Mast-cell expressed membrane protein-1 is expressed in classical monocytes and alveolar macrophages in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and regulates cell chemotaxis, adhesion, and migration in a TGFβ-dependent manner.

Mast-cell expressed membrane protein-1 (MCEMP1) is higher in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) with an increased risk of death. Here we aimed to establish the mechanistic role of MCEMP1 in pulmonary fibrosis. We identified increased MCEMP1 expression in classical monocytes and alveolar macrophages in IPF compared with controls.

Mast-Cell Expressed Membrane Protein-1 (MCEMP1) is expressed in classical monocytes and alveolar macrophages in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis and regulates cell chemotaxis, adhesion, and migration in a TGFβ dependent manner.

Background: Mast-Cell Expressed Membrane Protein-1 (MCEMP1) is higher in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) patients with increased risk of death and poor outcomes. Here we seek to establish the mechanistic role of MCEMP1 in pulmonary fibrosis.

Methods: MCEMP1 expression was analyzed by single-cell RNA sequencing, immunofluorescence in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMC) as well as in lung tissues from IPF patients and controls.

Use of Organ Care System Lung for Single-Lung Transplantation.

The Organ Care System-Lung allows for normothermic lung preservation in double-lung transplantation. Deterioration of the lung bloc may due to a single nonfunctional side, and surgeons need to be aware of this scenario in hopes of preserving the functional side for transplantation.

Coronary artery bypass graft markers: history, usage, and effects.

Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is one of the most common procedures in the United States as many Americans suffer from coronary heart disease and undergo CABG each year. While CABG has been performed for decades, questions remain regarding the benefits graft marker placement provides for patient therapy and outcomes. Markers at the proximal graft anastomosis aim to improve the efficiency and reduce the risks of subsequent, post-coronary artery bypass grafting coronary angiography by decreasing fluoroscopy time and contrast volume used.

Heart Transplantation Outcomes in Patients With Hepatitis C Virus Infection: Potential Impact of Newer Antiviral Treatments After Transplantation.

This study found significant improvements in heart transplant outcomes and survival in patients with hepatitis C virus.

Impact of INTERMACS Profile on Clinical Outcomes for Patients Supported With the Total Artificial Heart.

Background: Insufficient data delineate outcomes for Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support (INTERMACS) profile 1 patients with the total artificial heart (TAH).

Methods: We studied 66 consecutive patients implanted with the TAH at our institution from 2006 through 2012 and compared outcome by INTERMACS profile. INTERMACS profiles were adjudicated retrospectively by a reviewer blinded to clinical outcomes.

Renal Function Recovery with Total Artificial Heart Support.

Heart failure patients requiring total artificial heart (TAH) support often have concomitant renal insufficiency (RI). We sought to quantify renal function recovery in patients supported with TAH at our institution. Renal function data at 30, 90, and 180 days after TAH implantation were analyzed for patients with RI, defined as hemodialysis supported or an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) less than 60 ml/min/1.

Dobutamine induced eosinophilic myocarditis and right heart failure requiring emergent biventricular assist device implantation.

Dobutamine is a rare and unrecognized cause of eosinophilic myocarditis (EM). It is even more unique for it to cause significant clinical deterioration. Patients with end stage cardiomyopathy have very little cardiac reserve and dobutamine induced myocarditis may cause enough harm to require urgent mechanical circulatory support.

Donor Heart Utilization following Cardiopulmonary Arrest and Resuscitation: Influence of Donor Characteristics and Wait Times in Transplant Regions.

Background. Procurement of hearts from cardiopulmonary arrest and resuscitated (CPR) donors for transplantation is suboptimal. We studied the influences of donor factors and regional wait times on CPR donor heart utilization.

Left ventricular assist device and heart transplantation in hemophilia a patient.

We report here a hemophilia patient who was bridged with a left ventricle assist device and later received heart transplantation. Preparation for surgery with factor VIII supplementation, intraoperative conduct of surgery, and challenges of postoperative course are described with a brief literature review.

Safety analysis of intermittent hemodialysis in patients with continuous flow left ventricular assist devices.

Dialysis centers adopt a cautious approach when it comes to performing intermittent hemodialysis (HD) on patients with continuous flow (CF) left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) because of the potential for volume flux-related complications and absence of pulsatile blood pressure for monitoring. Many patients have to remain hospitalized because of the inability of the dialysis centers to accept them for outpatient dialysis. In this study, the effect of HD was observed in such patients.

The safety of preoperative vardenafil in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

Phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors are cardioprotective against myocardial reperfusion ischemic injury in animal models but are contraindicated in patients with coronary disease who take nitrates because of a risk for hypotension. We investigated the safety of vardenafil in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery. A single dose of vardenafil was given to 10 patients before CABG surgery.

The total artificial heart for biventricular heart failure and beyond.

Purpose Of Review: Treatment options for late-stage biventricular heart failure are limited but include medical therapy with intravenous inotropes, biventricular assist devices (Bi-VADs) and the total artificial heart (TAH). In this manuscript, we review the indications, surgical techniques and outcomes for the TAH.

Recent Findings: The TAH offers biventricular replacement, rather than 'assistance', as the device is placed orthotopically after excision of the entire ventricular myocardium and all four native valves.

Evaluating heart failure after implantation of mechanical circulatory support devices.

The medical community has seen an explosive rise in the utilization of implantable mechanical circulatory support devices for late-stage cardiomyopathy. Care for these complex patients requires a basic understanding of device physiology and potential complications. This review focuses on an algorithm that incorporates a careful clinical history and examination with diagnostic modalities for the evaluation of a patient who is failing therapy with a continuous-flow left ventricular assist device, as well as the general management and optimization of patients implanted with an artificial heart.

Exercise blood pressure response during assisted circulatory support: comparison of the total artificial [corrected] heart with a left ventricular assist device during rehabilitation.

Background: The total artificial heart (TAH) consists of two implantable pneumatic pumps that replace the heart and operate at a fixed ejection rate and ejection pressure. We evaluated the blood pressure (BP) response to exercise and exercise performance in patients with a TAH compared to those with a with a continuous-flow left ventricular assist device (LVAD).

Methods: We conducted a single-center, retrospective study of 37 patients who received a TAH and 12 patients implanted with an LVAD.

Implantable mechanical circulatory support: demystifying patients with ventricular assist devices and artificial hearts.

Engineering advancements have expanded the role for mechanical circulatory support devices in the patient with heart failure. More patients with mechanical circulatory support are being discharged from the implanting institution and will be seen by clinicians outside the immediate surgical or heart-failure team. This review provides a practical understanding of device design and physiology, general troubleshooting, and limitations and complications for implantable left ventricular assist devices (pulsatile-flow and continuous-flow pumps) and the total artificial heart.

Antithrombotic therapy for the CardioWest temporary total artificial heart.

The CardioWest temporary total artificial heart serves as a viable bridge to orthotopic heart transplantation in patients who are experiencing end-stage refractory biventricular heart failure. This device is associated with a low, albeit still substantial, risk of thrombosis. Platelet interactions with artificial surfaces are complex and result in continuous activation of contact proteins despite therapeutic anticoagulation.

Successful use and dosing of bivalirudin after temporary total artificial heart implantation: a case series.

The temporary total artificial heart (TAH-t) has emerged as an effective bridge to transplantation for individuals with biventricular failure. Implantation of a TAH-t creates a hypercoagulable state requiring a multidrug approach that includes low-dose unfractionated heparin (UFH) in order to minimize thromboembolism. A concern with UFH is the development of heparin-dependent antibodies, which develop in up to 50% of patients receiving the drug as part of cardiopulmonary bypass.

Treatment of infolding related to the gore TAG thoracic endoprosthesis.

The present report describes three cases of thoracic aortic endograft infolding or collapse involving the Gore TAG system. The cases include a penetrating aortic injury, a blunt aortic injury, and a symptomatic type B dissection. In the first case, infolding occurred in a delayed fashion after a normal-appearing 3-month follow-up computed tomographic angiogram.