Durable left ventricular assist devices following temporary circulatory support on a microaxial flow pump with and without extracorporeal life support.

Background: Circulatory support with a catheter-based microaxial flow pump (mAFP) plays a major role in the treatment of severe cardiogenic shock. In most patients who fail to recover while on temporary mechanical circulatory support (tMCS) and who are not eligible for heart transplantation, durable left ventricular assist device (dLVAD) implantation is usually considered a reliable option. This study aimed to describe the outcome of dLVAD therapy following mAFP support and to identify predictors of mortality.

Post-infarct mitral insufficiency: when to resort to reparative surgery, when to the mitral clip.

Severe mitral insufficiency is a feared complication that develops in 10-12% of patients with myocardial infarction and ST elevation. It results from the rupture of the papillary muscle or is secondary to an acute remodelling of the left ventricle in its entirety or of the infarcted region. The mortality of patients with acute clinical onset reaches 50%.

Does the distance between residency and implanting center affect the outcome of patients supported by left ventricular assist devices? A multicenter Italian study on radial mechanically assisted circulatory support (MIRAMACS) analysis.

Background: Patients with LVAD require continuous monitoring and care, and since Implanting Centers (ICs) are more experienced in managing LVAD patients than other healthcare facilities, the distance between patient residency and IC could negatively affect the outcomes.

Methods: Data of patients discharged after receiving an LVAD implantation between 2010 and 2021 collected from the MIRAMACS database were retrospectively analyzed. The population was divided into two groups: A (n = 175) and B (n = 141), according to the distance between patient residency and IC ≤ or >90 miles.

Anticoagulation for Percutaneous Ventricular Assist Device-Supported Cardiogenic Shock: JACC Review Topic of the Week.

Interest in the use of mechanical circulatory support for patients presenting with cardiogenic shock is growing rapidly. The Impella (Abiomed Inc), a microaxial, continuous-flow, short-term, ventricular assist device (VAD), requires meticulous postimplantation management. Because systemic anticoagulation is needed to prevent pump thrombosis, patients are exposed to increased bleeding risk, further aggravated by sepsis, thrombocytopenia, and high shear stress-induced acquired von Willebrand syndrome.

Complicated postoperative course in isolated tricuspid valve surgery: Looking for predictors.

Background: This study aims at better defining the profile of patients with a complicated versus noncomplicated postoperative course following isolated tricuspid valve (TV) surgery to identify predictors of a favorable/unfavorable hospital outcome.

Methods: All patients treated with isolated tricuspid surgery from March 1997 to January 2020 at our institution were retrospectively reviewed. Considering the complexity of most of these patients, a regular postoperative course was arbitrarily defined as a length-of-stay in intensive care unit less than 4 days and/or postoperative length-of-stay less than 10days.