFR at Week 1 post-implantation (continuous, 59.4 +/- 22.8 to 76.4 +/- 38.6, p = 0.001; pulsatile, 52.5 +/- 21.1 to 69.2 +/- 34.7; p = 0.007), Week 4 (continuous, 59.9 +/- 23.0 to 84.3 +/- 32.9; p < 0.001; pulsatile, 50.3 +/- 21.1 to 79.9 +/- 38.7, p = 0.007), and Week 12 (continuous, 60.3 +/- 23.1 to 75.3 +/- 30.2, p = 0.004; pulsatile, 55.5 +/- 23.1 to 74.2 +/- 27.2, p = 0.037) that was also seen with the Cockcroft-Gault-calculated CrCl. No significant increase occurred in mean GFR/CrCl to transplantation. Incidence of post-implantation renal failure was comparable between the groups (continuous, 38.1%; pulsatile, 31.0%; p = 0.512). CONCLUSIONS: After LVAD implantation, patients with continuous flow devices and patients with pulsatile flow devices have comparable renal function.

Left ventricular assist devices decrease fixed pulmonary hypertension in cardiac transplant candidates.

OBJECTIVE: Fixed pulmonary hypertension is a contraindication for cardiac transplantation because of the increased risk of donor heart failure. We sought to determine whether left ventricular assist devices improve fixed pulmonary hypertension in cardiac transplant candidates to enable safe cardiac transplantation. METHODS: Thirty-five consecutive cardiac transplant candidates (age 56 +/- 6 years, 88.5% were men) with fixed pulmonary hypertension (5.1 +/- 2.6 Wood units) resistant to medical treatment received a left ventricular assist device as a bridge to transplantation. Three left ventricular assist device systems were used (pulsatile blood flow: Novacor [World Heart Inc, Oakland, Calif] n = 8; continuous blood flow: MicroMed DeBakey [MicroMed Technology Inc, Houston, Tex] n = 24, DuraHeart [Terumo Heart Inc, Ann Arbor, Mich] n = 3). Right-sided heart catheter data were obtained before left ventricular assist device implantation at 3-day and 6-week follow-ups. Clinical data and complications were recorded. RESULTS: Before left ventricular assist device implantation, the pulmonary vascular resistance was 5.1 +/- 2.8 Wood units. Values were comparable in patients receiving pulsatile (5.1 +/- 3.4 Wood units) or continuous blood flow left ventricular assist devices (5.1 +/- 2.7 Wood units, P = .976). Left ventricular assist device implantation decreased pulmonary vascular resistance at 3-day (2.9 +/- 1.3 Wood units, P < .0001) and 6-week (2.0 +/- 0.8 Wood units, P < .0001) follow-ups compared with before implantation. This effect was independent of the type of left ventricular assist device system used (3-day follow-up: pulsatile flow: 3.2 +/- 1.3 Wood units vs continuous flow: 2.7 +/- 1.2 Wood units; P = .310 and 6-week follow-up: pulsatile flow: 1.9 +/- 0.9 Wood units vs continuous flow: 2.1 +/- 0.8 Wood units; P = .905). Twenty-four patients had successful bridges to transplantation (69%, mean time on left ventricular assist device 210 +/- 83 days), and 11 patients died before transplantation (31%, mean time on left ventricular assist device 67 +/- 30 days). The 1-year survival after transplantation was 95%. CONCLUSION: Left ventricular assist devices decrease fixed pulmonary hypertension in cardiac transplant candidates and allow patients to overcome a contraindication for cardiac transplantation. Therefore, left ventricular assist devices should be considered in all cardiac transplant candidates with fixed pulmonary hypertension.

Recent trends in heart transplantation: the University of Vienna experience.

Since the beginning of the University of Vienna Cardiac Transplant Program in 1984, 1086 heart transplant procedures have been performed through the end of 2007. One- and five-year survival has increased steadily over time (82% and 76%). Ten-year survival is 65%. Over the past 10 years our program has seen dramatic changes in patient selection, accepting now patients with more risk factors (Age, diabetes, elevated pulmonary resistance,..). Developments in immunosuppression have decreased incidence of infection, rejection and graft arteriosclerosis continuously. Our program continues to pursue novel strategies to improve the survival and quality of life of our heart transplant patients.

The DuraHeart VAD, a magnetically levitated centrifugal pump: the University of Vienna bridge-to-transplant experience.

BACKGROUND: The clinical application of the DuraHeart (Terumo Heart Inc, USA) has begun in Europe as a clinical trial of a third-generation implantable centrifugal blood pump. Four successful clinical implants are presented. METHODS AND RESULTS: Four male patients had end-stage left heart failure and received a DuraHeart VAD as a left ventricular assist device for bridge-to-transplantation. The pump showed good performance with flow rates of 4.9+/-0.5 L/min after gradual weaning of extracorporeal circulation. The pump flow was then maintained at 6.1+/-0.5, 5.5+/-0.3, 5.5+/-0.1, 5.7+/-0.1, 5.5, 6.4 and 6.5 L/min at the 1st, 4th, 8th, 12th, 16th, 20th and 24th postoperative week, respectively. No significant elevation of mean plasma-free hemoglobin was detected. The patients were discharged on the 18th, 42nd, 41st and 31st postoperative day, respectively, and all were successfully transplanted on the 202nd, 84th, 128th and 96th postoperative day, respectively. At the time of transplant surfaces of the removed pumps were free from thrombus formation, although intraventricular pannus growth was observed around the inflow cannulae in all patients. CONCLUSION: The DuraHeart VAD showed stable and sufficient circulatory support for the bridge-to-transplant procedure in this cohort of 4 patients.

Postoperative analgesia with remifentanil in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

Remifentanil, a short-acting opioid, is commonly used in cardiac anesthesia. In this study we sought to demonstrate the feasibility of pain treatment and to determine the remifentanil dose necessary for adequate analgesia in tracheally extubated patients after cardiac surgery. Thirty patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery were included in this study. After surgery, the intraoperatively administered remifentanil was initially continued at 0.05 microg . kg(-1) . min(-1). Before tracheal extubation, a nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug was administered and remifentanil was reduced to 0.035 microg . kg(-1) . min(-1). Pain assessment using a visual analog scale (VAS) was performed after tracheal extubation, in 2-min intervals for 10 min, every 10 min until the end of the first hour and every 30 min during the ensuing 5 h. A VAS score > or =30 or a respiratory rate <10 breaths/min was followed by an increase or decrease in the remifentanil dose by 0.005 microg . kg(-1) . min(-1), respectively. For rapid dose adaptation during the first 10 min, remifentanil was increased twice by 0.005 microg. kg(-1) . min(-1) and then 3 times by 0.01 microg . kg(-1) . min(-1). With a mean remifentanil dose of 0.051 microg . kg(-1) . min(-1) VAS decreased to 26 +/- 14 after 30 min. Sufficient analgesia was achieved with remifentanil doses ranging from 0.03 to 0.09 microg. kg(-1) . min(-1). A maximum mean remifentanil dose of 0.057microg. kg(-1) . min(-1) was reached after 4 h. The combination of remifentanil with a nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug provided adequate analgesia in 73% of patients 30 min after tracheal extubation. Rapid dose titration was necessary during the first 10 min in 50% of patients. Increasing the initial remifentanil dose could shorten the titration period but may be associated with respiratory complications.

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation is superior to right ventricular assist device for acute right ventricular failure after heart transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Acute right ventricular failure after heart transplantation is a life-threatening condition, and sometimes the use of mechanical circulatory support is inevitable. The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate the effectiveness of two different mechanical circulatory support systems for this indication. METHODS: From 1984 to 2003, 28 heart transplant recipients exhibited right ventricular failure resistant to drug therapy. Right ventricular assist device (n = 15) or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (n = 13) was implanted to support the failing heart. RESULTS: Overall in-hospital survival was 43%. In the right ventricular assist device group, only 2 patients (13%) could be weaned from mechanical circulatory support compared with 10 patients (77%) in the extracorporeal membrane oxygenation group (p = 0.001). Retransplantation was necessary in 6 patients in the right ventricular assist device group and in 1 patient in the extracorporeal membrane oxygenation group (p = 0.049). There was no difference in patient survival between groups, but graft survival was significantly better in the extracorporeal membrane oxygenation group (p = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: In view of these results, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation seems to be the better option as mechanical circulatory support for right ventricular failure in heart transplantation.

Perspectives for core and skin surface temperature guided extubation in patients after normothermic cardiopulmonary bypass.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between changes in core and skin surface temperature and extubation time in patients following normothermic cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). DESIGN: Prospective observational study. SETTING: Intensive care unit (ICU) of a university hospital. PATIENTS: Patients admitted to the ICU after cardiac surgery. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: Thirty-two patients undergoing cardiac surgery with the use of normothermic CPB were studied. In the ICU, urinary bladder temperature and skin surface temperature gradient (forearm temperature minus fingertip temperature) were measured at 30-min intervals for 10 h postoperatively. Every half-hour an anaesthesiologist, blinded to temperature measurements, checked the possibility of extubation. On arrival in the ICU the mean skin surface temperature gradient of the patients was 1.9+/-1.6 degrees C, indicating vasoconstriction of the dermal vessels (>0 degrees C = vasoconstriction, <0 degrees C = vasodilation) while the mean urinary bladder temperature was 36.8+/-0.4 degrees C. The change from thermoregulatory vasoconstriction to vasodilation (skin surface temperature gradient of 0 degrees C) was 137+/-49 min after arrival in the ICU. The mean time until extubation was 135+/-55 min after arrival in the ICU. There was a linear relation between a temperature gradient of 0 degrees C and extubation time, r(2)=0.49. Later, 181+/-67 min after arrival in the ICU, the urinary bladder temperature reached its maximum of 38.2+/-0.6 degrees C. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that the transition period from peripheral vasoconstriction to vasodilation provides an opportunity for postoperative extubation.