Tricuspid Valve Reconstruction in Patients with Right Heart Decompensation Due to Severe Tricuspid Regurgitation on LVAD Support.

: Right ventricular (RV) dysfunction after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation is associated with reduced survival and affects duration of hospitalization. Some patients with RV dysfunction on LVAD have significant tricuspid valve regurgitation (TR) with concomitant signs of RV failure. In these cases, tricuspid valve repair (TVR) may minimize clinical signs of RV failure.

Economic aspects of long-term left ventricular assist device treatment for chronic heart failure.

Aims: Technological advances and the current shortage of donor organs have contributed to an increase in the number of left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantations in patients with end-stage heart failure. Demographic change and medical progress might raise the number of these patients, resulting in a further increase in the number of LVAD implantations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term costs of LVAD therapy and identify diagnoses resulting in expensive stays.

Calcium channel blockers and clinical outcomes in patients with continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices.

Aims: Current guidelines suggest calcium channel blockers (CCBs) as the second or third option for blood pressure management in patients with left ventricular assist device (LVAD). However, the clinical outcomes of patients with LVAD who receive CCBs remain unclear. Our study aims to analyse the association of CCBs with clinical outcomes in patients after LVAD implantation.

External validation of the REMEMBER score.

Background: The use of venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is associated with high in-hospital mortality rates. The pRedicting mortality in patients undergoing venoarterial Extracorporeal MEMBrane oxygenation after coronary artEry bypass gRafting (REMEMBER) score has been created to predict in-hospital mortality in this subgroup of patients. The aim of this study is to externally validate the REMEMBER score.

Presence and impact of anemia in patients supported with left ventricular assist devices.

Background: Data on anemia and its effects on patients supported with continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) are lacking.

Objectives: This study sought to describe the presence of anemia over time and investigate its association with mortality, quality of life, exercise capacity, and adverse events in LVAD patients.

Methods: Adults receiving durable LVADs between 2008 and 2017 were identified from the INTERMACS database.

Central versus Peripheral Postcardiotomy Veno-Arterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: Systematic Review and Individual Patient Data Meta-Analysis.

Background: It is unclear whether peripheral arterial cannulation is superior to central arterial cannulation for postcardiotomy veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO).

Methods: A systematic review was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar to identify studies on postcardiotomy VA-ECMO for the present individual patient data (IPD) meta-analysis. Analysis was performed according to the intention-to-treat principle.

Characteristics and Outcome of Patients With a History of Cancer Undergoing Durable Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation.

Background: Patients with cancer (patients with a history of cancer) with advanced heart failure are increasing, but unlikely to be transplanted, and left ventricular assist device (LVAD) is an alternative strategy. This study investigates the characteristics and outcomes of patients with cancer undergoing durable LVAD.

Methods: Adult patients with a history of cancer who received LVADs were identified from INTERMACS (Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support) registry: 2008 and 2017.

Hemodynamic markers of pulmonary vasculopathy for prediction of early right heart failure and mortality after heart transplantation.

Background: Elevated pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) is broadly accepted as an imminent risk factor for mortality after heart transplantation (HTx). However, no current HTx recipient risk score includes PVR or other hemodynamic parameters. This study examined the utility of various hemodynamic parameters for risk stratification in a contemporary HTx population.

To hit a home run as a heterotopic heart recipient-living with two hearts for over three decades: a case report.

Heterotopic heart transplantation (HHT) is an alternative to the orthotopic technique in selected patients with terminal heart failure. We report the case of the longest survival after HHT, with an uneventful follow-up for over three decades after transplantation. At the age of 25 years, endomyocardial fibrosis following myocarditis rendered the patient's native heart unable to maintain the body's needs.

Tricuspid Valve Surgery in Patients Receiving Left Ventricular Assist Devices.

Background: Tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is common and related to poor prognosis in patients after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation. The concomitant tricuspid valve surgery (TVS) at the time of LVAD implantation on short and long-term outcomes are controversial in current evidence.

Methods: This is a single-center, observational, retrospective study.

C-reactive protein predicts early clinical outcomes and long-term mortality after left ventricular assisted device.

Objectives: Left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation has become a reliable therapeutic strategy in patients with advanced heart failure. C-reactive protein (CRP) is a well-established biomarker of inflammation. This study aims to determine the prognostic effect of CRP level on clinical outcomes of patients who undergo LVAD implantation.

Postcardiotomy Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation With and Without Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump.

Objectives: To compare the outcomes of patients with postcardiotomy shock treated with venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) only compared with VA-ECMO and intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP).

Design: A retrospective multicenter registry study.

Setting: At 19 cardiac surgery units.

An external validation study of the Utah Bleeding Risk Score.

Objectives: Gastrointestinal bleeding in patients with continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices (CF-LVAD) impairs quality of life and increases hospitalization rate. The Utah Bleeding Risk Score (UBRS) has been created to predict gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) in patients on left ventricular assist device. We here aimed to externally validate UBRS on our cohort of CF-LVAD patients.

Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndromes After Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: A Current Report From the North-Rhine Westphalia Surgical Myocardial Infarction Registry.

Background Coronary artery bypass grafting has remained an important treatment option for acute coronary syndromes, particularly in patients (1) with ongoing ischemia and large areas of jeopardized myocardium, if percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) cannot be performed; (2) following successful PCI of the culprit lesion with further indication for coronary artery bypass grafting; and (3) where PCI is incomplete, not sufficient, or failed. Methods and Results We aimed to analyze coronary artery bypass grafting outcome following prior PCI in acute coronary syndromes from the North-Rhine-Westphalia surgical myocardial infarction registry comprising 2616 patients. Primary end points were in-hospital all-cause mortality and major adverse cardio-cerebral event.

Impact of cardiac fibrosis and collagens on right ventricular failure and acute kidney injury in patients after continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices.

Objectives: We aim to investigate the impact of cardiac fibrosis and collagens on right ventricular failure (RVF) and acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients receiving continuous flow left ventricular assist devices.

Methods: Heart tissues from 34 patients were obtained from continuous flow left ventricular assist device insertion sites and corresponding clinical data were collected. The participants were divided into 2 groups according to the extent of the cardiac fibrosis or collagens.

Gender and the Outcome of Postcardiotomy Veno-arterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation.

Objective: There is a paucity of sex-specific data on patients' postcardiotomy venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO). The present study sought to assess this issue in a multicenter study.

Design: Retrospective, propensity score-matched analysis of an international registry.

Outcome of Repeat Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in Postcardiotomy Cardiogenic Shock.

Objective: Data on patients requiring a second run of venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) support in patients affected by postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock (PCS) are very limited. The authors aimed to investigate the effect of a second run of VA-ECMO on PCS patient survival.

Design: Retrospective analysis of an international registry.

Five-year survival after post-cardiotomy veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

Aims: Veno-arterial (VA) extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support for post-cardiotomy cardiogenic shock (PCS) after adult cardiac surgery is associated with satisfactory hospital survival. However, data on long-term survival of these critically ill patients are scarce.

Methods And Results: Between January 2010 and March 2018, 665 consecutive patients received VA-ECMO for PCS at 17 cardiac surgery centres and herein we evaluated their 5-year survival.

Six-Month Survival After Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation for Severe COVID-19.

Objectives: The authors evaluated the outcome of adult patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) requiring the use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO).

Design: Multicenter retrospective, observational study.

Setting: Ten tertiary referral university and community hospitals.

Neurologic Injury in Patients Treated With Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation for Postcardiotomy Cardiogenic Shock.

Objective: To investigate the frequency, predictors, and outcomes of neurologic injury in adults treated with postcardiotomy extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (PC-ECMO).

Design: A retrospective multicenter registry study.

Setting: Twenty-one European institutions where cardiac surgery is performed.

Duration of Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation and Mortality in Postcardiotomy Cardiogenic Shock.

Objective: The optimal duration of venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) in patients affected by postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock (PCS) remains controversial. The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of VA-ECMO duration on hospital outcomes.

Design: Retrospective analysis of an international registry.

Population pharmacokinetic evaluation of cefuroxime in perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis during and after cardiopulmonary bypass.

Aims: The purpose of this study was to explore pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic aspects of a contemporary dosing scheme of cefuroxime as perioperative prophylaxis in cardiac surgery using cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).

Methods: Cefuroxime plasma concentrations were measured in 23 patients. A 1.