Cardiovascular Symposium on Perspectives in Long COVID.

Significant progress has been made in treating Coronavirus disease (COVID) - an infectious disease caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). An ominous turn in the pandemic is the evolving public health crisis emanating from persistent SARS-CoV-2 infection and its associated long-term impact. Long COVID or post-COVID syndrome describes protean symptoms that persist at least 3 months after the onset of acute illness and last for at least 2 months in individuals with a history of confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Clinical Outcomes and Donor-specific Antibody Rebound 5 y After Kidney Transplant Enabled by Imlifidase Desensitization.

Background: Imlifidase is an IgG-cleaving endopeptidase conditionally approved in Europe for desensitization of highly sensitized patients before kidney transplantation. We present 5-y outcomes and donor-specific antibody (DSA) levels for clinical trial participants from a single site who received imlifidase for desensitization before incompatible transplantation (NCT02790437).

Methods: Imlifidase was administered up to 24 h before living or deceased donor kidney transplantation.

Prophylactic 2-week Glecaprevir/Pibrentasvir in Hepatitis C positive to negative kidney transplantation.

Background And Hypothesis: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) positive-to-negative kidney transplants (KT) require direct acting antiviral therapy, but the optimal timing and duration remain unclear. We hypothesized that 14-day prophylactic course of glecaprevir/pibrentasvir 300/120 mg (GLE/PIB) would be safe and effective at treating donor-derived HCV viremia.

Methods: This was a prospective, single-center, single-arm, open-label pilot study.

Extracorporeal Life Support for Cardiogenic Shock in Adult Congenital Heart Disease-An ELSO Registry Analysis.

There are minimal data on the use of venoarterial extracorporeal membrane life support (VA-ECLS) in adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) patients presenting with cardiogenic shock (CS). This study sought to describe the population of ACHD patients with CS who received VA-ECLS in the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO) Registry. This was a retrospective analysis of adult patients with diagnoses of ACHD and CS in ELSO from 2009-2021.

Asymptomatic Aorto-Atrial Fistula Secondary to Surgical Repair of Ascending Aortic Dissection: When to Do Nothing.

Secondary aorto-atrial fistula is a rare but potentially life-threatening complication of ascending aortic dissection surgical repair. Secondary aorto-atrial fistulas commonly lead to symptomatic heart failure requiring emergent repair. We present a rare case of secondary aorto-atrial fistula after surgical repair of aortic dissection that remained asymptomatic for a decade.

Hierarchical data visualization of experimental erythrocyte aggregation employing cross correlation and optical flow applications.

Appraisal of microvascular erythrocyte velocity as well as aggregation are critical features of hemorheological assessment. Examination of erythrocyte velocity-aggregate characteristics is critical in assessing disorders associated with coagulopathy. Microvascular erythrocyte velocity can be assessed using various methodologic approaches; however, the shared assessment of erythrocyte velocity and aggregation has not been well described.

Results of Two Cases of Pig-to-Human Kidney Xenotransplantation.

Background: Xenografts from genetically modified pigs have become one of the most promising solutions to the dearth of human organs available for transplantation. The challenge in this model has been hyperacute rejection. To avoid this, pigs have been bred with a knockout of the alpha-1,3-galactosyltransferase gene and with subcapsular autologous thymic tissue.

A Randomized Double-Blinded Placebo Controlled Trial of Clazakizumab for the Treatment of COVID-19 Pneumonia With Hyperinflammation.

Objectives: We designed this study to test whether clazakizumab, a direct interleukin-6 inhibitor, benefits patients hospitalized with severe or critical COVID-19 disease accompanied by hyperinflammation.

Design: Multicenter, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, seamless phase II/III trial.

Setting: Five U.

Compound Motor Action Potentials During a Modest Nerve Crush.

Nerve crush injury results in axonotmesis, characterized by disruption of axons and their myelin sheaths with relative sparing of the nerve's connective tissue. Despite the widespread use of crush injury models, no standardized method for producing these lesions has been established. We characterize a crush model in which a narrow forceps is used to induce a modest and controlled compressive injury.

Arterial-renal Syndrome in Patients with ESRD, a New Disease Paradigm.

Background: Patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) often present with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Conditions of compromised cardiovascular health such as atrial fibrillation (AFIB) and peripheral arterial disease (PAD) may alter biomarker levels in a way that reflects worsening ESRD. This study profiled biomarkers and laboratory parameters of endothelium dysfunction in patients with ESRD, categorized by additional AFIB and PAD conditions.

Left Ventricular Unloading During Extracorporeal Life Support: Current Practice.

Venoarterial extracorporeal life support (VA-ECLS) is a powerful tool that can provide complete cardiopulmonary support for patients with refractory cardiogenic shock. However, VA-ECLS increases left ventricular (LV) afterload, resulting in greater myocardial oxygen demand, which can impair myocardial recovery and worsen pulmonary edema. These complications can be ameliorated by various LV venting strategies to unload the LV.

Liposomal Nanocarriers Designed for Sub-Endothelial Matrix Targeting under Vascular Flow Conditions.

Vascular interventions result in the disruption of the tunica intima and the exposure of sub-endothelial matrix proteins. Nanoparticles designed to bind to these exposed matrices could provide targeted drug delivery systems aimed at inhibiting dysfunctional vascular remodeling and improving intervention outcomes. Here, we present the progress in the development of targeted liposomal nanocarriers designed for preferential collagen IV binding under simulated static vascular flow conditions.

Comparison of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation Outcomes Between Normal-Flow, Low-Gradient Severe Aortic Stenosis and Normal-Flow, High-Gradient Severe Aortic Stenosis.

Background: Normal flow low gradient severe aortic stenosis (NFLG-AS) with preserved ejection fraction is the most prevalent form of low gradient severe aortic stenosis. Despite the increased prevalence, the clinical outcomes and management strategy of NFLG-AS remain controversial. Therefore, our study aimed to evaluate transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) outcomes of patients with NFLG-AS compared with normal flow high gradient severe aortic stenosis (NFHG-AS).

Clinical and Financial Implications of 2 Treatment Strategies for Donor-derived Hepatitis C Infections.

Unlabelled: Transplanting hepatitis C viremic donor organs into hepatitis C virus (HCV)-negative recipients is becoming increasingly common; however, practices for posttransplant direct-acting antiviral (DAA) treatment vary widely. Protracted insurance authorization processes for DAA therapy often lead to treatment delays.

Methods: At our institution, 2 strategies for providing DAA therapy to HCV recipients of HCV transplants have been used.

Study of ultrasound thrombolysis using acoustic bubbles in a microfluidic device.

Thrombosis is a common medical entity associated with many forms of cardiovascular disease including myocardial infarction and stroke. Recently, ultrasound thrombolysis has emerged as a promising technique for thrombosis treatment by delivering acoustic waves onto blood clots. In this study, an ultrasound thrombolysis method is presented using an acoustic bubble-based microfluidic device.

Advances in the Formulation and Assembly of Non-Cationic Lipid Nanoparticles for the Medical Application of Gene Therapeutics.

Lipid nanoparticles have become increasingly popular delivery platforms in the field of gene therapy, but bench-to-bedside success has been limited. Many liposomal gene vectors are comprised of synthetic cationic lipids, which are associated with lipid-induced cytotoxicity and immunogenicity. Natural, non-cationic PEGylated liposomes (PLPs) demonstrate favorable biocompatibility profiles but are not considered viable gene delivery vehicles due to inefficient nucleic acid loading and reduced cellular uptake.

Histological Assessment of Wallerian Degeneration of the Rat Tibial Nerve Following Crush and Transection Injuries.

Background:  Wallerian degeneration (WD) following peripheral nerve injury (PNI) is an area of growing focus for pharmacological developments. Clinically, WD presents challenges in achieving full functional recovery following PNI, as prolonged denervation of distal tissues for an extended period of time can irreversibly destabilize sensory and motor targets with secondary tissue atrophy. Our objective is to improve upon histological assessments of WD.