Movement therapy in lung transplantation candidates assisted by a lightweight wearable robot.

The aim of this pilot-study was to investigate the safety, feasibility and tolerability of an assisted mobilization of patients with advanced pulmonary diseases, using a lightweight, exoskeleton-type robot (Myosuit, MyoSwiss AG, Zurich, Switzerland). Ten patients performed activities of daily life (ADL) both with and without the device. The mean age was 53.

Validity of the 6-Minute Walk Test in Patients with End-Stage Lung Diseases Wearing an Oronasal Surgical Mask in Times of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Background And Objectives: The 6-minute walk test (6MWT), as a clinical assessment tool for functional exercise capacity, is an integral component of lung allocation scores (LASs). In times of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, patients underwent 6MWTs wearing a surgical mask in ambulatory care. We investigated the impact of wearing a mask on 6-minute walk distances (6MWDs).

Assessment of right ventricular adaptability to loading conditions can improve the timing of listing to transplantation in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Background: Right ventricle (RV) performance is load dependent, and right-sided heart failure (RHF) is the main cause of death in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Prediction of RV worsening for timely identification of patients needing transplantation (Tx) is paramount. Assessment of RV adaptability to load has proved useful in certain clinical circumstances.

Clinical, haemodynamic and echocardiographic features of early cardiac graft dysfunction.

Background: The main cause of early death after heart transplantation (HTx) is so-called early primary or secondary graft failure (GF). The risk of profound GF has not declined in the past decade, as the consequence of the liberalisation of donor acceptance criteria because of the scarcity of donors. It is therefore important to try to diagnose graft failure and recognise the mechanisms of early graft dysfunction.

Prediction of true circulatory decompensation in chronic heart failure for optimal timing of mechanical circulatory support: non-invasive arterial-ventricular coupling.

Background: Prospective comparative studies to predict the risk of hemodynamic deterioration in patients referred for transplantation were performed on the basis of standard invasive and non-invasive data and new wave intensity (WI) parameters.

Methods And Results: Study Group 1 consisted of 151 consecutive outpatients (age 48.7 ± 12 years; 110 men) with end-stage dilative cardiomyopathy.

Survival of patients with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension after listing for transplantation: impact of iloprost and bosentan treatment.

Background: Survival after idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH) diagnosis is often shorter than the waiting time for grafts. Iloprost and bosentan improve outcome in advanced IPAH (New York Heart Association Functional Class III), but there is controversy about the limits of their efficacy in end-stage (Class IV) IPAH.

Methods: We investigated the impact of iloprost (prostacyclin analog) and bosentan (endothelin-receptor antagonist) therapy on the outcome of patients with IPAH after listing for transplantation (Tx) to answer the following questions: (1) How efficient is this treatment in reducing mortality on waiting lists? (2) Is Tx still most promising for survival once recurrent right heart failure emerges, or can this treatment improve survival to an extent that exceeds post-Tx survival? We assessed the outcome of our IPAH patients listed for Tx between September 1996 and September 2005 in relation to kind and duration of medical treatment.

Risk stratification for renal transplantation after cardiac or lung transplantation: single-center experience and review of the literature.

Background: Long-term survival after heart (HTx) or lung (LuTx) transplantation increases the risk for end-stage renal disease (ESRD). After HTx ESRD was reported to enhance mortality, and kidney transplantation (KTx) was shown to improve survival. However, prognostic factors in ESRD after HTx or LuTx are largely unknown.