Assessment of sex- and age-dependency of risk factors for intimal hyperplasia in heart transplant patients using the high resolution of optical coherence tomography.

Background: Intimal hyperplasia in cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) is limiting survival in pediatric and adult patients after heart transplantation (HTx). Analysis of risk factors for CAV using the high resolution of intracoronary optical coherence tomography (OCT) is scarce, particularly in children, and recommendations for CAV prevention are largely based on data obtained in adults. Whether the predictive value of risk factors is age- or sex-dependent is unknown.

Cardiac allograft vasculopathy: Differences of absolute and relative intimal hyperplasia in children versus adults in optical coherence tomography.

Background: Intracoronary imaging enables an early detection of intimal changes. To what extend the development of absolute and relative intimal hyperplasia in intracoronary imaging differs depending on age and post-transplant time is not known.

Methods: Aim of our retrospective study was to compare findings between 24 pediatric (cohort P) and 21 adult HTx patients (cohort A) using optical coherence tomography (OCT) at corresponding post-transplant intervals (≤5 years: P1 (n = 11) and A1 (n = 10); >5 and ≤ 10 years: P2 (n = 13) and A2 (n = 11),.

Update on Weaning from Veno-Arterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation.

Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) provides temporary cardiac and respiratory support and has emerged as an established salvage intervention for patients with hemodynamic compromise or shock. It is thereby used as a bridge to recovery, bridge to permanent ventricular assist devices, bridge to transplantation, or bridge to decision. However, weaning from VA-ECMO differs between centers, and information about standardized weaning protocols are rare.

[Lung Transplantation. Chances and Possibilities].

Since 1963, the lung transplantation has become a successful and established therapy for patients with lung failure. Even though mortality is higher than with other solid organ transplantations, remarkable progress has been made due to improved techniques, improved conservation, immunosuppression and antibiotics as well as diagnostic tools and therapy for rejection. The survival for lung transplantation is good.