Surgery for Active Infective Endocarditis on Mitral Valve: Anatomical, Surgical, and Disease Factors as Long-Term Outcome Modifiers.

Background and Objectives: Determinants of long-term outcomes after surgery for native mitral valve endocarditis have not been thoroughly investigated. The aim of this study was to assess anatomical, disease, and surgical risk factors for long-term mortality and need of reintervention, in patients undergoing mitral valve surgery for active endocarditis. Materials and Methods: Patients who underwent surgery for active native mitral valve endocarditis at three academic centres, between 2000 and 2022, were analysed. The primary outcome was long-term survival. The secondary outcome was the freedom from mitral reoperation. Survival curves were constructed with Kaplan-Meier methodology. Multivariable Cox regression was used to identify demographic, anatomical, disease, and surgical factors associated with late mortality and reoperation. Results: 335 consecutive patients with active mitral endocarditis were analysed. Two hundred and one patients (70.5%) had infection confined to the valve cusp whereas 89 (25.6%) had invasive disease extended to the annulus and surrounding tissues. Preoperative neurological events occurred at the diagnosis in 52 cases. Streptococci were the most common causative organisms followed by Staphylococcus aureus, Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus, and Enterococcus. Valve repair was performed in 108 patients (32.2%). Survival at 5 and 10 years was 70.1% and 59.2%, respectively. Staphylococcus emerged as an independent predictor of late mortality, along with age, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and previous cardiac surgery. Survival was considerably reduced in patients with S. aureus compared with those without (log rank p < 0.001). The type of surgery (repair vs. replacement) did not emerge as a risk factor for late mortality and reoperation. Seventeen patients underwent mitral reoperation during the follow-up. The 5- and 10-year freedom from reoperation was 94.7% and 91.8%, respectively. Conclusions: Active mitral valve endocarditis remains a life-threatening disease with impaired survival. While lesion characteristics influenced surgical decision-making and intraoperative management, their impact on long-term survival and freedom from reintervention appears to be moderated by other factors such as infecting pathogens and patient comorbidities.

del Nido and Histidine-Tryptophan-Ketoglutarate cardioplegia in minimally invasive mitral valve surgery: A propensity-Match study.

INTRODUCTION: In the last decade, del Nido cardioplegia has been embedded in adult cardiac surgery involving CABG and aortic valve surgical procedures. We reviewed our early experience with del Nido cardioplegia in the setting of minimally invasive mitral valve surgery. METHODS: Data on 120 consecutive patients operated between 03/2021 and 06/2022 were retrieved from our internal database (infective endocarditis and urgent operations were excluded). Patients were divided into two groups according to the use of Histidine-Tryptophan-Ketoglutarate or del Nido cardioplegia. A propensity match analysis was performed using thirteen preoperative and intraoperative variables. Several intraoperative data and early postoperative outcomes were investigated, including cardiac enzymes (Troponin I HS and CK-MB) measured upon arrival in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), after 12 hours and everyday thereafter. RESULTS: There was no difference in preoperative characteristics and surgical techniques between both unmatched and matched Histidine-Tryptophan-Ketoglutarate and del Nido populations. Patients in the del Nido group received a lower volume of cardioplegia (p < 0.001) and ultrafiltration during CPB (p < 0.001). Histidine-Tryptophan-Ketoglutarate was associated with a lower rate of post cross-clamp spontaneous defibrillation (p < 0.001) and showed a lower level of blood sodium after CPB (p < 0.001). The release of cardiac enzymes was similar between the two groups (p = 0.72). There was no difference in terms of postoperative morbidity and 30 day mortality. CONCLUSIONS: del Nido cardioplegia in the setting of minimally invasive mitral valve surgery seemed safe with acceptable myocardial protection and excellent early outcomes.

Minimally Invasive Trans-Axillary versus Full Sternotomy Mitral Valve Repair: A Propensity Score-Matched Analysis on Mid-Term Outcomes.

Background and Objectives: Minimally invasive cardiac surgery is an established approach for the treatment of heart valve pathologies and is associated with excellent technical and early postoperative outcomes. Data from medium- and long-term longitudinal evaluation of patients who underwent mitral valve repair (MVr) through transaxillary approach (TAxA) are still lacking. The aim of this study is to investigate mid-term results in patients who underwent TAxA MVr. Materials and Methods: Prospectively collected data of patients who underwent first-time MVr for MV regurgitation between 2017 and 2022, were reviewed. A total of 308 patients received TAxA, while in 220 cases, traditional full sternotomy (FS) was performed. Concomitant aortic and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) procedures, infective endocarditis or urgent operations were excluded. A propensity match (PS) analysis was used to overcome preoperative differences between the populations. Follow-up data were retrieved from outpatients' clinic, telephone calls and municipal administration records. Results: After PS-matching, two well-balanced cohorts of 171 patients were analysed. The overall 30-day mortality rate was 0.6% in both cohorts. No statistical difference in postoperative complications was reported. TAxA cohort experienced earlier postoperative extubation (p < 0.001) with a higher rate of extubation performed in the operating theatre (p < 0.001), shorter intensive care unit (ICU) stay (p < 0.001), and reduced hospitalization with 51% of patients discharged home (p < 0.001). Estimated survival at 5 years was 98.8% in TAxA vs. 93.6% in FS cohort (Log rank p = 0.15). The cumulative incidence of reoperation was 2.6% and 4.4% at 5 years, respectively, in TAxA and FS cohorts (Gray test p = 0.49). Conclusions: TAxA approach for MVr was associated with low rates of in-hospital mortality and major postoperative complications being furthermore associated with shorter mechanical ventilation time, shorter ICU stay and reduced hospitalization with a higher rate of patients able to be discharged home. At mid-term, TAxA was associated with excellent survival and low rate of MV reoperation.

Comparison of minimally invasive versus conventional thoracic aortic operations: Early and midterm results in a series of 624 patients.

OBJECTIVE: Despite minimally invasive techniques having gained wider application in cardiac surgery, current evidence on minithoracic aortic surgery is still limited. The aim of this study was to compare early and midterm outcomes of patients undergoing operations of the proximal thoracic aorta through ministernotomy (MS) versus full sternotomy (FS). METHODS: Data from 624 consecutive patients who underwent proximal aortic repair through MS (n = 214, 34.3%) and FS (n = 410, 65.7%) at two aortic centers were analyzed. Treatment selection bias was addressed using propensity score matching (MS vs. FS). After matching, two well-balanced groups of 202 patients each were created. RESULTS: Median cardiopulmonary bypass and cross-clamp times were 88 and 68 min, respectively, with no difference between groups. Overall, 30-day mortality was 1% (n = 2) in MS and 0.5% (n = 1) in FS (p = .6). No difference was found in the rates of stroke (MS n = 5, 2.5%; FS n = 5, 2.5%), dialysis (MS n = 1, 0.5%; FS n = 4, 2%), bleeding (MS n = 7, 3.5%; FS n = 7, 3.5%), and blood transfusions (MS n = 67, 33.3%; FS n = 57, 28.4%). Patients receiving MS showed a lower incidence of respiratory insufficiency compared with FS (0% vs. 2.5%, p = .04). Intensive care unit and hospital stays were similar between groups. Two-year survival rate was 97.2% in MS and 96.5% in FS (p = .9). CONCLUSIONS: Mini proximal aortic operations can be performed successfully without compromising the proven efficacy and safety of conventional access. In selected patients, MS was associated with very low mortality and morbidity rates. Additionally, MS demonstrated superior clinical outcomes as regards respiratory adverse events, when compared with FS.

Porcelain aorta: A surgical dilemma in orthotopic heart transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Circumferential calcification of the ascending aorta, known as porcelain aorta, in a patient candidate to a heart transplant, requires technically demanding and high-risk procedural adjustments. AIMS: This case report showed successful replacement of ascending aorta due to extensive calcification at time of heart transplantation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the operating theatre, after median sternotomy, cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) was achieved via the right femoral artery and vein. Due to the impossibility of replacing the ascending aorta using safe aortic cross-clamping, a moderate hypothermia was established, and circulatory arrest was realized. According to Kazui protocol for selective anterograde cerebral perfusion via anonymous trunk and left carotid artery, ascending aorta was replaced with vascular prosthesis. RESULTS: Thanks to accurate pre-surgical planning, which included hypothermic circulatory arrest, ascending aorta replacement, before orthotopic heart implantation, we were able to perform the procedure successfully and prevent neurological events. DISCUSSION: Although different reports showed the feasibility of heart transplant combined to aortic replacement for aneurysmatic pathology, few cases were described for porcelain aorta, due to technically demanding procedure and prohibitive aortic cross-clamping. To avoid vascular embolization, dissection and mural laceration, aortic cross-clamping is not recommended. We performed aortic replacement at first, to reduce allograft ischemia. CONCLUSION: The use of hypothermic circulatory arrest technique with selective cerebral perfusion for aortic replacement, followed by vascular graft clamping to favour cardiac allograft implantation, could be considered a winning combination to guarantee procedural success and to reduce perioperative complications.

Frozen elephant use in type a dissection: fundamentals, innovations, and pitfalls.

INTRODUCTION: Type A acute aortic dissection (TA-AAD) is a great challenge for aortic surgeons. The establishment of a standardized surgical approach, particularly the determination of whether and when to address the aortic arch and the distal aorta in the same operation as the proximal aorta, is still unclear. AREAS COVERED: Frozen elephant trunk (FET) has emerged as a valuable treatment for TA-AAD over the last decade. Here, we discuss the fundamentals and pitfalls of frozen elephant trunk procedures and present the latest innovations. EXPERT OPINION: FET has the potential to simplify arch reconstruction in patients with complex arch tears and rupture, optimize perfusion in the distal true lumen for those with a compressed true lumen and malperfusion, address distal reentry tears, and promote false lumen thrombosis and late aortic remodeling. Nevertheless, FET is still associated with non-negligible mortality and morbidity rates. Patient selection, surgical expertise, and postoperative care remain crucial determinants in ensuring successful outcomes. Recent innovations in FET surgery involve the development of techniques to minimize or avoid hypothermic circulatory arrest and new FET devices with different arch branch configurations aiming to facilitate subsequent aortic reinterventions. We believe that both these advancements have the potential to improve patient outcomes.

Surgical repair and replacement for native mitral valve infective endocarditis.

AIMS: The clinical benefits of mitral valve repair over replacement in the setting of mitral infective endocarditis are not clearly established. METHODS: Data of patients who underwent cardiac surgery for infective endocarditis over a 20-year period (2001-2021) at two cardiac centres were reviewed. Among them, 282 patients underwent native mitral valve surgery and were included in the study. Nearest-neighbour propensity-score matching was performed to account for differences in patients' profile between the repair and replacement subgroups. RESULTS: Mitral valve replacement was performed in 186 patients, while in 96 cases patients underwent mitral valve repair. Propensity match analysis provided 89 well matched pairs. Mean age was 60 ±â€Š15 years; 75% of the patients were male. Mitral valve replacement was more commonly performed in patients with involvement of both mitral leaflets, commissure(s) and mitral annulus. Patients with lesion(s) limited to P2 segment formed the majority of the cases undergoing mitral valve repair. There was no difference in terms of microbiological findings. In-hospital mortality was 7% with no difference between the repair and the replacement cohorts. Survival probabilities at 1, 5 and 10 years were 88%, 72% and 68%, respectively after mitral repair, and 88%, 78% and 63%, respectively after mitral replacement (log-rank P  = 0.94). CONCLUSIONS: Mitral valve repair was more commonly performed in patients with isolated single leaflet involvement and provided good early and 10-year outcomes. Patients with annular disruption, lesion(s) on both leaflets and commissure(s) were successfully served on early and mid-term course by mitral valve replacement.

On-table extubation is associated with reduced intensive care unit stay and hospitalization after trans-axillary minimally invasive mitral valve surgery.

OBJECTIVES: Few data are available regarding early extubation after mitral valve surgery. We sought to assess the impact of an enhanced recovery after surgery-based protocol-ultra-fast-track protocol-in patients undergoing minimally invasive transaxillary mitral valve surgery. METHODS: Data of patients who underwent transaxillary mitral valve surgery associated with ultra-fast-track protocol between 2018 and 2023 were reviewed. We compared preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative data of patients who had fast-track extubation (≤6 h since the end of the procedure) and non-fast-track extubation (>6 h) and, within the fast-track group, patients who underwent on-table extubation and patients who were extubated in intensive care unit within 6 h. Multivariable logistic regression was used to study the association of extubation timing and intensive care unit stay, postoperative stay and discharge home. RESULTS: Three hundred fifty-six patients were included in the study. Two hundred eighty-two patients underwent fast-track extubation (79%) and 160 were extubated on table (45%). We found no difference in terms of mortality and occurrence of major complications (overall mortality and cerebral stroke 0.3%) according to the extubation timing. Fast-track extubation was associated with shorter intensive care unit stay, discharge home and discharge home within postoperative day 7 when compared to non-fast-track extubation. Within the fast-track group, on-table extubation was associated with intensive care unit stay ≤1 day and discharge home within postoperative day 7. CONCLUSIONS: Fast-track extubation was achievable in most of the patients undergoing transaxillary minimally invasive mitral valve surgery and was associated with higher rates of day 1 intensive care unit discharge and discharge home. On-table extubation was associated with further reduced intensive care unit stay and hospitalization.

The Enhanced Recovery after Surgery Approach in Heart Valve Surgery: A Systematic Review of Clinical Studies.

Background: Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols aim to reduce postoperative complications and promote earlier recovery. Although it is well established in noncardiac surgery fields, the ERAS approach has only recently been adopted in cardiac surgery. The aim of this review is to evaluate the status and implementation of ERAS protocols in patients undergoing heart valve surgery and to summarise associated clinical results. Methods: A literature search for the period January 2015 and January 2024 was performed through online databases. Clinical studies (randomised controlled trials and cohort studies) on patients undergoing heart valve surgical procedures and comparing ERAS and conventional approaches were included. The data extracted covered studies and populations characteristics, early outcomes and the features of each ERAS protocol. Results: There were 14 studies that fulfilled the final search criteria and were ultimately included in the review. Overall, 5142 patients were identified in the 14 studies, with 2501 in ERAS groups and 2641 patients who were representative of control groups. Seven experiences exclusively included patients who underwent heart valve surgery. Twelve out of fourteen protocols involved multiple interventions from the preoperative to postoperative phase, while two studies reported actions limited to intraoperative and postoperative care. We found high heterogeneity among the included protocols regarding key actions targeted for improvement and measured outcomes. All the studies showed that ERAS pathways can be safely adopted in cardiac surgery and in most of the experiences were associated with shorter mechanical ventilation time, reduced postoperative opioid use and reduced ICU and hospital stays. Conclusions: As demonstrated in noncardiac surgery, the adoption of structured ERAS protocols has the potential to improve results in patients undergoing heart valve surgery. Further evidence based on larger populations is needed, including more homogenous pathways and reporting further outcomes in terms of patient satisfaction, recovery and quality of life after surgery.

Three-Dimensional-Enabled Surgical Planning for the Correction of Right Partial Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Return.

Objectives: The surgical technique for right partial anomalous pulmonary venous return (PAPVR) depends on the location of the anomalous pulmonary veins (PVs). With this in mind, we sought to evaluate the impact of 3D heart segmentation and reconstruction on preoperative surgical planning. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on all patients who underwent PAPVR repair at our institution between January 2018 and October 2021; three-dimensional segmentations and reconstructions of all the heart anatomies were performed. A score (the PAPVR score) was established and calculated using two anatomical parameters (the distance between the most cranial anomalous PV and the superior rim of the sinus venosus defect/the sum of the latter and the distance between the PV and the azygos vein) to predict the type of correction. Results: A total of 30 patients were included in the study. The PAPVR score was found to be a good predictor of the type of surgery performed. A value > 0.68 was significantly associated with a Warden procedure (p < 0.001) versus single/double patch repair. Conclusions: Three-dimensional heart segmentations and reconstructions improve the quality of surgical planning in the case of PAPVR and allow for the introduction of a score that may facilitate surgical decisions on the type of repair required.

del Nido versus blood cardioplegia in adult cardiac surgery: a meta-analysis.

AIMS: Initially developed for myocardial protection in immature cardiomyocytes, del Nido cardioplegia has been increasingly used over the past decade in adult patients. Our aim is to analyse the results from randomized controlled trials and observational studies comparing early mortality and postoperative troponin release in patients who underwent cardiac surgery using del Nido solution and blood cardioplegia. METHODS: A literature search was performed through three online databases between January 2010 and August 2022. Clinical studies providing early mortality and/or postoperative troponin evaluation were included. A random-effects meta-analysis with a generalized linear mixed model, incorporating random study effects, was implemented to compare the two groups. RESULTS: Forty-two articles were included in the final analysis for a total of 11 832 patients, 5926 of whom received del Nido solution and 5906 received blood cardioplegia. del Nido and blood cardioplegia populations had comparable age, gender distribution, history of hypertension and diabetes mellitus. There was no difference in early mortality between the two groups. There was a trend towards lower 24 h [mean difference -0.20; 95% confidence interval (CI) -0.40 to 0.00; I2 = 89%; P = 0.056] and lower peak postoperative troponin levels (mean difference -0.10; 95% CI -0.21 to 0.01; I2 = 0.87; P = 0.087) in the del Nido group. CONCLUSION: del Nido cardioplegia can be safely used in adult cardiac surgery. The use of del Nido solution was associated with similar results in terms of early mortality and postoperative troponin release when compared with blood cardioplegia myocardial protection.

Transaxillary approach enhances postoperative recovery after mitral valve surgery.

OBJECTIVES: Several thoracic incisions have been described and different techniques used for cardiopulmonary bypass, myocardial protection, and valve exposure in minimally invasive mitral valve surgery. The aim of this study is to compare the early outcomes of patients operated using a simplified minimally invasive approach through a right transaxillary (TAxA) access with those achieved with conventional full sternotomy (FS) operations. METHODS: Prospectively collected data of patients who underwent mitral valve surgery between 2017 and 2022 at 2 academic centres were reviewed. Among them, 454 patients were operated through minimally invasive mitral valve surgery TAxA access and 667 patients through FS; associated aortic and coronary arteries surgery (CABG) procedures, infective endocarditis, redo and urgent operations were excluded. A propensity-matched analysis was performed using 17 preoperative variables. RESULTS: Two well-balanced cohorts including a total of 804 patients were analysed. The rate of mitral valve repair was similar in both groups. Operative times were shorter in the FS group; nevertheless, in patients operated with a minimally invasive approach, there was a trend towards decreasing cross-clamp time over the study period (P = 0.07). In the TAxA group, 30-day mortality was 0.25%, and postoperative cerebral stroke rate was 0.7%. TAxA mitral surgery was associated with shorter intubation time (P < 0.001) and intensive care unit stay (P < 0.001). After a median hospital stay of 8 days, 30% of patients who had TAxA surgery were discharged home versus 5% in the FS group (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: When compared with FS access, TAxA approach provides at least similar excellent early outcomes in terms of perioperative morbidity and mortality and allows shorter mechanical ventilation time, intensive care unit and postoperative hospital stay with a higher rate of patients able to be discharged home without any further period of cardiopulmonary rehabilitation.

Results and insights after 413 TAVI procedures performed by cardiac surgeons on their own.

OBJECTIVES: Current evidence on transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has been generated exclusively by cardiology studies and no operative data from cardiac surgeons are available. Here, we describe the development of our TAVI programme and report the results of transfemoral (TF) TAVI done by cardiac surgeons on their own. METHODS: This study included all the TAVI procedures on native valve performed at Cardiac Surgery Unit, Ospedali Riuniti di Ancona, during the period October 2018 to July 2022. Relevant prospectively collected preoperative, intraprocedural and postoperative data were retrieved from the Institutional database. RESULTS: A total of 413 patients were included in the study. Mean patients' age was 82 years and among them 44% (180/413) were male. STS score was 3.1% (2.2-4.4). Eighty patients underwent transapical TAVI and 333 patients had a TF approach. We progressively moved from transapical TAVI towards TF procedures that are now routinely performed on conscious sedation and using a fully percutaneous approach. After TF TAVI, 30-day mortality rate was 1%, cerebral stroke occurred in 2% of the cases, permanent pacemaker implantation was necessary in 23% of the patients and in 6% of the cases there was a moderate/severe degree of aortic regurgitation. There was no association between operators performing TAVI and 30-day mortality. CONCLUSIONS: The acquisition of catheter-based skills and an adequate training allowed cardiac surgeons to perform on their own awake and fully percutaneous TF TAVI with similar results when compared with major randomized clinical trials and registries' experiences.

Normothermic frozen elephant trunk without circulatory arrest.

We describe our technique for total aortic arch replacement with stenting of the descending thoracic aorta allowing normothermic cardiopulmonary bypass and avoiding hypothermic circulatory arrest. Supplementary information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12055-023-01536-1.

Improved Early Outcomes in Women Undergoing Aortic Valve Interventions.

Surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) in female patients has been associated with higher mortality (up to 3.3-8.9%) and postoperative complication rates when compared with their male counterparts. In recent years, TAVI has been shown to provide a greater benefit than SAVR in women. We sought to assess the early outcomes of the contemporary aortic valve intervention practice (surgical and transcatheter) in patients referred to our cardiac surgery unit. The data of consecutive patients who underwent isolated aortic valve intervention for aortic valve stenosis during the 2018-2022 period were retrieved from our internal database. Several preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative variables were analyzed, including the predicted risk of a prosthesis-patient mismatch. Nine hundred and fifty-five consecutive patients-514 women and 441 men-were included. Among them, 480 patients-276 female and 204 male-received a transcatheter procedure, and 475-238 women and 237 men-had conventional SAVR. The women were older and had higher EuroSCORE II, while the male patients presented a higher incidence of cardiovascular comorbidities. There was no difference in mortality or major postoperative complication rates after either the surgical or transcatheter procedures between the female and male populations. The availability and targeted use of different techniques and technologies have enabled the safe and effective treatment of female patients treated for severe symptomatic aortic valve stenosis with similar results when compared with their male counterparts.

Propensity-Weighted Comparison of Conventional Stented and Rapid-Deployment Aortic Bioprostheses.

Aim of this study was to compare early clinical and hemodynamic outcomes of Intuity and ME bioprostheses. A propensity score weighting approach was performed. Preoperative variables were defined according to EuroSCORE criteria and postoperative complications according to VARC-2 definitions. We evaluated 375 patients who underwent SAVR with the 2 study devices. Intuity and ME were implanted in 252 (67.2%) and in 123 (32.8%) patients, respectively. There were no differences in terms of postoperative complications, including mortality (1% in each group; OR 0.46[0.05;4.21]). The incidence of pace-maker implantation was 6% and 5% in Intuity and ME groups, respectively (OR 0.53[0.27;1.07]). Intuity showed significantly lower gradients (Median mean gradients: 9mmHg vs 14mmHg, P<0.001), larger effective orifice area index (1.13cm2/m2 vs 1cm2/m2, P=0.007) and lower incidence of patient-prosthesis mismatch (7.1% vs 22.8%, P=0.006). The RD Intuity provides similar early clinical outcomes but shows significantly better hemodynamic performance compared to the ME valve.

Marginal donors and organ shortness: concomitant surgical procedures during heart transplantation: a literature review.

Heart transplantation represents the gold standard for end-stage heart failure. However, due to the increasing demand and the shortage of available organs, donor supply remains the main limitation. Marginal donor hearts in high-risk candidates who do not meet standard listing criteria are the only alternative when life expectancy is limited, but their use is still debated. Surgical correction of detected coronary lesions or valvular heart defects allows further enlargement of the number of available organs. In this article, we offer a literature review on this topic and report two marginal donor hearts with angiography evidence of coronary stenosis and preserved ventricular function, which underwent concomitant myocardial revascularization during heart implantation.

Marginal versus Standard Donors in Heart Transplantation: Proper Selection Means Heart Transplant Benefit.

BACKGROUND: In this study, we assessed the mid-term outcomes of patients who received a heart donation from a marginal donor (MD), and compared them with those who received an organ from a standard donor (SD). METHODS: All patients who underwent HTx between January 2012 and December 2020 were enrolled at a single institution. The primary endpoints were early and long-term survival of MD recipients. Risk factors for primary graft failure (PGF) and mortality in MD recipients were also analyzed. The secondary endpoint was the comparison of survival of MD versus SD recipients. RESULTS: In total, 238 patients underwent HTx, 64 (26.9%) of whom received an organ from an MD. Hospital mortality in the MD recipient cohort was 23%, with an estimated 1 and 5-year survival of 70% (59.2-82.7) and 68.1% (57.1-81), respectively. A multivariate analysis in MD recipients showed that decreased renal function and increased inotropic support of recipients were associated with higher mortality (p = 0.04 and p = 0.03). Cold ischemic time (p = 0.03) and increased donor inotropic support (p = 0.04) were independent risk factors for PGF. Overall survival was higher in SD than MD (85% vs. 68% at 5 years, log-rank = 0.008). However, risk-adjusted mortality (p = 0.2) and 5-year conditional survival (log-rank = 0.6) were comparable. CONCLUSIONS: Selected MDs are a valuable resource for expanding the cardiac donor pool, showing promising results. The use of MDs after prolonged ischemic times, increased inotropic support of the MD or the recipient and decreased renal function are associated with worse outcomes.

A Device Strategy-Matched Comparison Analysis among Different Intermacs Profiles: A Single Center Experience.

Background: The present study evaluates outcomes of LVAD patients, taking into account the device strategy and the INTERMACS profile. Methods: We included 192 LVAD-patients implanted between January 2012 and May 2021. The primary and secondary end-points were survival and major adverse events between Profiles 1-3 vs. Profile 4, depending on implantation strategies (Bridge-to-transplant-BTT; Bridge-to-candidacy-BTC; Destination-Therapy-DT). Results: The overall survival was 67% (61-75) at 12 months and 61% (54-70) at 24 months. Profile 4 patients showed significantly higher survival (p = 0.018). Incidences of acute right-ventricular-failure (RVF) (p = 0.046), right-ventricular-assist-device (RVAD) implantation (p = 0.015), and continuous-venovenous-hemofiltration (CVVH) (p = 0.006) were higher in Profile 1-3 patients, as well as a longer intensive care unit stays (p = 0.050) and in-hospital-mortality (p = 0.012). Twelve-month and 24-month survival rates were higher in the BTT rather than in BTC (log-rank = 0.410; log-rank = 0.120) and in DT groups (log-rank = 0.046). In the BTT group, Profile 1-3 patients had a higher need for RVAD support (p = 0.042). Conclusions: LVAD implantation in elective patients was associated with better survival and lower complications incidence. LVAD implantation in BTC patients has to be considered before their conditions deteriorate. DT should be addressed to elective patients in order to guarantee acceptable results.