Impact of Left Ventricular Unloading on Outcome of Heart Transplant Bridging With Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Support in New Allocation Policy.

BACKGROUND: The new heart allocation policy places veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO)-supported heart transplant (HT) candidates at the highest priority status. Despite increasing evidence supporting left ventricular (LV) unloading during VA-ECMO, the effect of LV unloading on transplant outcomes following bridging to HT with VA-ECMO remains unknown. METHODS AND RESULTS: From October 18, 2018 to March 21, 2023, 624 patients on VA-ECMO at the time of HT were identified in the United Network for Organ Sharing database and were divided into 2 groups: VA-ECMO alone (N=384) versus VA-ECMO with LV unloading (N=240). Subanalysis was performed in the LV unloading group: Impella (N=106) versus intra-aortic balloon pump (N=134). Recipient age was younger in the VA-ECMO alone group (48 versus 53 years, P=0.018), as was donor age (VA-ECMO alone, 29 years versus LV unloading, 32 years, P=0.041). One-year survival was comparable between groups (VA-ECMO alone, 88.0±1.8% versus LV unloading, 90.4±2.1%; P=0.92). Multivariable Cox hazard model showed LV unloading was not associated with posttransplant mortality after HT (hazard ratio, 0.92; P=0.70). Different LV unloading methods had similar 1-year survival (intra-aortic balloon pump, 89.2±3.0% versus Impella, 92.4±2.8%; P=0.65). Posttransplant survival was comparable between different Impella versions (Impella 2.5, versus Impella CP, versus Impella 5.0, versus Impella 5.5). CONCLUSIONS: Under the current allocation policy, LV unloading did not impact waitlist outcome and posttransplant survival in patients bridged to HT with VA-ECMO, nor did mode of LV unloading. This highlights the importance of a tailored approach in HT candidates on VA-ECMO, where routine LV unloading may not be universally necessary.

Stroke After Acute Type A Dissection Repair Using Right Axillary Cannulation First Approach.

BACKGROUND: This study sought to analyze the details of strokes after acute type A dissection repair (ATAD) using a right axillary artery (RAX) first approach. METHODS: A total of 356 consecutive ATAD repairs from 2005 to 2022 were analyzed on the basis of arterial cannulation site. Strokes were evaluated by head computed tomography. RESULTS: The rate of RAX cannulation was 82.6% (n = 294), with a 38.2% rate of antegrade cerebral perfusion use, both of which had increased over the years. The non-RAX group had more cardiogenic shock (RAX, 16.3% vs non-RAX, 37.1%; P < .001), cerebral malperfusion (8.8% vs 25.8%, respectively; P < .001), and innominate artery dissection (45.9% vs 69.2%, respectively; P = .007). Eight patients died before undergoing a full neurologic assessment. The overall stroke rate was 8.4% (n = 30), and it was lower in the RAX group (5.1% vs 24.2%; P < .001). All strokes were ischemic, with concomitant hemorrhagic strokes occurring in 6 patients. Strokes diagnosed immediately after surgery (perioperative stroke) accounted for 70% (n = 21 of 30) of cases. Strokes predominantly affected the right anterior circulation (right anterior, 80% vs left anterior, 46.7% vs left posterior, 26.7%; P = .013), independent of arterial cannulation site. The proposed mechanism of perioperative strokes was not uniform (embolism, 33.3%; hypoperfusion, 42.8%; embolism and hypoperfusion, 14.3%; lacunar infarct, 10%), whereas most postoperative strokes were embolic (77.8%). The mean National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score was 20.6 ± 9.9, and the modified Rankin score at discharge was 4.1±2.2. CONCLUSIONS: Most strokes in ATAD occurred perioperatively from various mechanisms predominantly affecting the right anterior circulation irrespective of the arterial cannulation site. This complication is most likely the result of unstable hemodynamics and dissection of the innominate artery (IA) or its downstream vessels.

Practical approach to confirm femoral artery patency after percutaneous closure for veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation decannulation.

BACKGROUND: We describe a technique to assess blood flow distal to the decannulation site after deployment of Perclose ProGlide (Abbott Vascular, Abbott Park, Ill) in patients on femoral veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) support. TECHNIQUE: An antegrade distal perfusion catheter was placed in all patients, and decannulation was primarily performed at bedside (N = 11/12). With the VA-ECMO circuit switched off, a needle was inserted into the arterial tubing, passed through the femoral arterial cannula into the artery. The arterial cannula was removed over a wire and the previously placed Proglide Perclose sutures were secured. Back bleeding from the antegrade distal perfusion catheter, confirmed using a three-way connector, indicated blood flow to the superficial femoral artery. This was followed by confirmation of blood flow to the lower leg using a Doppler ultrasound. Hemostasis of the antegrade perfusion catheter was achieved through manual compression. RESULTS: We implemented this technique in 12 patients with a technical success rate of 100%. There were no ipsilateral leg ischemia, bleeding, pseudoaneurysm, or infection after decannulation. CONCLUSIONS: This technique allows prompt assessment of blood flow to the distal leg immediately following arterial decannulation.

Catheter thrombectomy for basilar artery stroke immediately after insertion of durable left ventricular assist device.

Background: Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) following left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation is a serious complication associated with device morbidity. AIS development following LVAD placement typically presents between 6- and 24-months post implantation.Case/Results: We report a case of a 67-year-old male who initially presented with reduced ejection fraction and severe coronary vessel disease. Following coronary artery bypass graft surgery, the patient remained in a low output state necessitating placement of an LVAD device. Approximately 4.5 hours following LVAD implantation, a severe acute decrease in mental status revealed new development of ischemic stroke of the basilar artery, which was successfully treated in one pass with catheter endovascular thrombectomy.Conclusion: While embolic stroke management in these cases remains difficult as patients are usually anticoagulated, our case demonstrates the utilization of endovascular thrombectomy as a viable therapeutic option in the setting of an uncommon occurrence of embolic stroke in the hours following LVAD implantation.

Zone 2 arch repair for acute type A dissection: Evolution from arch-first to proximal-first repair.

Objective: With growing experience of acute type A aortic dissection repair, Zone 2 arch repair has been advocated. The aim of this study is to compare the outcome between "proximal-first" and "arch-first" Zone 2 repair. Methods: From January 2015 to March 2023, 45 patients underwent Zone 2 arch repair out of 208 acute type A aortic dissection repairs: arch-first, N = 19, and proximal-first technique, N = 26, since January 2021. Indications were aortic arch or descending tear, complex dissection in neck vessels, cerebral malperfusion, or aneurysm of the aortic arch. Results: The lowest bladder temperature was higher in the proximal-first technique (24.9 °C vs 19.7 °C, P < .001). Cardiopulmonary bypass (230 vs 177.5 minutes, P < .001), myocardial ischemic (124 vs 91 minutes, P < .001), and lower-body circulatory arrest (87 vs 28 minutes, P < .001) times were shorter in the proximal-first technique. The arch-first group required more packed red blood cells (arch-first, 2 units vs proximal-first, 0 units, P = .048), platelets (arch-first, 4 units vs proximal-first, 2 units, P = .003), and cryoprecipitates (arch-first, 2 units vs proximal-first, 1 unit, P = .024). Operative mortality and major morbidities were higher in the arch-first group (57.9% vs 11.5%, P = .001). One-year survival was comparable (arch-first, 89.5% ± 7.0% vs proximal-first, 92.0% ± 5.5%, P = .739). Distal intervention was successfully performed in 5 patients (endovascular, N = 3, and open repair, N = 2). Conclusions: Zone 2 arch repair using the proximal-first technique for acute type A aortic dissection repair yields shorter lower-body ischemic time with a warmer core temperature, resulting in shorter cardiopulmonary bypass time, less blood product use, and fewer morbidities when compared with the arch-first technique.

Groin wound management after decannulation of veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in heart transplantation: Role of sartorius muscle flap.

BACKGROUND: The management of complex groin wounds following VA-ECMO after heart transplant (HT) is uncertain due to limited experience. Sartorius muscle flaps (SMF) have been used in vascular surgery for groin wound complications. However, their use in HT recipients with perioperative VA-ECMO is unclear. This study aims to describe characteristics and outcomes of HT patients with groin complications after arterial decannulation for femoral VA-ECMO. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed HT patients who underwent peri-transplant femoral VA-ECMO at our institution from April 2011 to February 2023. Patients were categorized into two groups based on the presence of cannulation-related wound complications. RESULTS: Among the 34 patients requiring VA-ECMO peri-transplant, 17 (50%) experienced complications at the cannulation site. Baseline characteristics including duration of VA-ECMO support were comparable in both groups. Patients with complications presented mostly with open wounds (41.1%) after a median duration of 22 days post-transplant. Concurrent groin infections were observed in 52.3% of patients, all caused by gram-negative bacteria. Wound complications were managed with 12 (70.6%) undergoing SMF treatment and 5 (31.2%) receiving conventional therapy. Four SMF recipients had preemptive procedures for wound dehiscence, while eight underwent SMF for groin infections. Among the SMF group, 11 patients had favorable outcomes without recurrent complications, except for one patient who developed a groin infection with pseudoaneurysm formation. Conventional therapy with vacuum assisted closure (VAC) and antibiotics were utilized in four patients without infection and one patient with infection. Three patients required additional surgeries with favorable healing of the wound. CONCLUSION: Complications related to femoral VA-ECMO are common in HT patients, with infection being the most frequent complication. SMFs can be a useful tool to prevent progression of infection and improve local healing.

Utilization of hepatitis C virus infected donors in heart transplant recipients with elevated MELD-XI score.

BACKGROUND: The advent of direct-acting antivirals has helped to increase the safe utilization of organs from hepatitis C virus positive (HCV+) donors. However, the outcomes of heart transplantation (HT) using an HCV+ donor are unclear in recipients with underlying liver disease represented by an elevated model for end-stage liver disease excluding international normalized ratio (MELD-XI). METHODS: The United Network of Organ Sharing database was queried from Jan 2016 to Dec 2021. Post-transplant outcomes stratified by recipient MELD-XI score (low <10.37, medium, 10.38-13.39, and high >13.4) was compared between patients with HT from HCV+ (N = 792) and patients with HT from HCV-negative donors (N = 15,266). RESULTS: The median MELD-XI score was comparable (HCV+, 12.1, vs. HCV-negative, 11.8, p = .37). In the HCV+ group, donors were older (33 vs. 31 years, p < .001). Ischemic time of donor hearts (3.48 vs. 3.28 h, p < .001) and travel distance (250 vs. 157 miles, p < .001) were longer in HCV+ group. In the Kaplan Meier analysis with a median follow-up of 750 days, survival was comparable between the two groups (2-year survival, MELD-XI Low: HCV+, 92.4 ± 3.6% vs. HCV-negative, 91.1 ±.8%, p = .83, Medium: HCV+ 89.2 ± 4.3% vs. HCV-negative, 88.2 ± 1.0%, p = .68, and High: HCV+, 84.9 ± 4.5% vs. HCV-negative, 84.6 ± 1.1%, p = .75) In multivariate Cox hazard models, HCV donors were not associated with mortality in each MELD-XI subgroup (Low: adjusted hazard ratio (aHR), 1.02, p = .94; Medium: aHR, .95, p = .81; and High: aHR, .93, p = .68). CONCLUSION: Utilization of HCV+ hearts was not associated with an increased risk of adverse outcomes in recipients with an elevated MELD- XI score.

High-Risk Pulmonary Hypertension Does Not Worsen Outcomes in Heart Transplantation.

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a relative contraindication to heart transplantation (HT). Multiple studies showed increased mortality in patients with PH. Advances in care may have led to improved outcomes in the modern era. We analyzed patients who underwent HT at our institution between 2014 and 2018. We divided patients into 2 groups based on the presence of high-risk PH defined as either pulmonary vascular resistance >3 Wood units or transpulmonary gradient >15 mm Hg. The primary outcome was survival. Secondary outcomes were post-HT morbidity and changes in hemodynamics. Subsequently, we analyzed national trends of single organ HT recipients with a high-risk PH between 1994 and 2018 from the United Network for Organ Sharing registry. Of 98 patients who underwent HT at our center, 32% had PH. In patients without and with PH, the survival was 100% at 30 days, 87%, and 81% at 3 years (p = 0.96). In both groups, pulmonary vascular resistance and trans-pulmonary gradient decreased after HT. Nationwide data revealed 30-day survival without and with PH at 97% and 98% (p = 0.47) and 3-year survival at 86% and 87% (p = 0.84), respectively, in 2018. The proportion of recipients with PH decreased from 25% in 1994 to 19% in 2018. Recipients of HT with and without high-risk PH had similar early and late mortality in a single-center and nationwide analysis. PH improved immediately after transplant. The United Network for Organ Sharing registry analysis demonstrates continued improvement in survival in patients with PH in the modern era, whereas the relative percentage of recipients with PH decreased over time.

Transplantation Outcomes with Donor Hearts after Circulatory Death.

BACKGROUND: Data showing the efficacy and safety of the transplantation of hearts obtained from donors after circulatory death as compared with hearts obtained from donors after brain death are limited. METHODS: We conducted a randomized, noninferiority trial in which adult candidates for heart transplantation were assigned in a 3:1 ratio to receive a heart after the circulatory death of the donor or a heart from a donor after brain death if that heart was available first (circulatory-death group) or to receive only a heart that had been preserved with the use of traditional cold storage after the brain death of the donor (brain-death group). The primary end point was the risk-adjusted survival at 6 months in the as-treated circulatory-death group as compared with the brain-death group. The primary safety end point was serious adverse events associated with the heart graft at 30 days after transplantation. RESULTS: A total of 180 patients underwent transplantation; 90 (assigned to the circulatory-death group) received a heart donated after circulatory death and 90 (regardless of group assignment) received a heart donated after brain death. A total of 166 transplant recipients were included in the as-treated primary analysis (80 who received a heart from a circulatory-death donor and 86 who received a heart from a brain-death donor). The risk-adjusted 6-month survival in the as-treated population was 94% (95% confidence interval [CI], 88 to 99) among recipients of a heart from a circulatory-death donor, as compared with 90% (95% CI, 84 to 97) among recipients of a heart from a brain-death donor (least-squares mean difference, -3 percentage points; 90% CI, -10 to 3; P<0.001 for noninferiority [margin, 20 percentage points]). There were no substantial between-group differences in the mean per-patient number of serious adverse events associated with the heart graft at 30 days after transplantation. CONCLUSIONS: In this trial, risk-adjusted survival at 6 months after transplantation with a donor heart that had been reanimated and assessed with the use of extracorporeal nonischemic perfusion after circulatory death was not inferior to that after standard-care transplantation with a donor heart that had been preserved with the use of cold storage after brain death. (Funded by TransMedics; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT03831048.).

Evolution of concomitant use of veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support with Impella in cardiogenic shock: From percutaneous femoral Impella to axillary Impella 5.5.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about safety and efficacy of the use of Impella 5.5 compared to previous iterations in the setting of Impella with Veno-Arterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Support as ECPELLA. METHODS: Consecutive patients who were treated by ECPELLA with surgically implanted axillary Impella 5.5 (N = 13) were compared with patients supported by ECPELLA with percutaneous femoral Impella CP or 2.5 (Control, N = 13). RESULTS: The total ECPELLA flow was higher in ECPELLA 5.5 group (6.9 vs. 5.4 L/min, p = 0.019). Actual hospital survival was higher than predicted and comparable in both groups (ECPELLA 5.5, 61.5% vs. Control, 53.8%, p = 0.691). Both total device complications (ECPELLA 5.5, 7.7% vs. Control, 46.1%, p = 0.021) and Impella-specific complications (ECPELLA 5.5, 0% vs. Control, 30.8%, p = 0.012) were significantly lower in the ECPELLA 5.5 group. CONCLUSIONS: Utilization of Impella 5.5 in the setting of ECPELLA provides greater hemodynamic support with a lower risk of complications compared to Impella CP or 2.5.

Escalation from impella 5.5 to ECPELLA support as a bridge to mitral valve surgery in a patient with degenerative mitral regurgitation.

Severe mitral regurgitation (MR) is an important cause of acute heart failure and significant contributor to morbidity and mortality. Mechanical circulatory support (MCS) devices such as Impella are readily used to hemodynamically stabilize patients with cardiogenic shock (CS) secondary to this valvular pathology. Impella can also be combined with VA-ECMO to an "ECPELLA" configuration if further escalation of hemodynamic support is needed. We report a case of a 57-year-old female who presented with CS secondary to a perforated anterior mitral valve leaflet and non-ischemic cardiomyopathy that did not stabilize with initial choice of Impella 5.5. She required further escalation from axillary Impella 5.5 to the combined ECPELLA configuration, which allowed hemodynamic stabilization and ultimately a successful high-risk isolated mitral valve replacement. Despite adequate Impella flow, escalation to a combined MCS configuration, such as ECPELLA, may need to be considered upfront for acute valvular insufficiency in the setting of pre-existing cardiomyopathy.

Use of Donor Hearts ≥50 Years Old for Septuagenarians in Heart Transplantation.

BACKGROUND: The impact of using donors ≥50 years old on heart transplantation outcomes of septuagenarians is unknown, which may have a potential to expand the donor pool. METHODS: From January 2011 to December 2021, 817 septuagenarians received donor hearts <50 years old (DON<50) and 172 septuagenarians received donor hearts ≥50 years old (DON≥50) in the United Network for Organ Sharing database. Propensity score matching was performed using recipient characteristics (167 pairs). The Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazards model were used to analyze death and graft failure. RESULTS: The number of heart transplants in septuagenarians has been increasing (54 per year in 2011 to 137 per year in 2021). In a matched cohort, the donor age was 30 years in DON<50 and 54 years in DON≥50. In DON≥50, cerebrovascular disease was the main cause of death (43%), whereas head trauma (38%) and anoxia (37%) were the causes in DON<50 (P < .001). The median heart ischemia time was comparable (DON<50, 3.3 hours; DON≥50, 3.2 hours; P = .54). In matched patients, 1- and 5-year survival rates were 88.0% (DON<50) vs 87.2% (DON≥50) and 79.2% (DON<50) vs 72.3% (DON≥50), respectively (log-rank, P = .41). In the multivariable Cox proportional hazards models, donors ≥50 years old were not associated with death in matched (hazard ratio, 1.05; 95% CI, 0.67-1.65; P = .83) and nonmatched groups (hazard ratio, 1.11; 95% CI, 0.82-1.50; P = .49). CONCLUSIONS: The use of donor hearts older than 50 years can be an effective option for septuagenarians, thereby potentially increasing organ availability without compromising outcomes.

Ex Vivo Heart Perfusion for Cardiac Transplantation Allowing for Prolonged Perfusion Time and Extension of Distance Traveled for Procurement of Donor Hearts: An Initial Experience in the United States.

Scarcity of donor hearts continues to be a challenge for heart transplantation (HT). The recently Food and Drug Administration-approved Organ Care System (OCS; Heart, TransMedics) for ex vivo organ perfusion enables extension of ex situ intervals and thus may expand the donor pool. Because postapproval real-world outcomes of OCS in HT are lacking, we report our initial experience. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed consecutive patients who received HT at our institution in the post-Food and Drug Administration approval period from May 1 to October 15, 2022. Patients were divided into 2 groups: OCS versus conventional technique. Baseline characteristics and outcomes were compared. Results: A total of 21 patients received HT during this period, 8 using OCS and 13 conventional techniques. All hearts were from donation after brain death donors. The indication for OCS was an expected ischemic time of >4 h. Baseline characteristics in the 2 groups were comparable. The mean distance traveled for heart recovery was significantly higher in the OCS group (OCS, 845 ± 337, versus conventional, 186 ± 188 mi; P < 0.001), as was the mean total preservation time (6.5 ± 0.7 versus 2.5 ± 0.7 h; P < 0.001). The mean OCS time was 5.1 ± 0.7 h. In-hospital survival in the OCS group was 100% compared with 92.3% in the conventional group (P = 0.32). Primary graft dysfunction was similar in both groups (OCS 12.5% versus conventional 15.4%; P = 0.85). No patient in the OCS group required venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support after transplant compared with 1 in the conventional group (0% versus 7.7%; P = 0.32). The mean intensive care unit length of stay after transplant was comparable. Conclusions: OCS allowed utilization of donors from extended distances that otherwise would not be considered because ischemic time would be prohibitive by conventional technique.

An Update on the Diagnosis and Management of Acute Right Heart Failure.

Right ventricular (RV) dysfunction and resultant acute right heart failure (ARHF) is a rapidly growing field of interest, driven by increasing appreciation of its contribution to heart failure morbidity and mortality. Understanding of ARHF pathophysiology has advanced dramatically over recent years and can be broadly described as RV dysfunction related to acute changes in RV afterload, contractility, preload, or left ventricular dysfunction. There are several diagnostic clinical signs and symptoms as well as imaging and hemodynamic assessments that can provide insight into the degree of RV dysfunction. Medical management is tailored to the different causative pathologies, and in cases of severe or end-stage dysfunction, mechanical circulatory support can be utilized. In this review, we describe the pathophysiology of ARHF, how its diagnosis is established by clinical signs and symptoms and imaging findings, and provide an overview of treatment options, both medical and mechanical.

Outcomes of Combined Heart and Kidney Transplantation Under the New Heart Allocation Policy: A United Organ Network for Organ Sharing Database Analysis.

BACKGROUND: The impact of the new heart allocation policy, which prioritizes acutely ill patients on temporary mechanical circulatory support and provides broader sharing of donor organs, on patient and graft survival in combined heart and kidney transplantation (HKT) is unknown. METHODS: In the United Network for Organ Sharing data, patients were divided in groups before and after the policy change (OLD, January 1, 2015 to October 17, 2018, N=533; and NEW, October 18, 2018 to December 31, 2020, N=370). Propensity score matching was performed utilizing recipient characteristics (283 pairs). The median follow-up was 1099 days. RESULTS: The annual volume of HKT increased approximately 2-fold during this period (N=117 in 2015 and N=237 in 2020), predominantly among patients not on hemodialysis at time of transplantation. Ischemic times for heart (OLD, 2.94 versus NEW, 3.37 hours; P<0.001) and kidney grafts (14.1 versus 16.0 hours; P<0.001) were longer under the new policy, as was the travel distance (47 versus 183 miles; P<0.001). In the matched cohort, 1-year overall survival (OLD, 91.1% versus NEW, 84.8%; P<0.001), and freedom from heart and kidney graft failure rate were worse under the new policy. Patients not on hemodialysis at time of HKT demonstrated worse survival and a higher risk of kidney graft failure under the new policy compared with the old policy. In multivariate Cox proportional-hazards analysis, the new policy was associated with an increased risk of mortality (hazard ratio, 1.81; P=0.007), and graft failure among HKT recipients (heart, hazard ratio, 1.81; P=0.007; and kidney, hazard ratio, 1.83; P=0.002). CONCLUSIONS: The new heart allocation policy was associated with worse overall survival and decreased freedom from heart and kidney graft failure in HKT recipients.

Aortic Reoperation After Prior Acute Type A Aortic Dissection Repair: Don't Despair the Repair.

BACKGROUND: There is paucity of data regarding reoperation after acute type A aortic dissection (ATAD) repair. METHODS: From October 2006 to March 2022, 75 patients received 123 reoperations after ATAD (proximal, n = 17; distal, n = 103; and both, n = 3) utilizing redo sternotomy (RS, n = 68), left thoracotomy (LT, n = 44), and endovascular approach (TEVAR, n = 11). The axillary artery cannulation was utilized in 97.1% of the RS cases. A classic elephant trunk technique was used as a 2-staged procedure for distal pathology. Most LT repairs (95.5%) were completed above the celiac axis. RESULTS: Index ATAD repairs were predominantly ascending/hemiarch repair (73.3%). The median duration from the index repair was 2.0 years. Most reoperations were elective procedures (82.1%). Hospital mortality was 2.4% (RS, 1.5%; LT, 4.5%; TEVAR, 0%), and the stroke rate was 1.6%. There was no spinal cord ischemia. The 5-year overall survival and freedom from aortic mortality or procedure were 85.2% ± 5.6% and 80.6% ± 6.1%, respectively. There were 7 distal reinterventions (prior TEVAR, n = 3; prior LT, n = 4). Two patients required LT repair after prior TEVAR and 3 patients received infrarenal aortic repair after prior LT repair. Computed tomography after completion of the distal repair (n = 45) showed an increase of distal aorta at each level as follows: celiac axis 1.2 mm/y; renal artery 1.0 mm/y; and terminal aorta 1.2 mm/y. CONCLUSIONS: Reoperation after ATAD repair can be safely performed as an elective procedure at experienced centers. Staged distal interventions utilizing classic elephant trunk insertion and open repair above the celiac axis showed durable outcomes.

"Bowing Technique" for Using a HeartMate 3 Mini-Apical Cuff.

A HeartMate 3 mini-apical cuff is designed to facilitate minimally invasive left ventricular assist implantation. A possible problem of using a mini-apical cuff is that multiple buttress braided sutures can interfere with a HeartMate 3 pump when locking the pump. If this happens in a minimally invasive approach, multiple manipulations to engage the pump can cause catastrophic myocardial injury and uncontrollable bleeding, especially in patients with a fragile myocardium. We are reporting a simple and effective technique to prevent suture jamming in the setting of mini-apical cuff implantation utilizing multiple buttress sutures.

Cannulation-related adverse events of peripheral veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support in heart transplantation: Axillary versus femoral artery cannulation.

BACKGROUND: In heart transplantation (HT), peripheral veno-arterial extracorporeal membranous oxygenation (VA-ECMO) is utilized preoperatively as a direct bridge to HT or postoperatively for primary graft dysfunction (PGD). Little is known about wound complications of an arterial VA-ECMO cannulation site which can be fatal. METHODS: From 2009 to 2021, outcomes of 80 HT recipients who were supported with peripheral VA-ECMO either preoperatively or postoperatively were compared based on the site of arterial cannulation: axillary (AX: N = 49) versus femoral artery (FA: N = 31). RESULTS: Patients in the AX group were older (AX: 59 years vs. 52 years, p = .006), and less likely to have extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (0% vs. 12.9%, p = .040). Survival to discharge (AX, 81.6% vs. FA. 90.3%, p = .460), incidence of stroke (10.2% vs. 6.5%, p = .863), VA-ECMO cannulation-related bleeding (6.1% vs. 12.9%, p = .522), and arm or limb ischemia (0% vs. 3.2%, p = .816) were comparable. ECMO cannulation-related wound complications were lower in the AX group (AX, 4.1% vs. FA, 45.2%, p < .001) including the wound infections (2.0% vs. 32.3%, p < .001). In FA group, all organisms were gram-negative species. In univariate logistic regression analysis, AX cannulation was associated with less ECMO cannulation-related wound complications (Odds ratio, .23, p < .001). There was no difference between cutdown and percutaneous FA insertion regarding cannulation-related complications. CONCLUSIONS: Given the lower rate of wound complications and comparable hospital outcomes with femoral cannulation, axillary VA-ECMO may be an excellent option in HT candidates or recipients when possible.

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in COVID-19 compared to other etiologies of acute respiratory failure: A single-center experience.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a boom in the use of V-V ECMO for ARDS secondary to COVID. Comparisons of outcomes of ECMO for COVID to ECMO for influenza have emerged. Very few comparisons of ECMO for COVID to ECMO for ARDS of all etiologies are available. OBJECTIVES: To compare clinically important outcome measures in recipients of ECMO for COVID to those observed in recipients of ECMO for ARDS of other etiologies. METHODS: V-V ECMO recipients between March 2020 and March 2022 consisted exclusively of COVID patients and formed the COVID ECMO group. All patients who underwent V-V ECMO for ARDS between January 2014 and March 2020 were eligible for analysis as the non-COVID ECMO comparator group. The primary outcome was survival to hospital discharge. Secondary outcomes included ECMO decannulation, ECMO duration >30 days, and serious complications. RESULTS: Thirty-six patients comprised the COVID ECMO group and were compared to 18 non-COVID ECMO patients. Survival to hospital discharge was not significantly different between the two groups (33% in COVID vs. 50% in non-COVID; p = 0.255) nor was there a significant difference in the rate of non-palliative ECMO decannulation. The proportion of patients connected to ECMO for >30 days was significantly higher in the COVID ECMO group: 69% vs. 17%; p = 0.001. There was no significant difference in serious complications. CONCLUSION: This study could not identify a statistically significant difference in hospital survival and rate of successful ECMO decannulation between COVID ECMO and non-COVID ECMO patients. Prolonged ECMO may be more common in COVID. Complications were not significantly different.