Pre-orthotopic heart transplant estimated glomerular filtration rate predicts post-transplant mortality and renal outcomes: An analysis of the UNOS database.

Background: Pre-orthotopic heart (OHT) serum creatinine correlates with post-OHT outcomes, but there is limited information on the relationship between pre-OHT estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and adjusted short- and long-term survival and renal outcomes post-OHT.

Methods: Using the United Network of Organ Sharing (UNOS) database we estimated pre-OHT eGFR using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) and the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) equations in patients aged ≥18 years who underwent OHT between 1988 and 2013. Patients were stratified into 5 eGFR categories (≥90, 60 to 89, 45 to 59, 30 to 44 and <30 ml/min/1.

Preoperative risk factors predict survival following cardiac retransplantation: analysis of the United Network for Organ Sharing database.

Background: The aim of our study was to identify preoperative risk factors affecting overall survival after cardiac retransplantation (ReTX) in a contemporary era.

Methods: The United Network for Organ Sharing database was used to identify patients undergoing ReTX between 1995 and 2012. Of the total 28,464 primary transplants performed, 987 (3.

Exercise performance increases coincident to body weight over the first two years following cardiac transplantation.

Background: To determine whether exercise performance changed over time once patients stabilized after heart transplantation, metabolic stress testing was performed in patients one and two yr post-heart transplantation.

Methods: The patient cohort includes those transplanted in our program who survived at least two yr and were able to perform metabolic stress tests during their one- and two-yr annual evaluations. Standard stress test parameters were assessed, including weight, body surface area, rest and exercise heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP), exercise time, anaerobic threshold (AT), and maximum VO2 (MVO2).

Neurological events during long-term mechanical circulatory support for heart failure: the Randomized Evaluation of Mechanical Assistance for the Treatment of Congestive Heart Failure (REMATCH) experience.

Background: Progression of heart failure can lead to cardiac transplantation, but when patients are ineligible, long-term mechanical circulatory support may improve survival. The REMATCH trial showed that left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) prolonged survival in patients with end-stage disease, but with a significant number of adverse events. We report on the neurological outcomes in the REMATCH trial.

Alloimmune induction of endothelial cell-derived interferon-gamma-inducible chemokines.

Background: The interaction between host lymphocytes and endothelial cells on the transplanted organ is believed to play an important role in acute and chronic graft rejection. Trafficking and recruitment of lymphocytes to the site of inflammation is known to be controlled by several cytokines and chemokines. It is unclear whether endothelial cells themselves can be a source of inflammatory chemoattractant molecules on alloimmune induction.

Analysis of transforming growth factor-beta and profibrogenic molecules in a rat cardiac allograft model treated with cyclosporine.

Background: Long-term treatment of heart transplantation recipients with cyclosporine (CsA) results in chronic nephrotoxic effects, which frequently lead to progressive renal failure. Transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta and other fibrogenic molecules are leading candidates for these effects, because CsA is known to induce TGF-beta. In this study we compared the expression of TGF-beta, collagen, fibronectin, metalloproteinases, and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases in kidneys from recipients of heterotopic heart transplants treated with CsA for 30 and 180 days.