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Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) may be complicated by heart failure. Management of advanced heart failure in this context is challenging.We reviewed our center's experience with advanced heart failure therapies in patients with ARVC. Three rapidly deteriorating patients with ARVC with biventricular heart failure were found. Their management and outcomes are presented. Data on ventricular fibrosis were available in 2 of them and are also included.The first patient underwent initially successful paracorporeal pulsatile biventricular assist device (BiVAD) implantation. However, a large ischemic stroke occurred 2 weeks later, and the patient died after 2 months. The second patient underwent urgent BiVAD implantation after extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support because of cardiogenic shock, but his course was complicated by multiorgan failure due to systemic infection and the patient died. The last patient, being at Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support 3-4 profile, underwent heart transplant with uneventful recovery. Extensive fibrosis was present in both ventricles of 2 patients undergoing pathology examination.Patients with ARVC and advanced biventricular heart failure are characterized by extensive ventricular fibrosis and considerable risk, but data on their management are limited. Biventricular circulatory support is associated with suboptimal outcomes, and prioritization for heart transplant seems preferable.

Background: Our current understanding of right heart failure (RHF) post-left ventricular assist device (LVAD) is lacking. Recently, a new Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support definition of RHF was introduced. Based on this definition, we investigated natural history, risk factors, and outcomes of post-LVAD RHF. Methods: Patients implanted with continuous flow LVAD between June 2, 2014, and June 30, 2016 and registered in the Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support/Society of Thoracic Surgeons Database were included. RHF incidence and predictors, and survival after RHF were assessed. The manifestations of RHF which were separately analyzed were elevated central venous pressure, peripheral edema, ascites, and use of inotropes. Results: Among 5537 LVAD recipients (mean 57±13 years, 49% destination therapy, support 18.9 months) prevalence of 1-month RHF was 24%. Of these, RHF persisted at 12 months in 5.3%. In contrast, de novo RHF, first identified at 3 months, occurred in 5.1% and persisted at 12 months in 17% of these, and at 6 months occurred in 4.8% and persisted at 12 months in 25%. Higher preimplant blood urea nitrogen (ORs,1.03–1.09 per 5 mg/dL increase; P P P =0.004); and centrifugal versus axial LVAD (ORs,1.15–1.78; P =0.001) represented risk factors for RHC incidence at 3 months. Patients with persistent RHF at 3 months had the lowest 2-year survival (57%) while patients with de novo RHF or RHF which resolved by 3 months had more favorable survival outcomes (75% and 78% at 2 years, respectively; P Conclusions: RHF at 1 or 3 months post-LVAD was a common and frequently transient condition, which, if resolved, was associated with relatively favorable prognosis. Conversely, de novo, late RHF post-LVAD (>6 months) was more frequently a persistent disorder and associated with increased mortality. The 1-, 3-, and 6-month time points may be used for RHF assessment and risk stratification in LVAD recipients.

BACKGROUND An optimal blood pressure (BP) range to mitigate morbidity and mortality on left ventricular assist device (LVAD) support has not been clearly defined. METHODS Average Doppler opening pressure, mean arterial pressure (MAP), and/or systolic blood pressure (SBP) were calculated in operative survivors (n = 16,155) of LVAD support in the Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support (INTERMACS). BP distributions were used to group patients into low (BP 95th percentile). Associations between BP and adverse events were evaluated using Cox regression (hazard ratio[HR], 95% confidence interval). RESULTS The median (25th, 75th) MAP, Doppler, and SBP (mm Hg) during continuous flow LVAD support were 84 (77, 90), 85 (80, 92), and 99 (90, 107) mm Hg, respectively. BP had a bimodal risk association with survival. At 3 years, survival was 58% ± 1.8% in those with low MAP (≤75 mm Hg) vs 70% ± 0.9%, 71% ± 1.5%, and 63% ± 3.0% in the those with normal, high, or very high average MAP, respectively. Patients with chronically low MAP (≤75 mm Hg), Doppler (≤80 mm Hg), and SBP ( 100 mm Hg, Doppler ≥105 mm Hg, and SBP ≥120 mm Hg had 17%–20% higher adjusted hazards of death than those with normal pressures (p CONCLUSIONS In INTERMACS, BP extremes during LVAD support increase the risk for adverse events, supporting a MAP goal >75 mm Hg and

Recently, there has been a rise in the incidence of E-cigarette/Vaping-Associated Lung Injury (EVALI) in the United States, mostly involving tetrahydrocannabinol. Current treatment strategies for EVALI are aimed at controlling the inflammatory and infectious causes, in addition to supportive care. Although most patients improve with supportive measures, the long-term pulmonary effects of this illness are still not well defined. This report describes a case of EVALI resulting in progressive, irreversible destruction of the lung parenchyma that was treated with double lung transplantation.

Introduction Right Ventricular (RV) function has prognostic implications in end-stage heart failure (ESHF) patients. RV failure following Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) implantation increases morbidity and mortality. Achieving optimal RV function before LVAD implantation is of paramount importance. Purpose Purpose was to investigate the effect of Intra-aortic Balloon Pump (IABP) on RV function optimization in patients with bi-ventricular ESHF. Methods ESHF patients with poor RV function, presenting with acutely decompensated heart failure resistant to inotropes/vasopressors, thus requiring IABP for stabilization, were prospectively enrolled. Serum biochemistry, echocardiography and invasive hemodynamics were applied and eligibility for LVAD according to RV function was determined on the basis of pre-specified criteria (Right atrium Pressure (RAP) 1.85, RAP/Pulmonary Capillary Wedge Pressure (PCWP) Results Sixteen patients aged 38±14 years were enrolled. Duration of IABP support was 62±50 (3–180) days. Three patients deteriorated requiring additional mechanical circulatory support. Two patients were stabilized without RV function improvement. In the remaining 11 patients, RV improved and fulfilled LVAD eligibility criteria (IABP responders); RA and RA/PCWP decreased from 18±6 to 10±4mmHg (p=0.0001) and from 0.60±0.19 to 0.42±0.11 (p=0.011) respectively. PAPi and RV strain improved from 1.46±0.65 to 3.20±0.58 (p=0.0001) and from −12.9±3.4% to −18.7±1.7% (p=0.0001) respectively. Significantly lower baseline NTproBNP and total bilirubin values were observed in the responders group. Six patients finally received LVAD and none suffered RV failure post-operatively (the remaining 5 were successfully transplanted). RV fibrosis correlated with post-IABP NTproBNP (r=0.91, p=0.001), total bilirubin (r=0.79, p=0.011), RAP (r=0.78, p=0.014), PAPi (r=−0.69, p=0.040), RAP/PCWP (r=0.74, p=0.022) and LV fibrosis (r=0.77, p=0.016), but not with baseline (pre-IABP) parameters. Conclusions Prolonged IABP support contributes to partial RV function recovery in patients with ESHF and bi-ventricular failure, thus leading to eligibility for LVAD implantation. RV fibrosis may predict RV response to IABP and post-IABP eligibility for LVAD. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.

Background Bronchial anastomotic complications are reported in 2 to 18% of patients after lung transplantation. The majority of complications can be managed with bronchoscopic intervention. When extensive dehiscence is present, surgical intervention can be entertained. Materials and Methods Between March 1, 2006, and December 31, 2019, our program performed 244 lung transplantations. We conducted a retrospective review of our patient cohort and identified patients who suffered from significant anastomotic complications that required surgical interventions. Results Twenty-eight and 216 patients underwent single and bilateral lung transplantations, respectively. Eighteen patients developed airway complications (7.4%). The incidence of anastomotic complications was 5.2% (24 complications for a total of 460 bronchial anastomoses). Four patients were managed conservatively. The majority of the bronchial anastomotic complications were managed endoscopically (eight patients). Four patients with associated massive air leak underwent repair of the bronchial anastomosis and two patients were retransplanted because they developed severe distal airway stenosis. Conclusion Bronchial anastomotic complications are a major cause of morbidity in lung transplantation. The majority of cases can be managed bronchoscopically. In more severe cases associated with massive air leak or imminent massive hemoptysis from bronchopulmonary arterial fistula, surgical intervention is necessary. Aortic homograft interposition along with vascularized pedicle wrapping may be a viable option to re-establish airway continuity when tension-free bronchial anastomotic revision is not possible. In cases with smaller bronchial defects, primary repair with utilization of a vascularized flap can be effective as treatment option.

OBJECTIVES Prior sternotomy is associated with increased morbidity and mortality following heart transplantation. However, its effect on primary graft dysfunction (PGD), a major contributor to early mortality, is unknown. Herein, this effect is studied using the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation consensus definition for PGD. METHODS Medical records of consecutive adult cardiac transplants between 2012 and 2016 were reviewed. Baseline characteristics, postoperative findings and 1-year survival were compared between patients with and without prior sternotomy. RESULTS Among 255 total patients included, 139 (55%) had undergone prior sternotomy; these recipients were older, more often male, had higher body mass index, higher frequencies of united network for organ sharing (UNOS) 1A status and ischaemic cardiomyopathy and experienced longer waitlist times when compared with those without prior sternotomy (all P