Perioperative Presentations of Kounis Syndrome: A Systematic Literature Review.

Kounis syndrome commonly is described as a complex multisystem phenomenon mainly affecting coronary arteries, resulting in coronary vasospasm in the context of an allergic manifestation. This article reviews the literature regarding perioperative presentations of the syndrome. A systematic search in MEDLINE and Embase databases was performed for case reports through June 16, 2021, on Kounis syndrome triggered by medications administered in the perioperative setting. The authors' search resulted in 35 perioperative reports of Kounis syndrome, with the majority of the cases occurring in men between 40 and 80 years of age, manifesting within 20 minutes following the administration of the suspected trigger. Chest pain and ischemic changes on the electrocardiograph were the most frequent presentations, while intravenous antibiotics and neuromuscular blocking agents were the most common triggers. In most instances, the patients had a good recovery following the event. Coronary vasospasm is often less frequently recognized as a form of allergic manifestation in the perioperative setting. Many potential triggers, such as antibiotics and neuromuscular blocking agents, are routinely administered during surgery. Awareness of this condition, early diagnosis, and effective management of this condition can lead to good outcomes.

New Strategies to Expand and Optimize Heart Donor Pool: Ex Vivo Heart Perfusion and Donation After Circulatory Death: A Review of Current Research and Future Trends.

Heart transplantation remains the definitive management for end-stage heart failure refractory to medical therapy. While heart transplantation cases are increasing annually worldwide, there remains a deficiency in organ availability with significant patient mortality while on the waiting list. Attempts have therefore been made to expand the donor pool and improve access to available organs by recruiting donors who may not satisfy the standard criteria for organ donation because of donor pathology, anticipated organ ischemic time, or donation after circulatory death. "Ex vivo" heart perfusion (EVHP) is an emerging technique for the procurement of heart allografts. This technique provides mechanically supported warm circulation to a beating heart once removed from the donor and before implantation into the recipient. EVHP can be sustained for several hours, facilitate extended travel time, and enable administration of pharmacological agents to optimize cardiac recovery and function, as well as allow assessment of allograft function before implantation. In this article, we review recent advances in expanding the donor pool for cardiac transplantation. Current limitations of conventional donor criteria are outlined, including the determinants of organ suitability and assessment, involving transplantation of donation after circulatory death hearts, extended criteria donors, and EVHP-associated assessment, optimization, and transportation. Finally, ongoing research relating to organ optimization and functional ex vivo allograft assessment are reviewed.