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Here, we report the case of a patient who presented to our institution with severe, destructive, and unreconstructable prosthetic valve endocarditis which required the planned implantation of a total artificial heart (TAH) to function as a bridge to cardiac transplantation. The use of TAH in this fashion has been infrequently reported in the literature. This case highlights the importance of a thoughtful, preoperative multidisciplinary approach to these complex patients to provide the most appropriate and life-saving care.

Heart transplant is the gold standard treatment for patients with heart failure. The limitation to providing heart transplantation to patients suffering from end stage heart disease is the stable organ supply within the United States despite increasing demand. Transplant centers across the United States have begun to expand traditional cardiac donor selection metrics previously utilized. As a result, the use of extended criteria donors, such as older donors, those with longer ischemic times, and donors considered high risk has increased. Current guidelines suggest that coronary angiography be performed when evaluating a donor above the age of 45. Angiographic guidelines for evaluation of the donor heart are based specifically on age, with little evidence based guidance surrounding the use of angiography in a younger donor with comorbidities or increased risk behavior which may lead to premature coronary artery disease. Recently, we have seen an increase in younger heart donors, many of whom have succumbed due to drug overdose with ensuing high risk behaviors. Given the increased risk nature of these donors, consideration of performing coronary angiography is determined by clinical "gestalt" of the transplant center evaluating the heart for use, which may lead to underutilization of donor organs without evidence to support the practice. Here, we review the guidelines, literature, and controversy surrounding the use of coronary angiography in evaluating donor hearts for transplantation.

COVID-19 has created challenges for society and the medical community. While the pandemic continues to unfold, the transplant community has had to pivot to keep recipients, donors, and transplant teams safe given these unprecedented times. This has resulted in a decrease in the number of transplants performed in the United States and an increased number of inactive patients on the UNOS waiting list.1 Waitlist and transplant recipients have an increased risk for acquiring COVID-19. It is speculated that this patient population is particularly vulnerable given their immunocompromised status and the high prevalence of comorbidities.2 Given the uncertainty surrounding the risk of transplant patients contracting COVID-19, there is interest in describing these cases in the literature.

Ebstein anomaly is a rare congenital heart defect. Many nurses have probably never encountered this anomaly, with very few able to accurately depict the pathological anatomy of the condition. As technology further develops, providers are better equipped to recognize and manage Ebstein anomaly. There are important considerations for nurses when caring for an individual with Ebstein anomaly. The aim of this article is to give an overview of the condition exploring the pathophysiology, how patients typically present, and how to effectively care for a patient with Ebstein anomaly regarding medical and surgical courses of treatment. It is important for nurses to have a resource to reference on Ebstein anomaly, and the majority of current literature is solely based for medical providers. Furthermore, Ebstein patients may be seen on a variety of units in the hospital beyond cardiology (i.e., pregnant patient with a diagnosis of Ebstein anomaly).