Are biventricular assist devices underused as a bridge to heart transplantation in patients with a high risk of postimplant right ventricular failure?

Objective: Right ventricular failure in patients treated using left ventricular assist devices is associated with poor outcomes. We assessed the strategy of preplanned biventricular assist device implantation in patients with a high risk for right ventricular failure.

Methods: Between 2010 and 2014, we assigned 20 patients to preplanned biventricular assist device and 21 patients to left ventricular assist device as a bridge to heart transplantation on the basis of the estimated risk of postimplant right ventricular failure.

Levosimendan neither improves nor worsens mortality in patients with cardiogenic shock due to ST-elevation myocardial infarction.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of levosimendan on mortality in cardiogenic shock (CS) after ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

Methods And Results: Data were obtained prospectively from the SCAAR (Swedish Coronary Angiography and Angioplasty Register) and the RIKS-HIA (Register of Information and Knowledge about Swedish Heart Intensive Care Admissions) about 94 consecutive patients with CS due to STEMI. Patients were classified into levosimendan-mandatory and levosimendan-contraindicated cohorts.

Diurnal, weekly and seasonal rhythm of out of hospital cardiac arrest in Sweden.

Aim: To describe the diurnal, weekly and seasonal rhythm among patients suffering from out of hospital cardiac arrest in Sweden.

Methods: All patients in Sweden between 1990 and 1999 participating in a National Registry covering 65% of all patients suffering from out of hospital cardiac arrest where cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was attempted. Only patients with a cardiac arrest of a cardiac aetiology and aged > 18 years were included in the survey.

Low chance of survival among patients requiring adrenaline (epinephrine) or intubation after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in Sweden.

Aim: To relate the outcome of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest to whether medication with adrenaline (epinephrine) was given and whether patients were intubated.

Patients: A national survey in Sweden between 1990-1995 among patients suffering out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and in whom resuscitation was attempted. Sixty per cent of ambulance organisations in Sweden participated.