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Aim: Hyperlactatemia is common post-heart transplantation. Lactate measurements in the first 24 h were analyzed with respect to mortality. Methods: A total of 153 consecutive cardiac transplant patients were reviewed. Recipients of organs maintained in a state of ex vivo perfusion were included. Results: A total of 143 heart recipients were included. Hyperlactatemia (>2 mmol/l) was present in all patients. Despite maximum lactate and lactate clearance being significantly higher in nonsurvivors (p = 0.002, p = 0.004), neither receiver operator curve analysis nor multivariate logistic regression showed association with 1-year mortality. In comparison, the minimum lactate was significantly associated with mortality (area under the curve 0.728 [p

Recent advances in the management of patients with adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) have led to an increased number of patients who may develop heart failure and require heart transplantation (HTx). The purpose of this study was to evaluate early and mid-term postoperative outcomes after HTx with the use of Organ Care System (OCS) in a cohort of ACHD patients transplanted at our tertiary center. All consecutive HTx performed from January 2015 to January 2019 at our institution were analyzed. Donor and recipient preoperative characteristics, intraoperative course, and perioperative clinical outcomes were evaluated. Nine patients with median age of 44 years (range 17-61 years) underwent isolated HTx for end-stage ACHD during the study period. Mean cold ischemic time was 84 ± 17 minutes. Postoperatively, four patients (44%) needed venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (1-7 days). One patient (11%) required surgical re-exploration for bleeding. Thirty-day and 1-year mortality were 11% and 22%, respectively. In our experience, despite the challenges of transplantation in ACHD, these patients can be successfully transplanted with the use of the OCS in a highly specialized center. Careful donor and recipient selection are of paramount importance.

Donation after circulatory death lung transplantation is a well-established treatment for patients with end-stage lung disease. Ongoing developments in retrieval as well as ex vivo preservation techniques following deceased circulatory death donation, will help to reduce donor organ shortage and mortality on waiting list. We describe step by step different retrieval techniques for deceased circulatory death donors, our protocol for ex vivo lung preservation, as well as the minimally invasive off pump surgical approach as performed at Harefield Hospital NHS Trust for Lung Transplantation. Early and long-term outcomes with this technique are comparable to those undergoing Lung Transplantation from Brain dead donors as per the international registry data.

Reopening the chest in patients with left ventricular assist devices at the time of a heart transplant is challenging due to adhesions and the possibility of injury to vital structures. The sternal sparing bilateral thoracotomy approach utilized to implant a left ventricular assist device minimizes the chances of such injuries and offers a cosmetically better outcome. We demonstrate a procedure for implanting a left ventricular assist device in a 54-year-old man diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy who suffered rapid decompensation despite maximum medical therapy.

In patients with cardiogenic shock, the global use of percutaneous mechanical circulatory support using the Impella CP device has increased with early data suggesting potential benefits over conservative management. In the current case report we describe a simple technique facilitating percutaneous Impella CP or RP exchange with preservation of transfemoral access, which does not require the use of a 0.035' wire. This technique allows for percutaneous sealing of the 14F arteriotomy using new closure devices avoiding the traditional cut-down.

Purpose We wanted to evaluate if direct procurement of the heart is possible in combination with normothermic regional perfusion of abdominal organs in donors after circulatory death. Description A donation after circulatory death pathway was used for a 41-year-old woman after an irreversible brain injury. After meeting criteria for the organ donation, the heart was retrieved and re-animated on ex situ perfusion system, and abdominal organs were perfused with normothermic regional perfusion. Evaluation All the donated organs and their recipients had excellent short-term outcome. Conclusions We demonstrated a successful combination of direct procurement of the heart and normothermic regional perfusion of the abdominal organs.

Ex vivo lung perfusion is an indispensable tool in the armamentarium of any lung transplant center. It helps to increase an already shrinking donor pool by offering a chance to assess suboptimal donor lungs in a systematic manner and improve them by treating them with low-molecular-weight perfusate. We offer a stepwise guide to carry out ex vivo lung perfusion on the donor lungs and criteria to accept them for transplants.

Donation after circulatory death (DCD) has the potential to expand the lung donor pool. We aimed to assess whether DCD affected the need for perioperative extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and perioperative outcomes in lung transplantation (LTx) as compared to donation after brain death (DBD). All consecutive LTxs performed between April 2017 and March 2019 at our tertiary center were analyzed. Donor and recipient preoperative characteristics, utilization of ECMO, and perioperative clinical outcomes were compared between DCD and DBD LTx. Multivariate models (frequentist and Bayes) were fitted to evaluate an independent effect of DCD on the intra- and postoperative need for ECMO. Out of 105 enrolled patients, 25 (23.8%) were DCD LTx. Donors' and preoperative recipients' characteristics were comparable between the groups. Intraoperatively, mechanical circulatory support (MCS) was more common in DCD LTx (56.0% vs. 36.2%), but the adjusted difference was minor (RR = 1.16, 95% CI 0.64-2.12 ; P = 0.613). MCS duration, and first and second lung ischemia time were longer in the DCD group. Postoperatively, DCD recipients more commonly required ECMO (32.0% vs. 7.5%) and the difference remained considerable after adjustment for the pre- and intraoperative covariates: RR = 4.11 (95% CI 0.95-17.7), P = 0.058, Bayes RR = 4.15 (95% CrI 1.28-13.0). Sensitivity analyses (two DCD-DBD matching procedures) supported a higher risk of postoperative ECMO need in DCD patients. Incidence of delayed chest closure, postoperative chest drainage, and renal replacement therapy was higher in the DCD group. Early postoperative outcomes after DCD LTx appeared generally comparable to those after DBD LTx. DCD was associated with a higher need for postoperative ECMO which could influence clinical outcomes. However, as the DCD group had a significantly higher use of EVLP with more common ECMO preoperatively, this might have contributed to worse outcomes in the DCD group.

Lung transplantation remains the definite treatment for various end-stage lung diseases. Cold flush perfusion, the standard method for organ procurement has severe limitations. Organ Care System (OCS; TransMedics, Inc., Andover, USA) is an approved method to preserve hearts for transplantation that allows for greatly reduced cold ischemic time. Consequently, the use of an adapted OCS lung as a portable full ex-vivo lung perfusion system in lung transplantation is currently under close evaluation. Areas covered: The aim of this article is to review the advantages and the role of the OCS in the field of lung transplantation by reviewing the latest literature and evaluating this novel procurement technique in the context of conventional methods like cold flush and regular ex-vivo lung perfusion. Expert commentary: The use of OCS in the field of lung transplantation has great potential for improved patients outcomes and is justified in cases with (i) marginal donor lungs, (ii) foreseeable long time of transportation (iii) high-risk recipient or donor /recipient profiles, particularly in the setting of an overall increasing need for suitable donor organs. Results from two major multi-centre prospective studies are pending to objectively assess the possible advantages of this portable ex-vivo lung perfusion system.

Donation after cardiocirculatory death (DCD) has lead to an increase in organ availability. However, because of medical, logistic, and ethical issues, the use of hearts from DCD donors for transplantation is not generally considered to be feasible. In this study, we investigated the feasibility of ex vivo resuscitation and assessment of the porcine heart after circulatory death using the organ care system (OCS).Cardiocirculatory death was induced in five pigs by cessation of mechanical ventilation. No heparin was administered. The agonal time (AT) was calculated as the time between a reduction of blood pressure50 mm Hg or a fall in saturation beneath 70% and the cessation of electrical activity. After a further 15 min of warm ischemia, hearts were procured and implanted into the OCS, mimicking the actual clinical scenario for other organs. Thus, procured grafts were assessed ex vivo over a period of 4 h.Four hearts were successfully resuscitated on the system (AT 8, 15, 20, and 34 min) Three grafts had excellent visual contractility and lactate trends and were considered to be transplantable. One graft (AT 34 min) had an increased lactate and abnormal contractility being unsuitable for transplantation. One heart with 48-min AT could not be resuscitated.Our data show that hearts from nonheparinized DCD porcine donors can be successfully resuscitated using the OCS in a scenario, which closely simulates clinical conditions.

Background Traditionally, patients on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) are sedated and mechanically ventilated, which increases risk of complications related to immobility and mechanical ventilation. The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility and highlight the benefits of a bridge to lung transplant (LTx) using “awake ECMO” support. Methods The peripheral venovenous or venoarterial ECMO was implanted at a bedside. A retrospective study of patients undergoing LTx between January 2007 and March 2013 was performed. Outcomes in patients supported on ECMO as a bridge to LTx and kept “awake” (Group 1) were compared with the rest of the LTx patients (Group 2). Results In this period, 249 LTx were performed and in them 7 patients were bridged to LTx using “awake ECMO” strategy. Two patients were awake at ECMO implantation and throughout the therapy, and two patients were on ventilator support at the time of ECMO implantation who were extubated later and maintained awake until LTx. The remaining three patients were awake for some time during the ECMO. There was no statistically significant difference in most donor characteristics and recipient baseline characteristics as well as post-LTx parameters between the two groups. One-year survival estimate was not different between the groups: Group 1, 85.7% vs. Group 2, 86.3% (log rank p = 0.99). Conclusion In end-stage lung disease, the ECMO can be commenced in “awake” patients and patients can be awakened on ECMO. The “awake ECMO” strategy may avoid complications related to mechanical ventilation, sedation, and immobilization and provide comparable outcomes in the high-risk LTx patients.

Left ventricular assist device (LVAD) is now a routine therapy for advanced heart failure. Minimally invasive approach via thoracotomy for LVAD implantation is getting popular due to its potential advantage over the conventional sternotomy approach in terms of reduced risk at re-operation due to sternal sparing. We compared the approaches (thoracotomy and sternotomy) to determine the superiority. Minimally invasive approach involved fitting of the LVAD inflow cannula into left ventricle apex via left anterior thoracotomy and anastomosis of outflow graft to ascending aorta via right anterior thoracotomy. In the sternotomy approach, both the procedures were performed via sternotomy. Outcomes in patients after LVAD implantation were compared depending on these approaches for the surgery. Two hundred and five continuous flow LVAD implantations performed between July 2006 and June 2015 at a single center were divided based on surgical approach, that is, sternotomy (n = 180) and thoracotomy (n = 25) groups. There was no significant difference between the groups in relation to patient demographics, preoperative hemodynamic parameters, laboratory markers, or risk factors. There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of postoperative hemodynamic parameters, laboratory markers, bleeding and requirement of blood products, intensive care unit, and hospital stay or complications of LVAD surgery. There were no significant differences in terms of long-term survival (Log-Rank P = 0.953), however, thoracotomy, compared to sternotomy approach, incurred significantly less requirement of temporary right ventricular assist (4 vs. 19.4%, P = 0.041). Minimally invasive bilateral thoracotomy approach for LVAD implantation in addition to benefits of sternal sparing avoids dilatation of right ventricle and reduces chances of right ventricular failure requiring temporary right ventricular assist.

OBJECTIVES The presence of bacterial colonization that causes chronic pulmonary infections in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients remains a key issue before lung transplantation. We sought to assess the impact of intraoperative taurolidine lavage on bacterial colonization and long-term outcomes following lung transplantation in CF patients. METHODS Between 2007 and 2013, 114 CF patients underwent lung transplantation at our institute, and taurolidine 2% bronchial lavage was applied in a substantial proportion of patients (n = 42). A detailed analysis of donor and recipient bacterial colonization status in treatment and control groups and their impact on outcome was performed. RESULTS The proportion of recipients colonized with Pseudomonas aeruginosa was lower in the taurolidine group at 3 months (P

Background A severe shortage of available donor organs has created an impetus to use extended criteria organs for heart transplantation. Although such attempts increase donor organ availability, they may result in an adverse donor-recipient risk profile. The TransMedics Organ Care System (OCS) (TransMedics, Inc, Boston) allows preservation of the donor heart by perfusing the organ at 34°C in a beating state, potentially reducing the detrimental effect of cold storage and providing additional assessment options. We describe a single-center experience with the OCS in high-risk heart transplant procedures. Methods Thirty hearts were preserved using the OCS between February 2013 and January 2014, 26 of which (86.7%) were transplanted. Procedures were classified as high risk based on (1) donor factors, ie, transport time more than 2.5 hours with estimated ischemic time longer than 4 hours, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) less than 50%, left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), donor cardiac arrest, alcohol/drug abuse, coronary artery disease or (2) recipient factors, ie, mechanical circulatory support or elevated pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR), or both. Results Donor and recipient age was 37 ± 12 years and 43 ± 13 years, respectively. Allograft cold ischemia time was 85 ± 17 minutes and OCS perfusion time was 284 ± 90 minutes. The median intensive care unit stay was 6 days. One death (3.8%) was observed over the follow-up: 257 ± 116 (109–445 days). There was preserved allograft function in 92% of patients, with a mean LVEF of 64% ± 5%. Conclusions Use of the OCS is associated with markedly improved short-term outcomes and transplant activity by allowing use of organs previously not considered suitable for transplantation or selection of higher risk recipients, or both.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects and outcome of continuous-flow left ventricular assist device (cf-LVAD) therapy in patients with preoperative acute hepatic failure. The study design was a retrospective review of prospectively collected data. Included were 42 patients who underwent cf-LVAD implantation (64.3% HeartMate II, 35.7% HeartWare) between July 2007 and May 2013 with preoperative hepatic failure defined as elevation of greater than or equal to two liver function parameters above twice the upper normal range. Mean patient age was 35 ± 12.5 years, comprising 23.8% females. Dilated cardiomyopathy was present in 92.9% of patients (left ventricular ejection fraction 17.3 ± 5.9%). Mean support duration was 511 ± 512 days (range: 2-1996 days). Mean preoperative laboratory parameters for blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, total bilirubin, and alanine aminotransferase were 9.5 ± 5.4 mg/dL, 110.3 ± 42.8 μmol/L, 51.7 ± 38.3 mmol/L, and 242.1 ± 268.6 U/L, respectively. All parameters decreased significantly 1 month postoperatively. The mean preoperative modified Model for Endstage Liver Disease excluding international normalized ratio score was 16.03 ± 5.57, which improved significantly after cf-LVAD implantation to 10.62 ± 5.66 (P < 0.001) at 7 days and 5.83 ± 4.98 (P < 0.001) at 30 days postoperatively. One-year and 5-year survival was 75.9 and 48.1%, respectively. 21.4% of the patients underwent LVAD explantation for myocardial recovery, 16.7% were successfully transplanted, and 7.1% underwent LVAD exchange for device failure over the follow-up period. Patients with preexisting acute hepatic failure are reasonable candidates for cf-LVAD implantation, with excellent rates of recovery and survival, suggesting that cf-LVAD therapy should not be denied to patients merely on grounds of "preoperative elevated liver enzymes/hepatopathy."

OBJECTIVES Lung transplantation (LTx) is a life-saving therapy for patients with end-stage lung disease. However, there remains a significant postoperative complication rate and mortality in this extreme patient group. The aim of the present study was to identify donor, recipient and perioperative risk factors for one-year mortality after LTx. METHODS A total of 252 LTxs were performed in our institution between 2007 and 2013. Donor and recipient demographics and clinical characteristics of 1-year survivors and non-survivors were collected and compared retrospectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed on univariate predictors for 1-year mortality with an entry criterion of P < 0.05. RESULTS Multivariate analysis revealed female-to-male transplantation (95% CI: 0.088-0.767; P = 0.015), lower pO2/FiO2-ratio at 72 h postoperatively (95% CI: 0.988-0.999; P = 0.024), need for postoperative extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support (95% CI: 0.035-0.658; P = 0.012) and on-pump technique (95% CI: 0.007-0.944; P = 0.045) as the only independent predictors for 1-year mortality. Mainly unplanned intraoperative conversion to cardiopulmonary bypass contributed to poorer survival in patients who underwent LTx using cardiopulmonary bypass (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Our results show that the unplanned use of CPB (conversion from off- to on-pump) might adversely affect outcome after LTx. Also, the negative impact of female-to-male transplantation should not be underestimated during recipient selection. Furthermore, poor early postoperative oxygenation, particularly with the need for extracorporeal oxygenation, might be a very strong negative prognostic factor after LTx.

OBJECTIVES: Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) are a routine treatment for patients with advanced heart failure as a bridge to transplantation. The aim of this study was to present our institutional experience and mid-term outcomes after implantation of 139 continuous-flow (cf ) LVADs as a bridge to transplantation. METHODS: One hundred and thirty-nine consecutive LVAD implantations were performed in our institution between July 2007 and August 2013. The mean age of the population was 44.0 ± 13.7 years and 24 (17%) of the patients were female. A substantial number of the patients were on preoperative mechanical support: 35 (25%) with an intra-aortic balloon pump, 9 (6.5%) with an extracorporeal membrane oxygenator and 25 (18%) with previous LVAD, for LVAD exchange. RESULTS: The mean support duration was 514 ± 481 days, whereas the longest support duration was 2493 days (>6 years). The overall cumulative survival rate following cfLVAD implantation was 89% at 30 days, 76% at 1 year and 66% at 2 years (Fig. 1). There was a statistically significant difference in survival in favour of first LVAD implantation compared with VAD exchange: 91 vs 80% at 30 days, 79 vs 57% at 1 year and 70 vs 43% at 2 years (log-rank P = 0.010). Postoperatively, patients had a significant improvement in end-organ function 1 month after LVAD implantation. In addition, comparison of two different devices [HeartMate II (HM II) and HeartWare] using propensity score matching showed no significant differences in survival and most postoperative adverse events. However, patients supported with HM II required significantly more units of fresh frozen plasma (P = 0.020) with a trend towards a higher use of red blood cells (P = 0.094), and were also more likely to develop percutaneous site infections (P = 0.022). CONCLUSIONS: HM II and HeartWare cfLVADs have excellent early postoperative outcomes and good mid-term survival, despite a considerable number of patients needing VAD exchange.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate gender differences regarding outcome after continuous-flow left ventricular assist device (cfLVAD) implantation. The study was a retrospective review of prospectively collected data. Included were 24 consecutive female cfLVAD recipients and 24 male recipients (62.5% HeartMate II, 37.5% HeartWare) who received their devices between July 2007 and May 2013. Subjects were matched using propensity score analysis based on age, diagnosis, body surface area, preoperative mechanical circulatory support, heart failure severity score (INTERMACS class), and comorbidities. Female patients were significantly sicker before operation. After propensity score matching, there were no statistically significant differences in demographics or clinical baseline characteristics between male and female LVAD recipients. Also, there was a trend towards a longer postoperative intensive care unit stay in the female group (median 9 days [interquartile range 5-17] versus 15 days [interquartile range 8-33]; P < 0.061) and higher postoperative bilirubin values (median 14 mmol/L [interquartile range 10-17] versus 21 mmol/L [interquartile range 13-30]). However, there were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of outcome (P < 0.569). The overall survival was comparable between the two groups (log rank P < 0.389). Half (50%) of female patients required inotropic support for more than 7 days compared with 21.7% in the male group (P < 0.048). Half (50%) of female recipients required short-term postoperative right ventricular assist device implantation compared with 16.7% in the male group (P < 0.014). In conclusion, cfLVAD implantation as a bridge to transplantation is associated with longer duration of inotropic support and higher requirement for postoperative mechanical right ventricular support in women with similar survival rates. Further studies are required to identify additional demographic and clinical factors that modulate outcomes and will enhance the ability to risk-stratify cfLVAD recipients.

OBJECTIVES: The Synergy® CircuLite® micropump is a novel partial-support miniature left ventricular assist device that propels 2– 3l /min blood from the left atrium into the right subclavian artery. The ability of currently available investigative modalities to confirm Synergy pump malfunction is limited. The Synergy speed fluctuates periodically (at 10-s intervals) from the baseline to a transient decrease followed by a transient increase (alternating speed algorithm, ASA) with the purpose of changing the blood flow behaviour, thereby reducing thrombogenicity. The aim of this study was to develop a simple non-invasive monitoring technique to assess pump function based on the detection of the ASA in the peripheral microcirculation. METHODS: Between February 2012 and July 2013, 10 patients with advanced chronic heart failure underwent Synergy implantation at our institution. The pump function was assessed by echocardiography and invasive monitoring according to standard protocols; additionally, the pump speed and power consumption were monitored. During the pump function assessment, the pulse oximeter waveform was recorded from the index fingers of the left and right hand with simultaneous pump auscultation using a stethoscope positioned on the pump (right infra-clavicular pocket). RESULTS: The pulse oximeter waveform was readily detectable from the right and left hand of all study patients. If the Synergy function was normal, there was a significant difference in the morphology of the pulse oximeter waveform from each hand: the ASA algorithm produced a more pronounced variation (giant wave) in the trace from the right hand than from the left. The giant waves invariably coincided with the sound variation associated with the ASA algorithms, which were detected regularly at 10-s intervals. CONCLUSIONS: We describe a simple, readily applicable, inexpensive, non-invasive technique that allows evaluation of Synergy pump function and may have diagnostic utility under conditions of suspected pump thrombus/malfunction. This technique is readily applicable from the early post-implant period throughout support and allows clinical personnel to verify blood flow variation through the Synergy, thereby providing a novel method of assessing device function.

Post-cardiotomy cardiogenic shock (PCCS) results in substantial morbidity and mortality, whereas refractory cases require mechanical circulatory support. The aim of this study was to evaluate factors influencing survival during short-term ventricular assist support in PCCS. In total, 154 CentriMag(®) (Thoratec; CA, USA) devices were implanted for cardiogenic shock between 2004 and 2011 out of which 31 were for PCCS. A retrospective review was performed in 31 PCCS patients who required the CentriMag short-term VAD as a bridge to decision. Survivors and non-survivors were compared with respect to pre- and intra-operative characteristics as well as duration of short-term VAD support. Mean duration of support was 11.7 ± 15.4 days (range 1-65 days). Seventeen (54.83 %) patients died on support, 14 (45.16 %) were weaned off or upgraded to long-term device, while 11 (35.5 %) were discharged home. The overall survival to myocardial recovery and device explantation, or upgrade to a long-term VAD, was 41.9 % (n = 13) at the study cutoff. EuroSCORE II was significantly higher in non-survivors as compared to survivors (p = 0.047). The duration of short-term VAD support was significantly longer in survivors (p 0.001). The CentriMag is a versatile, safe and effective short-term circulatory support for patients with PCCS as a bridge to decision which enables longer support and better recovery of both heart and end-organ function and thus may improve the survival of PCCS patients. Lower EuroSCORE may be essential for myocardial recovery in PCCS.

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a temporary mechanical circulatory assist method that offers circulatory as well as respiratory support efficiently via peripheral access; however, it is liable to complications. Limb ischemia is one of the notorious complications of ECMO but can be avoided utilizing a proper distal limb perfusion method. A retrospective study of patients undergoing peripheral venoarterial (VA) ECMO for various reasons between June 2010 and December 2012 was performed. All patients were evaluated by our multidisciplinary team for suitability as candidates for ECMO. A peripheral VA-ECMO circuit was implanted via groin: inflow cannula in the femoral vein, an outflow cannula and distal-perfusion cannula, or an introducer sheath in the femoral artery. During the study period, 83 patients underwent various types of ECMO; 45 received peripheral VA-ECMO. Distal limb perfusion was achieved with an introducer sheath (6-8 Fr) in 13 cases and with a distal-perfusion cannula (10-12 Fr) in 32 cases. Nine (20%) patients developed signs of ischemia; five (11.2%) were treated conservatively, while four (8.8%) required surgical intervention. One patient required a below-knee amputation. The incidences of limb ischemia and limb ischemia requiring surgical intervention were significantly higher for the introducer sheath compared with the cannula (30.6 vs. 15.6% and 15.4 vs. 6.25%, respectively). Moreover, the patients supported on ECMO with a distal-perfusion cannula spent a significantly longer time on ECMO compared with the ones in whom an introducer sheath was used (11.9 ± 9.1 vs. 7.7 ± 4.3 days). The mean cannula size was significantly greater than the mean introducer sheath size (11.1 ± 1.3 vs. 7.0 ± 1.1 Fr). Use of a distal-perfusion cannula is a most reliable method of limb perfusion in peripheral VA-ECMO. The cannula can ensure adequate and smooth perfusion of the limb owing to its large caliber, its less turbulent flow, the ability it provides to monitor the flow, and the option to attach a side port.

Lung transplantation (LTx) is significantly limited by donor organ shortage. Donor smoking history of more than 20 pack-years is considered an extended donor criterion. In this study, we retrospectively evaluated impact of donor smoking history and extent of smoking on midterm outcome after LTx.In all, 237 LTx were performed in our institution between 2007 and 2012. Patients were divided into three groups, receiving lungs from 53% nonsmoking donors, 29% smoking donors with fewer than 20 pack-years, and 18% heavy smokers with more than 20 pack-years.Preoperative donor and recipient characteristics among the groups were comparable. However, donors from the heavy smokers group were significantly older (p0.001). The overall presence of abnormal histology (inflammation or metaplasia) in donor main bronchi samples increased with the extent of smoking but did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.211). Although metaplasia was found in significantly more donors from the heavy smokers group (p = 0.037), this did not translate into inferior outcomes for the recipients. There were no statistically significant differences in PaO2/FiO2 ratio after LTx, duration of mechanical ventilation (p = 0.136), intensive care unit stay (p = 0.133), and total postoperative hospital stay (p = 0.322). One-year and three-year survival were comparable across all three groups (log rank p = 0.151). Prevalence of bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (p = 0.616), as well as bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome free survival (p = 0.898) after LTx were also comparable.In our experience, history and extent of donor smoking do not significantly affect early and midterm outcomes after LTx. Although this finding does not obviate the need for longer-term observation, donor lungs from even heavy smokers may not per se contraindicate LTx and may provide a valuable avenue for expanding donor organ availability.

Spontaneous left main coronary artery dissection is a rare cause of acute coronary events or sudden cardiac death, constituting less than 1% of all epicardial coronary artery dissections. It is often fatal and is mostly recognized at post-mortem examination in young victims of sudden death. More than 70% of the reported cases occurred in women, particularly during pregnancy and the peripartum period and those on oral contraceptives. The clinical presentation is highly variable and prognosis varies widely, depending predominantly on the speed of diagnosis. Treatment options include medical therapy, revascularization with coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and mechanical circulatory support in cases of cardiogenic shock. We report a case of spontaneous dissection of the left main stem coronary artery, with extension into the left coronary territory, which occurred in a 41-year-old lady, complicated by profound cardiogenic shock requiring recovery with extracorporeal mechanical circulatory support after salvage myocardial revascularization.

Purpose Low cardiac output syndrome is associated with significant mortality. In patients with refractory low cardiac output left ventricular assist devices (VAD) are used to re-establish cardiac output and to prevent death. However, long-term LVAD implantation in these is complicated by a high rate of right heart failure and mortality. Therefore, our strategy is to implant a short-term VAD (left or biventricular) as a bridge to decission. Methods We retrospectively analysed data from 66 patients who received a short-term LVAD support prior to implantation of a long-term LVAD or HTx between 2003 and 2014. We performed short-term LVAD (CentriMag; Thoratec) implantation via median sternotomy with percutaneous cannulas. Patients were included regardless of perioperative status and severity of heart failure. Patients suffering postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock, receiving isolated RVAD as well as posttransplant patients were excluded from this study. Results Mean duration of support in the survivor group was 35 ± 25 days versus 25 ± 25 days in the nonsurvivor group (n.s.), range from 1 to 109 days. The overall survival on support was 40 (60%) patients. In the survivor group 12 patients could be successfully weaned from the system, 12 patients received a heart transplant and in 16 a long-term VAD was implanted. In the nonsurvivor group the rate of pre-operative extracorporeal life support, the rate of postoperative renal failure and multiorgan failure was significantly higher. Conclusions Thanks to its capacity for full ventricular support, short-term univentricular or biventricular LevotronixCentriMag VAD currently represents an ideal solution for bridge-to-decision.

Left ventricular assist device (LVAD) is now a routine therapy for advanced heart failure. Authors demonstrate a novel technique of LVAD implantation through a single left thoracotomy with anastomosis of outflow graft to the arch of aorta. The technique avoids sternotomy or additional right thoracotomy, keeps ascending aorta clear and puts outflow graft away from the sternum.

In this case report, we describe a 66-year-old patient with a massive LV aneurism which resulted after myocardial infarction. Due to severe LV function impairment, it was decided to perform left ventricular reconstruction surgery and, at the same time, left ventricular assist device implantation as a bridge to transplantation. The entire procedure was completed without using any patch material. The patient had an uneventful recovery and was discharged home after 18 days. After 1-year follow-up no adverse events were observed.

Central extracorporeal life support (ECLS) is an effective treatment method of cardiogenic shock patients with or without lung failure. However, complications like infection and bleeding are common. The classical implantation approach requires full sternotomy, mobilization of the heart, with the well-known risks of bleeding and mediastinal infections. We present our minimally invasive technique for central ECLS through a nonsternotomy incision. Minimized right-sided thoracotomy is performed. Flexible arterial and venous cannulas are tunneled toward the right thoracotomy incision through the eighth intercostal space. A sewing ring is secured to the right atrium and a tube graft is anastomosed to the ascending aorta. Following full-dose heparinization, the arterial cannula is inserted with the tip into the vascular graft of the ascending aorta and the venous cannula via the ring into the right atrium. After meticulous deairing, the central ECLS is set at full flow.

En los últimos 15 años se han desarrollado nuevas tecnologías en cirugía cardíaca para evitar la incisión más frecuente, la esternotomía media, o la circulación extracorpórea, intentando así realizar una cirugía menos invasora. Entre estas técnicas se sitúa la cirugía mediante puertos o Heart Port™. Los principales beneficios de esta técnica radican, entre otros, en la disminución del traumatismo quirúrgico, lo que se asocia a una disminución del dolor postoperatorio y de la estancia hospitalaria así como a una mayor satisfacción de los pacientes desde un punto de vista estético. La cirugía valvular mitral y/o tricúspide de mínimo acceso es, en la actualidad, una técnica reproducible y segura, que puede desarrollarse con una morbimortalidad semejante a la técnica convencional, considerándose a día de hoy una opción válida de tratamiento para cualquier paciente sometido a una cirugía de sustitución o reparación mitral o tricúspide. En este artículo se describen las peculiaridades de la técnica quirúrgica y se analizan los resultados en cuanto a morbimortalidad postoperatoria de las diferentes series publicadas.In the past 15 years new technologies have been developed in cardiac surgery to avoid both the most common incision and extracorporeal circulation trying to perform less invasive surgery. Heart Port™ access is among these new techniques. The main benefits of this approach are among others decreased surgical trauma, which is associated to a reduction in postoperative pain and hospital stay as well as a greater satisfaction of patients from an aesthetic point of view. Nowadays minimally invasive cardiac surgery is effectively associated with low morbidity and mortality and it is considered a valid treatment option for any mitral or tricuspid valvular surgery. This article describes surgical aspects of minimally invasive surgery and analyses morbidity and mortality outcomes of the different published studies.

Fifty years after the first successful heart transplantation, despite multiple advances in the treatment of advanced acute and chronic heart failure, there is still no equivalent to heart transplantation as a long-term treatment for end-stage heart failure. Transplantation is, however, limited by the scarcity and quality of heart allografts. Donors are nowadays significantly older, particularly in European countries, and traumatic head injury as the cause of death has been replaced by intracerebral hemorrhage or hypoxic brain damage in the majority of cases. In addition, many donors have undergone extensive resuscitation efforts. Recipient characteristics have progressively changed too within the last couple of decades; recipients are older, often with comorbidities and nearly half of them are bridged to transplant with a wide variety of mechanical circulatory support devices. These developments have resulted in heart transplant surgery becoming significantly more challenging with longer more complex surgery and increased ischemia times for organs that were previously considered to be borderline or non-transplantable in many cases. To address this, several options have been explored within the last years and as a result, novel strategies have been developed and tested in order to optimize graft preservation and potentially increase the donor pool. The two notable developments are the ability to procure hearts from donors after circulatory death and the advent of ex-vivo perfusion of hearts. This technology has made the transplantation of extended criteria organs, including those from circulatory determined death (DCD) donors possible, and allow for out of body time of more than 12 hours in heart transplantation. In this review, we set out the basis of the current practices in organ procurement, and the opportunities for the future as demands for organ transplantation continue to increase.

Objectives Cannabis is the most commonly abused illicit drug and the smokers are at the risk of lung infections, bullous emphysema and lung cancer. However, no evidence about the outcomes of lung transplantation (LTx) utilizing the lungs from such donors is available in the literature. Methods We retrospectively analysed lung 'organ offers' and LTx at our centre between January 2007 and November 2013. The outcomes of LTx utilizing lungs from donors with a history of cannabis smoking were compared with the outcomes of those with no such history using unadjusted model as well as propensity score matching. Results A total of 302 LTxs were performed during this period and were grouped depending on the history of cannabis smoking in donors-'cannabis' (n = 19) and control group (n = 283). All the donors in 'cannabis' group were tobacco smokers compared with 43% in the control group. Preoperative characteristics in recipients in both groups were comparable. Intraoperative and post-LTx variables including 1- and 3-year survivals were comparable in both groups. Conclusions The history of donor cannabis smoking does not appear to affect early and mid-term outcomes after LTx and potentially improve the donor pool. As it does not seem to negatively affect the outcomes after LTx, it should not be per se considered a contraindication for lung donation.

Objectives: This study was sought to compare outcomes after LTx using elective CPB versus off-pump LTx versus off-pump procedures where a conversion to a CPB was necessary. Methods: 302 LTx performed over 7 years were grouped as 'off-pump' group (n = 86), 'elective on-pump' group (n = 162) and 'conversion' group (n = 54). Preoperative donor and recipient demographics and baseline characteristics as well as postoperative outcomes were compared. A 1:1 propensity score matching was applied to create a group of patients who were primarily operated using CPB with similar risk profile to that of patients who were emergently converted from off-pump to CPB intraoperatively. Also elective on-pump and off-pump groups were compared after 1:1 propensity score matching. Results: The 'conversion' group had significantly more number of patients with primary diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary fibrosis and had higher incidence of preoperative mechanical ventilation and extracorporeal life support (ECLS). Postoperatively, patients from the 'conversion' group had significantly poorer outcomes including overall cumulative survival (p

OBJECTIVES: Due to organ shortage in lung transplantation (LTx), donation after circulatory death (DCD) has been implemented in several countries, contributing to an increasing number of organs transplanted. We sought to assess long-term outcomes after LTx with organs procured following circulatory death in comparison with those obtained from donors after brain death (DBD). METHODS: Between January 2007 and November 2013, 302 LTxs were performed in our institution, whereby 60 (19.9%) organs were retrieved from DCD donors. We performed propensity score matching (DCD:DBD = 1:2) based on preoperative donor and recipient factors that were significantly different in univariate analysis. RESULTS: After propensity matching, there were no statistically significant differences between the groups in terms of demographics and preoperative donor and recipient characteristics. There were no significant differences regarding intraoperative variables and total ischaemic time. Patients from the DCD group had significantly higher incidence of primary graft dysfunction grade 3 at the end of the procedure (P= 0.014), and significantly lower pO2/FiO2 ratio during the first 24 h after the procedure (P= 0.018). There was a trend towards higher incidence of the need for postoperative extracorporeal life support in the DCD group. Other postoperative characteristics were comparable. While the overall cumulative survival was not significantly different, the DCD group had significantly poorer results in terms of bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS)-free survival in the long-term follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term results after LTx with organs procured following DCD are in general comparable with those obtained after DBD LTx. However, patients transplanted using organs from DCD donors have a predisposition for development of BOS in the longer follow-up.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate gender differences regarding outcome after continuous-flow left ventricular assist device (cfLVAD) implantation. The study was a retrospective review of prospectively collected data. Included were 24 consecutive female cfLVAD recipients and 24 male recipients (62.5% HeartMate II, 37.5% HeartWare) who received their devices between July 2007 and May 2013. Subjects were matched using propensity score analysis based on age, diagnosis, body surface area, preoperative mechanical circulatory support, heart failure severity score (INTERMACS class), and comorbidities. Female patients were significantly sicker before operation. After propensity score matching, there were no statistically significant differences in demographics or clinical baseline characteristics between male and female LVAD recipients. Also, there was a trend towards a longer postoperative intensive care unit stay in the female group (median 9 days [interquartile range 5-17] versus 15 days [interquartile range 8-33]; P 0.061) and higher postoperative bilirubin values (median 14 mmol/L [interquartile range 10-17] versus 21 mmol/L [interquartile range 13-30]). However, there were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of outcome (P 0.569). The overall survival was comparable between the two groups (log rank P 0.389). Half (50%) of female patients required inotropic support for more than 7 days compared with 21.7% in the male group (P 0.048). Half (50%) of female recipients required short-term postoperative right ventricular assist device implantation compared with 16.7% in the male group (P 0.014). In conclusion, cfLVAD implantation as a bridge to transplantation is associated with longer duration of inotropic support and higher requirement for postoperative mechanical right ventricular support in women with similar survival rates. Further studies are required to identify additional demographic and clinical factors that modulate outcomes and will enhance the ability to risk-stratify cfLVAD recipients.

OBJECTIVES: Various non-sternotomy approaches have been used for left internal mammary artery (LIMA) grafting in left single-vessel revascularization. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of three different non-sternotomy techniques on long-term outcomes after left single-vessel revascularization. METHODS: A total of 502 patients having single-vessel LAD disease treated from April 2003 to May 2013 by minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass grafting (MIDCAB), endoscopically assisted coronary artery bypass grafting (EACAB) or robotically assisted direct coronary artery bypass grafting (RADCAB) were reviewed. In all cases, distal anastomoses were performed through anterolateral minithoracotomy incisions. In-hospital and long-term (10-year) outcomes were compared using standard and propensity score-adjusted analyses. RESULTS: One hundred and eighty-nine patients had MIDCAB, 76 had EACAB and 236 had RADCAB. After propensity score matching, RADCAB patients had significantly longer operative duration (P < 0.001), whereas MIDCAB and RADCAB patients had significantly higher incidence of postoperative angina over the follow-up (P = 0.034). The groups were comparable regarding in-hospital mortality and reintervention rate as well as incidence of myocardial infarction, reoperations, reinterventions and cardiac death. All groups showed comparable long-term survival (P = 0.943). CONCLUSIONS: MIDCAB, EACAB and RADCAB are associated with similar long-term survival and incidence of major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) in single-vessel surgical revascularization. However, the endoscopic approach was found to be free from the disadvantages of longer operating duration observed in RADCAB or higher incidence of angina and shorter freedom from MACEs observed in both MIDCAB and RADCAB groups.

Arthrogryposis multiplex congenita (AMC) is characterized by contractions of multiple joints present at birth. AMC is rarely associated with cardiomyopathy. We present a case of a young man with dilated cardiomyopathy associated with AMC admitted with rapidly deteriorating severe heart failure who was offered left ventricular assist device as a bridge to transplant.

Ventricular assist device (VAD) thrombosis, though uncommon, is a well-known complication. A HeartWare VAD implanted 2 years ago in a middle-aged man stopped because of thrombosis in the VAD. Because the patient's left ventricular function was recovered by the time of intervention, only the outflow graft was isolated and cut, leaving the pump in place.

Lung transplantation (LTx) from "extended donor criteria" donors may reduce significantly organ shortage. However, its influence on results remains unclear. In this study, we evaluate retrospectively the results of LTx from donors outside standard criteria: PaO2/FiO2 ratio 300 mmHg, age over 55 years, and history of smoking 20 pack-years. Two hundred and forty-eight patients underwent first time LTx in our institution between January 2007 and January 2013. Seventy-nine patients (Group I) received organs from "extended donor criteria" and 169 patients (Group II) from "standard donor criteria." Recipients' and donors' demographics, perioperative variables, and outcome were compared. Donors from Group I were significantly older [median (interquartile range)]: 52.5 (44;58) vs. 42 (28.5;48.5) years (P 0.001) with lower PaO2/FiO2 ratio: 366 ± 116.1 455 ± 80.5 mmHg (P 0.001), higher incidence of smoking history: 57.7% vs. 41.8% (P = 0.013), and more extensive smoking history: 24(15;30) vs. 10(3.75;14) pack-years (P 0.001). Other parameters were comparable. Recipients' gender, diagnosis, percentage of patients operated on pump and receiving double LTx were also comparable. Recipients from Group I were significantly older: 50 (42;57) vs. 44 (29.5;53.5) years (P = 001). There were no differences observed in recipients' prevalence of primary graft dysfunction (PGD) grade 3 over first three postoperative days, duration of mechanical ventilation, intensive care and hospital length of stay, prevalence of rejection, and bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS). 90-day, 1-year, and 5-year survival (Group I vs. II) were also similar: 88.6% vs. 91.7%, 83.2% vs. 84.6%, and 59% vs. 68.2% (log rank P = 0.367). Carefully selected donor lungs from outside the standard acceptability criteria may expand existing donor pool with no detrimental effect on LTx outcome.

OBJECTIVES: Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) offer very valuable therapeutic options for patients with advanced heart failure. CentriMag® (Thoratec, Pleasanton, CA, USA) is an extracorporeal short-term circulatory assist device Conformite Europeenne-marked in Europe for use up to 30 days. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 41 patients with advanced heart failure who, from 2003 to 2011, were supported with CentriMag for >30 days as a bridge to recovery, long-term VAD or transplantation. RESULTS: Forty-one adult patients were supported with 46 CentriMag devices for a total of 2695 days with a mean support time of 59 (range: 31–167) days. Indications were post-cardiotomy cardiogenic shock (PC = 4), primary graft failure (PGF = 7) and refractory heart failure (RHF = 35). Six devices were used to support the left ventricle, 19 to support the right ventricle and 21 to support both the ventricles (biventricular support considered as single device unit). In the PC cohort, 3 (75%) patients were weaned from support, while 4 (57%) were weaned from support in the PGF cohort. In the RHF cohort, 8 patients were bridged to long-term VAD and 5 were bridged to transplantation; heart function recovered and device explanted in 14, while 8 patients died on support. There were no device failures. Overall, 34 (74%) patients were recovered or bridged, with a 1-year survival of 54%. CONCLUSIONS: CentriMag proved to be a versatile, safe and effective short-term circulatory support for patients with advanced heart failure as a bridge to solution. Its use over 30 days is associated with acceptable survival and does not increase device-related complications.

The implantation of a left ventricular assist device as a bridge to transplantation is a well-established treatment of end-stage heart failure in selected patients. Device-related infection is a well-known complication that may require the removal of the device. We describe a minimally invasive explantation approach with complete removal of all components of a HeartWare left ventricular assist device in a patient with persistent infection related to the device.

We describe the case of a 29-year-old woman with end-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease secondary to vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Because of critical deterioration, respiratory arrest, and complete lung failure, she required urgent implantation of a venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenator as a bridge to lung transplantation. After 6 days of extracorporeal life support, a successful bilateral sequential lung transplantation was performed. This is the first case of lung transplantation in a patient with a diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease secondary to Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.

Patients with end-stage lung disease have limited respiratory reserve. Infection or exacerbation may compromise these reserves and the patient may need ventilator assistance. Noninvasive ventilation is a first-line treatment; however, it is temporary, not very effective, and usually not tolerated for long periods of time. Invasive ventilation with endotracheal intubation followed by tracheotomy in prolonged cases of respiratory failure becomes mandatory to bridge such patients to LTx. In conventional management, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) remains a last resort in the

Despite technological advances in a newer generation of ventricular assist devices (VAD), complications, such as pump thromboses, remain a significant cause of morbidity and indeed mortality in these patients. We present the case of a 34-year old patient who underwent HeartAssist 5 (HA5) implantation as a bridge to cardiac transplant. After an initial uneventful recovery, he developed a pump thrombosis that was refractory to medical treatment. We present the surgical technique used to exchange the HA5 with a HeartWare (HVAD), leaving the old inflow-sewing ring in situ.