Development of an atherosclerosis rabbit model to evaluate the hemodynamic impact of extracorporeal circulation.

Background: Aortic atherosclerosis increases the risk of embolic events under extracorporeal circulation (ECC). To evaluate the hemodynamic impact of ECC on atheromatous plaques, an atherosclerosis animal model, which is also eligible for ECC, is required.

Methods: Twenty-nine New Zealand White rabbits received a pro-atherosclerotic diet (group diet, n = 10), a pro-atherosclerotic diet and additional intraaortic balloon insufflation injury (group BI, n = 9), or served as controls (n = 10).

Myocardial inflammation is associated with impaired mitochondrial oxidative capacity in ischaemic cardiomyopathy.

Aims: Myocardial inflammation and impaired mitochondrial oxidative capacity are hallmarks of heart failure (HF) pathophysiology. The extent of myocardial inflammation in patients suffering from ischaemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) or dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and its association with mitochondrial energy metabolism are unknown. We aimed at establishing a relevant role of cardiac inflammation in the impairment of mitochondrial energy production in advanced ischaemic and non-ischaemic HF.

Aortic and Mitral Valve Endocarditis-Simply Left-Sided Endocarditis or Different Entities Requiring Individual Consideration?-Insights from the CAMPAIGN Database.

: Aortic valve infective endocarditis (AV-IE) and mitral valve infective endocarditis (MV-IE) are often grouped together as one entity: left-sided endocarditis. However, there are significant differences between the valves in terms of anatomy, physiology, pressure, and calcification tendency. This study aimed to compare AV-IE and MV-IE in terms of patient characteristics, pathogen profiles, postoperative outcomes, and predictors of mortality.

Outcomes following heart valve surgery in patients with infective endocarditis and preoperative septic cerebral embolism: insights from the CAMPAIGN study group.

Objectives: This study aimed to analyse the impact of preoperative septic cerebral embolism on early and late postoperative outcomes in patients with infective endocarditis undergoing valve surgery.

Methods: Retrospective multicentric study based on the Clinical Multicentric Project for Analysis of Infective Endocarditis in Germany (CAMPAIGN) registry comprising patients with infective endocarditis who underwent valve surgery between 1994 and 2018 at 6 German centres. Patients were divided into 2 groups for statistical comparison according to the presence or absence of preoperative septic cerebral embolism.

The Predictive Role of Metabolic Volume Segmentation Compared to Semiquantitative PET Parameters in Diagnosis of LVAD Infection using [F]FDG Imaging.

Purpose: Left ventricular assisting device (LVAD) is a vital mechanical circulatory assist device for patients with end-stage heart disease, serving as either a bridge to transplantation or palliative destination therapy. Yet device infection represents a major lethal complication, warranting a multi-step, complex therapy approach including an urgent device exchange or heart transplantation. Still, timely diagnosis of site and extent of VAD-specific infection for a proper therapy planning poses challenges in regular clinical care.

Severe Vasoplegic Shock After Heart Transplant Successfully Treated With Multimodal Therapeutic Approach.

Vasoplegia describes a constellation of low vascular resistance and normal cardiac output. Vasoplegia is common after cardiac surgery in general and in heart transplant recipients more specifically and occurs in over one-half of all heart transplant recipients with a varying degree of severity. The pathophysiology of vasoplegia is multifactorial and associated with a cascade of inflammatory mediators.

A successful cardiac transplant in a patient with situs inversus totalis and congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries.

A heart transplant is the gold standard therapy for patients with end-stage heart failure. In this case report, situs inversus totalis and congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries led to a unique and complex preoperative setting. Extended donor organ harvesting, donor graft rotation of 45° to the right and post-operative stenting of the superior vena cava were essential steps in the interdisciplinary management of this case.

Association between early postoperative hypoalbuminaemia and outcome after orthotopic heart transplantation.

Objectives: In patients undergoing heart transplantation (HTX), preoperative liver impairment and consecutive hypoalbuminaemia are associated with increased mortality. The role of early postoperative hypoalbuminaemia after HTX is unclear. This study investigated the association between early postoperative hypoalbuminaemia and 1-year mortality as well as 'days alive and out of hospital' (DAOH) after HTX.

Treatment of Refractory Cardiac Arrest by Controlled Reperfusion of the Whole Body: A Multicenter, Prospective Observational Study.

Survival following cardiac arrest (CA) remains poor after conventional cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CCPR) (6-26%), and the outcomes after extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) are often inconsistent. Poor survival is a consequence of CA, low-flow states during CCPR, multi-organ injury, insufficient monitoring, and delayed treatment of the causative condition. We developed a new strategy to address these issues.

Evaluation of risk factors for cytomegalovirus DNAemia after end of regular prophylaxis after heart transplantation.

Background: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections after heart transplantation (HTx) can cause cardiac allograft vasculopathy. Consequently, monitoring and prophylaxis for cytomegalovirus deoxyribonucleic acid (CMV-DNAemia) within the first weeks after HTx is recommended.

Methods: All patients who underwent HTx between September 2010 and 2021 surviving the first 90 days (n = 196) were retrospectively reviewed.

The Role of Spatial Aortic Arch Architecture in Type B Aortic Dissection.

Objective: The incidence of type B aortic dissection (TBAD) is increasing worldwide; however, the underlying pathomechanisms are not conclusively understood. This study explores the geometric architecture of the aortic arch and supra-aortic branches in TBAD patients as opposed to non-TBAD patients.

Methods: Patient characteristics were retrieved from archived medical records.

Clinical outcomes of hundred large Impella implantations in cardiogenic shock patients based on individual clinical scenarios.

Background: Large Impella systems (5.0 or 5.5; i.

Synchronous Donor Heart and Lung Procurement Does Not Impair Outcomes After Heart Transplant.

Objectives: Donor hearts frequently originate from donors whose lungs are also recovered for transplant. Synchronous heart and lung procurement is more complex than procurement ofthe heart alone, and the effects on outcomes are debated. This study examines the effect of synchronous procurement on outcomes in heart transplant recipients.

Outcome of patients supported with the HeartMate 3 after extracorporeal life support: On behalf of the Durable Mechanical Circulatory Support After Extracorporeal Life Support Study Group.

Objectives: The Durable Mechanical Circulatory Support System After Extracorporeal Life Support registry is a multicenter registry of patients who were bridged from extracorporeal life support to a durable mechanical circulatory support system. Although numerous studies have highlighted the favorable outcomes after implantation of the HeartMate 3 (Abbott), the objective of our study is to examine the outcomes of patients who received HeartMate 3 support after extracorporeal life support.

Methods: Data of patients undergoing HeartMate 3 implantation from January 2016 to April 2022 at 14 centers were collected and evaluated.

Impact of Impella Support on Clinical Outcomes in Patients with Postcardiotomy Cardiogenic Shock.

Purpose: This study aimed to elucidate the strategy of an effective Impella support for better clinical outcomes in patients with a postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock (PCCS).

Methods: This single-center retrospective observational study enrolled 31 patients with PCCS undergoing an elective open-heart surgery followed by Impella support between November 2018 and February 2022 for further analysis.

Results: The preoperative Euroscore II and left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction were 9.

Reply to Thet et al. Comment on "Oehler et al. Outcome and Midterm Survival after Heart Transplantation Is Independent from Donor Length of Stay in the Intensive Care Unit. 2022, , 1053".

Myat Soe Thet et al. published a letter [..

Left ventricular assist device explantation using a new double-patch technique†.

Objectives: There are several surgical approaches for explanting a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) after recovery of cardiac function. Thus, remaining ventricular assist device components may bear significant risks of infection or thrombosis. We hereby report our technique and two-center experience with explantation of LVADs using a new double-patch technique.

Changes in Therapy and Outcome of Patients Requiring Veno-Venous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation for COVID-19.

Background:  Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related acute respiratory distress syndrome requiring veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (vv-ECMO) is related with poor outcome, especially in Germany. We aimed to analyze whether changes in vv-ECMO therapy during the pandemic were observed and lead to changes in the outcome of vv-ECMO patients.

Methods:  All patients undergoing vv-ECMO support for COVID-19 between 2020 and 2021 in a single center ( = 75) were retrospectively analyzed.

Presence and impact of anemia in patients supported with left ventricular assist devices.

Background: Data on anemia and its effects on patients supported with continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) are lacking.

Objectives: This study sought to describe the presence of anemia over time and investigate its association with mortality, quality of life, exercise capacity, and adverse events in LVAD patients.

Methods: Adults receiving durable LVADs between 2008 and 2017 were identified from the INTERMACS database.

Artificial intelligence for clinical decision support for monitoring patients in cardiovascular ICUs: A systematic review.

Background: Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) models continue to evolve the clinical decision support systems (CDSS). However, challenges arise when it comes to the integration of AI/ML into clinical scenarios. In this systematic review, we followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA), the population, intervention, comparator, outcome, and study design (PICOS), and the medical AI life cycle guidelines to investigate studies and tools which address AI/ML-based approaches towards clinical decision support (CDS) for monitoring cardiovascular patients in intensive care units (ICUs).

Impact of circadian rhythm and daytime variation on outcome after heart transplantation.

Intro: Recently, the impact of circadian rhythm and daytime variation on surgical outcomes has attracted interest. Although studies for coronary artery and aortic valve surgery report contrary results, effects on heart transplantation have not been studied.

Methods: Between 2010 and February 2022, 235 patients underwent HTx in our department.