Characteristics and outcomes of cardiac amyloid disease after heart transplantation: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: Patients with systemic amyloidosis with cardiac involvement require careful selection for heart transplantation (HTx) due to the associated poor outcomes. Large databases do not provide sufficient granularity to allow for differentiation between its major subtypes [light-chain (AL) and transthyretin (ATTR) amyloidosis]. We sought to pool the existing data on amyloidosis patients undergoing HTx, and perform stratified analysis based on its major subtypes.

Preemptive temporary right ventricular assist device implantation for severe biventricular heart failure: A case series.

Purpose: We sought to investigate the clinical results of preemptive temporary right ventricular assist device (RVAD) placement with left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation for anticipated right ventricular failure.

Methods: Patients at risk for right ventricular failure were identified by the heart team. After median sternotomy, Protekduo (LivaNova, London, UK) dual-stage cannula was inserted from the right internal jugular vein under fluoroscopy guidance, and advanced into the pulmonary artery to the bifurcation of the main pulmonary artery.

Comparative Outcomes of Surgical and Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement: A Meta-Analysis and Parametric Extrapolation of Clinical Trials.

Introduction: We aimed to pool randomized clinical trials (RCTs) comparing surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) with transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) and extrapolate pooled time-to-event data to compare long-term outcomes.

Methods: An electronic database search was performed for RCTs comparing SAVR with TAVR. The most current longest follow-up data for each RCT were included.

Peri-operative fever and LVAD: SIRS or impaired right ventricular strain?

Background: An inflammatory milieu after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation is associated with multi-organ dysfunction and pre-operative heightened inflammatory state is associated with right ventricular failure after LVAD implantation.

Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of 30 LVAD patients in our institution within the last 2 years for the development of fever and compared them to 30 non-LVAD open-heart surgery patients.

Results: Our results suggest that patients undergoing LVAD implantation are more likely to develop fever in the immediate post-operative period compared to other open-heart surgeries.

Characterizing Adaptive Changes and Patient Survival After 2018 Donor Allocation Restructuring: A UNOS Database Analysis.

Purpose: We sought to characterize adaptive changes to the revised United Network for Organ Sharing donor heart allocation policy and estimate long-term survival trends for heart transplant (HTx) recipients.

Methods: Patients listed for HTx between October 17, 2013 and September 30, 2021 were identified from the United Network for Organ Sharing database, and stratified into pre- and postpolicy revision groups. Subanalyses were performed to examine trends in device utilization for extracorporeal membranous oxygenation (ECMO), durable left ventricular assist device (LVAD), intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP), microaxial support (Impella), and no mechanical circulatory support (non-MCS).

Outcomes of outflow graft stenting in HeartMate 3 left ventricular assist devices: A systematic review and individual patient data meta-analysis.

Purpose: LVAD outflow graft stenosis continues to remain prevalent with a high complication rate. We sought to pool the existing evidence on indications, utilization patterns, and outcomes of transcatheter interventions for outflow graft stenosis in the HeartMate 3 LVAD.

Methods: An electronic search was performed to identify all studies in the English literature reporting on HeartMate 3 LVAD outflow graft stenting.

Microaxial mechanical circulatory support after orthotopic heart transplantation.

Aim: Use of microaxial mechanical circulatory support (MCS) has been reported for severe graft rejection or dysfunction after heart transplantation (HTx). We aimed to assess utilization patterns of microaxial MCS after HTx in adolescents (ages 18 and younger) and adults (ages 19 and older).

Methods: Electronic search was performed to identify all relevant studies on post-HTx use of microaxial support in adults and adolescents.

Predicted heart mass based on ideal body weight for donor-to-recipient size matching.

Background: Predicted heart mass (PHM) is a commonly used tool for donor-to-recipient size matching. However, incorporating body weight as part of PHM can be considered problematic given its high variability, and low metabolic nature of fat. We sought to assess whether substituting the actual donor and recipient weight with the ideal body weight (IBW) would affect the association of donor-to-recipient PHM ratio with 1-year and overall survival after heart transplantation.

Ultrasonic scalpel versus electrocautery for internal mammary artery harvesting: a meta-analysis.

Objective: Although an ultrasonic harmonic scalpel (HS) has been used to harvest the internal mammary artery (IMA) for coronary artery bypass grafting, the benefits and risks compared to conventional electrocautery (EC) are not clear. We aimed to compare the outcomes of HS versus EC for IMA harvesting.

Methods: An electronic search was performed to identify all relevant studies.

Association of Heart Transplant Volume with Presence of Lung Transplant Programs and Heart Transplant's SRTR One-year Survival Rating.

Background:  Several factors affect heart transplant (HTx) and lung transplant (LTx) program outcomes. Variabilities in institutional and community characteristics have been shown to influence survival. At present, half of HTx centers in the United States do not possess a concomitant LTx program.

Microaxial circulatory support for percutaneous coronary intervention: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Microaxial circulatory support devices have been used to support patients treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for acute myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock (AMICS). The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to pool and analyze the existing evidence on the baseline characteristics, periprocedural data, and outcomes of microaxial support before and after PCI in AMICS.

Methods: An electronic database search was performed to identify all cohort studies on Impella and PCI for cardiogenic shock in the English language.

Utility of Recipient Cardiothoracic Ratio in Predicting Delayed Chest Closure after Heart Transplantation.

Background:  Predicted cardiac mass (PCM) has been well validated for size matching donor hearts to heart transplantation recipients. We hypothesized that cardiothoracic ratio (CTR) could be reflective of recipient-specific limits of oversizing, and sought to determine the utility of donor to recipient PCM ratio (PCMR) and CTR in predicting delayed chest closure after heart transplantation.

Methods:  A retrospective review of prospectively collected data on 38 consecutive heart transplantations performed at our institution from 2017 to 2020 was performed.

Bronchial artery revascularization in lung transplantation: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Bronchial artery revascularization (BAR) during lung transplantation has been hypothesized to improve early tracheal healing and delay the onset of bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS). We aimed to assess the outcomes of BAR after lung transplantation.

Methods: Electronic search in Ovid Medline, Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Scopus, and Cochrane Controlled Trials Register (CCTR) databases was performed to identify all relevant studies published about lung transplantation with BAR.

Acute Left Atrial Compression after Ventricular Assist Device Placement.

• Pump thrombosis commonly presents with hemolysis and device parameter fluctuations. • Left atrial compression presents similarly to pump thrombosis but with no device fluctuations. • Reference standard imaging test for ventricular device thrombus is contrast-enhanced CT.

Mechanical and interventional support for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: A review.

Introduction: Restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM) and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) are two disease processes that are known to progress to heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Pharmacologic therapies for HFpEF have not improved patient outcomes or reduced mortality in this patient cohort; thus, there continues to be substantial interest in other treatment strategies, including surgical interventions and devices. In this article, we explore and report the current utility of percutaneous therapies and surgically implanted mechanical support in the treatment of patients with HFpEF.

Assessing donor-recipient size metrics for heart transplant outcomes: UNOS database analysis.

Study: There is no widely accepted donor to recipient size-match metric to predict outcomes in cardiac transplant. The predictive ability of size-match metrics has not been studied when recipients are stratified by heart failure etiology. We sought to assess the performance of commonly used size metrics to predict survival after heart transplant, accounting for restrictive versus non-restrictive pathology.

Utilization and outcomes of extracorporeal CO removal (ECCO R): Systematic review and meta-analysis of arterio-venous and veno-venous ECCO R approaches.

Introduction: Extracorporeal carbon dioxide removal (ECCO R) provides respiratory support to patients suffering from hypercapnic respiratory failure by utilizing an extracorporeal shunt and gas exchange membrane to remove CO from either the venous (VV-ECCO R) or arterial (AV-ECCO R) system before return into the venous site. AV-ECCO R relies on the patient's native cardiac function to generate pressures needed to deliver blood through the extracorporeal circuit. VV-ECCO R utilizes a mechanical pump and can be used to treat patients with inadequate native cardiac function.

3 Cases of Superior Vena Cava Syndrome Following Percutaneous Right Ventricular Assist Device Placement.

We present 3 cases of superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome following percutaneous right ventricular assist device (RVAD) placement. Each case underscores the importance of early recognition of SVC syndrome in patients with percutaneous RVAD insertion via the internal jugular vein and calls for heightened awareness of device-associated complications. ().

Extracorporeal life support and cardiopulmonary bypass for central airway surgery: A systematic review.

Background: Major airway surgery can pose a complex problem to perioperative central airway management. Adjuncts to advanced ventilation strategies have included cardiopulmonary bypass, veno-arterial, or veno-venous extracorporeal life support. We performed a systematic review to assess the existing evidence utilizing these strategies.

The impact of peripheral arterial disease on left ventricular assist device implantation: A propensity-matched analysis of the nationwide inpatient sample database.

Left ventricular assist device (LVAD) candidacy screening includes evaluation for peripheral arterial disease (PAD). However, given current evidence, the impact of PAD on post-LVAD complications remains unknown. The National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database (2002-2017) was utilized to identify all LVAD cases.

Continuous-flow LVAD exchange to a different pump model: Systematic review and meta-analysis of the outcomes.

Despite improved outcomes of modern continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices (CF-LVADs), device exchange is still needed for various indications. While the majority of CF-LVADs are exchanged to the same model, exchange to a different pump model is occasionally warranted. In this meta-analysis, we sought to consolidate the existing evidence to better elucidate the indications and outcomes in these cases.

Atypical Reactivation of Varicella Zoster Virus Associated with Pancreatitis in a Heart Transplant Patient.

BACKGROUND Acute pancreatitis is rare following solid organ transplantation but is associated with high mortality. It has been most commonly reported following renal transplant but can occur with other solid organ transplantations. CASE REPORT A 46-year-old male who had an orthotopic heart transplant 6 months ago presented with a 3-week history of abdominal pain.