The effect of paracorporeal pulsatile biventricular assist devices on allosensitization in adults: A comparison with left ventricular assist devices.

Ventricular assist devices (VADs) have been associated with the development of anti-HLA antibodies ('allosensitization'), but data on devices providing biventricular support in adults are limited. We sought to characterize differences in anti-HLA antibody formation in adult patients receiving left- (LVAD) versus biventricular- (BiVAD) assist devices as bridge to transplantation (BTT) by retrospectively reviewing the records of adult patients who have undergone VAD implantation at our institution. We assessed 82 patients supported with a pulsatile-flow paracorporeal BiVAD and compared them with 40 patients receiving LVAD till 2018.

Outcomes and quality of life after aortic valve surgery in octogenarians.

Background: The emergence of catheter-based techniques questioned existing treatment strategies for patients with aortic stenosis. The increasing effectiveness of transcatheter aortic valve implantation therapies justifies a renewed evaluation of the results in terms of survival rate as well as the quality of life (QoL) after surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) in the elderly. The aim of this study is the assessment of QoL in octogenarians undergoing isolated SAVR.

A retrospective comparison of inhaled milrinone and iloprost in post-bypass pulmonary hypertension.

During cardiac operations, weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) may prove challenging as a result of superimposed acute right ventricular dysfunction in the setting of elevated pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR). The aim of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the effect of inhaled milrinone versus inhaled iloprost in patients with persistent pulmonary hypertension following discontinuation of CPB. Eighteen patients with elevated PVR post-bypass were administered inhaled milrinone at a cumulative dose of 50 μg kg.

Hemodynamic effects of combination therapy with inhaled nitric oxide and iloprost in patients with pulmonary hypertension and right ventricular dysfunction after high-risk cardiac surgery.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the hemodynamic effects of inhaled nitric oxide (NO) plus aerosolized iloprost in patients with pulmonary hypertension/right ventricular dysfunction after cardiac surgery.

Design: A retrospective study.

Setting: A single center.

Inhaled nitric oxide plus iloprost in the setting of post-left assist device right heart dysfunction.

Background: Pulmonary hypertension and right ventricular (RV) dysfunction may complicate the implantation of a left ventricular assist device (LVAD). We examined whether inhaled vasodilators can sufficiently reduce RV afterload, avoiding the need for temporary RV mechanical support.

Methods: The study includes 7 patients with RV dysfunction after LVAD insertion.

Orthotopic heart transplantation: ten years' clinical experience.

Introduction: Heart transplantation is the "gold standard" in the treatment of patients with end-stage heart failure who satisfy strict selection criteria.

Methods: We reviewed ten years' clinical experience (1996-2006) from 53 orthotopic transplants in our centre.

Results: Low perioperative (3.

Effect of long-term calcitonin administration on steroid-induced osteoporosis after cardiac transplantation.

Background: Early, rapid bone loss and fractures after cardiac transplantation are well-documented complications of steroid administration; therefore, we undertook this study on the effects of long-term calcitonin on steroid-induced osteoporosis.

Methods: Twenty-three heart transplant recipients on maintenance immunosuppression with cyclosporine, mycophenolate mofetil and prednisone were retrospectively studied. All patients received long-term prophylactic treatment with elemental calcium and vitamin D.

Cardiac surgery in patients with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia using preoperatively determined dosages of iloprost.

Background: Patients with preoperatively diagnosed type II heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) scheduled for cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) present a challenge in their intraoperative anticoagulation management because re-exposure to heparin may result in profound thrombocytopenia, intravascular thromboses, bleeding, and even death. Iloprost, a prostacyclin analogue that reversibly inhibits platelet aggregation, has been suggested as a management approach in such cases. The purpose of this study was to assess and confirm the efficacy of a perioperative intravenous iloprost infusion in preventing thromboembolic complications in patients with type II HIT undergoing cardiac surgery and requiring the use of heparin and CPB.

Inhaled iloprost controls pulmonary hypertension after cardiopulmonary bypass.

Purpose: Severe pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a major cause of right ventricular (RV) dysfunction. Various iv vasodilator modalities have been used with limited results because of lack of pulmonary selectivity. The aim of the present controlled study was to evaluate the efficacy of inhaled iloprost, a synthetic prostacyclin analogue, in patients with elevated pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) immediately after separation from cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).