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Aims The long-term outcomes of patients treated with extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) for refractory ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation (VT/VF) out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) remain poorly defined. The purpose of this study was to describe the hospital length of stay and long-term survival of patients who were successfully rescued with ECPR after refractory VT/VF OHCA. Methods and results In this retrospective cohort study, the length of index admission and long-term survival of patients treated with ECPR after OHCA at a single centre were evaluated. In a sensitivity analysis, survival of patients managed with left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation or heart transplantation during the same period was also evaluated. Between 1 January 2016 and 12 January 2020, 193 patients were transferred for ECPR considerations and 160 underwent peripheral veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation cannulation. Of these, 54 (33.7%) survived the index admission. These survivors required a median 16 days of intensive care and 24 days total hospital stay. The median follow-up time of the survivors was 1216 (683, 1461) days. Of all, 79.6 and 72.2% were alive at 1 and 4 years, respectively. Most deaths within the first year occurred among the patients requiring discharge to a long-term acute care facility. Overall survival rates at 4 years were similar in the ECPR and LVAD cohorts (P = 0.30) but were significantly higher for transplant recipients (P < 0.001). Conclusion This data suggest that the lengthy index hospitalization required to manage OHCA patients with ECPR is rewarded by excellent long-term clinical outcomes in an expert ECPR programme.

Does point-of-care viscoelastic testing in patients undergoing left ventricular assist device implantation or orthotopic heart transplantation reduce non-red blood cell transfusion or improve postoperative outcomes?A retrospective observational study.At a single-center tertiary university hospital.Patients undergoing left ventricular assist device placement or heart transplantation INTERVENTIONS: The authors implemented a TEG-based transfusion algorithm to reduce non-red cell transfusion rates compared with historical controls.From May 15, 2019, through March 20, 2020, 68 patients underwent left ventricular assist device placement or heart transplantation. Algorithm adherence was 49.2%. After adjusting for relevant variables, platelet (odds ratio [OR] 0.58 [0.39-0.84]; p = 0.004) and cryoprecipitate (OR 0.37 [0.19-0.72]; p = 0.004) transfusion rates and time to extubation (OR -14.1 [-25.8 to -2.3]; p = 0.020) were significantly reduced compared with historical controls. After adjusting for relevant clinical variables, there was a statistically significant reduction in plasma (median [interquartile range] 0.16 [0.07-0.36], p0.001), platelets (0.06 [0.02-0.21], p0.001), and cryoprecipitate (0.06 [0.01-0.47], p = 0.007) transfusion rates and time to extubation (-16.95 [-27.20 to -6.71], p = 0.002) compared with historical controls.The authors report a statistically significant reduction in transfusion of platelets and cryoprecipitate and time to extubation after adjusting for relevant clinical variables compared with historical controls and a significant reduction in the transfusion of plasma, platelets, and cryoprecipitate and time to extubation in those patients for whom the transfusion algorithm was followed. Their results suggest the importance of implementing transfusion algorithms for patients undergoing heart transplantation and left ventricular assist device placement and of accounting for adherence.

Whether pre left ventricular assist device (LVAD) sarcopenia is associated with higher incidence of gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) on LVAD support remains unknown.To study the association between preoperative sarcopenia and post LVAD GIB events, we performed a retrospective, multi-centered study including patients with chest CTs performed ≤ 3 months prior to LVAD implantation at the University of Minnesota (n = 143) and Houston Methodist Hospital (n = 133). To quantify sarcopenia, unilateral pectoralis muscle mass indexed to body surface area (PMI) and attenuation (approximated by mean Hounsfield units; PHUThe study cohort included 276 LVAD recipients with 43 % designated as bridge to transplant at the time of LVAD implantation. High pectoralis muscle mass and tissue attenuation were both protective against GIB events. Each 5 unit increase in PHUPreoperative sarcopenia, as quantified by pectoralis muscle size and attenuation, was associated with the development of recurrent GI bleeding after LVAD implantation. These CT quantitative measures appear to predict not only early mortality but morbidity on LVAD as well.

A 72-year-old patient presented with severe tricuspid regurgitation and patent foramen ovale (PFO) in the setting of severe mediastinal shifting after remote right pneumonectomy. Surgical approach was challenging given the significant herniation of the heart and left lung into the right hemithorax. This report describes tricuspid valve replacement with PFO closure via a right posterolateral thoracotomy and alternative cardiopulmonary bypass cannulation strategy.

The Revivent TC System (BioVentrix Inc, San Ramon, CA) enables a less invasive approach for left ventricular reshaping and scar exclusion in selected patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy. Although the system is designed to improve quality of life and to promote reverse remodeling, patients can still progress to end-stage heart failure requiring advanced therapies. This report describes a case of left ventricular assist device surgery in a patient 16 months after Revivent System implantation. The planning process and surgical technique proved to be complex. This case report can help provide guidance to advanced heart failure teams who encounter patients with the Revivent System who require left ventricular assist device support.

Purpose To provide safety and outcomes data on LVAD recipients referred for cardiac rehabilitation (CR). Methods A single center continuous-flow LVAD cohort (n=505) was searched for patients with information on CR participation (n=292). The analysis was then limited to LVAD recipients who fit into one of three main CR categories: those who graduated CR (n=138), those who would have been able to participate but declined (n=61), and those who were too sick to complete or start CR (n=28). To assess the association between CR categories and mortality and hospitalizations on LVAD support, multivariate cox regression and negative binomial regression analyses were performed, respectively. Results The mean age of the cohort with CR data available was 59 +/- 14 years, 44% (128/292) were bridge to transplant (BTT), and 40% (114/292) received a HeartMate 3 device. Among those who started CR and had the opportunity to finish (enough follow up time, insurance coverage), 79% graduated. Those who graduated CR had a 96% survival at 1 year (95% CI 91-98). In the unadjusted and adjusted analyses, those who graduated CR had the highest survival and the lowest incidence rates of hospitalization among the CR categories (Table). Conclusion This study is the largest to date to report outcomes of LVAD recipients referred for cardiac rehabilitation. The lower readmission rates and high survival in the group that graduated cardiac rehab provides further evidence for the safety of CR in LVAD recipients.

The long-term outcomes of patients treated with extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) for refractory ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation (VT/VF) out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) remain poorly defined. The purpose of this study was to describe the hospital length of stay and long-term survival of patients who were successfully rescued with ECPR after refractory VT/VF OHCA.In this retrospective cohort study, the length of index admission and long-term survival of patients treated with ECPR after OHCA at a single center were evaluated. In a sensitivity analysis, survival of patients managed with left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation or heart transplantation during the same period was also evaluated.Between 1/1/2016 and 12/1/2020, 193 patients were transferred for ECPR considerations and 160 underwent peripheral veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) cannulation. Of these, 54 (33.7%) survived the index admission. These survivors required a median 16 days of intensive care and 24 days total hospital stay. The median follow-up time of the survivors was 1,216 [683, 1461] days. 79.6% and 72.2% were alive at one and four years, respectively. Most deaths within the first year occurred among the patients requiring discharge to a long-term acute care facility. Overall survival rates at four years were similar in the ECPR and LVAD cohorts (p = 0.30) but were significantly higher for transplant recipients (p 0.001).This data suggest that the lengthy index hospitalization required to manage OHCA patients with ECPR is rewarded by excellent long-term clinical outcomes in an expert ECPR program.

Pump thrombosis is a rare and infrequent complication of HeartMate III left ventricular assist device (LVAD). While there are reports of pump thrombosis in the postoperative period, to our knowledge, there have been no prior reports on pump thrombosis in the intraoperative period. Here we present a case of a 24-year-old female who required HeartMate III LVAD implantation for progressive heart failure and the intraoperative period was complicated with pump thrombosis (PT). Managing PT in the intraoperative period is challenging and time-sensitive because of its rare occurrence and paucity of recommendations in diagnosing the PT.

The purpose of this analysis is to determine whether pectoralis muscle measures quantified on pre left ventricular assist device (LVAD) computerized tomography (CT) scans can identify subgroups of patients with differential disease severity within each Interagency Registry for Mechanical Circulatory Support (INTERMACS) profile. Patients with chest CTs performed ≤3 months before LVAD implantation at University of Minnesota (n = 143) and Houston Methodist Hospital (n = 133) were identified from the larger LVAD cohorts (University of Minnesota n = 353, Houston Methodist =278). Unilateral Pectoralis muscle mass indexed to body surface area and pectoralis muscle attenuation were measured on preoperative chest CT scans. Patients within each INTERMACS profile were separated into HIGH and LOW PEC muscle groups. Kaplan-Meier and multivariable cox regression analyses were performed to compare mortality among INTERMACS profiles by HIGH and LOW PEC muscle groups. INTERMACS 3 and 4 patients in the HIGH PEC groups had the highest survival on LVAD support (1 year survival 85% vs. 68%, log rank P = 0.0001). Being in this group was associated with a 60% reduction in the hazards rate (HR) of death after LVAD (adjusted HR 0.40, 95% confidence interval 0.25-0.62). Additionally, renal function deterioration in the year before LVAD was associated with lower INTERMACS profiles and lower measured pectoralis muscle tissue attenuation at the time of LVAD implantation. INTERMACS 3 and 4 patients with the highest pectoralis muscle measures had the best survival after LVAD. The association between renal function deterioration and sarcopenia suggests these muscle changes are progressive. Computerized tomography quantification of sarcopenia may help identify optimal LVAD implantation timing.

Background: The impact of pulmonary hypertension (PH) on outcomes after surgical tricuspid valve replacement (TVR) and repair (TVr) is unclear. We sought to characterize PH in patients undergoing TVR/TVr, based on invasive hemodynamics and evaluate the effect of PH on mortality. Methods: We identified 86 consecutive patients who underwent TVR/TVr with invasive hemodynamic measurements within 3 months before surgery. We used Kaplan-Meier survival and restricted mean survival time (RMST) analyses to quantify the effects of PH on survival. Results: The mean age was 63 ± 13 years, 59% were female, 45% had TVR, 55% had TVr, 39.5% had isolated TVR/TVr, and 60.5% had TVR/TVr concomitant with other cardiac surgeries). Eighty-six percent of these patients had PH with a mean pulmonary artery pressure of 30 ± 10 mm Hg, pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) of 2.5 (interquartile range: 1.5-3.9) Wood units (WU), pulmonary arterial compliance of 2.3 (1.6-3.6) mL/mm Hg, and pulmonary arterial elastance of 0.8 (0.6-1.2) mm Hg/mL. Cardiac output was mildly reduced at 4.0 ± 1.4 L/min, with elevated right-atrial pressure (14 ± 12 mm Hg) and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (19 ± 7 mm Hg). Over a median follow-up of 6.3 years, 22% of patients died. Patients with PVR ≥ 2.5 WU had lower RMST over 5 years compared with patients with PVR < 2.5 WU. Conclusion: PH is common in patients undergoing TVR/TVr, with combined pre- and postcapillary being the most common type. PVR ≥ 2.5 WU is associated with lower survival at 5-year follow-up. Résumé: Contexte: On connaît mal les répercussions de l’hypertension pulmonaire (HP) chez les patients qui ont subi une intervention chirurgicale de remplacement de la valve tricuspide (RVT) ou de réparation de la valve tricuspide (rVT). Nous avons tenté de caractériser l’HP chez les patients ayant subi un RVT ou une rVT en fonction des paramètres de surveillance hémodynamique effractive et d’évaluer l’effet de l’HP sur la mortalité. Méthodologie: Nous avons relevé 86 patients consécutifs ayant subi un RVT ou une rVT qui avaient fait l’objet de mesures hémodynamiques effractives dans les trois mois précédant l’intervention chirurgicale. Pour quantifier les effets de l’HP sur la survie, nous avons analysé la survie au moyen de la méthode de Kaplan-Meier et de la survie moyenne restreinte. Résultats: Les patients avaient en moyenne 63 ± 13 ans; 59 % d’entre eux étaient des femmes; 45 % avaient subi un RVT et 55 %, une rVT; 39,5 % avaient subi seulement un RVT ou une rVT lors de l’intervention chirurgicale; 60,5 % avaient subi un RVT ou une rVT en même temps qu’une autre intervention cardiaque. Quatre-vingt-six pour cent de ces patients présentaient une HP avec une pression artérielle pulmonaire moyenne de 30 ± 10 mmHg, une résistance vasculaire pulmonaire (RVP) de 2,5 (intervalle interquartile : 1,5 à 3,9) unités de Wood (UW), une compliance artérielle pulmonaire de 2,3 (1,6 à 3,6) ml/mmHg et une élastance artérielle pulmonaire de 0,8 (0,6 à 1,2) mmHg/ml. On a observé une légère baisse du débit cardiaque à 4,0 ± 1,4 L/min, ainsi qu’une augmentation de la pression auriculaire droite (14 ± 12 mmHg) et de la pression artérielle pulmonaire d’occlusion (19 ± 7 mmHg). Sur une période médiane de suivi de 6,3 ans, 22 % des patients sont décédés. Le taux de survie moyenne restreinte à 5 ans était plus faible chez les patients présentant une RVP ≥ 2,5 UW que chez les patients présentant une RVP < 2,5 UW. Conclusion: L’HP est fréquente chez les patients subissant un RVT ou une rVT, le type le plus courant étant l’HP mixte (pré-capillaire et post-capillaire). Une RVP ≥ 2,5 UW est associée à un taux de survie à 5 ans plus faible.

Correction of valvular disease is often undertaken during left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation with uncertain benefit. We analyzed clinical outcomes with HeartMate 3 (HM3; Abbott) LVAD implantation in those with various concurrent valve procedures (HM3+VP) with those with an isolated LVAD implant (HM3 alone).The study included 2200 patients with HM3 implanted within the Multicenter Study of MagLev Technology in Patients Undergoing Mechanical Circulatory Support Therapy with HeartMate 3 (MOMENTUM 3) trial portfolio who underwent 820 concurrent procedures among which 466 (21.8%) were HM3+VP. VPs included 101 aortic, 61 mitral, 163 tricuspid; 85 patients had multiple VPs. Perioperative complications, major adverse events, and survival were analyzed.Patients who underwent HM3+VP had higher-acuity Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support (INTERMACS) profiles (1-2: 41% vs 31%) compared with no VPs (P .05). The cardiopulmonary bypass time (124 vs 76 minutes; P.0001) and hospital length of stay (20 vs 18 days; P.0001) were longer in HM3+VP. A higher incidence of stroke (4.9% vs 2.4%), bleeding (33.9% vs 23.8%), and right heart failure (41.5% vs 29.6%) was noted in HM3+VP at 0 to 30 days (P .01), with no difference in 30-day mortality (3.9% vs 3.3%) or 2-year survival (81.7% vs 80.8%). Analysis of individual VP showed no differences in survival compared to HM3 alone. No differences were noted among patients with either significant mitral (moderate or worse) or tricuspid (moderate or worse) regurgitation with or without corrective surgery.Concurrent VPs, commonly performed during LVAD implantation, are associated with increased morbidity during the index hospitalization, with no effect on short- and long-term survival. There is sufficient equipoise to consider a randomized trial on the benefit of commonly performed VPs (such as mitral or tricuspid regurgitation correction), during LVAD implantation.

Background We have previously demonstrated that pectoralis muscle mass and tissue attenuation obtained on preoperative CT scans were powerful predictors of mortality after left ventricular assist device implantation. In this analysis, we confirm our findings in a separate left ventricular assist device implantation cohort, and we present a novel, user-friendly mortality-prediction model incorporating these measures. Methods and Results Patients with chest CTs performed ≤ 3 months prior to left ventricular assist device implantation at University of Minnesota (n = 143) and Houston Methodist Hospital (n = 133) were identified. Unilateral pectoralis muscle mass indexed to body surface area (PMI) and attenuation (approximated by mean Hounsfield units) (PHUm) were measured on preoperative chest CT scans. To develop a prediction model incorporating pectoralis muscle measures, we implemented a cross-validated model-selection approach using Cox proportional hazards regression models. The final model included PHUm, PMI, African American race, creatinine, total bilirubin, body mass index, bridge to transplant, and presence or absence of contrast. Receiver-operating characteristic curves for 30-, 90- and 365-day survival were generated. The area under the curve for the model at 30, 90 and 365 days was 0.78, 0.76 and 0.76, respectively. Conclusions The Minnesota Pectoralis Risk Score had favorable discrimination in this multicenter dataset. These skeletal-muscle measures appear to add important information to preoperative risk assessment.

HeartMate III is an emerging, small-sized centrifugal ventricular assist device. Its lower pump thrombosis and stroke rates make it favorable for use in pediatrics. We report the use of HeartMate III as a bridge to transplantation in an adolescent with failed Fontan circulation. (Level of Difficulty: Advanced.), Graphical abstract, HeartMate III is an emerging, small-sized centrifugal ventricular assist device. Its lower pump thrombosis and stroke rates make it favorable for use…

Introduction: Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is currently the mainstay of treatment of severe aortic stenosis (AS). We aim to investigate the evolution of transaortic mean gradients in surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) patients before and after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of TAVR. Hypothesis: We assessed the hypothesis that mean gradients across the aortic valve were higher in 2011-2012 before FDA approval of TAVR. Methods: Patients who underwent SAVR in 2011-2012 (n=138) and 2019-2020 (n=134) at the University of Minnesota Medical Center were included. Those with implanted mechanical valves (n=602) were excluded. Valve size and mean aortic gradients were compared between the 2 study groups. Results: Out of 272 patients included in this study, 65.8% were males. Patients underwent SAVR at an older age in 2011-2012 (median 74, IQR 65-82) compared to 2019-2020 (median 67, IQR 60-73). The mean aortic valve gradient post-SAVR was higher in 2011-2012 (median 12, IQR 8-18 vs. median 10, IQR 7-13 in 2019-2020, p=0.016). The median valve size was smaller in 2011-2012 (21 mm vs. 23 mm, p(table) . Conclusion: Patients who underwent SAVR in 2011-2012 were older, more likely to receive smaller valve sizes, and had higher mean aortic valve gradients after SAVR.

The EUROMACS Right-Sided Heart Failure Risk Score was developed to predict right ventricular failure (RVF) after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) placement. The predictive ability of the EUROMACS score has not been tested in other cohorts. We performed a single center analysis of a continuous-flow (CF) LVAD cohort (n = 254) where we calculated EUROMACS risk scores and assessed for right ventricular heart failure after LVAD implantation. Thirty-nine percent of patients (100/254) had post-operative RVF, of which 9% (23/254) required prolonged inotropic support and 5% (12/254) required RVAD placement. For patients who developed RVF after LVAD implantation, there was a 45% increase in the hazards of death on LVAD support (HR 1.45, 95% CI 0.98–2.2, p = 0.066). Two variables in the EUROMACS score (Hemoglobin and Right Atrial Pressure to Pulmonary Capillary Wedge Pressure ratio) were not predictive of RVF in our cohort. Overall, the EUROMACS score had poor external discrimination in our cohort with area under the curve of 58% (95% CI 52–66%). Further work is necessary to enhance our ability to predict RVF after LVAD implantation.

Carcinoid tumours of the heart occur most commonly as a result of metastatic disease and usually affect the right side of the heart. We report a case of a solitary carcinoid metastasis to the interventricular septum without hepatic involvement in a 74-year-old man.

In two interim analyses of this trial, patients with advanced heart failure who were treated with a fully magnetically levitated centrifugal-flow left ventricular assist device were less likely to have pump thrombosis or nondisabling stroke than were patients treated with a mechanical-bearing axial-flow left ventricular assist device.We randomly assigned patients with advanced heart failure to receive either the centrifugal-flow pump or the axial-flow pump irrespective of the intended goal of use (bridge to transplantation or destination therapy). The composite primary end point was survival at 2 years free of disabling stroke or reoperation to replace or remove a malfunctioning device. The principal secondary end point was pump replacement at 2 years.This final analysis included 1028 enrolled patients: 516 in the centrifugal-flow pump group and 512 in the axial-flow pump group. In the analysis of the primary end point, 397 patients (76.9%) in the centrifugal-flow pump group, as compared with 332 (64.8%) in the axial-flow pump group, remained alive and free of disabling stroke or reoperation to replace or remove a malfunctioning device at 2 years (relative risk, 0.84; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.78 to 0.91; P0.001 for superiority). Pump replacement was less common in the centrifugal-flow pump group than in the axial-flow pump group (12 patients [2.3%] vs. 57 patients [11.3%]; relative risk, 0.21; 95% CI, 0.11 to 0.38; P0.001). The numbers of events per patient-year for stroke of any severity, major bleeding, and gastrointestinal hemorrhage were lower in the centrifugal-flow pump group than in the axial-flow pump group.Among patients with advanced heart failure, a fully magnetically levitated centrifugal-flow left ventricular assist device was associated with less frequent need for pump replacement than an axial-flow device and was superior with respect to survival free of disabling stroke or reoperation to replace or remove a malfunctioning device. (Funded by Abbott; MOMENTUM 3 ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02224755.).

Early readmission (within 30 days) after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation might be a marker for increased mortality. We retrospectively reviewed the records of 277 adults who underwent continuous-flow LVAD implantation from 2005 through 2015 at our institution. The baseline characteristics of patients who were (versus were not) readmitted within 30 days after LVAD implantation were compared. To assess the impact of 30 day readmission on long-term survival, we used multivariate Cox regression. We also compared the cardiac transplant rate between the two groups. Of the 277 patients, 217 (78.3%) underwent LVAD implantation as a bridge-to-transplant; 76 (27.4%) of the 277 were readmitted within 30 days. The most common reason for readmission was volume overload (23.6%), followed by gastrointestinal bleeding (15.8%). Male gender, previous smoking, a higher baseline creatinine level, higher Model for End Stage Liver Disease Excluding INR (MELD-XI) score, and postoperative gastrointestinal bleeding or stroke were each associated with 30 day readmission. In our final multivariate model, increased mortality was also associated with 30 day readmission (hazard ratio, 1.60; 95% confidence interval, 1.1-2.5). Among the 217 bridge-to-transplant patients, the cardiac transplant rate was similar between the two groups: 18.7 transplants per patient-year among those who were readmitted within 30 days versus 19.7 transplants per patient-year among those who were not (p = 0.26). Among our study patients, 30 day readmission after LVAD implantation was frequent and was associated with increased mortality. It is currently unclear whether the general health of those patients was a factor and whether efforts to reduce 30 day readmission would favorably affect longer-term patient outcomes.

Myocardial fibrosis identified by apical core pathology at the time of left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation may add information regarding myocardial recovery potential. In this analysis, we report the prevalence of myocardial fibrosis by cardiomyopathy type and its association with other known markers of left ventricular recovery. Left ventricular assist device core pathology was reviewed on 332 patients who underwent LVAD implantation at a single institution between 2005 and 2016. Baseline clinical and echocardiographic characteristics were compared among patients with and without myocardial fibrosis by cardiomyopathy type. Among the 332 LVAD core specimens, myocardial fibrosis was present in 79%. Myocardial fibrosis was more common in ischemic than in nonischemic patients (90% vs. 66%; p < 0.001). Patients with fibrosis were older than those without (58 ± 12 vs. 55 ± 19; p < 0.05). Among the nonischemic cardiomyopathy cases, those with fibrosis were more likely to have an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) 81% and to be diabetic 81%. Fibrosis was not associated with left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD), creatinine, or N-terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide (NT-pro BNP). Myocardial fibrosis by apical core biopsy correlated with several known markers of left ventricular recovery including cardiomyopathy type, age, and presence of an ICD. In nonischemic cardiomyopathy patients, the degree of myocardial fibrosis may add information regarding recovery potential.

Background: The association between ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) and mortality in patients supported by continuous flow left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) remains controversial. Objective: To evaluate the association between pre-implantation, early (≤30 day) post-implantation VAs and mortality in bridge to transplant (BTT) and destination therapy (DT) LVAD patients, separately. The risk factors for post LVAD VAs were also investigated.Methods: In this observational cohort study, we included 341 patients who received a first time, continuous flow LVAD between January 1st 2010 and July 30th 2018. We used Kaplan Meier curves and multivariable cox regression analyses to study the association between VAs and mortality in the BTT and DT populations.Results: The mean age of the cohort was 58 ± 14 years, with 82% males, 53% had ischemic cardiomyopathy, and 45% were DT. The mean follow-up was 2.2 ± 2.1 years. In both BTT and DT cohorts, pre LVAD VAs were not associated with mortality after LVAD implantation (log-rank p=0.95 and p=0.089, respectively). In the BTT population, early post-LVAD VAs were not statistically associated with increased mortality (log rank p=0.072). In the DT patients, early post LVAD VAs were associated with a 67 % increase in the hazards rate of mortality on LVAD support (HR 1.67 [1.05-2.65], p=0.029). The final model was adjusted for type of cardiomyopathy, INTERMACS profile, glomerular filtration rate, post LVAD atrial fibrillation, age and cerebrovascular events.Conclusion: Early post-LVAD VA is common after LVAD implantation and is an independent predictor of mortality in the DT LVAD population.

Summary Background Among patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) and ventricular fibrillation, more than half present with refractory ventricular fibrillation unresponsive to initial standard advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) treatment. We did the first randomised clinical trial in the USA of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO)-facilitated resuscitation versus standard ACLS treatment in patients with OHCA and refractory ventricular fibrillation. Methods For this phase 2, single centre, open-label, adaptive, safety and efficacy randomised clinical trial, we included adults aged 18–75 years presenting to the University of Minnesota Medical Center (MN, USA) with OHCA and refractory ventricular fibrillation, no return of spontaneous circulation after three shocks, automated cardiopulmonary resuscitation with a Lund University Cardiac Arrest System, and estimated transfer time shorter than 30 min. Patients were randomly assigned to early ECMO-facilitated resuscitation or standard ACLS treatment on hospital arrival by use of a secure schedule generated with permuted blocks of randomly varying block sizes. Allocation concealment was achieved by use of a randomisation schedule that required scratching off an opaque layer to reveal assignment. The primary outcome was survival to hospital discharge. Secondary outcomes were safety, survival, and functional assessment at hospital discharge and at 3 months and 6 months after discharge. All analyses were done on an intention-to-treat basis. The study qualified for exception from informed consent (21 Code of Federal Regulations 50.24). The ARREST trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03880565. Findings Between Aug 8, 2019, and June 14, 2020, 36 patients were assessed for inclusion. After exclusion of six patients, 30 were randomly assigned to standard ACLS treatment (n=15) or to early ECMO-facilitated resuscitation (n=15). One patient in the ECMO-facilitated resuscitation group withdrew from the study before discharge. The mean age was 59 years (range 36–73), and 25 (83%) of 30 patients were men. Survival to hospital discharge was observed in one (7%) of 15 patients (95% credible interval 1·6–30·2) in the standard ACLS treatment group versus six (43%) of 14 patients (21·3–67·7) in the early ECMO-facilitated resuscitation group (risk difference 36·2%, 3·7–59·2; posterior probability of ECMO superiority 0·9861). The study was terminated at the first preplanned interim analysis by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute after unanimous recommendation from the Data Safety Monitoring Board after enrolling 30 patients because the posterior probability of ECMO superiority exceeded the prespecified monitoring boundary. Cumulative 6-month survival was significantly better in the early ECMO group than in the standard ACLS group. No unanticipated serious adverse events were observed. Interpretation Early ECMO-facilitated resuscitation for patients with OHCA and refractory ventricular fibrillation significantly improved survival to hospital discharge compared with standard ACLS treatment. Funding National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.

Assess the association between digoxin use and gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) in a multicenter continuous flow left ventricular assist device (LVAD) cohort.Patients implanted with continuous flow LVADs with data on GIB and digoxin use from two centers were included in the analysis (n = 649). GIB events were captured up to 2 years of follow-up. Digoxin use was defined as digoxin prescribed at discharge or within the first 3 months after LVAD implantation. A negative binomial regression model was performed to determine the association between digoxin use and number of GIB events over the follow-up period.Mean age of the cohort was 57 years (±14) and 45% (293/649) were bridge to transplant (BTT). Digoxin was prescribed in 33% of patients. Digoxin use was associated with an unadjusted 32% reduction in the incidence of rate of all cause GIB (IRR 0.68, 95% CI 0.46-0.99, p = 0.049). After adjusting for age, sex, Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support (INTERMACS) profile, renal function, and implanting center there was still a 34% reduction in the incidence rate (IRR 0.67, 95% CI 0.45-0.99, p = 0.048). When limiting the analysis to those with likely arteriovenous malformation associated GIB, the association strengthened (unadjusted: IRR 0.48, 95 % CI 0.26-0.89, p = 0.02, adjusted: IRR 0.47, 95 % CI 0.25-0.9, p = 0.022).In this multicenter study, inclusive of contemporary devices, digoxin use was associated with reduced GIB events. Prospective data will be required to confirm this association.