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Aims: This retrospective study investigated the association between anatomical variations in the aortic arch branching and adverse events, including the risk of cerebrovascular accidents (CVAs), in patients with a left ventricular assist device (LVAD)., Methods: Medical charts were reviewed for all patients with HeartMate 3 LVAD support at our center from 2016 to 2021. Computed tomography scans were evaluated to categorize the variations in the aortic arch branching based on seven different types, as described in the literature., Results: In total, 101 patients were included: 86 (85.1%) with a normal branching pattern and 15 (14.9%) with an anatomical variation. The following variations were observed: eight (7.9%) with a bovine arch and seven (6.9%) with a left vertebral arch. The median age was 57 years, 77.2% were men, and the median follow-up was 25 months. No difference was found in the rate of early (< 30 days) re-exploration due to bleeding after LVAD implantation. The rate of CVA and mortality did not differ significantly between patients with a normal arch or an anatomical variation during follow-up, with hazard ratios of 1.47 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.48-4.48; P = 0.495] and 0.69 (95% CI: 0.24-1.98; P = 0.489), respectively., Conclusion: This preliminary study showed no differences in early and long-term adverse events, including CVA, when comparing patients with a variation in the aortic arch branching to patients with a normal aortic arch. However, knowledge of the variations in aortic arch branching could be meaningful during cardiac surgery for potential differences in surgical events in the perioperative period., (Copyright © 2023 The Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. on behalf of the Italian Federation of Cardiology.)

Background: Right ventricular failure (RVF) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with a left ventricular assist device (LVAD). This study is aimed to investigate the influence of a pectus excavatum on early and late outcomes, specifically RVF, following LVAD implantation., Methods: A retrospective study was performed, that included patients with a HeartMate 3 LVAD at our tertiary referral center. The Haller index (HI) was calculated using computed tomography (CT) scan to evaluate the chest-wall dimensions., Results: In total, 80 patients (median age 57 years) were included. Two cohorts were identified: 28 patients (35%) with a normal chest wall (HI < 2.0) and 52 patients (65%) with pectus excavatum (HI 2.0-3.2), with a mean follow-up time of 28 months. Early ( ≤ 30 days) RVF and early acute kidney injury events did not differ between cohorts. Overall survival did not differ between cohorts with a hazard ratio (HR) of 0.47 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.19-1.19, p = 0.113). Late ( > 30 days) recurrent readmission for RVF occurred more often in patients with pectus excavatum ( p = 0.008). The onset of late RVF started around 18 months after implantation and increased thereafter in the overall study cohort., Conclusions: Pectus excavatum is observed frequently in patients with a LVAD implantation. These patients have an increased rate of readmissions and late RVF. Further investigation is required to explore the extent and severity of chest-wall abnormalities on the risk of RVF., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest., (Copyright: © 2023 The Author(s). Published by IMR Press.)

Background: Left ventricular assist device (LVAD) therapy is an established treatment for advanced heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. We evaluated the characteristics and clinical outcomes of patients implanted with an LVAD in the Netherlands., Methods: Patients implanted with an LVAD in the Netherlands between 2016 and 2020 were included in the analysis. Baseline characteristics entered into this registry, as well as clinical outcomes (death on device, heart transplantation) and major adverse events (device dysfunction, major bleeding, major infection and cerebrovascular event), were evaluated., Results: A total of 430 patients were implanted with an LVAD; mean age was 55 ± 13 years and 27% were female. The initial device strategy was bridge to transplant (BTT) in 50%, destination therapy (DT) in 29% and bridge to decision (BTD) in the remaining 21%. After a follow-up of 17 months, 97 (23%) patients had died during active LVAD support. Survival was 83% at 1 year, 76% at 2 years and 54% at 5 years. Patients implanted with an LVAD as a BTT had better outcomes compared with DT at all time points (1 year 86% vs 72%, 2 years 83% vs 59% and 5 years 58% vs 33%). Major adverse events were frequently observed, most often major infection, major bleeding and cerebrovascular events (0.84, 0.33 and 0.09 per patient-year at risk, respectively) and were similar across device strategies. Patients supported with HeartMate 3 had a lower incidence of major adverse events., Conclusions: Long-term survival on durable LVAD support in the Netherlands is over 50% after 5 years. Major adverse events, especially infection and bleeding, are still frequently observed, but decreasing with the contemporary use of HeartMate 3 LVAD., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Mechanical device malfunction remains a known issue in left ventricular assist devices (LVADs). We investigated the incidence of mechanical device malfunction in the HeartMate II and HeartMate 3 LVADs. We conducted a retrospective study of all HeartMate II and HeartMate 3 LVADs implanted in our center. We evaluated major malfunction, potential major malfunction, minor malfunction, and need of device exchange. In total, 163 patients received an LVAD; in 63 (39%) a HeartMate II, and in 100 (61%) a HeartMate 3, median support time of respectively 24.6 months (interquartile range [IQR]: 32.4) and 21.1 months [IQR: 27.2]. Mechanical device malfunction, consisting of both major and potential major malfunction, occurred significantly less in the HeartMate 3 patients with a hazard ratio (HR) of 0.37 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.15-0.87, p = 0.022). Major malfunction alone occurred significantly less in HeartMate 3 patients with a HR of 0.18 (95% CI: 0.05-0.66, p = 0.009). HeartMate 3 patients had a significantly decreased hazard of a pump or outflow graft exchange (HR 0.13, 95% CI: 0.08-0.81, p = 0.008). System controller defects occurred significantly less in HM 3 patients ( p = 0.007), but battery-clips defects occurred significantly more in HM 3 patients ( p = 0.039). Major device malfunction including pump or outflow graft exchange occurred significantly less in HeartMate 3 compared to HeartMate II, while minor malfunctions were similar. Periodical assessment of the technical integrity of the device remains necessary during long-term LVAD support., Competing Interests: Disclosure: The authors have no conflicts of interest to report., (Copyright © 2022 The Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. on behalf of the ASAIO.)

Objectives: This retrospective study investigated the correlation between the angular position of the left ventricular assist device (LVAD) inflow cannula and relapsing low-flow alarms., Methods: Medical charts were reviewed of all patients with HeartMate 3 LVAD support for relapsing low-flow alarms. A standardized protocol was created to measure the angular position with a contrast-enhanced computed tomography scan. Statistics were done using a gamma frailty model with a constant rate function., Results: For this analysis, 48 LVAD-supported patients were included. The majority of the patients were male (79%) with a median age of 57 years and a median follow-up of 30 months (interquartile range: 19-41). Low-flow alarm(s) were experienced in 30 (63%) patients. Angulation towards the septal-lateral plane showed a significant increase in low-flow alarms over time with a constant rate function of 0.031 increase in low-flow alarms per month of follow-up per increasing degree of angulation (P = 0.048). When dividing this group using an optimal cut-off point, a significant increase in low-flow alarms was observed when the septal-lateral angulation was 28° or more (P = 0.001). Anterior-posterior and maximal inflow cannula angulation did not show a significant difference., Conclusions: This study showed an increasing number of low-flow alarms when the degrees of LVAD inflow cannula expand towards the septal-lateral plane. This emphasizes the importance of the LVAD inflow cannula angular position to prevent relapsing low-flow alarms with the risk of diminished quality of life and morbidity., (© The Author(s) 2022. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: Because of the current lack of evidence-based antimicrobial treatment guidelines, Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) infections are often treated according to local insights. Here, we propose a flowchart for protocolized treatment, in order to improve outcome., Methods: The flowchart was composed based on literature, consensus and expert opinion statements. It includes choice, dosage and duration of antibiotics, and indications for suppressive therapy, with particular focus on Staphylococcus aureus (SA) (Figure 1). The preliminary treatment results of 28 patients (2 from start cephalexin suppressive therapy) after implementation in July 2018 are described., Results: Cumulative incidence for first episode of infection in a 3-year time period was 27% (26 of 96 patients with an LVAD). Twenty-one of 23 (91%) first episodes of driveline infection (10 superficial and 13 deep; nine of 13 caused by SA) were successfully treated with antibiotics according to flowchart with complete resolution of clinical signs and symptoms. For two patients with deep driveline infections, surgery was needed in addition. There were no relapses of deep driveline infections, and only 2 SA deep driveline re-infections after 6 months. Nine patients received cephalexin of whom four patients (44%) developed a breakthrough infection with cephalexin-resistant gram-negative bacteria., Conclusions: The first results of this protocolized treatment approach of LVAD infections are promising. Yet, initiation of cephalexin suppressive therapy should be carefully considered given the occurrence of infections with resistant micro-organisms. The long-term outcome of this approach needs to be established in a larger number of patients, preferably in a multi-center setting., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Verkaik, Yalcin, Bax, Constantinescu, Brugts, Manintveld, Birim, Croughs, Bogers and Caliskan.)

Aims: The need for permanent pacemakers (PMs) after heart transplantation (HT) is increasing. The aim was to determine the influence of cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV), donor age, and other risk factors on PM implantations early and late after HT and its effect on survival., Methods and Results: A retrospective, single-centre study was performed including HTs from 1984 to July 2018. Early PM was defined as PM implantation ≤90 days and late PM as PM > 90 days. Risk factors for PM and survival after PM were determined with (time-dependent) multivariable Cox regression. Out of 720 HTs performed, 62 were excluded (55 mortalities ≤30 days and 7 retransplantations). Of the remaining 658 patients, 95 (14%) needed a PM: 38 (6%) early and 57 (9%) late during follow-up (median 9.3 years). Early PM risk factors were donor age [hazard ratio (HR) 1.06, P < 0.001], ischaemic time (HR 1.01, P < 0.001), and in adults amiodarone use before HT (HR 2.02, P = 0.045). Late PM risk factors were donor age (HR 1.03, P = 0.024) and CAV (HR 3.59, P < 0.001). Late PM compromised survival (HR 2.05, P < 0.001), while early PM did not (HR 0.77, P = 0.41)., Conclusions: Risk factors for early PM implantation were donor age, ischaemic time, and in adults amiodarone use before HT. Late PM implantation risk factors were donor age and CAV. Late PM diminished survival, which is probably a surrogate marker for underlying progressive cardiac disease., (© 2022 The Authors. ESC Heart Failure published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of European Society of Cardiology.)

Aim: We aimed to assess the safety and feasibility of using CardioMEMS monitoring in patients before and after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) surgery. Patients & methods: Ten patients accepted for elective LVAD surgery were included, received a CardioMEMS at baseline and were categorized based on mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) ≤25 mmHg (n = 4) or mPAP >25 mmHg [n = 6]) before LVAD surgery. Results: The combined end point of all-cause mortality, acute kidney injury and/or renal replacement therapy, and right ventricular failure occurred more often in patients with an mPAP >25 mmHg (83 vs 0%, p = 0.017). Conclusion: This pilot study demonstrates that combining CardioMEMS monitoring with LVAD therapy is safe and generates the hypothesis that patients with an mPAP >25 mmHg before LVAD surgery identify a very high-risk group for adverse clinical outcomes.

In patients with end-stage heart failure, advanced therapies such as heart transplantation and long-term mechanical circulatory support (MCS) with a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) have to be considered. LVADs can be implanted as a bridge to transplantation or as an alternative to heart transplantation: destination therapy. In the Netherlands, long-term LVAD therapy is gaining importance as a result of increased prevalence of heart failure together with a low number of heart transplantations due to shortage of donor hearts. As a result, the difference between bridge to transplantation and destination therapy is becoming more artificial since, at present, most patients initially implanted as bridge to transplantation end up receiving extended LVAD therapy. Following LVAD implantation, survival after 1, 2 and 3 years is 83%, 76% and 70%, respectively. Quality of life improves substantially despite important adverse events such as device-related infection, stroke, major bleeding and right heart failure. Early referral of potential candidates for long-term MCS is of utmost importance and positively influences outcome. In this review, an overview of the indications, contraindications, patient selection, clinical outcome and optimal time of referral for long-term MCS is given.

Objectives: We evaluated the impact of preoperative liver function on early and 1-year postoperative outcomes in patients supported with a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) and subsequent evolution of liver function markers., Methods: A retrospective multicentre cohort study was conducted, including all patients undergoing continuous-flow LVAD implantation. The Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) score was used to define liver dysfunction., Results: Overall, 290 patients with an LVAD [78% HeartMate II, 15% HVAD and 7% HeartMate 3, mean age 55 (18), 76% men] were included. Over 40 000 measurements of liver function markers were collected over a 1-year period. A receiver operating characteristic curve analysis for the 1-year mortality rate identified the optimal cut-off value of 12.6 for the MELD score. Therefore, the cohort was dichotomized into patients with an MELD score of less than or greater than 12.6. The early (90-day) survival rates in patients with and without liver dysfunction were 76% and 91% (P = 0.002) and 65% and 90% at 1 year, respectively (P < 0.001). Furthermore, patients with preoperative liver dysfunction had more embolic events and more re-explorations. At the 1-year follow-up, liver function markers showed an overall improvement in the majority of patients, with or without pre-LVAD liver dysfunction., Conclusions: Preoperative liver dysfunction is associated with higher early 90-day and 1-year mortality rates after LVAD implantation. Furthermore, liver function improved in both patient groups. It has become imperative to optimize the selection criteria for possible LVAD candidates, since those who survive the first year show excellent recovery of their liver markers., (© The Author(s) 2019. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. All rights reserved.)

We present a case to demonstrate the feasibility of pulmonary artery monitoring with the CardioMEMS sensor for the preoperative optimization of patients with end-stage heart failure undergoing LVAD surgery. Additionally, we demonstrate the feasibility of combining two state-of-the-art techniques by integrating haemodynamic feedback from CardioMEMS and static pump settings of an LVAD. CardioMEMS aids in the remote monitoring of LVAD patients with the potential of identifying complications, pump dysfunction or filling status alterations., (© The Author(s) 2019. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery.)

Aims: We aim to study the feasibility and clinical value of pulmonary artery pressure monitoring with the CardioMEMS™ device in order to optimize and guide treatment in patients with a HeartMate 3 left ventricular assist device (LVAD)., Methods and Results: In this single-centre, prospective pilot study, we will include 10 consecutive patients with New York Heart Association Class IIIb or IV with Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support Classes 2-5 scheduled for implantation of a HeartMate 3 LVAD. Prior to LVAD implantation, patients will receive a CardioMEMS sensor, for daily pulmonary pressure readings. The haemodynamic information provided by the CardioMEMS will be used to improve haemodynamic status prior to LVAD surgery and optimize the timing of LVAD implantation. Post-LVAD implantation, the haemodynamic changes will be assessed for additive value in detecting potential complications in an earlier stage (bleeding and tamponade). During the outpatient clinic phase, we will assess whether the haemodynamic feedback can optimize pump settings, detect potential complications, and further tailor the clinical management of these patients., Conclusions: The HEMO-VAD study is the first prospective pilot study to explore the safety and feasibility of using CardioMEMS for optimization of LVAD therapy with additional (remote) haemodynamic information., (© 2019 The Authors. ESC Heart Failure published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of the European Society of Cardiology.)

Objectives: Moderate-to-severe tricuspid regurgitation is common in end-stage heart disease and is associated with an impaired survival after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) surgery. Controversy remains whether concomitant tricuspid valve surgery (TVS) during LVAD implantation is beneficial. We aimed to provide a contemporary overview of outcomes in patients who underwent LVAD surgery with or without concomitant TVS., Methods: A systematic literature search was performed for articles published between January 2005 and March 2017. Studies comparing patients undergoing isolated LVAD implantation and LVAD + TVS were included. Early outcomes were pooled in risk ratios using random effects models, and late survival was visualized by a pooled Kaplan-Meier curve., Results: Eight publications were included in the meta-analysis, including 562 undergoing isolated LVAD implantation and 303 patients with LVAD + TVS. Patients undergoing LVAD + TVS had a higher tricuspid regurgitation grade, central venous pressure and bilirubin levels at baseline and were more often female. We found no significant differences in early mortality and late mortality, early right ventricular failure and late right ventricular failure, acute kidney failure, early right ventricular assist device implantation or length of hospital stay. Cardiopulmonary bypass time was longer in patients undergoing additional TVS [mean difference +35 min 95% confidence interval (16-55), P = 0.001]., Conclusions: Adding TVS during LVAD implantation is not associated with worse outcome. Adding TVS, nevertheless, may be beneficial, as baseline characteristics of patients undergoing LVAD + TVS were suggestive of a more progressive underlying disease, but with comparable short-term outcome and long-term outcome with patients undergoing isolated LVAD.

Long-term durability and incidence of potential mechanical device failure (MDF) are largely unknown. In this study, we investigated the incidence and potential predictors of MDF in continuous flow left ventricular assist device (CF-LVAD) patients. We conducted a retrospective study of all CF-LVADs (type HeartMate II) implanted in our center. MDF was defined as a failure of driveline, inflow-outflow graft, electrical power, drive unit, or motor failure, excluding device failure because of a biologic complication (e.g., device thrombosis, hemolysis, or infections). A total of 69 CF-LVADs were implanted in 59 patients (median support time 344 days [interquartile range {IQR}, 149-712 days], mean age 50.1 ± 10.7 years, 75% male). MDF occurred in 9 (13%) CF-LVAD patients at a median follow-up time of 846 (IQR, 708-1337) days after implantation. Freedom of MDF through the first, second, and third year after LVAD implantation was 100%, 85%, and 64%, respectively. Patients who experienced MDF were significantly longer supported by their LVAD (median 846 [IQR, 708-1337] vs 268 [IQR, 103-481] days; p = 0.001) and were more frequently readmitted because of LVAD-related technical problems (p = 0.002), including a higher rate of LVAD controllers exchange (44% vs 12%, respectively; p = 0.03). The main reason for MDF was a damaged or fractured driveline (n=8, 89%). In 2 patients, sudden death was related to MDF. Patients needing extended CF-LVAD support are at increasing risk for MDF. Various technical problems precede the onset of MDF. Periodical extensive assessment of the technical integrity of the device is urgently needed during long-term LVAD support.

Objectives: Bleeding is a common complication following left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation. The goal of this study was to investigate the incidence, predictors and clinical outcome of early bleeding events in patients after LVAD implantation., Methods: A total of 83 patients (age 50 ± 13 years, 76% men) had an LVAD implanted [77% HeartMate II, 19% HeartMate 3 (Abbott, Chicago, IL, USA)] over a period of 11 years. Patients were included consecutively. An early bleeding event was defined as the need for thoracic surgical re-exploration or transfusion with >4 units of packed red blood cells before discharge., Results: Overall, 39 (47%) patients (age 50 ± 14 years, 77% men) experienced an early bleeding event [median time 6 days (interquartile range 1-9 days)]. Furthermore, 10 (26%) of these patients had ≥2 bleeding events. Twelve of the 14 (92%) patients with venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support before LVAD implantation experienced an early bleeding event versus 27 of the 69 (39%) patients without ECMO support (P < 0.001). No difference was found in early bleeding rates between HeartMate II and HeartMate 3. Predictors for early bleeding events were lower pre- and postimplant platelet counts and ECMO support preimplantation. After multivariable adjustment, early bleeding events were associated with ECMO support preimplantation (odds ratio 6.3, 95% confidence interval 1.2-32.4; P = 0.03) and thrombocytopenia (<150 × 109/l) postimplant (odds ratio 5.9, 95% confidence interval 1.9-18.7; P = 0.002). Patients who experienced an early bleeding event had a significantly worse 90-day survival rate compared to patients who did not (79% vs 96%, P = 0.03)., Conclusions: An early bleeding event needing surgical exploration is highly prevalent after LVAD implantation, especially in patients bridged with ECMO and with pre- and postimplant thrombocytopenia.

Purpose: Acute kidney injury (AKI) frequently occurs after heart transplantation (HTx), but its relation to preoperative right heart hemodynamic (RHH) parameters remains unknown. Therefore, we aimed to determine their predictive properties for postoperative AKI severity within 30 days after HTx., Methods: From 1984 to 2016, all consecutive HTx recipients (n = 595) in our tertiary referral center were included and analyzed for the occurrence of postoperative AKI staged by the kidney disease improving global outcome criteria. The effects of preoperative RHH parameters on postoperative AKI were calculated using logistic regression, and predictive accuracy was assessed using integrated discrimination improvement (IDI), net reclassification improvement (NRI), and area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUC)., Results: Postoperative AKI occurred in 430 (72%) patients including 278 (47%) stage 1, 66 (11%) stage 2, and 86 (14%) stage 3 cases. Renal replacement therapy (RRT) was administered in 41 (7%) patients. Patients with higher AKI stages had also higher baseline right atrial pressure (RAP; median 7, 7, 8, and in RRT 11 mmHg, p trend = 0.021), RAP-to-pulmonary capillary wedge pressure ratio (median 0.37, 0.36, 0.40, 0.47, p trend = 0.009), and lower pulmonary artery pulsatility index (PAPi) values (median 2.83, 3.17, 2.54, 2.31, p trend = 0.012). Higher RAP and lower PAPi values independently predicted AKI severity [adjusted odds ratio (OR) per doubling of RAP 1.16 (1.02-1.32), p = 0.029; of PAPi 0.85 (0.75-0.96), p = 0.008]. Based on IDI, NRI, and delta AUC, inclusion of these parameters improved the models' predictive accuracy., Conclusions: Preoperative PAPi and RAP strongly predict the development of AKI early after HTx and can be used as early AKI predictors.

Implantable continuous flow left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) are increasingly used in end-stage heart failure treatment as a bridge-to-transplant and destination therapy (DT). However, LVADs still have major drawbacks, such as infections that can cause morbidity and mortality. Unfortunately, appropriate diagnosis of LVAD-related and LVAD-specific infections can be very cumbersome. The differentiation between deep and superficial infections is crucial in clinical decision-making. Despite a decade of experience in using fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (F-FDG PET/CT) to diagnose various infections, its use in LVAD patients remains scarce. In this case series, we review the current evidence in literature and describe our single center experience using F-FDG PET/CT for the diagnosis and management of LVAD infections.

Background: Cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) is a multifactorial disease and a major cause of graft failure after heart transplantation. However, the impact of CAV may vary according to the definition and the regional differences in transplantation settings., Objectives: We sought to assess CAV prevalence, predictors and prognosis in Dutch heart transplant recipients based on coronary angiography, following the 2010 standard nomenclature of the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation., Methods: Patients ≥18 years who underwent heart transplantation at our centre with at least one coronary angiography during follow-up were included in the analysis. Clinical variables were collected prospectively., Results: Among 495 analysed recipients, there were 238 (48 %) with CAV. The prevalence of CAV was 18, 47 and 70 % at 4, 12 and 20 years, respectively. In the multivariable proportional hazards regression analysis, only male donor gender and increasing donor age were significantly associated with the risk of CAV. The long-term prognosis of the patients with CAV at fourth-year angiography was significantly worse as compared with that of CAV-free patients, independently of the severity of CAV (p < 0.001)., Conclusion: The prevalence of CAV increased gradually over time, with a similar trend as in other registries. Post-transplant survival is decreased in patients with any degree of early CAV, indicating that management strategies should start with donor selection and preventive measures immediately after transplantation., Competing Interests: Conflict of interestG. Galli, K. Caliskan, A.H.M.M. Balk, R. van Domburg, O. Birim, J. Salerno-Uriarte, O.C. Manintveld and A.A. Constantinescu state that they have no competing interest.

Background: Despite advances in pump technology, thromboembolic events/acute pump thrombosis remain potentially life-threatening complications in patients with continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices (CF-LVAD). We sought to determine early signs of thromboembolic event/pump thrombosis in patients with CF-LVAD, which could lead to earlier intervention., Methods: We analysed all HeartMate II recipients (n = 40) in our centre between December 2006 and July 2013. Thromboembolic event/pump thrombosis was defined as a transient ischaemic attack (TIA), ischaemic cerebrovascular accident (CVA), or pump thrombosis., Results: During median LVAD support of 336 days [IQR: 182-808], 8 (20 %) patients developed a thromboembolic event/pump thrombosis (six TIA/CVA, two pump thromboses). At the time of the thromboembolic event/pump thrombosis, significantly higher pump power was seen compared with the no-thrombosis group (8.2 ± 3.0 vs. 6.4 ± 1.4 W, p = 0.02), as well as a trend towards a lower pulse index (4.1 ± 1.5 vs. 5.0 ± 1.0, p = 0.05) and a trend towards higher pump flow (5.7 ± 1.0 vs. 4.9 ± 1.9 L m, p = 0.06). The thrombosis group had a more than fourfold higher lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) median 1548 [IQR: 754-2379] vs. 363 [IQR: 325-443] U/L, p = 0.0001). Bacterial (n = 4) or viral (n = 1) infection was present in 5 out of 8 patients. LDH > 735 U/L predicted thromboembolic events/pump thrombosis with a positive predictive value of 88 %., Conclusions: In patients with a CF-LVAD (HeartMate II), thromboembolic events and/or pump thrombosis are associated with symptoms and signs of acute haemolysis as manifested by a high LDH, elevated pump power and decreased pulse index, especially in the context of an infection.

Over the past decades donor and recipient characteristics and medical management of heart transplantation (HT) patients have changed markedly. We studied the impact of these changes on long-term clinical outcome. Data of all consecutive HT recipients in our center have been collected prospectively. Cohort A (n = 353) was defined as the adult pts transplanted between 1984 and 1999 and was compared with cohort B (n = 227) transplanted between 2000 and 2013. Compared with cohort A, recipients in cohort B had older donors (mean age 29 vs. 43 years, donors aged >50 year: 2% vs. 33%, respectively). Survival at 1 and 10 years in cohort A vs. B was 89% vs. 86% and 53% vs. 68%, respectively (P = 0.02). Cohort B pts were treated more often with tacrolimus-based immunosuppression (77% vs. 22%; P = <0.0001) and early statins post-HT (88% vs. 18%; P = 0.0001), while renal function was better conserved at 5 and 10 years (P = 0.001 and 0.02). Multivariate analysis showed significant reduction in 10-year mortality with tacrolimus-based immunosuppression (HR 0.27 and 95% CI 0.17-0.42), hypertension post-HT (HR 0.5, 95% CI 0.36-0.72), and revascularization (HR 0.28, 95% CI 0.15-0.52). In spite of the use of much older donors, the long-term outcome after HT has improved considerably in the last decade, probably due to the introduction of newer treatment modalities., (© 2014 Steunstichting ESOT.)

Objective: Over the past decades donor and recipient characteristics and medical management of heart transplantations patients have changed markedly. We studied the impact of these changes on long-term clinical outcome., Design and Methods: Data of all consecutive heart transplant recipients in our center have been collected prospectively. Cohort A (n = 353 patients) was defined as the patients transplanted between 1984 and 1999, and was compared with cohort B (n = 227 patients) transplanted between 2000 and 2013., Results: Compared to cohort A, recipients in cohort B had older donors (mean age 29 vs. 43 years, donors aged > 50 year: 2% vs. 33%, respectively). One-year survival in cohort A vs. B was 89% vs. 86% and at 10 years 53% vs. 68%, respectively (p = 0.02). Cohort B patients were treated more often with tacrolimus based immunosuppression (77% vs. 22%; p < 0.001), and early statins post-heart transplantation (88% vs. 18%; p = 0.001), while renal function was better conserved at 5 and 10 years (p = 0.001 and 0.02). Multivariate analysis showed significant reduction in 10 years mortality with tacrolimus-based immunosuppression (HR: 0.27 and 95% CI 0.17-0.42), treatment of hypertension (HR: 0.5, 95% CI 0.36-0.72) and revascularization (HR: 0.28, 95% CI 0.15-0.52)., Conclusion: In spite of the use of much older donors, the long-term outcome after heart transplantation has improved considerably in the last decade, probably due to the introduction of newer treatment modalities.

Background: Conflicting data have been reported about the effect of Toxoplasma serostatus on mortality after heart transplantation. Either a positive or a negative recipient Toxoplasma serostatus was found to be associated with increased mortality., Methods: We evaluated the effects of T. gondii infection on survival of our 582 cardiac allograft recipients operated upon between June 1984 and July 2011., Results: The 258 Toxoplasma seronegative and 324 seropositive recipients differed in age, pretransplantation diagnosis, ischemia time, renal function, donor Toxoplasma serology, and maintenance immunosuppression. After a median follow-up time of 8.3 years (range, 0-26 years), 117 (45%) seronegative and 219 (67%) seropositive patients died. No difference was found in deaths due to cardiac allograft vasculopathy. After adjustment for all relevant clinical characteristics, the recipient Toxoplasma serostatus was not associated with mortality (hazard ratio, 1.21; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.95-1.54). With the Toxoplasma serostatus combination donor negative/recipient negative as a reference, univariate hazard ratios for the Toxoplasma serostatus combinations were D+/R- 0.52 (95% CI, 0.37-0.73), D-/R+ 0.65 (95% CI, 0.40-1.05), and D+/R+ 0.78 (95% CI, 0.57-1.07). Multivariate analysis, however, showed that donor Toxoplasma serostatus was not independently associated with mortality., Conclusions: The Toxoplasma serostatus of both the recipient and donor appeared not to be independent risk factors for mortality after heart transplantation.

Objective: Surgery is the first choice of treatment for localised non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). When making decisions regarding resection, physicians must balance the potential long-term benefits of surgery with the risk of surgery-related death, particularly among elderly patients with multiple co-morbid conditions. In 2005, a predictive model with a preoperative and a postoperative mode to predict survival of an individual patient after NSCLC surgery was created. This model combines the patient-, tumour- and treatment characteristics and can be used to assist in clinical decision making. Till present, this model has not been validated. The purpose of this study was to validate this model in patients operated on for primary NSCLC., Methods: A total of 126 patients underwent surgery for primary NSCLC between January 2002 and December 2006. Required model variables were collected for all patients and inserted into the model. To evaluate the performance of the two models, we assessed these models in terms of both discrimination (resolution) and calibration (reliability). The discriminative ability was measured using the c-index and calibration was evaluated by the Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test., Results: The median follow-up time was 3.4 years. Hospital mortality was 2.4%. One-, 2- and 3-year survival was 86%, 75% and 72%, respectively. The discriminative ability of the preoperative mode showed a c-statistic for 1-year survival of 0.68, for 2-year of 0.68 and for 3-year of 0.66. The postoperative model showed a discriminative ability for 1-year survival of 0.72, for 2-year of 0.76 and for 3-year of 0.77. Calibration was adequate for the first 2 years. The preoperative mode showed a p-value of 0.62 for 1-year survival and 0.14 for 2-year survival. Calibration was poor for 3-year survival (p=0.0027). For the postoperative mode, calibration was quite similar with p-values of 0.4 for 1-year survival, 0.14 for 2-year survival and 0.003 for 3-year survival., Conclusions: The model adequately estimates the 1- and 2-year survival. Discrimination was good for 3-year survival. Inclusion of more factors with additional prognostic value could potentially further improve the accuracy of the model., (Copyright © 2010 European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Results of surgical repair of atrioventricular septal defect (AVSD), both partial (PAVSD) and complete (CAVSD), have improved. However, reoperation is not uncommon. This report describes our experience in 59 patients who underwent reoperation after AVSD repair, between 1977 and 2008. Thirty-one patients had a PAVSD, 28 had a CAVSD. Mean interval between initial repair and reoperation was 10+/-11 years (PAVSD vs. CAVSD: 13+/-12 vs. 6+/-9 years, P=0.063). Reoperations were required for left atrioventricular valve regurgitation (LAVVR) in 53 patients (combined with right atrioventricular valve regurgitation in 10, atrial septal defect (ASD) in 11, ventricular septal defect (VSD) in 7, left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction in 1, and aortic valve stenosis in 1), ASD in 3, and LVOT obstruction in 3. Valve repair was performed in 45 patients and replacement in 8. Repair techniques of the left-sided atrioventricular valve (LAVV) included cleft closure in 44 patients, commissuroplasty in 19, and annuloplasty in 1. Freedom from additional reoperation was 85%, and 80% at 5 and 15 years. Hospital mortality was 3%. Overall survival was 91%, and 86% after 5 and 15 years. The most common indication to undergo reoperation is LAVVR. Reoperation is safe and in the majority of cases, a durable repair of the LAVV can still be achieved.

Background: The SYNTAX score, a comprehensive angiographic scoring system, was recently developed as a tool for risk stratification during the SYNTAX trial (randomized trial comparing coronary artery bypass grafting with percutaneous coronary intervention). We applied the SYNTAX score in patients with left main coronary artery disease who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting to examine its role in predicting incidences of major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) within 30 days and 1 year., Methods: One hundred forty-eight patients were studied. Their angiograms were scored according to the SYNTAX score. The MACCE-free survival curves were estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method. Univariate and multivariate analyses determined risk factors for MACCE. Performance of the SYNTAX score was studied with respect to discrimination by receiver-operating characteristic curves with their area under the curve (c-index). Classification and regression tree analysis was performed to identify the best outcome predictors and develop a risk stratification model., Results: Overall SYNTAX score ranged from 11 to 53 (mean, 24 +/- 9). At 30 days and 1 year, 15 (10%) and 19 (13%) patients experienced MACCE. Patients with a higher SYNTAX score had a significantly (p < 0.0001) poorer MACCE-free survival. In multivariate analysis, SYNTAX score, female sex, and incomplete revascularization were associated with a higher rate of MACCE in 30 days. The SYNTAX score was the single predictor for MACCE in 1 year. The c-index of the SYNTAX score was 0.88 for 30 days and 0.90 for 1 year, respectively. The SYNTAX score was the best single discriminator between patients with and those without MACCE, with a discrimination level of 36.5., Conclusions: The SYNTAX score is the first coronary vasculature complexity score predictive for postoperative outcome in patients with left main coronary artery disease undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. The outcomes of the ongoing SYNTAX trial will definitively define the role of the SYNTAX score in predicting short-term and long-term incidence of MACCE.

Objective: At present, there is no prognostic model that is specific for prediction of survival after non-small cell lung cancer surgery. We aimed to develop a prognostic model that can be used to estimate the postoperative survival of individual patients., Methods: A total of 766 patients underwent resection for primary non-small cell lung cancer. Comorbid conditions were scaled according to the Charlson comorbidity index (CCI). Cox proportional hazard analyses were used to determine risk factors for survival. A prognostic model for survival with a preoperative and postoperative mode was established. Performance of the prognostic model, the CCI, and pathologic tumor stage were quantified by a concordance statistic to indicate discriminative ability., Results: The factors associated with an impaired survival were male sex, age, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, congestive heart failure, any prior tumor, moderate-to-severe renal disease (preoperative and postoperative mode), clinical tumor stage (preoperative mode), type of resection, and pathologic tumor stage (postoperative mode). The discriminative performance was poor for the CCI (c = 0.55), better for pathologic tumor stage (c = 0.60) and for the preoperative mode (c = 0.61), and best for the postoperative mode (c = 0.65). The discriminative performance of the postoperative mode was better than the discriminative performance of the CCI (P < .0001), the preoperative mode (P < .0002), and pathologic tumor stage (P < .0001). The discriminative performance of the preoperative mode was better than the discriminative performance of the CCI (P < .0001) and similar (P = .90) to a model that only included pathologic tumor stage., Conclusions: The prognostic model, particularly the postoperative mode, successfully estimates long-term survival of individual patients and could help clinicians in clinical decision-making and treatment tailoring.

Atrial myxomas generally do not require urgent surgery. We report on a 78-year-old woman in whom transesophageal echography revealed a large left atrial myxoma. She acutely developed dyspnoea, tachypnoea, and forward failure necessating urgent surgery. The myxoma was surgically removed and showed a haematoma. The most likely reason for the deteriorating condition was acute enlargement of the myxoma due to intramyxomal haemorrhage. This case illustrates that the clinical condition of patients with symptomatic myxoma can deteriorate suddenly and require urgent surgical treatment.

Aims: Complete surgical resection of primary tumours remains the treatment with the greatest likelihood for survival in early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Although TNM stage is the most important prognostic parameter in NSCLC, additional parameters are required to explain the large variability in postoperative outcome. The present review aims at providing an overview of the currently known prognostic markers for postoperative outcome., Methods: We performed an electronic literature search on the MEDLINE database to identify relevant studies describing the risk factors in NSCLC surgery. The references reported in all the identified studies were used for completion of the literature search., Results: Poor pulmonary function, cardiovascular disease, male gender, advanced age, TNM stage, non-squamous cell histology, pneumonectomy, low hospital volume and little experience of the surgeon were identified as risk factors for postoperative outcome. However, with the exception of TNM stage and extent of resection, the literature demonstrates conflicting results on the prognostic power of most factors. The role of molecular biological factors, neoadjuvant treatment and adjuvant treatment is not well investigated yet., Conclusions: The advantage of knowing about the existence of comorbidity and prognostic risk factors may provide the clinician with the ability to identify poor prognostic patients and establish the most appropriate treatment strategy. The assessment of prognostic factors remains an area of active investigation and a promising field of research in optimising therapy of NSCLC patients.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of the Charlson comorbidity index on long-term survival in nonsmall cell lung cancer surgery and determine whether this index is a better predictor of long-term survival than individual comorbid conditions., Methods: From January 1989 to December 2001, 433 (340 men, 93 women) consecutive curative resections for nonsmall cell lung cancer were performed. Each patient was preoperatively assessed according to the Charlson comorbidity index. Survival curves were estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method. Risk factors for overall and disease free survival were determined by univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis., Results: The patients ranged in age from 37 to 82 years, with a mean age of 65 years. Hospital mortality was 3.7%. Five-year overall and disease free survival was 45 and 43%, respectively. Among patients with Charlson comorbidity grade 0, 5-year overall survival was 52%, among patients with Charlson comorbidity grade 1-2 it was 48%, and among patients with Charlson comorbidity grade > or =3 it was 28%. Univariate analysis showed that male gender, age, congestive heart failure, chronic pulmonary disease, Charlson comorbidity index, clinical stage, pathological stage, and type of resection were significantly associated with an impaired survival. Multivariate analysis showed that age (relative risk, 1.02; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-1.03), Charlson comorbidity grade 1-2 (relative risk, 1.4; 95% confidence interval, 1.0-1.8), Charlson comorbidity grade > or =3 (relative risk, 2.2; 95% confidence interval, 1.5-3.1), bilobectomy (relative risk, 1.7; 95% confidence interval, 1.2-2.5), pneumonectomy (relative risk, 1.5; 95% confidence interval, 1.1-2.0), pathological stage IB (relative risk, 1.5; 95% confidence interval, 1.1-2.2), IIB (relative risk, 1.9; 95% confidence interval, 1.2-3.0), IIIA (relative risk, 1.9; 95% confidence interval, 1.1-3.1), IIIB (relative risk, 2.8; 95% confidence interval, 1.2-6.8), and IV (relative risk, 12.4; 95% confidence interval, 3.2-48.2), were associated with an impaired survival., Conclusions: The Charlson comorbidity index is a better predictor of survival than individual comorbid conditions in nonsmall cell lung cancer surgery. We recommend the use of a validated comorbidity index in the selection of patients for NSCLC surgery.

Background: In patients with early-stage nonsmall cell lung cancer treatment selection is rarely assessed. Many surgical papers report only the outcome of patients who underwent surgery although selection may influence the outcome. In this report, treatment selection and the outcome of both surgically and nonsurgically treated patients is evaluated., Methods: Three hundred sixty patients (269 surgically treated and 91 nonsurgically treated) with clinical stage I and II were included. Risk factors were scaled according to the Charlson comorbidity index (CCI). Hospital morbidity and long-term survival were evaluated., Results: Mean age was 64 years for the surgical and 74 for the nonsurgical patients. Mean CCI score was 1.3 and 2.4, and 5-year survival was 47% and 3%, respectively. Male sex, pneumonectomy, and CCI score of 3 or more were predictive for major postoperative complications. For the nonsurgical patients receiving radiotherapy, the 2-year survival was 40%; for the patients receiving no radiotherapy, 2-year survival was 5%. Male sex, age, treatment, and clinical stage were prognostic for survival. Patients with a CCI score of 3 or more showed a better survival after surgery than after radiotherapy. Patients with a CCI score of 3 or more who were surgically treated had a higher prevalence of forced expiratory volume in 1 second of 70% or more compared with the patients receiving radiotherapy., Conclusions: Patients with a CCI score of 3 or more have an increased risk of major postoperative complications. Nevertheless, patients with a CCI score of 3 or more show a better survival after surgery than after radiotherapy. For patients with significant comorbidity but with sufficient pulmonary reserve, surgery offers the best outcome. For patients with a high CCI score and insufficient pulmonary reserve or for those who refuse surgery curative, radiotherapy is a good alternative.

Background: This study evaluates prognostic factors for survival in completely resected pathological stage IA nonsmall cell lung cancer with special emphasis on tumor size and assesses tumor recurrence rate by actual and actuarial analysis., Methods: From January 1989 to December 2001, 130 consecutive resections for pathological stage IA nonsmall cell lung cancer were performed. Pathological tumor size was categorized into 0 to 20 mm and 21 to 30 mm. Each patient was scaled according to the Charlson Comorbidity Index. The Kaplan-Meier method was used for estimation of actuarial recurrence rate and the cumulative incidence method was used to estimate the actual recurrence rate. Risk factors for overall and disease free survival were determined by univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis., Results: Overall 5-year survival for patients with tumors 0 to 20 mm and 21 to 30 mm was 69% and 51%, respectively (p = 0.038). Disease-free survival at 5 years was 68% and 48%, respectively (p = 0.015). Only 27 patients had a recurrence and 69 patients died during follow-up. The actual 10-year recurrence rate was lower than the actuarial recurrence rate (23% vs 29%). Larger tumor size (relative risk 1.6; 95% confidence interval 1.0 to 2.7), Charlson Comorbidity Index score greater than or equal to 3 (relative risk 3.7; 95% confidence interval 1.7 to 8.0), and pneumonectomy (relative risk 2.1; 95% confidence interval 1.1 to 4.2) independently predicted adverse outcome., Conclusions: Tumor size affects survival in resected stage IA nonsmall cell lung cancer. Current definition of stage IA disease should be substaged into two separate stages. In patients with early-stage lung cancer and relatively good prognosis actual recurrence rate is more realistic than the actuarial recurrence rate.

A systematic review was undertaken to select studies that compared the accuracy of 2-[18F]-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography with computed tomographic imaging in detecting mediastinal lymph node metastases in patients with nonsmall cell lung cancer. Two authors selected relevant articles according to predefined criteria. With a meta-analytic method, summary receiver operating characteristic curves were constructed. The point on the receiver operating characteristic curve with equal sensitivity and specificity for 2-[18F]-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography was Q* = 0.90 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.86 to 0.95). For computed tomography it was 0.70 (95% CI, 0.65 to 0.75). The difference was highly significant (p < 0.0001). We conclude that 2-[18F]-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography is more accurate than computed tomography in detecting mediastinal lymph node metastases.

Background: Operative mortality and morbidity in elderly patients operated on for non-small-cell lung cancer are acceptable. However, risk factors for hospital mortality and the benefits for the patients in the long term are insufficiently defined, and survival compared with the general population is not known., Methods: From January 1989 to October 2001, 126 consecutive patients older than 70 years of age underwent resection for non-small-cell lung cancer. Each patient was scaled according to the Charlson Comorbidity Index. Postoperative events were divided into minor and major complications. Risk factors for complications and long-term survival were assessed by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Survival was compared with the yearly expected survival rates of the general population., Results: The hospital mortality was 3.2%. Minor complications occurred in 71 (57%) patients, major complications, in 16 (13%) patients. No risk factor was predictive for major complications. However, a Charlson comorbidity grade of 3 to 4 was predictive for major complications (odds ratio, 12.6; 95% confidence interval, 1.5 to 108.6). Our study showed a 5- and 10-year survival rate of 37% (95% confidence interval, 23 to 51) and 15% (95% confidence interval, 8 to 22). Smoking (odds ratio, 2.3), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (odds ratio, 2.1), and pathologic stage IIIA (odds ratio, 2.2) or IIIB (odds ratio, 11.9) were risk factors for long-term survival. The observed survival was lower than the expected survival, but the difference decreased with increasing time after pulmonary resection., Conclusions: Pulmonary resection for non-small-cell lung cancer in patients older than 70 years shows acceptable morbidity and mortality. The Charlson index is a better predictor of complications than individual risk factors. In time survival is no longer correlated with the disease but follows the same pattern as the general population.

Objective: To validate the influence of the Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) in patients with operated primary non-small cell lung cancer., Methods: From January 1996 to December 2001, 205 consecutive resections for non-small cell lung cancer were performed at the Erasmus Medical Center Rotterdam. The patients ranged in age from 29 to 82 years, with a mean age of 64 years. In a retrospective study, each patient was scaled according to the CCI and the complications of surgery were determined., Results: The hospital mortality was 2.4% (5/205). Of the 205 patients 167 (32.7%) experienced minor complications and 32 (15.6%) major complications. In univariate analysis, gender, grades 3-4 of the CCI, any prior tumor treated in the last 5 years and chronic pulmonary disease were significant predictors of adverse outcome. Multivariate analysis showed that only grades 3-4 of the CCI was predictive (odds ratio=9.8; 95% confidence interval=2.1-45.9). Although only comorbidity grades 3-4 was a significant predictor, for every increase of the comorbidity grade the relative risk of adverse outcome showed a slight increase., Conclusion: The CCI is strongly correlated with higher risk of surgery in primary non-small cell lung cancer patients and is a better predictor than individual risk factors.