Usefulness of biomarkers to predict prognosis after heart transplant.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Heart transplant (HT) represents a major physiological stress, resulting in elevated levels of analytical biomarkers. This study aimed to determine whether changes in biomarker levels after HT can identify patients with a poor prognosis. METHODS: A prospective longitudinal noninterventional study was conducted in 149 consecutive patients undergoing HT from July 2017 to July 2023. Biomarkers were assessed before HT and at 6, 24, 48, 72, and 96hours after HT. The biomarkers analyzed were high-sensitivity troponin T, N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), creatinine, and lactic acid. The primary outcome was a composite of death and severe primary graft failure (PGF). RESULTS: NT-proBNP and troponin levels remained highly elevated throughout the period and stabilized from the first 24hours post-HT. Lactate levels stabilized after the first 24hours, and creatinine from the second day onward. Exitus occurred in 23 (15%) of the patients, and severe PGF in 26 (17%). All biomarkers were significantly associated with the incidence of the combined event (P <.0001). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis at 24hours showed significant areas under the curve (P=.0001). The greatest discriminatory power was observed for the NT-proBNP curve. A value of 10 000 pg/mL had a sensitivity of 90% and specificity of 80%. CONCLUSIONS: A significant elevation of post-HT analytical biomarkers was associated with mortality and/or severe PGF. Among the biomarkers analyzed, NT-proBNP was the most accurate in classifying patients.

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor: A rare entity with a complex diagnosis.

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor is a neoplasm with uncertain behavior. We describe a case in a 66-year-old female who underwent resection of a left atrial tumor suspected to be a cardiac myxoma which was subsequently diagnosed as an inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor. After three years' follow-up the patient underwent a second operation to remove tumoral occurrence in the right atrium, diagnosed as an intimal sarcoma. It cannot be confirmed whether the tumoral recurrence with a different diagnosis (intimal sarcoma) was a progression from the primary tumor or the metachronous appearance of a spontaneous sarcoma.

Dissected aberrant right subclavian artery with Kommerell diverticulum.

Aberrant right subclavian artery is the most frequent anomaly of the aortic arch, and in 60% of cases is associated with Kommerell diverticulum. It is usually asymptomatic but may present with dysphagia or asthma due to esophageal and tracheal compression. Indications for surgical repair have not been established; however, when Kommerell diverticulum is complicated by aortic dissection the treatment is surgery. We present the case of a 54-year-old man with thoracic pain due to dissection of an aberrant right subclavian artery associated with Kommerell diverticulum. Elective surgical treatment was performed.

Mitral Ring Extraction due to Nickel Allergy.

The incidence of allergic reactions due to mechanical prosthesis or rings is not well established. We report the case of a 56-year-old man who presented a persistent urticarial rash and anaphylactic shock after a mitral valve repair operation. Prick skin tests were positive for nickel. After the nucleus from the mitral annulus was removed, the urticarial rash disappeared.

Experience, outcomes and impact of delayed indication for video-assisted wide septal myectomy in 69 consecutive patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate outcomes in our department after surgery for obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and to establish the impact of a delay on the indication for surgery. METHODS: From January 1998 to February 2011, 69 patients with obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and left ventricular outflow tract obstruction at rest were operated on by the same team, and followed up for at least 1 year. We retrospectively analysed clinical data, echocardiography and ambulatory Holter electrocardiogram findings before surgery, early after surgery, at 3 months and annually at follow-up, to detect possible prognostic determinants. RESULTS: We performed isolated septal myectomy in 59 patients and a combined procedure in 10 patients. Mean outflow tract gradient decreased by 72.2 mmHg (SD 37.3) and there was a mean reduction in thickness of 8.2 mm (SD 5.8) in the interventricular septum. Functional capacity, measured as New York Heart Association class, and angina of effort improved significantly after surgery (P < 0.0001). In-hospital mortality rate was 1.44% for isolated myectomy and 4.35% for combined procedures. Global actuarial survival at 5-year follow-up was 87.4%, but if those patients who were in functional class II or less at the time of surgery were considered, survival rose to 100%. However, 43 patients (62.3%) with functional class III or higher were operated upon. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical, haemodynamic and mortality outcomes after surgery were excellent, especially in those patients with mild or few symptoms. However, in our location, surgery is still undertaken at an advanced stage of the natural history of the disease, which may adversely affect prognosis.