Use of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation as Bridge to Replacement Therapies in Cardiogenic Shock: Insights From the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization.

BACKGROUND: There has been increasing use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) as bridge to heart transplant (orthotopic heart transplant [OHT]) or left ventricular assist device (LVAD) over the last decade. We aimed to provide insights on the population, outcomes, and predictors for the selection of each therapy. METHODS: Using the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization Registry between 2010 and 2019, we compared in-hospital mortality and length of stay, predictors of OHT versus LVAD, and predictors of in-hospital mortality for patients with cardiogenic shock that were bridged with ECMO to OHT or LVAD. One hundred sixty-seven patients underwent LVAD versus 234 patients who underwent OHT. RESULTS: The overall use of ECMO has increased from 1.7% in 2010 to 22.2% in 2019. Mortality was similar between groups (LVAD: 28.7% versus OHT: 29.1%) while length of stay was longer for OHT (LVAD: 49.6 versus OHT: 59.5 days, P=0.05). Factors associated with OHT included prior transplant (odds ratio [OR]=31.26 [CI, 3.84-780.5]), use of a temporary pacemaker (OR=6.5 [CI, 1.39-50.15]), and increased use of inotropes on ECMO (OR=3.77 [CI, 1.39-11.07]), whereas LVAD use was associated with weight (OR=0.98 [CI, 0.97-0.99]), cardiogenic shock presentation (OR=0.40 [CI, 0.21-0.78]), previous LVAD (OR=0.01 [CI, 0.0001-0.22]), respiratory failure (OR=0.28 [CI, 0.11-0.70]), and milrinone infusion (OR=0.32 [CI, 0.15-0.67]). Older age (OR=1.07 [CI, 1.02-1.12]), cannulation bleeding (OR=26.1 [CI, 4.32-221.3]), and surgical bleeding (OR=6.7 [CI, 1.26-39.9]) in patients receiving LVAD and respiratory failure (OR=5 [CI, 1.17-23.1]) and continuous renal replacement therapy (OR=3.82 [CI, 1.28-11.9]) in patients receiving OHT were associated with increased mortality. CONCLUSIONS: ECMO use as a bridge to advanced therapies has increased over time, with more patients undergoing LVAD than OHT. Mortality was equal between the 2 groups while length of stay was longer for OHT.

Two-Year Follow Up of the LATERAL Clinical Trial: A Focus on Adverse Events.

BACKGROUND: The LATERAL trial validated the safety and efficacy of the thoracotomy approach for implantation of the HeartWare HVAD System, leading to Food and Drug Administration approval. We sought to analyze 24-month adverse event (AE) rates, including a temporal analysis of the risk profile, associated with the thoracotomy approach for the HVAD system. METHODS: AEs from the LATERAL trial were evaluated over 2 years postimplant. Data was obtained from the Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support database for 144 enrolled United States and Canadian patients. Temporal AE profiles were expressed as events per patient year. RESULTS: During 162.5 patient years of support, there were 25 driveline infections (0.15 events per patient year), 50 gastrointestinal bleeds (0.31 events per patient year), and 21 strokes (0.13 events per patient year). Longitudinal AE analysis at follow-up intervals of <30 and 30 to 180 days, and 6 to 12 and 12 to 24 months revealed the highest AE rate at <30 days, with a decrease in total AEs within the first 6 months. After 6 months, most AE rates either stabilized or decreased through 2 years, including a 95% overall freedom from disabling stroke. CONCLUSIONS: Two-year follow-up of the LATERAL trial revealed a favorable morbidity profile in patients supported with the HVAD system, as AE rates were more likely to occur in the first 30 days postimplant, and overall AE rates were significantly reduced after 6 months. Importantly, 2-year freedom from disabling stroke was 95%. These data further support the improving AE profile of patients on long-term HVAD support. Registration: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT02268942.

Preparing for Bundled Payments: Impact of Complications Post-Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting on Costs.

BACKGROUND: Bundled payments for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) provide a single reimbursement for care provided from admission through 90 days post-discharge. We aim to explore the impact of complications on total institutional costs, as well as the drivers of high costs for index hospitalization. METHODS: We linked clinical and internal cost data for patients undergoing CABG from 2014 to 2017 at a single institution. We compared unadjusted average variable direct costs, reporting excess cost from an uncomplicated baseline. We stratified by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons preoperative risk and quality outcome measures as well as value-based outcomes (readmission, post-acute care utilization). We performed multivariable linear regression to evaluate drivers of high costs, adjusting for preoperative and intraoperative characteristics and postoperative complications. RESULTS: We reviewed 1789 patients undergoing CABG with an average of 2.7 vessels (SD 0.89). A significant proportion of patients were diabetic (51.2%) and obese (mean body mass index 30.6, SD 6.1). Factors associated with increased adjusted costs were preoperative renal failure (P = .001), diabetes (P = .001) and body mass index (P = .05), and postoperative stroke (P < .001), prolonged ventilation (P < .001), rebleeding requiring reoperation (P < .001) and renal failure (P < .001) with varying magnitude. Preoperative ejection fraction and insurance status were not associated with increased adjusted costs. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative characteristics had less of an impact on costs post-CABG than postoperative complications. Postoperative complications vary in their impact on internal costs, with reoperation, stroke, and renal failure having the greatest impact. In preparation for bundled payments, hospitals should focus on understanding and preventing drivers of high cost.

Impact of implantation time on early function of cardiac transplant.

BACKGROUND: Data on out-of-ice implantation ischemia in heart transplant are scarce. We examined implantation time's impact on allograft dysfunction. METHODS: We conducted a single-site retrospective review of all primary adult heart transplants from June 2012 to August 2019 for implantation warm ischemic time (WIT), defined as first atrial stitch to aortic crossclamp removal. Univariate regression was used to assess the relationship of perioperative variables to primary graft dysfunction (PGD) and to pulmonary artery pulsatility index (PAPi) at postoperative hour 24. A threshold of p < .10 was set for the inclusion of covariates in multivariate regression. Secondary analyses evaluated for consistency among alternative criteria for allograft dysfunction. A post hoc subgroup analysis examined WIT effect in prolonged total ischemia of 240 min or longer. RESULTS: Complete data were available for 201 patients. Baseline characteristics were similar between patients who did and did not have WIT documented. In univariate analysis, female gender, longer total ischemic time (TIT), longer bypass time, greater blood transfusions, and pretransplant intensive care unit (ICU) care were associated with PGD, whereas longer bypass time was associated with worse PAPi and pretransplant ICU care was associated with better PAPi. In multivariate analysis, longer bypass time predicted PGD, and worse PAPi and preoperative ICU admission predicted PGD and better PAPi. Results did not differ in secondary or subgroup analyses. CONCLUSIONS: This study is one of few examining the functional impact of cardiac implantation ischemia. Results suggest allograft implantation time alone may not impact postoperative graft function, which was driven by intraoperative bypass duration and by preoperative ICU care, instead.

Expert Consensus Paper: Lateral Thoracotomy for Centrifugal Ventricular Assist Device Implant.

BACKGROUND: The increasing prevalence of heart failure has led to the expanded use of left ventricle assist devices (VADs) for end-stage heart failure patients worldwide. Technological improvements witnessed the development of miniaturized VADs and their implantation through less traumatic non-full sternotomy approaches using a lateral thoracotomy (LT). Although adoption of the LT approach is steadily growing, a lack of consensus remains regarding patient selection, details of the surgical technique, and perioperative management. Furthermore, the current literature does not offer prospective randomized studies or evidence-based guidelines for LT-VAD implantation. METHODS: A worldwide group of LT-VAD experts was convened to discuss these key topics openly. After a PubMed search and review with all authors, a consensus was reached and an expert consensus paper on LT-VAD implantation was developed. RESULTS: This document aims to guide clinicians in the selection of patients suitable for LT approaches and preoperative optimization. Details of operative techniques are described, with an overview of hemisternotomy and bilateral thoracotomy approaches. A review of the best surgical practices for placement of the pump, inflow cannula, and outflow graft provides advice on the best surgical strategies to avoid device malpositioning while optimizing VAD function. Experts' opinions on cardiopulmonary bypass, postoperative management, and approaches for pump exchange and explant are presented. This review also emphasizes the critical need for multidisciplinary teams and specific training. CONCLUSIONS: This expert consensus review provides a compact guide to LT for VAD implantation, from patient selection through intraoperative tips and postoperative management.

Cost-Effectiveness of Thoracotomy Approach for the Implantation of a Centrifugal Left Ventricular Assist Device.

This study reports the first analysis regarding cost-effectiveness of left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation via thoracotomy. Cost-effectiveness of LVADs implanted via the traditional surgical approach of sternotomy has been improved through the years because of technological advances, along with understanding the importance of patient selection and postimplant management have on positively affecting outcomes. Given the positive clinical outcomes of the thoracotomy approach, we seek to study the cost-effectiveness of a centrifugal LVAD via this less invasive approach. We developed a Markov model. Survival and quality of life inputs (QALY) for the LVAD arm were based on data from the LATERAL clinical trial. For the Medical Management arm, survival was derived from the Seattle Heart Failure Model. The heart transplant probability was derived from INTERMACS. Survival after heart transplantation used International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation data. Cost inputs were calculated based on Medicare data and past literature. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was found to be $64,632 per quality adjusted life year and $57,891 per life year in the bridge to transplant indication. These results demonstrate further improvement in the overall cost-effectiveness of LVAD therapy and confirm implantation of LVADs via a less invasive approach as being cost-effective.

HeartMate 3 in a ccTGA patient.

A 49-year-old female with congenitally corrected (or levo-) transposition of the great arteries complicated by nonischemic cardiomyopathy presented for worsening heart failure despite guideline-directed medical therapy and was found to be in cardiogenic shock. She successfully underwent ventricular assist device placement with a HeartMate III to her systemic right ventricle as a bridge to transplantation.

Expanding Heart Transplant in the Era of Direct-Acting Antiviral Therapy for Hepatitis C.

Importance: For patients awaiting heart transplant, hepatitis C-positive donors offer an opportunity to expand the donor pool, shorten wait times, and decrease wait-list mortality. While early reported outcomes among few heart transplant recipients have been promising, knowledge of 1-year outcomes in larger cohorts of patients is critical to shared decision-making with patients about this option. Objective: To better define the association of hepatitis C-positive donors with heart transplant volumes, wait-list duration, the transmission and cure of donor-derived hepatitis C, and morbidity and mortality at 1 year. Design, Setting, and Participants: This was a prospective, single-center observational study of 80 adult (age 18 years or older) patients who underwent heart transplant using hearts from hepatitis C-positive donors between September 2016 and April 2019 at a large academic medical center. Among donors, who were considered hepatitis C-positive if results from hepatitis C antibody and/or nucleic acid testing were positive, 70 had viremia and 10 were seropositive but did not have viremia. Follow-up was available through May 15, 2019. Comparisons were drawn with patients who underwent transplant with hearts from hepatitis C-negative donors during the same period. Exposures: In addition to standard posttransplant management, transplant recipients who developed donor-derived hepatitis C infection were treated with direct-acting antivirals. Main Outcomes and Measures: The main outcomes included wait-list duration and 1-year survival in all patients, and for those who developed donor-derived hepatitis C, the response to direct-acting antiviral treatment. Results: Of 80 patients, 57 (71.3%) were men, 55 (68.7%) were white, and 17 (26.3%) were black; the median age at transplant was 54.5 years (interquartile range, 46-62 years). Following consent to accept hearts from hepatitis C-exposed donors, the median days to heart transplant was 4 (interquartile range, 1-18). No recipients of donors with negative nucleic acid testing results (10 [12.5%]) developed donor-derived hepatitis C. Of 70 patients who were recipients of donors with positive nucleic acid testing results, 67 (95.7%) developed donor-derived hepatitis C over a median follow-up of 301 days (interquartile range, 142-617). Treatment with direct-acting antivirals was well tolerated and yielded sustained virologic responses in all treated patients. Within the cohort with infection, 1-year patient survival was 90.4%, which was not significantly different compared with the cohort without infection or with patients who received transplants from hepatitis C-negative donors during the same period. Conclusions and Relevance: In the era of direct-acting antivirals, hepatitis C-positive donors are a viable option to expand the donor pool, potentially reducing wait-list duration and mortality. In heart transplant recipients with donor-derived hepatitis C, infection is well-tolerated and curable, and 1-year survival is equivalent to that in recipients of hepatitis C-negative donors.

Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in Cardiogenic Shock.

Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation has emerged as a viable treatment for patients in cardiogenic shock with biventricular failure and pulmonary dysfunction. Advances in pump and oxygenator technology, cannulation strategies, patient selection and management, and durable mechanical circulatory support have contributed to expanded utilization of this technology. However, challenges remain that require investigation to improve outcomes.

A New Device for Securing Sternal Wires After Median Sternotomy: Biomechanical Study and Retrospective Clinical Assessment.

OBJECTIVE: Morbidity due to sternotomy continues to be a significant clinical problem. Poor approximation of the sternum may lead to complications such as sternal dehiscence, infection, and pain. A device to assist in tensioning and twisting standard steel wires during sternal closure has been developed (TORQ sternal closure device). Manually tightened interrupted wire closures were compared with those tightened and secured with the aid of the device. Performance of the device was assessed clinically. METHODS: Four cardiovascular surgeons performed manual and device-assisted closures on a biofidelic model. Closure force was measured to determine the residual force and its intraoperator variation. A retrospective review of patients treated before and after the introduction of the device was conducted. Predicted and actual outcomes were compared for the two groups (manual closure and device-assisted closure). RESULTS: Biomechanical testing measured a 75% increase in residual closure force (P < 0.001) and a significant reduction in the variability of the closure force (P = 0.045) for device-assisted closures compared with manual closures. In the retrospective study, 3 of 173 manually closed patients had sterile sternal dehiscence and 1 of 173 had a deep sternal wound infection. In the device closure group, 2 of 127 had a sterile sternal dehiscence and no deep sternal wound infections were reported. No other device-related serious adverse events were reported. CONCLUSIONS: Biomechanical data showed stronger, more consistent closure forces with the device. The retrospective data attest to the performance of the device.

Complete Neurological Recovery After Acute Total Occlusion of the Superior Vena Cava.

Superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome, characterized by swelling of the upper torso, can result from a wide range of causes. The presence and severity of clinical symptoms depends on the degree of stenosis, the location of stenosis, the speed of development of stenosis, and existing collateral flow. Acute complete occlusion of the SVC frequently leads to poor neurologic outcomes such as coma or death. We report a case of a patient who had complete neurologic recovery after 26 minutes of acute total occlusion of the SVC. This report highlights the importance of meticulous management during acute SVC occlusion to improve patient outcome.

Right Ventricular Hemangioma in the Outflow Tract: A Rare Cause of Obstruction.

We present a patient with a right ventricular hemangioma and symptomatic right ventricular outflow tract obstruction.

Can an Alternative Outflow Strategy be Utilized for High-Risk Bridged Patients with Previous Cardiac Surgery?

The HeartWare ventricular assist device (HVAD) is an implantable continuous-flow centrifugal pump that has allowed the development of sternal-sparing techniques, with the use of alternative outflow strategies. We compared early outcomes for patients bridged with the conventional versus alternative outflow graft strategy. From January 2013 to October 2014, 89 patients with HVAD implantation were identified. Survival was analyzed with Kaplan-Meier methods, and a log-rank test was used to compare outcomes between groups. Thirty patients (34%) had ≥1 previous sternotomy before HVAD implantation. Eight patients (27%) were approached using an alternative outflow graft technique with outflow graft connection to the descending aorta (n = 4, 50%) or left subclavian artery (n = 4, 50%), whereas 22 (73%) were implanted via a conventional sternotomy approach with the outflow graft to the ascending aorta. Preoperative characteristics (age, Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support [INTERMACS], and Lietz-Miller score) were comparable between groups (all p > 0.05). Median follow-up was 4.7 (2.8-9.3) months of support. Outcomes were comparable between conventional and alternative outflow groups; survival at 6 months was 74% for the conventional group and 83% in the alternative outflow group. An alternative outflow graft strategy can be utilized to support bridged patients with a history of prior sternotomy.

Driveline Infection Risk with Utilization of a Temporary External Anchoring Suture After Implantation of a Left Ventricular Assist Device.

Driveline infections (DLI) are a cause of morbidity after continuous-flow left ventricular assist device (CF-LVAD) implantation. Because driveline trauma contributes to DLI, we assessed whether intraoperative placement of a temporary external anchoring suture (EAS) influenced DLI rate. We analyzed 161 consecutive patients with CF-LVAD (HMII 82; HW 79) implantation. Two groups were defined: placement of EAS (n = 85) or No EAS (n = 76). For NO EAS patients, the driveline was permanently anchored internally to the rectus fascia. Cox proportional analysis was performed to assess the effect of EAS on time to first confirmed DLI. Baseline characteristics were comparable between groups (all p = 0.3). Mean follow-up time was 0.93 years. A total of 18 (11.1%) patients developed confirmed culture positive DLI, with "first infection" rate of 0.13 events/year. Mean time to confirmed DLI was 0.69 years. Driveline infection was less likely (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.28, 0.95 confidence interval [CI] = 0.06-1.25, p = 0.056) to occur in NO EAS (2/18) then in EAS (16/18). Confirmed DLI was comparable between device types (p = 0.3). Multivariable regression adjusted for age, BMI, blood product use, device type, and diabetes showed equivocal effect of EAS (HR = 0.33, 0.95 CI = 0.07-1.54, p = 0.12). Patients with a temporary EAS may have an increased risk of confirmed DLI after device implantation.

Surgical Considerations and Challenges for Bilateral Continuous-Flow Durable Device Implantation.

The concept of biventricular support with durable centrifugal pumps is evolving, and the surgical strategy and best practice guidelines for implantation of right-sided devices are still unknown. We present optimal strategy for bilateral HeartWare continuous-flow ventricular assist device (HVAD) implantation in a series of four patients. Patients were implanted with the HVAD pumps simultaneously or sequentially. This report offers a perspective on surgical considerations such as right ventricular positioning, implications related to potential risks of obstruction from the tricuspid apparatus, the role if any of downsizing the outflow anastomosis, and considerations for speed adjustments. In this series, one patient died on support and three patients experienced pump thrombosis requiring device revision. All other patients survived until orthotopic heart transplantation, although one of these patients died from perioperative complications, 2 days posttransplantation. Surgical management of patients with medically refractory biventricular heart failure remains challenging and associated with a high incidence of pump thrombosis. Best practice guidelines from experts' consensus are still needed to address this challenging population.

In-hospital outcomes of a minimally invasive off-pump left thoracotomy approach using a centrifugal continuous-flow left ventricular assist device.

BACKGROUND: Minimally invasive left thoracotomy (MILT) and off-pump implantation strategies have been anecdotally reported for implantation of the HeartWare ventricular assist device (HVAD). We analyzed our experience with off-pump MILT implantation techniques and compared early in-hospital outcomes with conventional on-pump sternotomy (CS) implantation strategy. METHODS: Between January 2013 and February 2014, 51 patients underwent HVAD implantation and were included in this study. Thirty-three patients had CS, whereas 18 patients underwent off-pump MILT. To compare outcomes of these techniques, a multivariate analysis using propensity score modeling was performed after adjusting for age, INTERMACS, Kormos and Leitz-Miller (LM) scores. RESULTS: Mean age at implant was 57 (range 18 to 69) years, and overall in-hospital mortality was 8%. Univariate analysis revealed a statistically significant reduction in days on inotropes (p = 0.04), and a trend toward reduced intra-operative blood product administration (p = 0.08) in the MILT group. There was no difference in intensive-care-unit length of stay (p = 0.5), total length of stay (p = 0.76), post-operative blood product administration (p = 0.34) and total time on mechanical ventilation (p = 0.32). After adjusting for age, INTERMACS profile and Kormos and LM scores, no statistically significant differences were observed between the MILT and CS groups. CONCLUSIONS: An off-pump MILT implantation strategy can be utilized as a safe surgical approach for patients undergoing HVAD implantation. Further large collaborative studies are needed to identify advantages of the MILT approach.

Predictors of early and late stroke following cardiac surgery.

BACKGROUND: Much is known about the short-term risks of stroke following cardiac surgery. We examined the rate and predictors of long-term stroke in a cohort of patients who underwent cardiac surgery. METHODS: We obtained linked data for patients who underwent cardiac surgery in the province of Ontario between 1996 and 2006. We analyzed the incidence of stroke and death up to 2 years postoperatively. RESULTS: Of 108,711 patients, 1.8% (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.7%-1.9%) had a stroke perioperatively, and 3.6% (95% CI 3.5%-3.7%) had a stroke within the ensuing 2 years. The strongest predictors of both early and late stroke were advanced age (≥ 65 year; adjusted hazard ratio [HR] for all stroke 1.9, 95% CI 1.8-2.0), a history of stroke or transient ischemic attack (adjusted HR 2.1, 95% CI 1.9-2.3), peripheral vascular disease (adjusted HR 1.6, 95% CI 1.5-1.7), combined coronary bypass grafting and valve surgery (adjusted HR 1.7, 95% CI 1.5-1.8) and valve surgery alone (adjusted HR 1.4, 95% CI 1.2-1.5). Preoperative need for dialysis (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 2.1, 95% CI 1.6-2.8) and new-onset postoperative atrial fibrillation (adjusted OR 1.5, 95% CI 1.3-1.6) were predictors of only early stroke. A CHADS2 score of 2 or higher was associated with an increased risk of stroke or death compared with a score of 0 or 1 (19.9% v. 9.3% among patients with a history of atrial fibrillation, 16.8% v. 7.8% among those with new-onset postoperative atrial fibrillation and 14.8% v. 5.8% among those without this condition). INTERPRETATION: Patients who had cardiac surgery were at highest risk of stroke in the early postoperative period and had continued risk over the ensuing 2 years, with similar risk factors over these periods. New-onset postoperative atrial fibrillation was a predictor of only early stroke. The CHADS2 score predicted stroke risk among patients with and without atrial fibrillation.