Outcomes of Lung Transplantation in Patients With Right Ventricular Dysfunction: A Single-Center Retrospective Analysis Comparing ECMO Configurations in a Bridge-to-Transplant Setting.

This study aimed to assess the lung transplantation (LT) outcomes of patients with right ventricular dysfunction (RVD), focusing on the impact of various extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) configurations. We included adult patients who underwent LT with ECMO as a bridge-to-transplant from 2011 to 2021 at a single center. Among patients with RVD (n = 67), veno-venous (V-V) ECMO was initially applied in 79% (53/67) and maintained until LT in 52% (35/67). Due to the worsening of RVD, the configuration was changed from V-V ECMO to veno-arterial (V-A) ECMO or a right ventricular assist device with an oxygenator (Oxy-RVAD) in 34% (18/67). They showed that lactic acid levels (2-6.1 mmol/L) and vasoactive inotropic score (6.6-22.6) increased. V-A ECMO or Oxy-RVAD was initiated and maintained until LT in 21% (14/67) of cases. There was no significant difference in the survival rates among the three configuration groups (V-V ECMO vs. configuration changed vs. V-A ECMO/Oxy-RVAD). Our findings suggest that the choice of ECMO configuration for LT candidates with RVD should be determined by the patient's current hemodynamic status. Vital sign stability supports the use of V-V ECMO, while increasing lactic acid levels and vasopressor needs may require a switch to V-A ECMO or Oxy-RVAD.

Guideline-Directed Medical Therapy and Survival After TEER for Secondary Mitral Regurgitation With Right Ventricular Impairment.

BACKGROUND: Right ventricular impairment is common among patients undergoing transcatheter edge-to-edge repair for secondary mitral regurgitation (SMR). Adherence to guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) for heart failure is poor in these patients. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of GDMT on long-term survival in this patient cohort. METHODS: Within the EuroSMR (European Registry of Transcatheter Repair for Secondary Mitral Regurgitation) international registry, we selected patients with SMR and right ventricular impairment (tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion ≤17 mm and/or echocardiographic right ventricular-to-pulmonary artery coupling <0.40 mm/mm Hg). Titrated guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMTtit) was defined as a coprescription of 3 drug classes with at least one-half of the target dose at the latest follow-up. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality at 6 years. RESULTS: Among 1,213 patients with SMR and right ventricular impairment, 852 had complete data on medical therapy. The 123 patients who were on GDMTtit showed a significantly higher long-term survival vs the 729 patients not on GDMTtit (61.8% vs 36.0%; P < 0.00001). Propensity score-matched analysis confirmed a significant association between GDMTtit and higher survival (61.0% vs 43.1%; P = 0.018). GDMTtit was an independent predictor of all-cause mortality (HR: 0.61; 95% CI: 0.39-0.93; P = 0.02 for patients on GDMTtit vs those not on GDMTtit). Its association with better outcomes was confirmed among all subgroups analyzed. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with right ventricular impairment undergoing transcatheter edge-to-edge repair for SMR, titration of GDMT to at least one-half of the target dose is associated with a 40% lower risk of all-cause death up to 6 years and should be pursued independent of comorbidities.

Impact of right ventricular dysfunction on outcomes in patients requiring intra-aortic balloon pump placement: A retrospective nationwide analysis (2016-2020).

Right ventricular dysfunction (RVD) continues to be a significant contributor to both mortality and morbidity, posing a significant challenge in the management of patients undergoing evaluation for mechanical circulatory support (MCS). Currently, there is a paucity of data regarding outcomes in this subset of patients. We analyzed the National Inpatient Sample database (NIS) to identify adult hospitalizations who underwent intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) placement with or without co-existence of RVD. Multivariate logistic regression, and linear regression analyses were used to compare outcomes, and adjust for possible confounders. Out of 126,985 hospitalizations who underwent IABP placement, 1,475 (1.2%) had RVD. Patients with RVD who received an IABP had higher adjusted odds of inpatient mortality (Adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 2.33, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.7-3.2, p<0.001) than those without co-existing RVD. Hospitalized patients who underwent IABP placement with RVD had higher adjusted odds of worse hospitalization outcomes in general. Conducting additional prospective studies and clinical trials with an emphasis on further subcategorization of patients with RVD is crucial for determining optimal management strategies for these patients.

Use of percutaneous mechanical circulatory support for right ventricular failure.

BACKGROUND: Utilization of right ventricular mechanical circulatory support (RV-MCS) devices has been limited by a lack of recognition of RV failure as well as a lack of availability and experience with RV-MCS. AIMS: We report a single-center experience with the use of percutaneous RV-MCS and report predictors of adverse outcomes. METHODS: This was a single-center retrospective cohort study. Data from consecutive patients who received RV-MCS for any indication between June 2015 and January 2022 were included. Data on baseline comorbidities, hemodynamics, and laboratory values were collected. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality analyzed as a logistic outcome in a multivariable model. These variables were further ranked by their predictive value. RESULTS: Among 58 consecutive patients enrolled, the median age was 66 years, 31% were female and 53% were white. The majority of the patients (48%) were hospitalized for acute on chronic heart failure. The majority of the patients were SCAI SHOCK Stage D (67%) and 34 (64%) patients had MCS placed within 24 h of the onset of shock. Before placement of RV-MCS, median central venous pressure (CVP) and RV stroke work index were 20 mmHg and 8.9 g m/m2, respectively. Median serum lactate was 3.5 (1.6, 6.2) mmol/L. Impella RP was implanted in 50% and ProtekDuo in the remaining 50%. Left ventricular MCS was concomitantly used in 66% of patients. Twenty-eight patients (48.3%) died. In these patients, median serum lactate was significantly higher (4.1 [2.3, 13.0] vs. 2.2 [1.4, 4.0] mmol/L, p = 0.007) and a trend toward higher median CVP (24 [18, 31] vs. 19 [14, 24] mmHg, p = 0.052). In the multivariable logistic model, both serum lactate and CVP before RV-MCS placement were independent predictors of in-hospital mortality. Serum lactate had the highest predictive value. CONCLUSION: In our real-world cohort, 52% of patients treated with RV-MCS survived their index hospitalization. Serum lactate at presentation and CVP were the strongest predictors of in-hospital mortality.

How to assess and treat right ventricular electromechanical dyssynchrony in post-repair tetralogy of Fallot: insights from imaging, invasive studies, and computational modelling.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Right bundle branch block (RBBB) and resulting right ventricular (RV) electromechanical discoordination are thought to play a role in the disease process of subpulmonary RV dysfunction that frequently occur post-repair tetralogy of Fallot (ToF). We sought to describe this disease entity, the role of pulmonary re-valvulation, and the potential added value of RV cardiac resynchronization therapy (RV-CRT). METHODS: Two patients with repaired ToF, complete RBBB, pulmonary regurgitation, and significantly decreased RV function underwent echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance, and an invasive study to evaluate the potential for RV-CRT as part of the management strategy. The data were used to personalize the CircAdapt model of the human heart and circulation. Resulting Digital Twins were analysed to quantify the relative effects of RV pressure and volume overload and to predict the effect of RV-CRT. RESULTS: Echocardiography showed components of a classic RV dyssynchrony pattern which could be reversed by RV-CRT during invasive study and resulted in acute improvement in RV systolic function. The Digital Twins confirmed a contribution of electromechanical RV dyssynchrony to RV dysfunction and suggested improvement of RV contraction efficiency after RV-CRT. The one patient who underwent successful permanent RV-CRT as part of the pulmonary re-valvulation procedure carried improvements that were in line with the predictions based on his Digital Twin. CONCLUSION: An integrative diagnostic approach to RV dysfunction, including the construction of Digital Twins may help to identify candidates for RV-CRT as part of the lifetime management of ToF and similar congenital heart lesions.

Disfunción ventricular derecha en paciente adulto con comunicación interventricular posinfarto / Right ventricular dysfunction in adult patient with post-infarction ventricular septal defect

RESUMEN Introducción: La disfunción ventricular derecha es la alteración aguda o crónica de la morfología y función de dicha estructura, de origen multifactorial. En los últimos años existe consenso acerca de su función como determinante del estado funcional y factor pronóstico en diversas enfermedades. Objetivo: Destacar la importancia del manejo multidisciplinario y algunas de las opciones terapéuticas que se les pueden brindar a estos pacientes. Presentación del caso: Paciente de 58 años de edad, con antecedentes de salud aparente, que acudió al Servicio de emergencias, donde se le diagnosticó un infarto agudo de miocardio de topografía inferior. Se trasladó a la unidad de cuidados intensivos quirúrgicos del Servicio de Cirugía Cardiovascular debido a una complicación mecánica por comunicación interventricular. Se recibió con elementos clínicos de insuficiencia cardíaca aguda clase funcional IV. Progresivamente presentó deterioro del estado hemodinámico por lo que requirió el uso de apoyo vasoactivo con norepinefrina; hipoxia, hipercapnia, presiones venosas centrales entre 15 y 18 cmH2O y elementos clínicos de disfunción de ventrículo derecho; se decidió instrumentar vía aérea, administrar sedación y relajación por asincronías a paciente ventilado. Sin otra opción que el tratamiento quirúrgico se llevó a discusión donde se decidió esperar a la mejoría del estado hemodinámico con tratamiento médico. Conclusiones: Las enfermedades cardiovasculares no dejan de aparecer en escenarios cada vez más complejos con elevada morbimortalidad. Se evidencia la importancia del consenso clínico-quirúrgico en el momento de la toma de decisiones.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Right ventricular dysfunction is the acute or chronic alteration of the morphology and function of this structure, of multifactorial origin. In recent years there is consensus about its role as a determinant of functional status and prognostic factor in various diseases. Objective: Highlight the importance of multidisciplinary management and some of the therapeutic options that can be provided to these patients. Case Presentation: A 58-year-old patient with an apparent health history went to the Emergency Service, where he was diagnosed with an acute myocardial infarction of lower topography. He was transferred to the surgical intensive care unit of the Cardiovascular Surgery Service due to a mechanical complication from ventricular septal defect. He was received presenting clinical elements of acute heart failure functional class IV. He progressively presented deterioration of the hemodynamic state, so it required the use of vasoactive support with norepinephrine; hypoxia, hypercapnia, central venous pressures between 15 and 18 cmH2O and clinical elements of right ventricular dysfunction; it was decided to implement airway, administer sedation and relaxation by asynchrony to ventilated patient. With no other option than surgical treatment, it was brought to discussion and it was decided to wait for the improvement of the hemodynamic state with medical treatment. Conclusions: Cardiovascular diseases do not cease to appear in increasingly complex scenarios with high morbidity and mortality. The importance of clinical-surgical consensus at the time of decision-making is evident.

Oxigenador extracorpóreo de membrana venopulmonar percutáneo en la insuficiencia ventricular derecha / Percutaneous venous-pulmonary artery extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in right heart failure

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Electrical approach to improve left ventricular activation during right ventricle stimulation

Coronary sinus mapping is commonly used to evaluate left atrial activation. Herein, we propose to use it to assess which right ventricular pacing modality produces the shortest left ventricular activation times (R-LVtime) and the narrowest QRS widths. Three study groups were defined: 54 controls without intraventricular conduction disturbances; 15 patients with left bundle branch block, and other 15 with right bundle branch block. Left ventricular activation times and QRS widths were evaluated among groups under sinus rhythm, right ventricular apex, right ventricular outflow tract and high output septal zone (SEPHO). Left ventricular activation time was measured as the time elapsed from the surface QRS onset to the most distal left ventricular deflection recorded at coronary sinus. During the above stimulation modalities, coronary sinus mapping reproduced electrical differences that followed mechanical differences measured by tissue doppler imaging. Surprisingly, 33% of the patients with left bundle branch block displayed an early left ventricular activation time, suggesting that these patients would not benefit from resynchronization therapy. SEPHO improved QRS widths and left ventricular activation times in all groups, especially in patients with left bundle branch block, in whom these variables became similar to controls. Left ventricular activation time could be useful to search the optimum pacing site and would also enable detection of non-responders to cardiac resynchronization therapy. Finally, SEPHO resulted the best pacing modality, because it narrowed QRS-complexes and shortened left ventricular activations of patients with left bundle branch block and preserved the physiological depolarization of controls.

El mapeo del seno coronario se utiliza comúnmente para evaluar la activación de la aurícula izquierda. Aquí, investigamos su utilidad para evaluar qué modalidad de estimulación ventricular derecha produce los menores tiempos de activación ventricular izquierda (R-LVtime). Se definieron tres grupos: 54 controles; 15 pacientes con bloqueo de rama izquierda y 15 con bloqueo de rama derecha. El ancho de QRS y los tiempos de activación fueron evaluados en cada grupo bajo las siguientes modalidades: ritmo sinusal, ápex del ventrículo derecho, tracto de salida del ventrículo derecho y alta salida en septum (SEPHO). El R-LVtime se midió como el tiempo transcurrido desde el inicio del QRS de superficie y la deflexión ventricular izquierda más distal del seno coronario. Durante las distintas modalidades de estimulación, el mapeo del seno coronario reprodujo diferencias eléctricas acompañadas por diferencias mecánicas que fueron evaluadas mediante Tissue Doppler Imaging. El 33% de los pacientes con bloqueo de rama izquierda mostró R-LVtime tempranos, lo que sugiere que estos pacientes no se beneficiarían con terapia de resincronización. SEPHO mejoró el ancho de QRS y el R-LVtime de todos los grupos, especialmente en los pacientes con bloqueo de rama izquierda. En conclusión, el R-LVtime serviría para identificar el sitio óptimo de estimulación y permitiría detectar ciertos no respondedores a la terapia de resincronización. Además, el SEPHO resultó la mejor modalidad de estimulación porque estrechó el QRS y acortó el R-LVtime de los pacientes con bloqueo de rama izquierda pero no alteró la despolarización fisiológica de los controles.

Estudo ecocardiográfico do ventrículo direito em pacientes com hipertensão pulmonar por esquistossomose mansoni / Echocardiography of right ventricle in patients with schistosomiasis-induced pulmonary hypertension

Introdução: A esquistossomose, parasitose tropical, pode provocar hipertensão pulmonar grave (HAPE), que leva a remodelamento e disfunção do ventrículo direito (VD), que pode ser detectada pela diminuição da excursão sistólica do anel tricúspide (TAPSE) e da variação de áreas do VD. No VD normal, rico em fibras longitudinais, predomina o strain longitudinal, sendo menor o strain transversal. Objetivo: Avaliar, com ecocardiografia convencional e com strain bidimensional do VD, pacientes portadores de HAPE, comparando os resultados com dados clínicos, hemodinâmicos e com parâmetros ecocardiográficos obtidos em controles sadios. Material: Trinta e dois pacientes com HAPE, média etária de 45 ± 12 anos. Vinte e três controles sadios, média etária de 48 ± 18 anos.Métodos: Foram avaliados os parâmetros de função do VD (variação de áreas e TAPSE) e o gradiente de refluxo tricúspide. Foi determinado o strain longitudinal e transversal do VD em pacientes com HAPE e em controles sadios. Resultados: Entre os pacientes com HAPE e os controles sadios, a variação das áreas foi, respectivamente, 28% e 46% (p = 0,0001), o TAPSE, 1,9 cm e 2,2 cm (p = 0,02); gradiente de regurgitação tricúspide, 76 mmHg e 28 mmHg (p = 0,0001); deformação longitudinal da parede lateral do VD -22% e -37% (p = 0,0001); e deformação transversal 39% e 21% (p = 0,001). Conclusão: Pacientes com HAPE modificaram o padrão de deformação do VD, com aumento do strain transversal, provavelmente por adaptação do VD à sobrecarga pressórica. O ecocardiograma convencional também foi útil paraavaliar a função do VD na HAPE.

Introduction: Schistosomiasis is a tropical parasitic disease may cause severe pulmonary hypertension (SIPH), which leads to right ventricular (RV) remodeling and dysfunction, which can be detected by decreased tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) and variation of RV areas. In normal RV, rich in longitudinal fibers, longitudinal strain prevails, and transverse strain is smaller. Objective: To assess, using conventional echocardiography and two-dimensional RV strain, patients with SIPH, comparing the results with clinical and hemodynamic data and echocardiographic parameters obtained from healthy controls. Material: Thirty-two patients with SIPH, mean age 45 ± 12 years old. Twenty-three healthy controls, mean age 48 ± 18 years old. Methods: RV function parameters (range of areas and TAPSE) and the tricuspid regurgitation gradient were evaluated. Longitudinal and transverse RV strain RV were determined in patients with SIPH and in healthy controls. Results: Among SIPH patients and healthy controls, the variation of areas was 28% and 46%, respectively (p = 0.0001), TAPSE was 1.9 cm and 2.2 cm (p = 0.02); tricuspid regurgitation gradient was 76 mmHg and 28 mmHg (p = 0.0001); RV sidewall longitudinal strain -22% and -37%(p = 0.0001); and transverse strain of 39% and 21% (p = 0.001). Conclusion: Patients with SIPH changed the RV strain pattern with increased transverse strain, probably due to RV adaptation to pressure overload. Conventional echocardiography was also useful to assess RV function in SIPH.

Development and Validation of Predictive Models of Cardiac Mortality and Transplantation in Resynchronization Therapy / Desenvolvimento e Validação de Modelos Preditores de Mortalidade Cardíaca e Transplante na Terapia de Ressincronização Cardíaca

AbstractBackground:30-40% of cardiac resynchronization therapy cases do not achieve favorable outcomes.Objective:This study aimed to develop predictive models for the combined endpoint of cardiac death and transplantation (Tx) at different stages of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT).Methods:Prospective observational study of 116 patients aged 64.8 ± 11.1 years, 68.1% of whom had functional class (FC) III and 31.9% had ambulatory class IV. Clinical, electrocardiographic and echocardiographic variables were assessed by using Cox regression and Kaplan-Meier curves.Results:The cardiac mortality/Tx rate was 16.3% during the follow-up period of 34.0 ± 17.9 months. Prior to implantation, right ventricular dysfunction (RVD), ejection fraction < 25% and use of high doses of diuretics (HDD) increased the risk of cardiac death and Tx by 3.9-, 4.8-, and 5.9-fold, respectively. In the first year after CRT, RVD, HDD and hospitalization due to congestive heart failure increased the risk of death at hazard ratios of 3.5, 5.3, and 12.5, respectively. In the second year after CRT, RVD and FC III/IV were significant risk factors of mortality in the multivariate Cox model. The accuracy rates of the models were 84.6% at preimplantation, 93% in the first year after CRT, and 90.5% in the second year after CRT. The models were validated by bootstrapping.Conclusion:We developed predictive models of cardiac death and Tx at different stages of CRT based on the analysis of simple and easily obtainable clinical and echocardiographic variables. The models showed good accuracy and adjustment, were validated internally, and are useful in the selection, monitoring and counseling of patients indicated for CRT.

ResumoFundamento:A terapia de ressincronização cardíaca pode demonstrar resultados desfavoráveis em 30-40% dos casos.Objetivo:Este estudo teve por objetivo desenvolver modelos preditores para o desfecho combinado de morte cardíaca ou transplante (Tx) em diferentes estágios da terapia de ressincronização cardíaca (TRC).Métodos:Estudo prospectivo observacional de 116 pacientes com idade média de 64,8 ± 11,1 anos, dos quais 68,1% estavam em classe funcional (CF) III e 31,9% em classe IV ambulatorial. Variáveis clínicas, eletrocardiográficas e ecocardiográficas foram avaliadas com regressão de Cox e curvas de Kaplan-Meier.Resultados:O desfecho mortalidade/Tx cardíacos foi de 16,3% durante seguimento de 34,0 ± 17,9 meses. No período pré-implante, disfunção ventricular direita (DVD), fração de ejeção < 25% e uso de altas doses de diuréticos (ADD) aumentaram o risco de morte e Tx cardíacos em 3,9, 4,8 e 5,9 vezes, respectivamente. No primeiro ano após TRC, DVD, AHDD e hospitalização por insuficiência cardíaca congestiva elevaram o risco de morte (razões de risco de 3,5, 5,3 e 12,5, respectivamente). No segundo ano após TRC, DVD e CF III/IV foram fatores de risco significativos de mortalidade no modelo multivariado de Cox. As acurácias dos modelos foram 84,6% na pré-implante, 93% no primeiro ano após TRC e 90,5% no segundo ano após TRC. Os modelos foram validados por bootstrapping.Conclusão:Desenvolvemos modelos preditores de morte e Tx cardíacos em diferentes estágios de TRC com base na análise de variáveis clínicas e ecocardiográficas simples e de fácil obtenção. Os modelos mostraram boa acurácia e ajuste, foram validados internamente e são úteis para a seleção, o monitoramento e a orientação de pacientes indicados para TRC.

Sítios endocárdicos alternativos na estimulação cardíaca artificial / Alternative endocardial sites for artificial cardiac stimulation / Sitios endocárdicos alternativos en la estimulación cardíaca artificial

A estimulação ventricular direita convencional pode estar associada a efeitos deletérios sobre a função cardíaca. A necessidade de uma estimulação cardíaca artificial mais fisiológica é, indiscutivelmente, um dos pontos mais importantes na área da eletroterapia cardíaca. Os algoritmos de programação para a manutenção da condução atrioventricular própria, a estimulação de sítios endocárdicos alternativos e a terapia de ressincronização cardíaca são utilizados com o intuito de alcançar este objetivo. A estimulação do feixe de His e a estimulação septal têm sido estudadas como sítios endocárdicos alternativos para o posicionamento do eletrodo no ventrículo direito. A estimulação septal representa uma alternativa simples, prática e sem custos adicionais e com potenciais benefícios na redução dos efeitos deletérios da estimulação do ventrículo direito. Entretanto, esse sítio alternativo envolve um grupo heterogêneo de pacientes e apresenta resultados conflitantes quanto ao seu benefício clínico a longo prazo. Este artigo faz uma revisão das evidências científicas sobre os sítios alternativos de estimulação ventricular direita, com ênfase na segurança do procedimento, na medida dos parâmetros eletrofisiológicos, na avaliação da função ventricular esquerda e no acompanhamento clínico dos pacientes.

The conventional right ventricular stimulation can be associated with deleterious effects on cardiac function. The need for a more physiological artificial cardiac stimulation is undoubtedly one of the most important points in the area of cardiac electrotherapy. The programming algorithms for the maintenance of adequate atrioventricular conduction, the stimulation of alternative endocardial sites and the cardiac resynchronization therapy are used with the objective of attaining these goals. The stimulation of the bundle of His and the septal stimulation have been studied as alternative endocardial sites for the positioning of the electrode on the right ventricle. The septal stimulation represents a simple and practical alternative, with no additional costs involved and with potential benefits in decreasing the deleterious effects of the right ventricular stimulation. However, this alternative site involves a heterogeneous group of patients and presents conflicting results regarding its long-term clinical benefit. This article reviews the scientific evidence on the alternative sites for right ventricular stimulation, with emphasis on the safety of the procedure, the measurement of the electrophysiological parameters, assessment of the left ventricular function and the clinical follow-up of patients.

La estimulación ventricular derecha convencional puede estar asociada a efectos deletéreos sobre la función cardíaca. La necesidad de una estimulación cardíaca artificial más fisiológica es, indiscutiblemente, uno de los puntos más importantes en el área de la electroterapia cardíaca. Los algoritmos de programación para la manutención de la conducción atrioventricular propia, la estimulación de sitios endocárdicos alternativos y la terapia de resincronización cardíaca son utilizados con el propósito de alcanzar este objetivo. La estimulación del haz de His y la estimulación septal han sido estudiadas como sitios endocárdicos alternativos para el posicionamiento del electrodo en el ventrículo derecho. La estimulación septal representa una alternativa simple, práctica y sin costos adicionales y con potenciales beneficios en la reducción de los efectos deletéreos de la estimulación del ventrículo derecho. Entre tanto, ese sitio alternativo envuelve un grupo heterogéneo de pacientes y presenta resultados conflictivos en cuanto a su beneficio clínico a largo plazo. Este artículo hace una revisión de las evidencias científicas sobre los sitios alternativos de estimulación ventricular derecha, con énfasis en la seguridad del procedimiento, en la medida de los parámetros electrofisiológicos, en la evaluación de la función ventricular izquierda y en el control clínico de los pacientes.

Asistencia ventricular derecha con bomba centrífuga / Right ventricular assistance with a centrifugal pump. Report of two cases

Acute right ventricular failure after cardiac surgery occurring in the first postoperative hours is associated with a bad prognosis. We have used a centrifugal pump either for ¡eft, right or biventricular assistance. However, the use of this device for pure right ventricular assistance is rare. We report a 30 year-old female undergoing a mitral valve replacement and a 42 year-old male undergoing a cardiac transplantation, who had a successful right ventricular assistance using a centrifugal pump, due to a failing right ventricle, as the result of insufficient myocardial protection and severe pulmonary hypertension. These two cases illustrate the value of the mechanical ventricular assist device for the treatment of right heart failure.

Ressincronização ventricular: comparando os marcapassos biventriculares com os marcapassos bifocais de ventrículo direito / Ventricular resynchronization: comparing biventricular and bifocal right ventricular pacemakers

OBJETIVO: Realizar uma análise da estimulação biventricular convencional (BV), da estimulação bifocal (BF) de ventrículo direito (VD) e uma análise comparativa das duas técnicas, em relação aos parâmetros clínicos, funcionais e ecocardiográficos, em uma população sem os critérios de exclusão dos trabalhos clássicos. MÉTODOS: Foram analisados de forma prospectiva, não randomizada, 36 pacientes submetidos a cirurgia para implantes de marcapassos multissítos devido a QRS > 130 ms, disfunção ventricular esquerda grave e insuficiência cardíaca congestiva classe funcional III ou IV. RESULTADOS: Os resultados favoráveis da ressincronização foram obtidos com as duas técnicas, sem diferenças significativas na comparação dos dois grupos, exceto por maior estreitamento do QRS e tendência a menor número de internações no grupo dos BV. Quando os grupos foram analisados individualmente e comparados, antes e após os procedimentos, observamos que as melhoras foram bem mais expressivas no grupo dos biventriculares, assim como os índices de relevância estatística maiores. CONCLUSÃO: A terapia de ressincronização cardíaca mostrou ser terapia eficaz nos 2 grupos analisados, entretanto com resultados mais expressivos no grupo dos biventriculares.

OBJECTIVE:To analyze the conventional biventricular pacing (BV) and the bifocal (BF) right ventricular (RV) pacing, and to perform a comparative analysis of these two techniques in relation to clinical, functional and echocardiographic parameters in a population without the exclusion criteria of the major studies. METHODS:A prospective non-randomized analysis of 36 patients undergoing surgery for multisite pacemaker implantation due to QRS > 130 ms, severe left ventricular dysfunction, and NYHA functional class III or ambulatory class IV congestive heart failure was performed. RESULTS: Favorable results of resynchronization were obtained with both techniques, with no significant differences in the comparison of the two groups, except for a higher QRS narrowing in the BV group, and a trend of a lower number or hospital admissions in the BV group. When the groups were analyzed separately and compared before and after the procedures, we observed that improvement was much more significant in the biventricular group, as were the more statistically relevant rates. CONCLUSION: Cardiac resynchronization therapy proved to be an efficient therapy in both groups analyzed, although with more significant outcomes in the biventricular group.

Estimulación ventricular derecha multisitio en insuficiencia cardíaca refractaria a tratamiento con resincronización biventricular / Multisite right ventricular stimulation for cardiac failure refractory to biventricular resynchronization therapy. Case report

The prevalence of congestive heart failure has increased in the world. Despite advances in pharmacological treatment, some patients have progression of the disease and deterioration of their functional class. In this group of patients cardiac resynchronization therapy has been accepted as a treatment option. However, some patients are non-responders to cardiac resynchronization, and others who respond favorably, will experience reappearance of their symptoms. For these patients, multisite stimulation with the implant of a second electrode in the right ventricle has been published as a new option. We report a 76 year-old woman with a dilated cardiomyopathy, who was treated with resynchronization therapy with good clinical response during two years, but symptoms of congestive heart failure reappeared and her functional class deteriorated to NYHA class IV. She was successfully treated with right ventricular multisite stimulation, with a reduction of symptoms that has lasted during the two months of follow up after the procedure.

Insuficiência cardíaca na doença de Chagas / Chagas' heart disease and heart failure

A cardiopatia chagásica é condiçäo mórbida altamente prevalente no continente americano e acarreta elevadas morbidade. Além do significativo ônus socioeconômico para naçöes em desenvolvimento constitui motivaçäo essencial para seu estudo o melhor entendimento de suas marcantes particularidades fisiopatológicas, exteriorizadas também na síndrome de insuficiência cardíaca a ela vinculada. Representam, ainda, aspectos relevantes de sua fisiopatogenia, cujo entendimento tem progredido graças aos recentes avanços técnicos nos instrumentos de investigaçäo: a participaçäo do parasitismo continuado de fibras cardíacas na fase crônica da doença; a identificaçäo da isquemia miocárdica e a denervaçäo autonômica cardíaca precedendo outras manifestaçöes de cardiopatia. É bastante plausível que esses distúrbios constituam potenciais mecanisoms auxiliares e amplificadores da lesäo miocárdica; e, finalmente, o reconhecimento de que a extensa fibrose intersticial miocárdica consequente ao processo inflamatório de natureza auto-imune deve representar fator determinate da falência funcional da bomba cardíaca.