Heart Transplant Centers With and Without Liver Transplant Programs: Analysis of Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients Metrics.

Introduction: We studied the relationship between heart transplant centers with and without liver transplant programs regarding volume, waitlist duration, waitlist survival, and 1-y posttransplant survival.

Methods: Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients data were acquired in July 2023 and represented transplant centers with adult organ transplant volumes in the United States over the past year. This system involved a five-tier ranking system from one to five, where tier one programs had the lowest rating and tier five programs had the highest rating.

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.

Organ Donation by the Imminently Dead: Addressing the Organ Shortage and the Dead Donor Rule.

The dead donor rule (DDR) has facilitated the saving of hundreds of thousands of lives. Recent advances in heart donation, however, have exposed how DDR has limited donation of all organs. We propose advancing the moment in the dying process at which death can be determined to increase substantially the supply of organs for transplantation.

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.

Prognostic Factors of Survival for Grade 3 Solitary Fibrous Tumor/Hemangiopericytoma: A Population-Based Retrospective Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Database Analysis.

Introduction: Grade 3 solitary fibrous tumor, previously known as anaplastic hemangiopericytoma, is a rare and highly malignant intracranial tumor with a limited understanding of its natural history and treatment outcomes.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database spanning 2000-2019 to evaluate the clinical characteristics and treatment modalities that influence overall survival in this tumor entity. A cohort of 249 patients with intracranial grade 3 solitary fibrous tumors was identified.

Summary of a consensus conference on heart-liver transplantation.

Patients with severe heart disease may have coexisting liver disease from various causes. The incidence of combined heart-liver transplant (CHLT) is increasing as more patients with congenital heart disease survive to adulthood and develop advanced heart failure with associated liver disease from chronic right-sided heart or Fontan failure. However, the criteria for CHLT have not been established.

Prognostic Indicators for Intracranial Metastases from Pancreatic Cancer: A Population-Based Retrospective Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Database Analysis.

Objective: The natural history, treatment options, and clinical outcomes of pancreatic metastases to the brain remain largely unknown. Here, we seek to investigate characteristics that influence OS in pancreatic metastases to the brain.

Methods: This is a population-based retrospective study of OS in 508 patients with pancreatic metastases to the brain using the SEER database.

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.

The balloon occlusion sheath for stroke (BOSS) balloon guide catheter for stroke intervention: Safety and technical success.

Background: We describe the first-in-human experience using the Balloon Occlusion Stroke Sheath (BOSS) balloon-guide catheter to perform stroke thrombectomy in 50 consecutive patients enrolled in the Flow Arrest Safety and Technical success with balloon-guide catheters trial. This aspiration system includes a novel 9.4F balloon-guide catheter conduit for the insertion and guidance of catheters with a balloon providing temporary flow arrest.

Prognostic Indicators for H3K27M-Mutant Diffuse Midline Glioma: A Population-Based Retrospective Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Database Analysis.

Background: Diffuse midline glioma with histone H3K27M mutation (H3K27M DMG) is a recently recognized World Health Organization grade IV glioma with a dismal prognosis. Despite maximal treatment, this high-grade glioma exhibits an estimated median survival of 9-12 months. However, little is known with regards to prognostic risk factors for overall survival (OS) for patients with this malignant tumor.

Clot composition and recanalization outcomes in mechanical thrombectomy.

Background: Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) has become standard for large vessel occlusions, but rates of complete recanalization are suboptimal. Previous reports correlated radiographic signs with clot composition and a better response to specific techniques. Therefore, understanding clot composition may allow improved outcomes.

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.

Co-occurrence of dural arteriovenous fistula and meningioma: A rare case and systematic review.

Background: The coexistence of meningioma and dural arteriovenous fistula (dAVF) is a rare, but highly complex condition. Various pathophysiological mechanisms underlie intracranial meningiomas with continuous or distant dAVFs. We describe a case of coexisting meningioma and dAVF with a systematic review of the literature.

Endovascular treatment of a ruptured pure arterial malformation and associated dysplastic middle cerebral artery dissecting aneurysm: illustrative case.

Background: Pure arterial malformations are characterized as unique cerebrovascular lesions with a dilated, coil-like appearance and tortuous arteries without early venous drainage. Historically, these lesions have been described as incidental findings with a benign natural history. However, pure arterial malformations can rarely demonstrate radiographic progression and develop associated focal aneurysms with an unclear risk of rupture.

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.

Systemic Immune-Inflammation Index Predicts Acute Symptomatic Hydrocephalus After Spontaneous Nonaneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage.

Objective: The authors sought to investigate the association between white blood cell counts and acute hydrocephalus in spontaneous nonaneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (nSAH).

Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 105 consecutive patients with spontaneous nSAH. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to investigate factors associated with hydrocephalus.

Depressed skull fracture compressing eloquent cortex causing focal neurologic deficits.

Background: Depressed skull fractures are typically the consequence of high-impact injuries with inward buckling of the cranium. The majority of depressed skull fractures are managed conservatively in the absence of dural violation, sinus involvement, significant underlying hematoma, depressed fragment greater than 1 cm, wound infection, or gross wound contamination. Even in the presence of any of the aforementioned criteria, cranioplasty is typically considered an urgent procedure rather than a neurosurgical emergency.

Spinal Intradural Arachnoid Cysts in Adults: An Institutional Experience and Literature Review.

Background: Adult spinal intradural arachnoid cysts are rare pathologic entities with an unclear etiopathogenesis. These lesions can be dichotomized into primary (idiopathic) or secondary (related to inflammation, intradural surgery, or trauma) etiologies. Limited series have depicted optimal management strategies and clinical outcomes.