Ventriculo-arterial uncoupling with an impella assisted HVAD: The p-D LVAD.

This paper presents the novel use of a temporary percutaneous ventricular assist device (pVAD) in a 51-year-old man with an implanted durable left ventricular assist device (d-LVAD). The pre-existing left ventricular assist device was unable to successfully unload the left ventricle, and the addition of the temporary pVAD achieved successful unloading as well as a decrease in pulmonary artery pressures without compromising the function of the right ventricle allowing safe UNOS listing for orthotopic heart transplantation.

Prehabilitation Maximizing Functional Mobility in Patients With Cardiogenic Shock Supported on Axillary Impella.

Physical therapy (PT) benefits for critically ill patients are well recognized; however, little data exist on PT in patients receiving temporary mechanical circulatory support. In this single-center retrospective study (February 2017-January 2022), we analyzed 37 patients who received an axillary Impella device (Abiomed, Danvers, MA) and PT to "prehabilitate" them before durable left ventricular assist device (dLVAD) implantation. The Activity Measure for Post-Acute Care (AM-PAC) Basic Mobility tool assessed the functional status at different points during admission.

Surgical Explantation of Impella 5.5 With Inflow Thrombus in Patients Undergoing Durable Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation.

The Impella 5.5 (Abiomed, Danvers, MA, USA) is a microaxial flow pump that promotes left ventricular unloading and improves end-organ perfusion before durable left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation. Thrombus formation after Impella 5.

Does the Type of Chronic Heart Failure Impact In-Hospital Outcomes for Aortic Valve Replacement Procedures?

Background: This study assessed in-hospital outcomes of patients with chronic systolic, diastolic, or mixed heart failure (HF) undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) or surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR).

Methods: The Nationwide Inpatient Sample database was used to identify patients with aortic stenosis and chronic HF who underwent TAVR or SAVR between 2012 and 2015. Propensity score matching and multivariate logistic regression were used to determine outcome risk.

Open Surgical Insertion of TandemHeart Device for Left Ventricular Unloading.

TandemHeart (Cardiac Assist Inc., Pittsburgh, PA) is a valuable mechanical circulatory support (MCS) device that provides left atrial to femoral artery bypass and directly unloads the left ventricle. The device is inserted under fluoroscopic guidance in the cardiac catheterization laboratory without requiring invasive surgical exposure.

Use of Percutaneous Left Ventricular Assist Device Before Durable Device Implantation in Patients With Cardiac Cachexia: Case Series.

Frailty and malnutrition in patients with heart failure are barriers to durable left ventricular assist device (D-LVAD) support and heart transplantation. Moreover, cachexia in patients with advanced heart failure carries a high mortality risk. There are no guidelines for these patients other than increased caloric intake and rehabilitation.

Bioprosthetic valve monitoring in patients with carcinoid heart disease.

Background: Carcinoid heart disease (CnHD) is a frequent cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with neuroendocrine tumors and carcinoid syndrome. Although valve replacement surgery appears to decrease all-cause mortality in patients with advanced CnHD, few studies have investigated the outcomes of patients after valve replacement.

Methods: We conducted a multi-institution retrospective registry of patients who received both tricuspid and pulmonic bioprosthetic valve (TV/PV) replacements for advanced CnHD from November 2005 to March 2021.

Perioperative Impella 5.5 Support for Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement: Pull Back/Push Through Technique, Safeguards, and Pitfalls.

In patients undergoing aortic valve surgery, preoperative reduced left ventricular ejection fraction is not uncommon and is associated with poor outcomes. Mechanical circulatory support (MCS) may be preemptively used in patients presenting with high periprocedural risk. The Impella 5.

Delayed versus primary sternal closure for left ventricular assist device implantation: Impact on mechanical circulatory support infections.

Background: Delayed sternal closure may be required after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation due to coagulopathy or hemodynamic instability. There is conflicting data regarding infection risk.

Methods: We performed a single-center, retrospective analysis of patients who received their first LVAD between May 2012 and January 2021.

Aortic Root Dissection Due to an Automated Fastener Device.

Minimally invasive aortic valve replacement through a right thoracotomy is frequently performed in patients with aortic valve disease. The Cor-Knot Device (LSI Solutions) is an automated fastener that secures valve sutures. This case report is for a patient who developed postcardiotomy shock during a minimally invasive aortic valve surgery.

Transaortic Placement of Percutaneous Mechanical Support Device via Partial Sternotomy: Feasible Option for Unsuitable Axillary Artery Access.

Acute decompensated refractory cardiogenic shock is an emergency in which the prompt instauration of mechanical circulatory support improves outcomes. The typical, initial approach for device delivery is via femoral vessels due to easy access and safety. If longer support is needed, the femoral access will severely impair the patient's mobility and can also limit the amount of support given as the new-generation devices are too large for direct arterial insertion.

Inter-Institutional Collaboration Between Quaternary and Tertiary Hospitals: Cardiac Surgery Impact.

Background: An inter-institutional collaboration between a quaternary hospital (QH) with a high volume of cardiac surgery and a community-based, tertiary hospital (TH) with a newly established cardiac surgery program was established.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed data of patients admitted to the TH between September 2015 and June 2017 for cardiac surgery. The decision to transfer a patient to the QH was based on a Society of Thoracic Surgeon-Predicted Risk of Mortality (STS-PROM) score of ≥ 3%, the potential need for hemodialysis, and other risk factors.

The use of veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in the octogenarian population: A single-center experience.

Introduction: Advanced age is a known risk factor for poor outcomes after veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (V-A ECMO) for cardiac support. The use of ECMO support in patients over the age of 80 is controversial, and sometimes its use is contraindicated. We aimed to assess the use of ECMO in octogenarian patients to determine survival and complication rates.

Pre- and post-operative mechanical circulatory support in surgical repair of post-acute myocardial infarction mechanical complications.

The outcomes of patients with acute myocardial infarctions (AMI) have significantly improved with advances in early reperfusion strategies; however, patients with massive infarcts or those who do not receive timely revascularization may develop mechanical complications of AMI. The most common mechanical complications are ventricular septal rupture (VSR), acute mitral regurgitation (MR) due to papillary muscle rupture, and free-wall rupture. Each complication is associated with a high risk of morbidity and mortality, and requires a multidisciplinary approach for prompt diagnosis and hemodynamic stabilization.

Case Report: WATCHMAN Procedure Complicated By Atrial Perforation and Device Dislodgement.

Atrial perforation and device dislodgment are uncommon encounters after percutaneous left atrial appendage exclusion procedures. The literature describes how various endovascular and surgical approaches can be applied to treat these complications. In this case report, we describe an atrial perforation that occurred after a WATCHMAN™ FLX device (Boston Scientific) deployment.

Surgically Implanted Impella Device for Patients on Impella CP Support Experiencing Refractory Hemolysis.

The Impella CP (Abiomed Inc., Danvers, MA) is widely used in cardiac catheterization laboratories for patients presenting with cardiogenic shock, but it is also known to cause significant hemolysis. The risk of hemolysis can be reduced by properly positioning the device, ensuring an adequate volume status, and using full anticoagulation strategies; however, in some cases hemolysis persists.

Left Ventricular Assist Device Reinsertion for Recurrence of End-Stage Heart Failure Eleven Years after Device Removal: Case Report.

After demonstrated myocardial recovery in patients with durable left ventricular assist device (LVAD) support, the device may occasionally be explanted. A 38-year-old female with nonischemic cardiomyopathy underwent implantation of an LVAD as a bridge-to-transplant therapy. After one year, the patient demonstrated sufficient myocardial recovery allowing the LVAD to be explanted.

Intraoperative Management for Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation With Concurrent Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy: A Case Series.

The increasing coincidence of obesity with heart failure may preclude eligibility for orthotopic heart transplantation, requiring continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) as destination therapy. This report describes intraoperative considerations for patients who underwent LVAD implantation with concurrent laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) to promote weight loss. In particular, right ventricular dysfunction associated with acute left ventricular unloading may be compounded by pneumoperitoneum for LSG due to the difficulty in ventilating patients with obesity, hypercarbia-mediated increase in pulmonary vascular resistance, and variable cardiac loading conditions.

Impella CP to Impella 5.5 Uninterrupted Upgrade Using a Double Device Technique.

For the first time, we present a novel technique that enables the exchange of the Impella CP (Abiomed Inc., Danvers, Massachusetts, USA) to the Impella 5.5 (Abiomed Inc.

Is Foot Drop an Underreported Sequela of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation?

Foot drop in the absence of limb ischemia is a chronic complication in peripheral venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (V-A ECMO) survivors; however, there is little published regarding the incidence and functional outcomes of this condition. Common peroneal nerve is the most common cause of foot drop, a condition that leads to significant debility and requires extensive physical therapy and rehabilitation, thereby affecting the patient's quality of life. We completed a retrospective review of 153 patients who received femoral cannulation for V-A ECMO support for greater than 1 hour.