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BACKGROUND Recent studies have shown that Evolution RL bidirectional rotational mechanical sheath (Cook Medical,USA) is an effective and safe technique for transvenous lead extraction (TLE). We reported our experience with the bidirectional rotational mechanical tools using a multidisciplinary approach highlighting the value of a joint cardiac surgeon and electrophysiologist collaboration. METHODS The study population comprised 84 patients (77%male;mean age 65±18 years) undergoing TLE.After multidisciplinary evaluation, a combined procedure was considered. RESULTS The main indication for TLE was infection in 54 cases (64%).Overall,152 leads were extracted with a mean implant duration of 94±63 months (range 12-421).Complete procedural success rate, clinical success rate, and lead removal with clinical success rate were 91.6 % (77/84),97.6% (82/84), and 98.6%(150/152), respectively.Eighteen combined procedure were performed in 12 patients (14%), such as "hybrid approach" (n = 2) or TLE concomitant to:1) transcatheter aspiration procedure for large vegetation (n = 8); 2) left ventricular assistance device implantation as bridge to cardiac transplantation (n = 1); 3) permanent pacing with epicardial leads (n = 6); 4) tricuspid valve replacement (n = 1).One major complication (1.2%) and 11 (13%) minor complications were encountered.No injury to the superior vena cava occurred and no procedure-related deaths were reported. During a mean time follow-up of 21±18 months, 17 patients (20%) died.They were more often diabetics (P = 0.02), and they underwent TLE more often for infection (P = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS Our results support the finding that excellent outcomes can be achieved in performing TLE of chronically implanted leads by using the Evolution RL bidirectional rotational mechanical sheath and a multidisciplinary team approach involving both electrophysiologist and cardiac surgeon as first line operators. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

OBJECTIVES The aim of this retrospective multicentre study was to investigate and compare clinical outcomes of unilateral and bilateral antegrade cerebral perfusion (ACP) strategies on cerebral protection during surgery for type A aortic dissection. METHODS Data from 646 patients who underwent surgical repair of thoracic type A aortic dissection using unilateral and bilateral ACP with moderate hypothermic circulatory arrest in 3 cardiac surgical institutions between 2008 and 2018 were analysed. Propensity matching was performed to assess which technique ensured better outcomes. RESULTS Unilateral and bilateral ACP techniques were performed in 250 (39%) and in 396 (61%) patients, respectively. Propensity score analysis identified 189 matched pairs. In the matched cohort, the lowest core temperature was 27.5°C and 28°C in the bilateral and unilateral groups, respectively (P CONCLUSIONS Unilateral and bilateral ACP are both valid brain protection strategies in the landscape of aortic arch surgery. While admitting all the study limitations, unilateral technique could offer some clinical advantages. Clinical registration number 76049

Left-ventricular-assist-device (LVAD) implantation in patients with antiphospholipid-syndrome (APS) is considered a high-risk procedure and its indication still represents an open challenge. Herein, we report a 63-year-old man with APS and end-stage heart failure, for whom a HeartMate3-LVAD and a continuous rheologic profile monitoring with a multiparametric assessment resulted the optimal therapeutic strategy.

We report a unique case of a young woman with recurrent immune‐mediated (virus‐negative) lymphocytic fulminant myocarditis during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. At the first endomyocardial biopsy (EMB)‐proven episode, she had concomitant pneumonia, and a temporary biventricular assist device implant was followed by complete and long‐lasting cardiac recovery. Five years later, she was re‐admitted for relapsing cardiogenic shock with a recent history of pneumonia. She was treated with extracorporeal life support with apical venting for left ventricular unloading, and full recovery was achieved. Despite negative seriate nasopharyngeal swabs and EMB during hospitalization, an antibody positivity for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 was discovered after 4 weeks from discharge. This is the first report of an EMB‐proven, immune‐mediated (virus‐negative) recurrence of fulminant myocarditis. We hypothesize that in patients with a predisposing immunogenetic background, autoimmune disease may be triggered or reactivated by major infections, for example, pneumonia, that may act as adjuvants leading to an immune‐mediated hyper‐response.

Continuous flow left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) have become a valuable therapy for end-stage heart failure. In vitro research highlighted a role of outflow cannula position on the pattern of blood flow in the aorta. However, the clinical effects of the alterations of flow remain unclear. We investigate short- and long-term outcomes of patients implanted with Jarvik 2000 LVAD, according to the ascending (Group 1) versus descending (Group 2) outflow graft connection to the aorta in a multicenter study. From May 2008 to October 2014, 140 consecutive end-stage heart failure patients underwent Jarvik 2000 LVAD implantation in 17 Italian centers. According with a preliminary multivariate analysis, we selected the 90 patients implanted in the four high-volume centers to avoid bias (Group 1 n = 39, Group 2 n = 51). Among the groups, no differences were recorded in the hospital mortality and the main complications occurring after LVAD implantation were similar. In multivariable analysis, the ascending aorta outflow cannula position and higher creatinine at discharge were significant predictors for long-term survival. Postimplant hemolysis was more pronounced in descending aorta outflow graft anastomosis. Outflow graft anastomosis to the ascending aorta is associated with better long-term survival, independent of age and perfusion techniques, reflecting the previous in vitro results.

We describe the clinical course and treatment of a 53-year-old female, with small chest dimensions, referred to our institution for a primary cardiogenic shock. The patient underwent an on-pump left ventricular assist-device (VAD) implantation with the aid of immediate post-operative paracorporeal right-VAD assistance for an acute right ventricular failure. After two unsuccessful weaning attempts, she underwent extrapericardial HM 3 RVAD implantation.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is the most frequent and severe form of MD. It firstly affects the skeletal muscles, causing severe disability, and subsequently the myocardium. The only two options to treat end‐stage heart failure in these patients are either a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation as destination therapy or a heart transplant. These hypotheses are still controversial, and data are very limited. We describe the case of an 18‐year‐old male patient, affected by DMD and in a wheelchair from the age of 11. He progressively developed dilated cardiomyopathy, and in 2016, at the age of 14 years, he underwent HeartWare LVAD implantation, as destination therapy, without post‐operative complications. He has been followed up for 47 consecutive months; and 30 months after LVAD implantation, he developed an infection of the exit site, treated by antibiotics and surgical toilette. Following this event, on the basis of patient's good general conditions and willingness, we started to consider heart transplant as an option. Before the patient was listed, he underwent accurate workup, and we found higher values of forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in 1 s, and peak expiratory flow, compared with the predicted values of same‐age DMD patients. The patient have neither scoliosis nor need for non‐invasive mechanical ventilation, and finally, he was always treated with steroids with stable thoraco‐abdominal function over the years. According to these considerations, the patient was listed for heart transplant. In 12 February 2020, at the age of 18 years, the patient underwent heart transplant with no post‐operative complications. Cardiac transplantation is not considered a valid option for DMD patients, because of the shortage of donor availability and the systemic nature of DMD disease. Considering that this patient had already experienced an LVAD‐related complication and he had better general condition than his DMD peers, we listed him for a heart transplant. We described the case of a DMD patient who underwent successful heart transplantation after 47 months of HeartWare LVAD assistance. Three months' follow‐up is uneventful.

We describe a case of an adult patient with mitral valve regurgitation and the anomalous origin and course of the left circumflex coronary artery. Use of a ringless procedure or a microinvasive approach, such as transapical neochordae implantation, would have possibly avoided a life-threatening post-operative complication. (Level of Difficulty: Advanced.), Central Illustration, We describe a case of an adult patient with mitral valve regurgitation and the anomalous origin and course of the left circumflex coronary artery. Use…

The heart transplantation (HT) is undoubtedly the best treatment for end-stage heart failure patients (2). However, the organ shortage remains a major challenge in cardiac surgery. Facing this problem, the medical community starts to extend the donor criteria to select more suitable organs for HT. The use of ECDs is still controversial, since it is associated with a high incidence of primary graft failure (3), and although it guarantees longer survival than without transplantation, there is still some hesitation in accepting this practice.

Heart transplantation represents the gold standard for end-stage heart failure. However, due to the increasing demand and the shortage of available organs, donor supply remains the main limitation. Marginal donor hearts in high-risk candidates who do not meet standard listing criteria are the only alternative when life expectancy is limited, but their use is still debated. Surgical correction of detected coronary lesions or valvular heart defects allows further enlargement of the number of available organs. In this article, we offer a literature review on this topic and report two marginal donor hearts with angiography evidence of coronary stenosis and preserved ventricular function, which underwent concomitant myocardial revascularization during heart implantation.

Background and Aims: Right ventricle failure (RVF) can be a fatal complication following left ventricle assist device (LVAD) implant. Careful intra and postoperative management is becoming increasingly important. Unfortunately, the attempts are limited to the prediction and not to the treatment. There are no data on Ketogenic parenteral nutrition (KPN) for the targeted treatment of RVF. The aim of our retrospective observational case-control study is to determine whether KPN may play a role as additional treatment to conventional therapy after LVAD implantation.Material and Methods: This is a retrospective single center analysis of a case series on prospectively collected data. From February 2012 to April 2021, 192 patients have been implanted with an LVAD. All the patients were managed with optimal medical and surgical therapy. One-hundred-seven patients were treated with additional KPN as adjuvant therapy against and in prevention of acute RVF (KPN-Group), defined according to International Society Heart and Lung Transplantation (ISHLT) guidelines. The remaining 85 patients, managed without KPN, constituted our control group (No-KPN-Group).Results: In KPN-Group acute-RVF occurred in 31 patients (29%), while causing death in 14 patients (13%). In the No-KPN-Group acute-RVF was observed in 32 patients (37.6%), while causing death in 20 patients (23.5%). According to echocardiographic and hemodynamic results, the majority of KPN-Group patients responded with RV function improvement (range 4–60% of TAPSE increase, p Conclusion: KPN was well tolerated. A complete recovery of the RV function was achieved in the majority of the patients and results lasted beyond the duration of KPN. Future research to understand the underlying mechanism, and identification of suitable patients and treatment duration is necessary.

We describe the case of a 59-year-old female affected by aortic extensive endocarditis with communication between aortic annulus and right cavities, treated with double pericardial patch reconstruction and rapid-deployment aortic valve prosthesis implantation.

Left ventricular assist device implantation is an established treatment for patients with end-stage heart failure. The HeartMate 3 (Abbott Laboratories, Abbott Park, IL) is a continuous-flow centrifugal pump, recently introduced in the clinic, that has shown greater hemocompatibility compared with similar devices of previous generations. Nevertheless, anticoagulation is still required after HeartMate 3 implant to avoid pump dysfunction. Hereafter, we describe the case of a patient candidate to left ventricular assist device implantation for end-stage heart failure presenting a concomitant cerebrovascular lesion, accidentally found during preoperative assessment, that would have contraindicated the procedure (for the prohibitive risk of cerebral hemorrhage), unless a step by step problem-solving approach was adopted.

Left ventricular assist device (LVAD) therapy is a well accepted and effective strategy to treat advanced heart failure. The miniaturized third-generation centrifugal pumps HeartWare HVAD (Medtronic, Dublin, Ireland) and HeartMate 3 (Abbott, Illinois, USA) are the two most commonly implanted systems in the contemporary era. Their design has allowed clinicians to pioneer several alternate and less invasive implantation techniques to tackle a broad spectrum of clinical scenarios. A brief review and discussion of alternative surgical techniques for both inflow and outflow cannula insertion, in the contemporary LVAD surgery era, are herein reported.

An increased need of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support is going to become evident as treatment of SARS-CoV-2 respiratory distress syndrome. This is the first report of the Italian Society for Cardiac Surgery (SICCH) on preliminary experience with COVID-19 patients receiving ECMO support. Data from 12 Italian hospitals participating in SICCH were retrospectively analyzed. Between March 1 and September 15, 2020, a veno-venous (VV) ECMO system was installed in 67 patients (94%) and a veno-arterio-venous ECMO in four (6%). Five patients required VA ECMO after initial weaning from VV ECMO. Thirty (42.2%) patients were weaned from ECMO, while 39 (54.9%) died on ECMO, and six (8.5%) died after ECMO removal. Overall hospital survival was 36.6% (n = 26). Main causes of death were multiple organ failure (n = 14, 31.1%) and sepsis (n = 11, 24.4%). On multivariable analysis, predictors of death while on ECMO support were older age (p = 0.048), elevated pre-ECMO C-reactive protein level (p = 0.048), higher positive end-expiratory pressure on ventilator (p = 0.036) and lower lung compliance (p = 0.032). If the conservative treatment is not effective, ECMO support might be considered as life-saving rescue therapy for COVID-19 refractory respiratory failure. However warm caution and thoughtful approaches for timely detection and treatment should be taken for such a delicate patients population.

Bilateral antegrade selective cerebral perfusion has the undisputed advantage of being more physiological and theoretically ensuring complete perfusion of the whole brain. However, it requires longer execution times and manipulation of the epiaortic vessels. On the other hand, unilateral selective cerebral perfusion (u-ASCP) avoids the vessels manipulation, placement of catheters into the ostia of the great vessels which clutters the operative field and incurs both atherosclerotic and air embolism risk. Neverthless, an ongoing debate about which technique yields the best clinical outcomes is still open.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a well-established post-cardiac surgery complication. Orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT) represents a peculiar condition where surgical thoracic veins isolation and autonomic denervation occur. This study aims at investigating AF incidence in OHT in order to define its risk factors and to evaluate its prognostic impact. Methods: 278 patients affected by OHT were recruited in our Cardiac Surgery Unit and retrospectively analyzed, using clinical, surgical and instrumental data. Results: The patients cohort showed 45 post-operative (16.5%) and 20 late AF cases (7.2%). Only paroxysmal AF episodes were observed. Elderly donors and acute rejection resulted as risk factors in patients with post-operative AF episodes, who presented higher all-cause mortality at 11 years post-OHT (p

Kommerell diverticulum can be associated to several types of vascular rings, including double aortic arch. Surgical indications for vascular rings and Kommerell diverticulum include bulging symptoms onto trachea and esophagus too. Moreover, the aneurysmal enlargement over time can eventually cause acute aortic syndromes. Management of this pathology in adulthood is challenging and many techniques have been proposed, notably hybrid solutions. Herein, we report the case of a patient, who underwent redo surgery with frozen elephant trunk technique, caused by persisting symptoms after a previous operation of vascular ring interruption.

We present the case of a 18-year-old female with fulminant lymphocytic myocarditis caused by Parvovirus B19 (PVB19), successfully treated using temporary LVAD. In the literature there is no consensus on the surgical strategy. While some surgeons prefer to use a single device supporting only the LV, others prefer to start immediately with a biventricular supporting. At pre-procedural ultrasound evaluation, her anatomical features were not suitable for a percutaneous device such as the Impella. Thus, a temporary paracorporeal continuous flow LVAD was inserted. The heart recovery allowed LVAD removal 9 days after the implant. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10047-021-01247-7.

We carefully read the recent paper by Hammond et al. (1) on the use of sutureless bioprosthetic valve for homograft failure in the setting of infective endocarditis (IE). This article is the latest demonstration that new sutureless and rapid deployment (RD) valve prostheses are safe and easy-to-use devices for surgical aortic valve replacement, and indicates their suitability for different scenarios and peculiar surgical situations as infective endocarditis (IE).

Objectives The aim of this study was to assess the clinical course and outcomes of all heart transplant recipients affected by coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) who were followed at the leading heart transplant centers of Northern Italy. Background The worldwide severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has created unprecedented challenges for public health, demanding exceptional efforts for the successful management and treatment of affected patients. Heart transplant patients represent a unique cohort of chronically immunosuppressed subjects in which SARS-CoV-2 may stimulate an unpredictable clinical course of infection. Methods Since February 2020, we enrolled all 47 cases (79% male) in a first cohort of patients, with a mean age of 61.8 ± 14.5 years, who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, out of 2,676 heart transplant recipients alive before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic at 7 heart transplant centers in Northern Italy. Results To date, 38 patients required hospitalization while 9 remained self-home quarantined and 14 died. Compared to the general population, prevalence (18 vs. 7 cases per 1,000) and related case fatality rate (29.7% vs. 15.4%) in heart transplant recipients were doubled. Univariable analysis showed older age (p = 0.002), diabetes mellitus (p = 0.040), extracardiac arteriopathy (p = 0.040), previous PCI (p = 0.040), CAV score (p = 0.039), lower GFR (p = 0.004), and higher NYHA functional classes (p = 0.023) were all significantly associated with in-hospital mortality. During the follow-up two patients died and a third patient has prolonged viral-shedding alternating positive and negative swabs. Since July 1st, 2020, we had 6 new patients who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, 5 patients asymptomatic were self-quarantined, while 1 is still hospitalized for pneumonia. A standard therapy was maintained for all, except for the hospitalized patient. Conclusions The prevalence and mortality of SARS-CoV-2 should spur clinicians to immediately refer heart transplant recipients suspected as having SARS-CoV2 infection to centers specializing in the care of this vulnerable population.

Cardiac allograft rejection following heart transplantation is challenging to diagnose. Tissue biopsies are the gold standard in monitoring the different types of rejection. The last decade has seen an increased emphasis on identifying non-invasive methods to improve rejection diagnosis and overcome tissue biopsy invasiveness. Liquid biopsy, as an efficient non-invasive diagnostic and prognostic oncological monitoring tool, seems to be applicable in heart transplant follow-ups. Moreover, molecular techniques applied on blood can be translated to tissue samples to provide novel perspectives on tissue and reveal new diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the state-of-the-art of the new methodologies in cardiac allograft rejection monitoring and investigate the future perspectives on invasive and non-invasive rejection biomarkers identification. We reviewed literature from the most used scientific databases, such as PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus. We extracted 192 papers and, after a selection and exclusion process, we included in the review 81 papers. The described limitations notwithstanding, this review show how molecular biology techniques and omics science could be deployed complementarily to the histopathological rejection diagnosis on tissue biopsies, thus representing an integrated approach for heart transplant patients monitoring.

Heart transplantation is the gold standard treatment for patients with end-stage heart failure. The limited availability of organs has led to the expansion of the donor criteria by introducing the use of marginal donors. Although the use of marginal donors has reduced waiting lists, the results are worse than with standard donors. For this reason, the use of marginal donors in clinical practice is still controversial. We describe two cases of heart transplantation from marginal donors with pre-transplant angiography evidence of coronary stenosis and normal ventricular function.

Modern medicine uses a combination of advanced technology and established knowledge to reach its ultimate goal: healing patients while limiting risks and preventing disease [...]

Background Aortic stentless bioprosthetic valve (SLBPV), either porcine or pericardial, minimizes transvalvular gradient and favors regression of left ventricular hypertrophy. The drawback consists of longer time for suturing. While structural valve deterioration (SVD) in stented porcine and pericardial BPVs has been extensively investigated, less information is available on SLBPVs. Material and Methods We studied 82 SLBPVs explants, either porcine (Toronto SPV, [St. Jude Medical, MN, USA], CryolifeO'Brien Model 300 and CryoLife-O'Brien [Cryolife International, GA, USA], BioCor PVS [St. Jude Medical, MN, USA] Prima and Prima Plus [Edwards Lifesciences Corp. One Edwards Way, CA, formerly Baxter Inc, CA, USA]) or pericardial ([Pericarbon Freedom and Freedom Solo [Sorin-Biomedica, S.p.A., Saluggia, Italy]). Results By excluding cases with leak and endocarditis, we focused the investigation on 46 SLBPVs, which failed because of SVD. Gender was male in 29 (63%). Mean age of patients at time of implant was 59.8 years. Postoperative time of SVD was 115.0 months for porcine and 79.0 months for pericardial SLBPVs. Dysfunction requiring reoperation was mainly incompetence for porcine and stenosis for pericardial SLBPVs. Even pinpoint mineralization at the commissures resulted in sudden cusp tearing and incompetence. Cuspal atheromasia accounted for cusp tearing even in the absence of calcification. Mineralization showed progression with time in pericardial but not in porcine SLBPVs. Conclusions Tissue mineralization remains the nightmare also of SLBPVs, with the peculiar features of pinpoint calcific deposits at commissures, tearing and abrupt incompetence in porcine SLBPVs and of massive cuspal mineralization and stenosis in pericardial SLBPVs.

We are very thankful to Dr. Vendramin et al. (1) for their interest in our article about the “off label” use of new cardiac prosthetic valves in different clinical scenarios, and for their thoughtful comments.

Background Surgical management of aortic valve endocarditis in high risk patients is controversial and the ideal treatment has not been found yet. We describe a selected series of eight patients treated with rapid-deployment aortic valve prosthesis as a therapeutic solution for minimizing the risks associated with annulus manipulation in case of severe aortic infective endocarditis. Methods Eight consecutive patients (five men and three women) with a mean age of 74.3±7.2 years, mean logistic EuroSCORE II of 16.0%±0.1%, affected by aortic native (1 patient), or prosthetic valve endocarditis (7 patients), were treated with Edwards Intuity Elite implantation. Hemodynamic performance and infective data were collected pre-, intra-, and postoperatively with a mean follow-up of 2.7±0.7 years. Results One case of in-hospital mortality was noted. None of the patients had any embolic or infective complication postoperatively. The cardiopulmonary bypass and aortic cross-clamp times were 148.4±41.6 and 90.5±25.3 min, respectively. The postoperative echocardiographic controls indicated a mean transvalvular gradient of 16.7±3.0 mmHg and one case of paravalvular leaks (2 +). Two patients underwent epigastric permanent pacemaker implantation. During the follow-up, seven patients were alive, with no evidence of symptoms or recurrences of endocarditis or embolic episodes. No new paravalvular leaks were noted, and the mean gradient on the valves was 12.4±3.4 mmHg. Conclusions Rapid deployment aortic valve replacement in selected very high-risk patients affected by infective endocarditis could be a reasonable choice with acceptable results. However, further studies are needed to confirm these results.

During a minimally invasive implantation technique, the outflow graft of left ventricular assist device (LVAD) is tunnelled blindly through the pericardium or left pleura, with an inability to assess for twisting or malposition. Three-dimensional computed tomography scan (CT-scan) has a role in qualitative evaluation of the different outflow tract configurations. The different surgical minimally invasive approaches include: (a) mini-sternotomy and left mini-thoracotomy, (b) right mini-thoracotomy and left mini-thoracotomy, (c) subclavian artery access and left mini-thoracotomy. The outflow graft could be anastomosed to the left axillary artery or the ascending aorta. CT-scan reconstruction using syngo InSpace4D (Siemens, Muenchen, Germany) was used to provide fast segmentation and high-resolution images. The 3D reconstructions permit an evaluation of different anastomosis configurations and to assess the route of outflow graft.

We describe the case of a 59-year old female affected by aortic extensive endocarditis with communication between aortic annulus and right cavities, treated with double pericardial patch reconstruction and rapid-deployment aortic valve prosthesis implantation.

We describe two cases of favorable and unexpected recovery in positive patients with coronavirus disease 2019, suffering from multiorgan comorbidity and already assisted with the left ventricular assist device. We have observed that, although in the presence of more comorbidities, when the maintenance of a valid support of the cardiovascular function is guaranteed, the possibility of successfully overcoming the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection is still alive.

Background: Circulating extracellular vesicles (EVs) are raising considerable interest as a non-invasive diagnostic tool, as they are easily detectable in biologic fluids and contain a specific set of nucleic acids, proteins, and lipids reflecting pathophysiologic conditions. We aimed to investigate differences in plasma-derived EV surface protein profiles as a biomarker to be used in combination with endomyocardial biopsies (EMBs) for the diagnosis of allograft rejection. Methods: Plasma was collected from 90 patients (53 training cohort, 37 validation cohort) before EMB. EV concentration was assessed by nanoparticle tracking analysis. EV surface antigens were measured using a multiplex flow cytometry assay composed of 37 fluorescently labeled capture bead populations coated with specific antibodies directed against respective EV surface epitopes. Results: The concentration of EVs was significantly increased and their diameter decreased in patients undergoing rejection as compared with negative ones. The trend was highly significant for both antibody-mediated rejection and acute cellular rejection (p < 0.001). Among EV surface markers, CD3, CD2, ROR1, SSEA-4, human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-I, and CD41b were identified as discriminants between controls and acute cellular rejection, whereas HLA-II, CD326, CD19, CD25, CD20, ROR1, SSEA-4, HLA-I, and CD41b discriminated controls from patients with antibody-mediated rejection. Receiver operating characteristics curves confirmed a reliable diagnostic performance for each single marker (area under the curve range, 0.727-0.939). According to differential EV-marker expression, a diagnostic model was built and validated in an external cohort of patients. Our model was able to distinguish patients undergoing rejection from those without rejection. The accuracy at validation in an independent external cohort reached 86.5%. Its application for patient management has the potential to reduce the number of EMBs. Further studies in a higher number of patients are required to validate this approach for clinical purposes. Conclusions: Circulating EVs are highly promising as a new tool to characterize cardiac allograft rejection and to be complementary to EMB monitoring.

Background HeartMate 3 is a left ventricular assist device, composed of a centrifugal pump. It can be applied as a myocardial recovery, a bridge to transplant, or a destination therapy, in the treatment of patients with left ventricular heart failure. Methods Herein we describe a technique applied against a giant aneurysmal dilatation, which combines a surgical device implantation and a left ventricular reconstruction using a double patch. Results The patch minimizes thrombotic risk thanks to its internal bovine pericardium layer, which is in contact with blood. Conclusions The outlined technique is relatively reproducible and safe in a selected group of patients, as it employs a high-quality device and enables the restoration of an appropriate ventricular geometry.

In this work we aimed to evaluate the evolution of our surgical experience with the implantation of a continuous flow left ventricular assist device (LVAD), from the original full sternotomy approach to less invasive surgical strategies including mini-sternotomy and/or mini-thoracotomies. We reviewed all consecutive patients implanted with a continuous flow LVAD at our Institute. To exclude the possible bias related to the device used, out of 91 collected LVADs implants, we selected only those patients (n = 42) who received, between 2012 and 2015, the HeartWare HVAD. The analysis focused on the surgical approach used for the LVAD implant. Most of the patients (95%) were affected by dilated or ischemic cardiomyopathy, with an INTERMACS class I-II in the majority of cases (77%). The LVAD implant was performed through a full sternotomy in 10 patients (24%); the remaining 32 cases (76%) were managed with minimally invasive procedures. These were left mini-thoracotomy with upper mini-sternotomy (20 patients, 62%), right and left mini-thoracotomy (7 patients, 22%), and a recently developed left mini-thoracotomy with outflow graft anastomosis to the left axillary artery (5 patients, 16%). The most common adverse event on device was right heart failure (26%). Eighteen patients (43%) were transplanted. Overall estimated 24 months survival (on device or after transplant) was 68 ± 7%. The causal analysis, adjusted by propensity score weighting baseline data and sample size, showed that left mini-thoracotomy with outflow anastomosis to the left axillary artery resulted in a significantly reduced rate of post implant right heart failure (P < 0.01), and mechanical ventilation time (P = 0.049). To conclude, in our series, by applying mini-invasive implant techniques in the majority of cases, mid-term survival of continuous flow LVADs in severely compromised patients was satisfactory. In the adjusted analysis, the left anterior mini-thoracotomy with outflow anastomosis to the left axillary artery showed the most favorable results.

We report a case of a 63‐year‐old man referred for lead extraction with the bidirectional rotational Evolution® RL mechanical sheath because of systemic infection. As it was judged a “high‐risk” procedure, we opted for a “hybrid,” minimally invasive approach consisting in a minithoracotomic access. This technique is a feasible approach, and it might be a potential safer alternative in the most challenging transvenous lead extraction procedures.

Acute aortic root thrombosis extended to coronary ostia is a rare but potentially life-threatening complication of aortic valve replacement with bioprosthetic substitutes. We aimed to present the case of a 72-year-old woman with symptomatic rheumatic valve disease and associated atrial fibrillation who underwent conventional mitroaortic valve replacement with two stented bioprostheses (pericardial and porcine, respectively). Eight days after surgery, she had cardiac arrest due to ventricular fibrillation, requiring immediate cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Left ventricle akinesia by echocardiography and troponin levels up to 35,000 ng/L pointed to coronary ischemia. Emergent coronary angiography showed a subocclusion of the left main trunk, with the suspicion of aortic root thrombosis. The patient was immediately reoperated, fresh thrombi were removed from the aortic root, and the aortic Magna Ease 21-mm bioprosthesis was replaced with a stentless Solo Smart 21-mm bioprosthesis. The patient died of septic complications.

Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) are an established option for the treatment of end-stage heart failure. Last-generation devices are characterized by a miniaturized pump size, allowing for intra-pericardial placement. This feature enabled the introduction of less-invasive implantation techniques, which have been linked to many favorable effects. The HeartMate 3 LVAD is a continuous-flow centrifugal pump, recently introduced for clinical use. Here, we describe the minimally invasive implantation of the HeartMate 3 through a bilateral mini-thoracotomy.

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic is nowadays an international emergency and the North-Italian regions have faced a high rate of infection and case fatality. A logistic and structural rearrangement has been required to ensure COVID-19-free areas, to save human and economic resources, and to solve all incoming urgencies. Herein, we report the Padova experience in heart transplantation and mechanical circulatory support implantation for severe INTERMACS class patients with satisfactory results during COVID-19 pandemic.

The post-auricular (PA) driveline positioning for percutaneous power delivery is a specific feature of the Jarvik 2000 FlowMaker LVAD. We applied several technical refinements to optimise the PA implant. Here, we present and discuss these modifications. We retrospectively reviewed all patients implanted with Jarvik 2000 at our Institution. Different PA implant techniques were described. A machine learning analysis was performed to evaluate the determinants of driveline infection. From December 2008 to December 2017, 62 patients were implanted with Jarvik 2000, at our Institution. The PA connection was managed through the “question mark-shaped” incision in 24 patients (39%) and with the “C-shaped” in 18 (29%), whereas 10 (16%) cases received the “vertical incision” and 10 (16%) the “orthogonal incision”. The implant technique resulted highly predictive of driveline infection. The rate of driveline infections was numerically lower among cases managed with the last two techniques. After evolving through different implant techniques, we propose and suggest the “orthogonal incision” to maximise the advantages of the Jarvik 2000 post-auricular driveline.

Background In addition to the Evolution RL sheath, tools by Cook Medical (Bloomington, IN, USA), supporting lead extraction (LE), are available. Data on their use are not reported in detail in previous studies. Moreover, data regarding outcome are lacking. The aim was to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the Evolution sheath (Evolution RL and Evolution Shortie, Cook Medical) by using a stepwise approach with the available extraction tools and the outcome. Methods A total of 393 leads in 198 consecutive patients were removed with the Evolution RL sheath and ancillary tools using a stepwise approach. Results The main indication for LE was infection in 125 (63.1%) cases. The mean implant duration was 95.4 ± 59.7 months. According to our stepwise approach, the Evolution Shortie RL sheath was used in all cases and complete LE was achieved in 24 (12.2%) cases. The Evolution RL was used in 174 (87.8%) cases and the SteadySheath Evolution tissue stabilization sheath (Cook Medical) in 87 (44%) because of tenacious fibrosis anchored targeted leads. Compression coil (OneTie, Cook Medical) was used in 141 (71%) cases. Complete procedural success rate, clinical success rate, and lead removal with clinical success rate were 97%, 99%, and 99.5%, respectively. One major complication (0.5%) and 10 (5%) minor complications were encountered. During a mean time follow-up of 12 ± 9 months, 14 (7%) patients died. Predictors of mortality included impaired renal function (HR 5.7; 95% CI 1.9-17.6; P = 0.002), extraction because of infection (hazard ratio [HR] 4.0; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1-18.1; P = 0.045), and diabetes (HR 3.2; 95% CI 1.1-9.8; P = 0.036). Conclusions Lead extraction using the Evolution RL bidirectional rotational mechanical sheath and ancillary tools in a systematic stepwise approach was effective and safe.

AIMS We analysed the outcomes with the use of a new-generation continuous-flow left ventricular assist device (CF-LVAD) as a bridge-to-transplant (BTT). MATERIALS AND METHODS We included all patients implanted with an intrapericardial CF-LVAD as BTT, between January 2012 and December 2016. Primary outcomes were overall survival, survival on waiting list and postheart transplant (HTx) survival. The outcomes after HTx were compared with those of a contemporary cohort of patients transplanted without previous CF-LVAD (No-LVAD group, n = 73). RESULTS We included 53 patients with a median age of 52 years (interquartile range: 43-59 years). Seventy-two percent were in INTERMACS profile 1-2 before implant; all entered the HTx waiting list after receiving the CF-LVAD. HTx was performed in 42 (79%) cases (LVAD group). Overall estimated survival (considering both pre-HTx and post-HTx) was 89% [95% confidence interval (CI) 81-98%] at 1 year and 80% (CI 70-92%) at 2 years. The estimated survival on waiting list was 91% (CI 80-100%) at 6 months, whereas the 1-year estimated post-HTx survival was 88% (CI 79-98%). The Kaplan-Meier curves of survival after HTx of LVAD versus No-LVAD group were comparable (log-rank P = 0.54), as well as the rates of post-HTx adverse events. A multivariable model of survival after HTx, accounting for the most relevant patient characteristics, identified LVAD use as a significant protective factor [LVAD versus No-LVAD hazard ratio 0.22 (CI 0.06-0.91)]. CONCLUSION The use of new-generation intrapericardial CF-LVADs as a BTT resulted, in our series, in satisfactory pre-HTx and post-HTx outcomes.

BACKGROUND Increasing left ventricular assist device (LVAD) pump speed according to the patient's activity is a fascinating hypothesis. This study analyzed the short-term effects of LVAD speed increase on cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) performance, muscle oxygenation (near-infrared spectroscopy), diffusion capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (D lco ) and nitric oxide (D lno ), and sleep quality. METHODS We analyzed CPET, D lco and D lno , and sleep in 33 patients supported with the Jarvik 2000 (Jarvik Heart Inc., New York, NY). After a maximal CPET (n = 28), patients underwent 2 maximal CPETs with LVAD speed randomly set at 3 or increased from 3 to 5 during effort (n = 15). Then, at LVAD speed randomly set at 2 or 4, we performed (1) constant workload CPETs assessing O2 kinetics, cardiac output (CO), and muscle oxygenation (n = 15); (2) resting D lco and D lno (n = 18); and (3) nocturnal cardiorespiratory monitoring ( n = 29). RESULTS The progressive pump speed increase raised peak volume of oxygen consumption (12.5 ± 2.5 ml/min/kg vs 11.7 ± 2.8 ml/min/kg at speed 3; p = 0.001). During constant workload, from speed 2 to 4, CO increased (at rest: 3.18 ± 0.76 liters/min vs 3.69 ± 0.75 liters/min, p = 0.015; during exercise: 5.91 ± 1.31 liters/min vs 6.69 ± 0.99 liters/min, p = 0.014), and system efficiency (τ = 65.8 ± 15.1 seconds vs 49.9 ± 14.8 seconds, p = 0.002) and muscle oxygenation improved. At speed 4, D lco decreased, and obstructive apneas increased despite a significant apnea/hypopnea index and a reduction of central apneas. CONCLUSIONS Short-term LVAD speed increase improves exercise performance, CO, O2 kinetics, and muscle oxygenation. However, it deteriorates lung diffusion and increases obstructive apneas, likely due to an increase of intrathoracic fluids . Self-adjusting LVAD speed is a fascinating but possibly unsafe option, probably requiring a monitoring of intrathoracic fluids.