Registro español de trasplante cardiaco. XXXIII informe oficial de la Asociación de Insuficiencia Cardiaca de la Sociedad Española de Cardiología / Spanish Heart Transplant Registry. 33rd official report of the Heart Failure Association of the Spanish Society of Cardiology

Introducción y objetivos Se actualizan los datos anuales de Registro español de trasplante cardiaco con los hallazgos de los procedimientos realizados en 2021. Métodos Se describen las principales características clínicas, del tratamiento recibido y de los resultados en términos de supervivencia del año 2021 y las tendencias en el periodo 2012-2020. Resultados En 2021 se han realizado 302 trasplantes cardiacos (un 8,6% más que el año anterior). En 2021 se ha confirmado la tendencia observada en años anteriores a una disminución de los trasplantes urgentes y a la realización de estos mayoritamente con dispositivos de asistencia ventricular. Las demás características y los resultados en términos de supervivencia muestran una clara tendencia a la estabilización en la última década. Respecto a 2019, en los años de la pandemia por SARS-CoV-2 (2020 y 2021) no se detecta un impacto relevante en los resultados en la fase aguda tras el trasplante y en la serie histórica. Conclusiones En 2021 se ha recuperado la actividad de trasplante hasta cifras previas a la pandemia por SARS-CoV-2, que no ha tenido un impacto global significativo en los resultados. Las características del procedimiento y los resultados muestran una clara tendencia a la estabilización en la última década (AU)

Introduction and objectives This report updates the annual data of the Spanish heart transplant registry with the procedures performed in 2021. Methods We describe the clinical profile, therapeutic characteristics and outcomes in terms of survival of the procedures performed in 2021. Their temporal trends are updated for the 2012 to 2020 period. Results In 2021, 302 heart transplants were performed (8.6% increase versus 2020). The tendency in 2021 confirmed that of prior years, with fewer urgent transplants and a preference for the use of ventricular assist devices. The remaining characteristics and survival showed a clear trend toward stability in the last decade. Compared with 2019, the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic (2020 and 2021) did not affect short- or long-term survival. Conclusions In 2021, transplant activity returned to prepandemic levels. The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic did not significantly affect transplant outcomes. The main transplant features and outcomes have clearly stabilized in the last decade (AU)

Usefulness of severity scales for cardiogenic shock in-hospital mortality. Proposal for a new prognostic model.

Cardiogenic shock (CS) is a condition comprising multiple etiologies, which associates high mortality rates. Some scoring systems have been shown to be good predictors of hospital mortality in patients admitted to Critical Care Units (CCU). The main objective of this study is to analyze their usefulness and validity in a cohort of CS patients. METHODS: Observational unicentric study of a cohort of CS patients. SOFA, SAPS II and APACHE II scores were calculated in the first 24 h of CCU admission. RESULTS: 130 patients with CS were included. SOFA, SAPS II and APACHE II scores revealed good discrimination for hospital mortality: (AUC) ROC values (AUC: 0.711, 0.752 and 0.742 respectively; P = .6). Calibration, estimated by the Hosmer-Lemeshow test, was adequate in all cases. Acute coronary syndrome, lactate serum values, SAPS II score and vasoactive inotropic score (VIS) were found to be independent predictors for mortality, upon ICU admission. With these variables, a specific prognostic indicator was developed (SAPS-2-LIVE), which improved predictive capability for mortality in our series (AUC) ROC, 0.825 (95% CI 0.752-0.89). CONCLUSION: In this contemporary CS cohort, the aforementioned scores have been shown to have good predictive ability for hospital mortality. These findings could contribute to a more accurate risk stratification in CS.

Utilidad de las escalas de gravedad en la predicción de mortalidad intrahospitalaria en el shock cardiogénico. Propuesta de un nuevo modelo pronóstico / Usefulness of severity scales for cardiogenic shock in-hospital mortality. Proposal for a new prognostic model

El shock cardiogénico (SC) es una entidad que comprende múltiples etiologías y asocia elevada mortalidad. Algunas escalas de gravedad han demostrado ser buenos predictores de mortalidad hospitalaria en pacientes ingresados en Unidades de Cuidados Intensivos (UCI). El objetivo principal de este estudio es analizar su utilidad y validez en una cohorte de pacientes en SC. Métodos: Estudio observacional unicéntrico. Se calcularon las escalas SOFA, SAPSII y APACHEII en las primeras 24horas de ingreso en UCI. Resultados: Se incluyeron 130 pacientes con SC. Las escalas SOFA, SAPSII y APACHEII mostraron buena discriminación para la mortalidad hospitalaria, obteniendo valores de área bajo la curva (AUC) ROC similares (AUC: 0,711, 0,752 y 0,742, respectivamente; p=0,6). La calibración, estimada por el test de Hosmer-Lemeshow, fue adecuada en todos los casos, SOFA (p=0,787), SAPSII (p=0,078) y APACHEII (p=0,522). Resultaron: predictores independientes de mortalidad intrahospitalaria: el síndrome coronario agudo (SCA), los valores de lactato sérico, el SAPSII y el índice de vasoactivos inotrópicos (VIS) en las primeras 24horas de ingreso en UCI.Con estas variables se desarrolló un indicador pronóstico específico para el SC (SAPS-2-LIVE) que mejora la capacidad predictiva de mortalidad en nuestra serie (AUC) ROC, 0,825 (IC 95% 0,752-0,89). Conclusión: En esta cohorte contemporánea de SC, las escalas SOFA, SAPSII y APACHEII han demostrado una buena capacidad de predicción de mortalidad hospitalaria. Estos hallazgos podrían contribuir a una mejor estratificación del riesgo en el SC.(AU)

Cardiogenic shock (CS) is a condition comprising multiple etiologies, which associates high mortality rates. Some scoring systems have been shown to be good predictors of hospital mortality in patients admitted to Critical Care Units (CCU). The main objective of this study is to analyze their usefulness and validity in a cohort of CS patients. Methods: Observational unicentric study of a cohort of CS patients. SOFA, SAPSII and APACHEII scores were calculated in the first 24hours of CCU admission. Results: 130 patients with CS were included. SOFA, SAPSII and APACHEII scores revealed good discrimination for hospital mortality: (AUC) ROC values (AUC: 0.711, 0.752 and 0.742 respectively; p=0.6). Calibration, estimated by the Hosmer-Lemeshow test, was adequate in all cases.Acute coronary syndrome, lactate serum values, SAPSII score and vasoactive inotropic score (VIS) were found to be independent predictors for mortality, upon ICU admission. With these variables, a specific prognostic indicator was developed (SAPS-2-LIVE), which improved predictive capability for mortality in our series (AUC) ROC, 0.825 (95% CI 0.752-0.89). Conclusion: In this contemporary CS cohort, the aforementioned scores have been shown to have good predictive ability for hospital mortality. These findings could contribute to a more accurate risk stratification in CS.(AU)

Resultados del retrasplante cardiaco: subanálisis del Registro Español de Trasplante Cardiaco / Results of heart retransplantation: subanalysis of the Spanish Heart Transplant Registry

Introducción y objetivos: El retrasplante cardiaco (ReTC) representa un tema controvertido actualmente. Nuestro objetivo es describir y analizar los resultados del ReTC en España. Métodos: Análisis retrospectivo del Registro Español de Trasplante Cardiaco de 1984 a 2018. Se recogieron datos sobre donante, receptor, cirugía, inmunosupresión y supervivencia. La mortalidad por todas las causas o la necesidad de ReTC postrasplante fueron el objetivo principal. Se estudiaron diferencias en supervivencia según indicación, tiempo entre trasplantes y época del ReTC. Resultados: Se estudiaron en total 7.592 trasplantes cardiacos (TxC) y 173 (2,3%) ReTC (mediana de edad, 52,0 y 55,0 años respectivamente). La enfermedad vascular del injerto fue la indicación de ReTC más frecuente (42,2%) y 59 pacientes (80,8%) recibieron el ReTC más de 5 años después del trasplante inicial. El rechazo agudo y el fallo primario del injerto disminuyeron como indicaciones durante el periodo estudiado. La insuficiencia renal, la hipertensión, la necesidad de ventilación mecánica o balón intraaórtico y la mayor duración de la isquemia fría fueron más frecuentes en el ReTC. La mediana de seguimiento del ReTC fue 5,8 años. El ReTC tuvo peor supervivencia que el TxC (HR ponderado=1,43; IC95%, 1,17-1,44; p<0,001). El rechazo agudo (HR=2,49; IC95%, 1,45-4,27; p<0,001) se relacionó con el peor resultado. El ReTC más allá de 5 años del trasplante inicial presagia resultados similares a los del TxC primario (HR ponderado=1,14; IC95%, 0,86-1,50; p<0,001). Conclusiones: El ReTC se asoció con mayor mortalidad que el TxC, especialmente por rechazo agudo. El pronóstico del ReTC realizado más de 5 años después es similar al del TxC primario (AU)

Introduction and objectives: Heart retransplantation (ReHT) is controversial in the current era. The aim of this study was to describe and analyze the results of ReHT in Spain. Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort analysis from the Spanish Heart Transplant Registry from 1984 to 2018. Data were collected on donors, recipients, surgical procedure characteristics, immunosuppression, and survival. The main outcome was posttransplant all-cause mortality or need for ReHT. We studied differences in survival according to indication for ReHT, the time interval between transplants and era of ReHT. Results: A total of 7592 heart transplants (HT) and 173 (2.3%) ReHT were studied (median age, 52.0 and 55.0 years, respectively). Cardiac allograft vasculopathy was the most frequent indication for ReHT (42.2%) and 59 patients (80.8%) received ReHT >5 years after the initial transplant. Acute rejection and primary graft failure decreased as indications over the study period. Renal dysfunction, hypertension, need for mechanical ventilation or intra-aortic balloon pump and longer cold ischemia time were more frequent in ReHT. Median follow-up for ReHT was 5.8 years. ReHT had worse survival than HT (weighted HR, 1.43; 95%CI, 1.17-1.44; P<.001). The indication of acute rejection (HR, 2.49; 95%CI, 1.45-4.27; P<.001) was related to the worst outcome. ReHT beyond 5 years after initial HT portended similar results as primary HT (weighted HR, 1.14; 95%CI, 0.86-1.50; P<.001). Conclusions: ReHT was associated with higher mortality than HT, especially when indicated for acute rejection. ReHT beyond 5 years had a similar prognosis to primary HT (AU)

Current Situation and Prognostic Evolution of Combined Heart-lung Transplantation in a European Union Country.

Background: This study aims to evaluate the entire experience in heart-lung transplantation (HLTx) in a country of the European Union with 47 million inhabitants according to the etiologies that motivated the procedure. Methods: A retrospective study on 1,751 consecutive transplants (HLTx: 78) was performed from 1990 to 2020 in two centers. Overall survival, adjusted for clinical profile and etiological subgroups, was compared. 7 subgroups were considered: 1) Cardiomyopathy with pulmonary hypertension (CM + PH). 2) Eisenmenger syndrome. 3) Congenital heart disease (CHD). 4) Idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH). 5) Cystic fibrosis. 6) Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)/Emphysema. 7) Diffuse interstitial lung disease (ILD). Results: Early mortality was 44% and that of the rest of the follow-up was 31%. There were differences between HTLx and HTx in survival, also comparing groups with a similar clinical profile with propensity score (p= 0.04). Median survival was low in CM + PH (18 days), ILD (29 days) and CHD (114 days), intermediate in Eisenmenger syndrome (600 days), and longer in IPAH, COPD/Emphysema and cystic fibrosis. Conclusion: HLTx has a high mortality. The etiological analysis is of the utmost interest to make the most of the organs and improve survival.

Experiencia en manejo anestésico para cirugía no cardiaca en pacientes con asistencias ventriculares / Experience in anaesthetic management of non-cardiac surgery in patients with ventricular assist devices

La insuficiencia cardiaca constituye un cuadro sindrómico de elevada incidencia en la medicina actual. Cuando los síntomas de la insuficiencia cardiaca progresan y se convierten en refractarios, la indicación de trasplante cardiaco es la mejor opción terapéutica. Sin embargo, debido a la escasez de donantes y a las largas listas de espera, muchos de estos pacientes necesitan la implantación de dispositivos de asistencia ventricular como puente a este trasplante, o en algunos casos, cuando el trasplante no es una opción, como terapia definitiva. En este artículo se presenta una serie de 4 casos clínicos en pacientes portadores de dispositivos de asistencia ventricular que precisaron intervención quirúrgica. Tres de ellos estaban asistidos con asistencias de larga duración: 2 EXCOR (pulsátiles y paracorpórea) y un HEARTWARE (no pulsátil e intracorpórea) y el último con una asistencia de corta duración; CentriMag Levitronix biventricular. No existe bibliografía significativa sobre las implicaciones perioperatorias de estos pacientes cuando son sometidos a cirugía urgente o programada. La experiencia en nuestro centro nos lleva a plantear la necesidad de conocer una serie de aspectos: funcionamiento de cada dispositivo, recalcando la correcta colocación de las cánulas durante la cirugía; el manejo apropiado de la medicación, recalcando la importancia de las terapias anticoagulantes y antiagregantes; los cambios fisiopatológicos a nivel cardiopulmonar debidos a la implantación de estos dispositivos; y la importancia de la administración de una correcta antibioterapia. Ante la complejidad que presentan estos casos, la escasa experiencia en este campo y los pocos casos que existen de estas situaciones se recomienda la creación de protocolos para garantizar un manejo correcto de estos

Heart failure (HF) is a syndromic condition with a high incidence in current medicine. When the symptoms of HF progress, and become refractory, cardiac transplant is the best therapeutic option. However, due to the shortage of donors and the long waiting lists, many of those patients are candidates for implantation of ventricular assist devices as a bridge to the cardiac transplant, or when this is not an option, as a definitive therapy. A series of four clinical cases of patients with ventricular assist devices that required surgical intervention, is presented. Three of them were assisted with long-term care: two EXCOR (pulsatile and para-corporeal) and one HEARTWARE (non-pulsatile and intra-corporeal), and the last one with short-term assistance; CentriMag biventricular Levitronix. There is no significant literature on the peri-operative implications of these patients when they undergo urgent or scheduled surgery. The experience in our centre leads us to raise the need to determine a series of aspects: operation of each device, emphasising the correct placement of the cannulas during the surgery; the proper management of any medication, emphasising the importance of anticoagulant and anti-platelet therapies; the Pathophysiological changes at cardiopulmonary level due to the implantation of these devices; and the importance of the administration of a correct antibiotic therapy. Given the complexity of these cases, the limited experience in this field, and the few cases that exist in these situations, it is recommended to create protocols to ensure their proper management

Experience in anaesthetic management of non-cardiac surgery in patients with ventricular assist devices. / Experiencia en manejo anestésico para cirugía no cardiaca en pacientes con asistencias ventriculares.

Heart failure (HF) is a syndromic condition with a high incidence in current medicine. When the symptoms of HF progress, and become refractory, cardiac transplant is the best therapeutic option. However, due to the shortage of donors and the long waiting lists, many of those patients are candidates for implantation of ventricular assist devices as a bridge to the cardiac transplant, or when this is not an option, as a definitive therapy. A series of four clinical cases of patients with ventricular assist devices that required surgical intervention, is presented. Three of them were assisted with long-term care: two EXCOR (pulsatile and para-corporeal) and one HEARTWARE (non-pulsatile and intra-corporeal), and the last one with short-term assistance; CentriMag biventricular Levitronix. There is no significant literature on the peri-operative implications of these patients when they undergo urgent or scheduled surgery. The experience in our centre leads us to raise the need to determine a series of aspects: operation of each device, emphasising the correct placement of the cannulas during the surgery; the proper management of any medication, emphasising the importance of anticoagulant and anti-platelet therapies; the Pathophysiological changes at cardiopulmonary level due to the implantation of these devices; and the importance of the administration of a correct antibiotic therapy. Given the complexity of these cases, the limited experience in this field, and the few cases that exist in these situations, it is recommended to create protocols to ensure their proper management.

Amiloidosis de cadenas ligeras: experiencia en un hospital terciario 2005-2013 / Light chain amyloidosis: experience in a tertiary hospital: 2005-2013

Antecedentes y objetivo. La amiloidosis AL es una entidad rara cuyo manejo está cambiando gracias a avances recientes en el diagnóstico y tratamiento. Describimos una serie contemporánea de enfermos con amiloidosis AL, para analizar aspectos que permiten un diagnóstico precoz y un manejo óptimo. Pacientes y métodos. Hemos reunido para su análisis 32 pacientes (19 mujeres, edad mediana 63 años) atendidos consecutivamente en nuestro centro. Resultados. El 84% de los enfermos comenzaron con astenia, disnea o edemas con una duración previa de los síntomas de 8 meses (mediana). La afectación cardiaca (21/32) y la renal fueron las más frecuentes (11/32). Todos los enfermos, excepto uno, presentaban componente monoclonal en suero/orina o valores anormales de cadenas ligeras libres (78%, ¿). La médula ósea (MO) mostraba plasmocitosis clonal en 29 casos. El 100% de las biopsias cardiacas y el 50% de las de MO mostraron amiloide. El ecocardiograma y/o la resonancia cardiaca fueron anormales en 27/30 casos. La mediana de NT-proBNP al diagnóstico fue de 5200 ng/mL. Trece enfermos fallecieron por insuficiencia cardiaca, 2 por rechazo tras trasplante cardiaco, 2 por neumonía y uno tras ictus. Diez enfermos no recibieron tratamiento; 12 recibieron bortezomib y 5 alquilantes. Cinco enfermos recibieron un trasplante cardiaco y 4, un autotrasplante de MO. Catorce enfermos alcanzaron respuesta hematológica completa y 10, respuesta de órganos. La supervivencia mediana fue de 17 meses. Conclusiones. La afectación cardiaca es el principal determinante pronóstico. La rentabilidad de las biopsias de órganos afectados es alta (100% biopsias cardiacas). El tratamiento antineoplásico con bortezomib y/o autotrasplante de MO consigue respuestas hematológicas con mejoría de la afectación de órganos (AU)

Background and objectives. AL amyloidosis is a rare condition whose management is undergoing changes due to recent advances in diagnosis and treatment. We describe a contemporary series of patients with AL amyloidosis to analyze the features that enable early diagnosis and optimal management. Patients and methods. We recruited for analysis 32 patients (19 women; mean age, 63 years) treated consecutively at our center. Results. Eighty-four percent of the patients presented with asthenia, dyspnea or edema, with a previous duration of symptoms of 8 months (median). Cardiac (21/32) and renal impairment were the most common type (11/32). All of the patients, except one, had a monoclonal component in serum/urine or abnormal values for free light chains (78%, ¿). The bone marrow (BM) showed clonal plasmacytosis in 29 cases. All of the cardiac biopsies and 50% of the BM biopsies showed amyloid deposits. The results of the echocardiogram and/or cardiac resonance were abnormal in 27/30 cases. The median NT-proBNP value at diagnosis was 5200 ng/ml. Thirteen patients died due to heart failure, 2 due to rejection after heart transplantation, 2 due to pneumonia and 1 after a stroke. Ten patients did not undergo treatment, 12 were treated with bortezomib and 5 were treated with alkylating agents. Five patients underwent heart transplantation and 4 underwent autologous bone marrow transplantation. Fourteen patients achieved a complete hematologic response and 10 achieved organ response. The median survival was 17 months. Conclusions. Cardiac involvement is the major determinant of prognosis. Yield of involved organ biopsy is high (100% heart biopsies). Antineoplastic treatment with bortezomib and/or autologous bone marrow transplantation achieves hematological responses with improvements in organ impairment (AU)

Light chain amyloidosis: Experience in a tertiary hospital: 2005-2013. / Amiloidosis de cadenas ligeras: experiencia en un hospital terciario 2005-2013.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: AL amyloidosis is a rare condition whose management is undergoing changes due to recent advances in diagnosis and treatment. We describe a contemporary series of patients with AL amyloidosis to analyze the features that enable early diagnosis and optimal management. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We recruited for analysis 32 patients (19 women; mean age, 63 years) treated consecutively at our center. RESULTS: Eighty-four percent of the patients presented with asthenia, dyspnea or edema, with a previous duration of symptoms of 8 months (median). Cardiac (21/32) and renal impairment were the most common type (11/32). All of the patients, except one, had a monoclonal component in serum/urine or abnormal values for free light chains (78%, λ). The bone marrow (BM) showed clonal plasmacytosis in 29 cases. All of the cardiac biopsies and 50% of the BM biopsies showed amyloid deposits. The results of the echocardiogram and/or cardiac resonance were abnormal in 27/30 cases. The median NT-proBNP value at diagnosis was 5200 ng/ml. Thirteen patients died due to heart failure, 2 due to rejection after heart transplantation, 2 due to pneumonia and 1 after a stroke. Ten patients did not undergo treatment, 12 were treated with bortezomib and 5 were treated with alkylating agents. Five patients underwent heart transplantation and 4 underwent autologous bone marrow transplantation. Fourteen patients achieved a complete hematologic response and 10 achieved organ response. The median survival was 17 months. CONCLUSIONS: Cardiac involvement is the major determinant of prognosis. Yield of involved organ biopsy is high (100% heart biopsies). Antineoplastic treatment with bortezomib and/or autologous bone marrow transplantation achieves hematological responses with improvements in organ impairment.

Use of mTOR inhibitors in chronic heart transplant recipients with renal failure: calcineurin-inhibitors conversion or minimization?

BACKGROUND: In the last decade, mTOR inhibitors (mTOR-is) have become the cornerstone of the calcineurin inhibitor (CNI)-reduced/free regimens aimed to the preservation of post-transplant renal function. We compared utility and safety of the total replacement of calcineurin inhibitors with a mTOR-i with a strategy based on calcineurin inhibitor minimization and concomitant use of m-TOR-i. METHODS: In a retrospective multi-center cohort of 394 maintenance cardiac recipients with renal failure (GFR<60 mL/min/1.73 m(2)), we compared 235 patients in whom CNI was replaced with a mTOR-i (sirolimus or everolimus) with 159 patients in whom mTOR-is were used to minimize CNIs. A propensity score analysis was carried out to balance between group differences. RESULTS: Overall, after a median time of 2 years from mTOR-i initiation, between group differences for the evolution of renal function were not observed. In a multivariate adjusted model, improvement of renal function was limited to patients with mTOR-i usage within 5years after transplantation, particularly with the conversion strategy, and in those patients who could maintain mTOR-i therapy. Significant differences between strategies were not found for mortality, infection and mTOR-i withdrawal due to drug-related adverse events. However, conversion group tended to have a higher acute rejection incidence than the minimization group (p=0.07). CONCLUSION: In terms of renal benefits, our results support an earlier use of mTOR-is, irrespective of the strategy. The selection of either a conversion or a CNI minimization protocol should be based on the clinical characteristics of the patients, particularly their rejection risk.

Steroid withdrawal during 5 years following heart transplantation, and the relationship between steroid dosage at 1-year follow-up and complications during the next 2 years: results from the RESTCO study.

BACKGROUND: Little information is available regarding the controversial issue of steroid withdrawal following heart transplantation (HT), or instead in the incidence of adverse steroid effects at dosages typically employed in Spain. METHODS: We analyzed the 5-year follow-up records of 1209 patients (82.5% men, aged ≥ 18 years) who underwent HT between 2000 and 2005 and survived at least 1 month in 13 Spanish centers. The incidences of first steroid withdrawal before 1, 3, and 5 years post-HT were expressed as Kaplan-Meier probability estimates. Three patient groups defined in accordance with steroid dosage at 1-year follow-up (0, ≤ 5, and >5 mg/d; groups A, B, and C, respectively) were compared with regard to the incidence of de novo hypertension, diabetes, and bone fractures over the following 2 years. RESULTS: The 5-year incidence of withdrawal was 28%, 21% of whom required reintroduction of steroids. Kaplan-Meier probabilities of withdrawal before 1, 3, and 5 years post-HT were 8.8% (95% confidence interval ([CI] 7.3%-10.7%), 27.8% (CI 25.2%-30.6%), and 30.2% (CI 27.5%-33.2%), respectively. At 1-year follow-up, 9.9% of patients were steroid-free, 28.9% were taking ≤ 5 mg/d, and 61.3% >5 mg/d. The 2-year incidence of de novo hypertension increased significantly (P = .012) from 13.5% to 29.6% to 35.3% in groups A, B, and C respectively. These groups did not differ significantly in regard to the 2-year incidence of diabetes or bone fractures. CONCLUSIONS: Reintroduction of steroids was required by 21% of the 28% of Spanish HT patients who has been weaned from steroids within 5 years of HT. The incidence of de novo hypertension between 1 and 3 years post-HT increased with steroid dosage at 1-year follow-up. De novo diabetes and bone fractures showed no similar significant association.

Influence of steroid dosage, withdrawal, and reinstatement on survival after heart transplantation: results from the RESTCO study.

BACKGROUND: Little information is available regarding the consequences of steroid withdrawal following heart transplantation (HT) in Spain. METHODS: We analyzed the records of 1068 patients (81.6% men) who underwent HT between 2000 and 2005 in 13 Spanish centers who were aged ≥ 18 years and who survived at least 1 year. Death rates and Kaplan-Meier survival curves for 1 to 5 years post-HT were compared among four groups: groups A and B, patients on steroids throughout the first 5 years post-HT at dosages of ≤ 5 mg/d between 1-year and 5-year follow-up (group A; n = 148), or >5 mg/d for some part of this period (group B; n = 578). Groups C and D were patients from whom steroids were at some point withdrawn including group D (n = 73) with and group C (n = 269) without subsequent reintroduction into the maintenance regimen. RESULTS: Steroids were withdrawn at 1.6 ± 0.9 years post-HT in group C, and 1.7 ± 1.2 years post-HT in group D. The death rate between 1- and 5-year follow-up (deaths per 1000 person-years) was 44.3% (95% confidence interval 26.2-62.5) in group A, 42.6% (33.7-51.4) in group B, 30.5% (19.6-41.4) in group C, and 47.8% (21.8-73.7) in group D. There was no significant difference among them or among Kaplan-Meier survival curves of the four groups (P = .34 in both cases). Comparison of combined groups C + D with groups A + B showed no evidence of a greater mortality among combined groups C + D. CONCLUSIONS: The late withdrawal of steroids following HT was not associated with increased mortality.

Pseudomembranous Aspergillus tracheobronchitis in a heart transplant recipient.

Aspergillus tracheobronchitis (AT) is an uncommon clinical presentation of pulmonary aspergillosis that frequently progresses to invasive pulmonary aspergillosis. Diagnosis of AT may be delayed because of its insidious onset, non-specific signs and symptoms, and scarcity of radiographic abnormalities. We report the case of a patient who received a heart transplant (HT) because of cardiac amyloidosis and who developed pseudomembranous AT. Possible risk factors concurrent in this case were splenectomy, lymphocytopenia, and previous cytomegalovirus infection. Chest computed tomography scan showed thickening of the left bronchi and a 'tree-in-bud' pattern with multiple small nodules. Bronchoscopic examination revealed raised yellowish pseudomembranous plaques on the tracheobronchial tree. Bronchoalveolar lavage and aspirate cultures yielded Aspergillus fumigatus. The patient recovered with voriconazole. Clinicians should be aware of AT as a potential cause of respiratory symptoms with few radiographic abnormalities in HT recipients, as delay in performing bronchoscopy could result in an unfavorable prognosis.

Steroid use in heart transplant patients in Spain in the current era: a multicenter survey.

OBJECTIVE: Steroid withdrawal (SW) from maintenance therapy in heart transplant patients is still a controversial subject. We designed a questionnaire to ascertain the attitudes and procedures of a number of Spanish heart transplant units (16) regarding the use/withdrawal of steroids as part of the immunosuppressive maintenance therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We sent an 11-item questionnaire to the clinical director in charge of each unit. The questionnaire was completed and returned by 14 units. RESULTS: In 21.5% of the centers SW was performed in all patients, while 78.5% of the centers only performed SW in selected patients. In 57% of units SW was performed at 12 months posttransplantation and between 6 and 12 months in the rest. Fewer than 20% of patients were steroid-free in 46% of units while in 23% of units this proportion was >50%. In 11 units, the minimum prednisone dose administered was

Outcomes of heart transplantation for cardiac amyloidosis: subanalysis of the spanish registry for heart transplantation.

Amyloidosis (Am), a systemic disease, has poor prognosis because of organ damage produced by protein deposition in the extracellular space. Although heart transplantation (HTx) is possible, donor availability concerns and high mortality make this approach controversial. The Spanish Registry for Heart Transplantation includes 25 Am patients (54 +/- 9 years): 13 with AL type, 2 with AA and 10 with TTR mutation. Fifteen patients (60%) died during follow-up (4.9 +/- 1.3 years): 9 AL-Am patients, both AA-Am patients and 4 with TTR-Am. HTx survival for Am patients was similar to patients without Am at 1 month but significantly worse at 5 years: 46% versus 78% (p < 0.02). Of 10 AL-Am patients undergoing successful HTx, 4 died of systemic Am. Stem cell transplantation was performed in 3 (1 died of acute rejection). Five of 10 patients with TTR-Am underwent liver transplant; 4 remained alive at the last follow-up. Findings include poor outcome for AL-Am patients despite HTx and better survival for TTR-Am patients if HTx is associated with liver transplantation. Given the shortage of donors and poor outcome for Am patients, we would recommend that HTx be reserved for patients without or with mild systemic Am and be supplemented by additional therapies as indicated.

Criterios terapéuticos en el síndrome coronario agudo / Therapeutic criteria in the acute coronary syndrome

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[Systemic embolism after reversion to sinusal rhythm of persistent atrial flutter]. / Embolismo sistémico tras reversión a ritmo sinusal del aleteo auricular persistente.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of embolism in atrial flutter has been underestimated in the routine clinical practice. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this study the incidence of thromboembolic events after restoration of sinus rhythm (by catheter ablation or cardioversion) was compared in two groups of consecutive patients, with a different anticoagulation protocol. A total of 169 patients were evaluated. A first retrospective analysis of 79 non anticoagulated patients (group I). A second prospective group of 90 patients who were treated with an anticoagulation protocol (group II) similar to that for patients with atrial fibrillation. All had typical atrial flutter of at least one month's duration before the procedure. RESULTS: The mean age of patients in group I was 61 12 years and the mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 57 6%. Patients in group II had a mean age of 61 10 years and the mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 56 9%. No differences were observed regarding prevalence of structural cardiopathy, arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, left ventricular dysfunction, atrial size or atrial fibrillation between the two groups of patients. Four patients in the retrospective analysis (5%) had an embolic event associated with the procedure, compared with 0 (0%) in the group of patients treated with the anticoagulation protocol. The efficient anticoagulation was associated with a lower risk of thromboembolic events (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of embolic events after reversion to sinusal rhythm of persistent atrial flutter can be decreased. These patients should follow the same recommendations of anticoagulation that apply for patients with persistent atrial fibrillation that are going to be reverted to sinus rhythm.

Embolismo sistémico tras reversión a ritmo sinusaldel aleteo auricular persistente / Systemic embolism after reversion to sinusal rhythm of persistent atrial flutter

Pacientes y métodos. En este estudio se compara la incidencia de eventos tromboembólicos después de restaurar el ritmo sinusal (por ablación con catéter o cardioversión) en dos grupos consecutivos de pacientes con un protocolo de anticoagulación diferente. Se evaluaron 169 pacientes. Un primer análisis retrospectivo de 79 pacientes no anticoagulados (grupo I). Un segundo grupo prospectivo de 90 pacientes se trató con un protocolo de anticoagulación (grupo II) similar al de los pacientes con fibrilación auricular. Todos presentaban aleteo auricular típico de al menos un mes de duración antes del procedimiento. Resultados. Grupo I: la edad media fue 61ñ12 años y la fracción de eyección ventricular izquierda media de 57 ñ 6 por ciento. Grupo II: tuvo una edad media 61 ñ 10 años y fracción de eyección ventricular izquierda media de 56 ñ 9 por ciento. No hubo ninguna diferencia en la prevalencia de cardiopatía estructural, hipertensión arterial, diabetes mellitus, disfunción ventricular izquierda, tamaño auricular o fibrilación auricular entre los dos grupos de pacientes. Cuatro pacientes del análisis retrospectivo (5 por ciento) presentaron un episodio embólico asociado con el procedimiento, comparado con 0 (0 por ciento) de los pacientes tratados con un protocolo de anticoagulación. La anticoagulación eficaz se asoció con un menor riesgo de tromboembolismo (p < 0,05). Conclusiones. Es posible reducir la incidencia de eventos embólicos después de la reversión a ritmo sinusal del aleteo auricular persistente. Estos pacientes deben seguir las mismas recomendaciones de anticoagulación que los pacientes con fibrilación auricular persistente que van a ser revertidos a ritmo sinusal (AU)

Criterios terapéuticos en el síndrome coronario agudo / Therapeutic criteria in acute coronary syndrome

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