Health status analysis is comparable in HM3 patients with different preoperative grades of mitral regurgitation.

Background: The guidelines for mechanical circulatory support of the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation do not recommend the routine replacement or repair of the mitral valve at the time point of left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation. We investigated different parameters of health status including exercise capacity, anxiety and depression after LVAD implantation in patients with different preoperative grades of mitral regurgitation (MR).

Methods: A single-center analysis of health status was performed including 45 patients with HeartMate 3 (HM 3) implantation using the 12-items Short Form Health Survey (SF-12) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Score (HADS) questionnaires.

The Impact of Obesity on T and NK Cells after LVAD Implantation.

Introduction: Infections are a major problem after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation that affects morbidity, mortality, and the quality of life. Obesity often increases the risk for infection. In the cohort of LVAD patients, it is unknown if obesity affects the immunological parameters involved in viral defense.

New Wound Management of Driveline Infections with Cold Atmospheric Plasma.

The use of ventricular assist devices as a bridge to transplant or as destination therapy has increased. Wound complications increase morbidity in this cohort. Cold atmospheric plasma is a source of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species and can reduce the microbial load in skin wounds without negative effects on the surrounding tissue.

Novel Plug Device for HeartMate 3 Explantation: First Multicenter Experience.

Patients undergoing explantation of left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) after improvement of myocardial function remain a minority. Nevertheless, considering the growing population of LVAD patients, increasing demand for new explantation strategies is expected. Herein, we present a retrospective review of seven patients undergoing HeartMate3 explantation with the use of a custom-made apical ring plug in four medical centers.

Long-term paracorporeal pulsatile mechanical circulatory support in adolescent and adult patients.

Objectives: Our goal was to analyse adverse events in adolescent and adult patients with the Berlin Heart EXCOR and to assess the outcome of a subsequent heart transplant (HTX).

Methods: From 2006 to 2020, a total of 58 patients (12-64 years old) received a biventricular assist device (BIVAD) at our institution and were included in this study.

Results: The causes of biventricular heart failure were nonischaemic cardiomyopathy (62.

HeartMate II implantation in patients with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia type II.

Diverse anticoagulation protocols are used in patients after implantation of ventricular assist devices. No consensus exists, especially in patients with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia type II. In a patient with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia type II, we implanted a left ventricular assist device (HeartMate XVE; Thoratec, Pleasanton, CA).

Implantation of a left ventricular assist device in a patient with primary antiphospholipid syndrome.

The antiphospholipid syndrome is characterized by arterial and venous thrombosis and is associated with the presence of circulating antiphospholipid antibodies. Arterial thrombosis can result in myocardial infarction, which may potentially lead to end-stage heart failure. Here we report our anticoagulation protocol for patients with antiphospholipid syndrome that undergo axial-flow left ventricle assist devices (HeartMate II; Thoratec, Pleasanton, CA) implantation.