Combined en bloc heart and liver transplant.

A combined en bloc heart and liver transplant is a rare form of a combined dual organ transplant in which the donor heart and liver remain connected via the inferior caval vein both during procurement and during the transplant. We present a patient who underwent a combined en bloc heart and liver transplant due to heart failure and cirrhosis, after having previously undergone repair of complex biventricular congenital heart disease.

Berlin Heart EXCOR sVAD upsizing and exchange technique.

The Berlin Heart EXCOR is used in paediatric patients with ventricular failure for temporary support as a bridge to a cardiac transplant or, occasionally, as a bridge to ventricular recovery. Neonates, infants and children who are supported with ventricular assist devices while gaining weight also have an increased demand for cardiac output while supported. Some patients might need a few pump exchanges to meet circulatory needs while growing.

Extended perioperative use of the ProtekDuo cannula for drainage in central venopulmonary-aortic ECMO for bilateral orthotopic lung transplantation.

We present the case of a 24-year-old female who was supported with ProtekDuo cannula with variations of venopulmonary (VP) extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. The patient was cannulated for acute respiratory distress syndrome and she underwent bilateral orthotopic lung transplantation. This is the first report of the ProtekDuo cannula as a drainage cannula in central (dl)VP-/AO ECMO for 5 days.

Conversion technique from venovenous to venopulmonary ECMO support.

We present the cannulation technique for venopulmonary extracorporeal membrane oxygenation using the ProtekDuo dual-lumen cannula in a patient who, after a bilateral orthotopic lung transplant and coronavirus disease 2019 infection, was converted from a multisite venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation configuration, using the same vessel.

Outcome of Veno-Pulmonary Extracorporeal Life Support in Lung Transplantation Using ProtekDuo Cannula: A Systematic Review and Description of Configurations.

Refractory end-stage pulmonary failure may benefit from extracorporeal life support (ECLS) as a bridge to lung transplantation. Veno-venous (VV) extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has been recommended for patients who have failed conventional medical therapy and mechanical ventilation. Veno-arterial (VA) ECMO may be used in patients with acute right ventricular (RV) failure, haemodynamic instability, or refractory respiratory failure.

Double lung en bloc procurement and back table separation of lungs.

Donor organ recovery techniques have improved with novel preservation solutions, implementation of advanced preservation systems and machine perfusion. However, surgical techniques for organ procurement have not changed. In this video tutorial, we have outlined key steps in double lung en bloc organ recovery, including introduction of pulmonoplegia, pulmonectomy en bloc and separation of the two single-lung blocks.

Combined en bloc heart and liver organ procurement.

A combined heart+liver transplant is the only option for survival in some patients with end-stage combined cardiac and hepatic disease. These patients may suffer from congenital or acquired cardiac disease. The potential aetiologies of the associated hepatic disease are heterogeneous and include systemic disease that impacts the liver as well as venous congestion in patients with functionally univentricular circulation.

Bilateral orthotopic lung transplant via a clamshell thoracosternotomy from a donor with extended cold static lung preservation.

In this video tutorial, we present a comprehensive step-by-step operative technique for a bilateral orthotopic lung transplant using a bilateral transverse thoracosternotomy in a patient with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis lung disease. The donor lungs were exposed to extended cold static ischaemic storage at 10° C for the semi-elective operation.

Dual lumen venopulmonary extracorporeal membrane oxygenation cannulation technique using the ProtekDuo.

In this video tutorial, we present the cannulation technique for venopulmonary extracorporeal membrane oxygenation using the ProtekDuo dual-lumen cannula in a patient with acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Syphilitic ostial coronary artery occlusion treated with percutaneous coronary intervention: Case series and literature review.

Introduction: Non-atherosclerotic causes of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) are important contributors to a substantial number of acute ischemic coronary events. Syphilitic aortitis is a rare complication of tertiary cardiovascular syphilis that may result in ostial coronary artery stenosis, aortic insufficiency, and ascending aortic aneurysm.

Methods: In this manuscript, we present two Case Reports of patients with bilateral syphilitic coronary artery ostial occlusion, and we review the associated literature.

Venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation neck cannulation in an infant.

In this video tutorial, we present neck cannulation for venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation using a crescent right atrial double lumen cannula in a 4-kg baby.

An Analysis of 186 Transplants for Pediatric or Congenital Heart Disease: Impact of Pretransplant VAD.

Background: We reviewed our management strategy and outcome data for all 181 patients with pediatric or congenital heart disease who received 186 heart transplants from January 1, 2011, to March 1, 2022, and evaluated the impact of pretransplant ventricular assist device (VAD).

Methods: Continuous variables are presented as mean (SD); median [interquartile range] (range). Categorical variables are presented as number (percentage).

A Single-Institutional Experience with 36 Children Smaller Than 5 Kilograms Supported with the Berlin Heart Ventricular Assist Device (VAD) over 12 Years: Comparison of Patients with Biventricular versus Functionally Univentricular Circulation.

Objectives: We reviewed outcomes in all 36 consecutive children <5 kg supported with the Berlin Heart pulsatile ventricular assist device (VAD) at the University of Florida, comparing those with univentricular circulation (n  =  23) to those with biventricular circulation (n  =  13).

Methods: The primary outcome was mortality. Kaplan-Meier methods and log-rank tests were used to assess group differences in long-term survival after VAD insertion.

Heart Transplantation in Patients Less Than 18 Years of Age: Comparison of 2 Eras Over 36 Years and 323 Transplants at a Single Institution.

Background: We reviewed our management strategy and outcome data for all 311 patients less than 18 years of age who underwent 323 heart transplants at our institution (1986 to 2022) in order to assess changes in patterns of practice and outcomes over time and to compare two consecutive eras: era 1 (154 heart transplants [1986 to 2010]) and era 2 (169 heart transplants [2011 to 2022]).

Study Design: Descriptive comparisons between the two eras were performed at the level of the heart transplant for all 323 transplants. Kaplan-Meier survival analyses were performed at the level of the patient for all 311 patients, and log-rank tests were used to compare groups.

Multicenter Registry Using Propensity Score Analysis to Compare a Novel Transport/Preservation System to Traditional Means on Postoperative Hospital Outcomes and Costs for Heart Transplant Patients.

The standard method for cardiac allograft preservation for the past 50 years has been static storage using crushed ice. A heart transplant transportation system designed to improve preservation quality with temperature monitoring, the Paragonix SherpaPak Cardiac Transport System (SCTS), was evaluated for its impact on postoperative costs relative to conventional ice storage. Observational US multicenter registry data collected during the August 2015 to November 2021 timeframe from 12 transplant hospitals were analyzed using logistic regression analysis and propensity matching to balance measured baseline covariates and to reduce selection bias.

An Analysis of 183 Heart Transplants for Pediatric or Congenital Heart Disease-Impact of High Panel Reactive Antibody.

Background: We reviewed our management strategy and outcome data for all 179 patients with pediatric and/or congenital heart disease who underwent 183 heart transplants from January 1, 2011, to December 31, 2021, and evaluated the impact of elevated panel reactive antibody (PRA).

Methods: High PRA was defined as PRA >10%. Univariate associations with long-term survival were assessed with Cox proportional hazards models.