Purpose: Patients with systemic amyloidosis with cardiac involvement require careful selection for heart transplantation (HTx) due to the associated poor outcomes. Large databases do not provide sufficient granularity to allow for differentiation between its major subtypes [light-chain (AL) and transthyretin (ATTR) amyloidosis]. We sought to pool the existing data on amyloidosis patients undergoing HTx, and perform stratified analysis based on its major subtypes.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: Whole-exome sequencing has led to the discovery of new genes involved in developmental delay. Two of these are the evolutionary linked proteins phosphofurin acidic cluster sorting protein 1 (PACS1) and phosphofurin acidic cluster sorting protein 2 (PACS2), which function as metabolic switches. We present a case of a patient with the previously described PACS2 c.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPurpose: We sought to evaluate outcomes for clinical management after a genetic diagnosis from the Deciphering Developmental Disorders study.
Methods: Individuals in the Deciphering Developmental Disorders study who had a pathogenic/likely pathogenic genotype in the DECIPHER database were selected for inclusion ( = 5010). Clinical notes from regional clinical genetics services notes were reviewed to assess predefined clinical outcomes relating to interventions, prenatal choices, and information provision.
Background: Mild histologic lesions of tubulo-interstitial inflammation could represent a "response-to-wounding" rather than allorecognition. Tissue gene expression may complement histopathology for T-cell-mediated rejection (TCMR) diagnostics.
Methods: We report on the incorporation of tissue gene expression testing using a Molecular Microscope Diagnostic System into the management of kidney transplant biopsies with suspected TCMR.
Gen Thorac Cardiovasc Surg
October 2024
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.
Background: Cold water swimming is growing in popularity, especially among women. We have previously reported that women felt that cold water swimming helps with their menstrual and menopause symptoms. But little is known about the habits of women who cold water swim.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: The RNLI "Float to Live" campaign is based on research conducted in indoor pools with experienced open water swimmers. Study 1 investigated whether the RNLI "Float to Live" guidance would enable less experienced individuals to float in realistic open water conditions. Study 2 examined the separate effects of practice and coaching on floating competence.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: 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.
Background: An inflammatory milieu after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation is associated with multi-organ dysfunction and pre-operative heightened inflammatory state is associated with right ventricular failure after LVAD implantation.
Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of 30 LVAD patients in our institution within the last 2 years for the development of fever and compared them to 30 non-LVAD open-heart surgery patients.
Results: Our results suggest that patients undergoing LVAD implantation are more likely to develop fever in the immediate post-operative period compared to other open-heart surgeries.
High altitude residents have a lower incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Therefore, we examined the effect of repeated overnight normobaric hypoxic exposure on glycaemic control, appetite, gut microbiota and inflammation in adults with T2DM. Thirteen adults with T2DM [glycated haemoglobin (HbA1): 61.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPurpose: 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).
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.
Aim: Use of microaxial mechanical circulatory support (MCS) has been reported for severe graft rejection or dysfunction after heart transplantation (HTx). We aimed to assess utilization patterns of microaxial MCS after HTx in adolescents (ages 18 and younger) and adults (ages 19 and older).
Methods: Electronic search was performed to identify all relevant studies on post-HTx use of microaxial support in adults and adolescents.
J Vasc Surg Venous Lymphat Disord
March 2024
Objective: This study aimed to determine how women felt cold water swimming affected their menstrual and perimenopausal symptoms.
Study Design: An online survey that asked women who regularly swim in cold water about their experiences. The survey was advertised for 2 months on social media.
Cold water immersion (CWI) evokes the life-threatening reflex cold shock response (CSR), inducing hyperventilation, increasing cardiac arrhythmias, and increasing drowning risk by impairing safety behaviour. Repeated CWI induces CSR habituation (i.e.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: 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.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFTo address the unmet clinical need for pediatric circulatory support, we are developing an operationally versatile, hybrid, continuous-flow, total artificial heart ("Dragon Heart"). This device integrates a magnetically levitated axial and centrifugal blood pump. Here, we utilized a validated axial flow pump, and we focused on the development of the centrifugal pump.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAn emerging body of behavioural studies indicates that regular swimming in cold water has positive effects on mental health and wellbeing, such as reducing fatigue, improving mood, and lessening depressive symptoms. Moreover, some studies reported immediate effects of cold-water immersion (CWI) on elevating mood and increasing a positive emotional state. However, the neural mechanisms underlying these effects remain largely unknown.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Depression is common and the prevalence increasing worldwide; at least 1 in 10 people will experience depression in their lifetime. It is associated with economic costs at the individual, healthcare and societal level. Recommended treatments include medication and psychological therapies.
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