Guidance on the management of left ventricular assist device (LVAD) supported patients for the non-LVAD specialist healthcare provider: executive summary

The accepted use of left ventricular assist device (LVAD) technology as a good alternative for the treatment of patients with advanced heart failure together with the improved survival of patients on the device and the scarcity of donor hearts has significantly increased the population of LVAD supported patients. Device-related, and patient-device interaction complications impose a significant burden on the medical system exceeding the capacity of LVAD implanting centres. The probability of an LVAD supported patient presenting with medical emergency to a local ambulance team, emergency department medical team and internal or surgical wards in a non-LVAD implanting centre is increasing. The purpose of this paper is to supply the immediate tools needed by the non-LVAD specialized physician - ambulance clinicians, emergency ward physicians, general cardiologists, and internists - to comply with the medical needs of this fast-growing population of LVAD supported patients. The different issues discussed will follow the patient's pathway from the ambulance to the emergency department, and from the emergency department to the internal or surgical wards and eventually back to the general practitioner.

Exercise capacity following ventricular assist device implantation via thoracotomy with outflow cannula anastomosis to the descending aorta

Left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation via left lateral thoracotomy with outflow cannula anastomosis to the descending aorta is an alternative technique that avoids anterior mediastinal planes and requires a single incision. This study compares changes in exercise capacity following LVAD implantation with outflow cannula anastomosis to the descending aorta versus ascending aorta. Adult patients who received a continuous flow centrifugal LVAD implantation and completed both pre- and postimplantation cardiopulmonary exercise tests (CPETs) and or 6-minute walk tests (6MWT) were included. Change in CPET parameters (maximum oxygen intake: vO₂ max, oxygen uptake efficiency ratio: OUES, ventilatory efficiency ratio: vE/vCO₂ Slope) and 6MWT distance were compared between ascending and descending aorta anastomosis groups. Ascending and descending aorta anastomosis cohorts included 59 and 14 patients, respectively. Pre- and postimplantation CPETs were performed 63 ± 12 days before and 216 ± 17 days following implantation. The improvement in CPET parameters (vO₂ max, OUES, vE/vCO₂ Slope) or 6MWT distance was not significantly different between the ascending and descending aorta anastomosis groups. This study found no significant difference in the improvement of CPET parameters or 6MWT distance between LVAD implantation via thoracotomy with outflow cannula anastomosis to descending aorta and standard implantation via sternotomy with outflow cannula anastomosis to ascending aorta.

Evaluation of the REVEAL 2.0 simplified three-category model in a pulmonary arterial hypertension cohort enriched with congenital heart disease

Objectives

Despite a remarkable progress in the management of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) over the past decade, PAH still has a poor long-term outlook and remains an incurable condition. Risk assessment continues to be refined to identify patients at risk of early morbidity and mortality. We aimed to evaluate a new model, the US Registry to Evaluate Early and Long-Term PAH Disease Management (REVEAL) 2.0 risk score proposed for the follow-up of patients in our cohort.

Methods

We enrolled a mixed prevalent and incident cohort of patients with idiopathic PAH (20%), heritable (2.5%), congenital heart disease (CHD) (59.2%), and connective tissue diseases (18.3%) subsets (n=121) from 4 PAH centers from March 2007 to January 2019. Individual patient REVEAL 2.0 risk scores were applied at 12 months after the diagnosis (follow-up). Risk scores were calculated with 7 or more variables. Kaplan-Meier survival was estimated for a simplified three-category (low, intermediate, and high risk) model up to 60 months from 1 year after the diagnosis, with all-cause mortality as the end point. Log-rank test was used to compare estimates.

Results

The mean age was 46±16 years (78.5% women). 2/3 of the patients were CHD. The median survival was 60 months. 25 patients had died. The majority of the patients were NYHA FC II (48.8%) and III (42.1%) at follow-up. Figure 1 demonstrates KM 12- and 60- month survival in our cohort according to the simplified three-category (low, intermediate, and high risk) REVEAL 2.0 model. Overall, 58.7%, 15.7%, and 25.6% of the patients were classified as low, intermediate, and high risk, respectively, at follow-up. The REVEAL 2.0 model effectively discriminated risk in our cohort. Both 1 year- and 5 year-survival differed significantly between the 3 risk categories: 12-month mortality estimates were 1.41% for low risk, 5.3% for intermediate risk, and 16.1% for high risk (log-rank, P=0.013); and 60- month mortality estimates were 2.8% for low risk, 10.5% for intermediate risk, and 51.6% for high risk (log-rank, P=0.0001).

Conclusions

The REVEAL 2.0 simplified three-category model can be applied for risk assessment of the PAH subsets, particularly congenital heart disease at follow-up.

Figure 1

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Prospective evaluation of ventricular assist device risk scores' capacity to predict cardiopulmonary exercise parameters

OBJECTIVES

Risk scores for left ventricular assist device (LVAD) therapy are known to predict morbidity and adverse events in addition to mortality. This study evaluates the capacity of popular LVAD risk scores to predict cardiopulmonary exercise parameters.

METHODS

Adult patients undergoing continuous flow LVAD implantation were prospectively followed. Five risk scores were calculated before implantation: Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD), MELD excluding international normalized ratio (MELD-XI), MELD including sodium (MELD-Na), HeartMate2 Risk Score (HMRS) and Destination Therapy Risk Score (DTRS). Cardiopulmonary exercise tests (CPETs) were performed before and after implantation; peak oxygen consumption (vO2max), the lowest ventilation to carbon dioxide output ratio (vE/vCO2) and exercise time were measured.

RESULTS

Ninety-two patients were implanted during the study period; of these, 30 patients completed preimplantation and postimplantation CPETs (CPET cohort). The mean preimplantation and postimplantation CPET dates were 29 ± 10 days before and 109 ± 5 days following implantation. CPET parameters significantly improved after implantation (P < 0.05). In multivariate analysis, MELD, MELD-XI, MELD-Na and HMRS independently predicted both preimplantation and postimplantation vE/vCO2, while MELD-Na and HMRS were also independent predictors of preimplantation and postimplantation vO2max, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Four preimplantation LVAD risk scores (HMRS, MELD, MELD-Na and MELD-XI) independently predict important cardiopulmonary exercise parameters such as vE/vCO2 and vO2 max in LVAD therapy. Out of these 4 risk scores, MELD-Na and HMRS appear to be the best predictors of preimplantation and postimplantation CPET parameters, respectively.

Hepatic and splenic sonographic and sonoelastographic findings in pulmonary arterial hypertension

Purpose

The aim of this study was to evaluate the associations of sonographic and sonoelastographic parameters with clinical cardiac parameters, as well as to assess their value in predicting survival in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).

Methods

Thirty-six patients with PAH and normal liver function were prospectively enrolled in this prospective study along with 26 healthy controls, all of whom underwent ultrasound and point shear wave elastography examinations. Additionally, the portal vein pulsatility index (PVPI), inferior vena cava collapsibility index, and clinical cardiac variables were obtained in PAH patients. The values of hepatic (LV_s) and splenic shear wave velocity (SV_s) were compared between PAH patients and controls. The relationships between all sonographic and clinical parameters in the PAH patients were analyzed. Furthermore, their prognostic value in predicting survival was investigated.

Results

LV_s values in PAH patients (median, 1.62 m/s) were significantly higher than in controls (median, 0.99 m/s), while no significant difference was observed in SV_s values. Patients with higher grades of tricuspid regurgitation (TR) had significantly different values of PVPI (P=0.010) and sonoelastographic parameters (P<0.001 for LV_s and P=0.004 for SV_s) compared to those with less severe TR. Tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion values were the only investigated parameter found to be associated with survival (hazard ratio, 0.814; 95% confidence interval, 0.694 to 0.954; P=0.011).

Conclusion

Our results demonstrated a direct association between cardiac congestion (i.e., the severity of TR) and liver stiffness, which should be kept in mind during the assessment of fibrosis in patients with PAH.

[Turkish Cardiology Association Consensus Report: COVID-19 Pandemic and Cardiovascular Diseases (May 13, 2020)]

In December 2019, in the city of Wuhan, in the Hubei province of China, treatment-resistant cases of pneumonia emerged and spread rapidly for reasons unknown. A new strain of coronavirus (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 [SARS-CoV-2]) was identified and caused the first pandemic of the 21st century. The virus was officially detected in our country on March 11, 2020, and the number of cases increased rapidly; the virus was isolated in 670 patients within 10 days. The rapid increase in the number of patients has required our physicians to learn to protect both the public and themselves when treating patients with this highly infectious disease. The group most affected by the outbreak and with the highest mortality rate is elderly patients with known cardiovascular disease. Therefore, it is necessary for cardiology specialists to take an active role in combating the epidemic. The aim of this article is to make a brief assessment of current information regarding the management of cardiovascular patients affected by COVID-19 and to provide practical suggestions to cardiology specialists about problems and questions they have frequently encountered.

[Consensus Report from Turkish Society of Cardiology: COVID-19 and Cardiovascular Diseases. What cardiologists should know. (25th March 2020)]

In December 2019, in the city of Wuhan, in the Hubei province of China, treatment-resistant cases of pneumonia emerged and spread rapidly for reasons unknown. A new strain of coronavirus (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 [SARS-CoV-2]) was identified and caused the first pandemic of the 21st century. The virus was officially detected in our country on March 11, 2020, and the number of cases increased rapidly; the virus was isolated in 670 patients within 10 days. The rapid increase in the number of patients has required our physicians to learn to protect both the public and themselves when treating patients with this highly infectious disease. The group most affected by the outbreak and with the highest mortality rate is elderly patients with known cardiovascular disease. Therefore, it is necessary for cardiology specialists to take an active role in combating the epidemic. The aim of this article is to make a brief assessment of current information regarding the management of cardiovascular patients affected by COVID-19 and to provide practical suggestions to cardiology specialists about problems and questions they have frequently encountered.

Effect of Testosterone Level on Mortality in Patients With Left Ventricular Assist Device

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Testosterone deficiency is associated with mortality in patients with heart failure; however, its effects on patients undergoing Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) implantation are unclear. We investigated the role of total testosterone (TT) and free testosterone (FT) levels on mortality undergoing LVAD implantation.

METHODS

Between December 2010 and December 2014, 101 consecutive male patients who underwent LVAD implantation and had plasma testosterone measurement (TT and FT) in the last month before operation were included in the study. Demographics, follow-up, and mortality data were analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTS

The mean age of the patients was 51.7 ± 11 years. TT and FT levels were in the below normal range of 31.6% (n = 32) and 65.3% (n = 66) of the patients, respectively. The mean follow-up time was 355 ± 268 days, and 32 (31%) patients died during follow-up. Cumulative survival rates were significantly worse in patients with low TT and FT than patients in the normal range (P < .001 and P = .029, respectively). Multivariate analysis after adjustment for clinical variables, age, albumin, C-reactive protein, total cholesterol, chronic kidney disease, diabetes mellitus (DM), and leukocytosis showed that low TT and FT were independently associated with poor survival (HR, 3.680; 95% CI, 1.615-8.385 P = .002 and HR, 3.816; 95% CI, 1.279-11.383, P = .016, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Low TT and FT levels were independent risk factors for mortality in patients with LVAD.

P3140Burden and the clinical significance of the retained cardiac implantable electronic device components after heart transplantation

Background

Cardiovascular implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) are common in patients undergoing heart transplantation (HT), and complete removal is not always possible at the time of transplantation. Frequency and clinical significance of retained CIED components after HT is not well studied.

Methods

Adult heart failure patients whom had heart transplantation in our institution from date June 2000 to December 2018 were retrospectively evaluated. Pre-post operative chest x-rays and recorded fluoroscopy images of the previous coronary angiograms or endomyocardial biopsies were reviewed by a single observer for retained CIED components. All patients clinical records were also reviewed for adverse outcomes of retained components such as deep venous thrombosis of upper extremity, infection and mortality.

Results

A total of 226 patients had bicaval orthotopic heart transplantation during study time. 73 (32%) of the patients had CIED before transplantation and 24 (32.8%) of the patients had retained lead components after HT. (Table 1) All of the components were part of a superior vena cava coil of the right ventricular ICD lead. Mean follow up time was 46.6±49.8 months and only 1 (1.3%) adverse event (right subclavian DVT) occurred in a patient with retained lead. There were not any statistical significance for mortality and infection between patients with and without lead fragments. Patients were also compared for history of any cardiac surgery before HT, especially ventricular assist device procedures and no differences were observed between groups.

For history of any cardiac surgery p=0.748, for assist device surgery, p=0.269). Patient's medical records reviewed for a history of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Two patients with retained lead fragments had non-thorocic (abdominal and cranial) MRI and any clinical pathology did not observed after MRI.

Table 1 All Patients With Retained CIED comp. Without Retained CIED comp. p (n=226) (n=24) (n=49) Age ± sd 42.91±12.2 44.88±12.6 41.59±13 0.290 Ischemic etiology 65 (28.8%) 8 (33.3%) 13 (26.5%) 0.546 CIED type   CRT-D 5 (20.8%) 5 (%10.2) 0.215   DR-ICD 5 (20.8%) 8 (16.3%) 0.636   VR-ICD 14 (58.3%) 35 (71.4%) 0.263 Dual coil ICD lead 24 (100%) 48 (97%) 1 Mortality (%) 96 (42.5) 7 (37%) 20 (40.8%) 0.463

Conclusion

Retained CIED components were seen 32.8% of the HT patients with CIED prior to transplantation. According to our data retained leads are not associated with severe adverse clinical outcomes. Also non cardiac MRI could be safe in patients with retained lead fragments.

Left ventricular assist device implantation with left lateral thoracotomy with anastomosis to the descending aorta

OBJECTIVES

Standard implantation of the HeartWare left ventricular assist system is performed using the full sternotomy approach. However, successful implantation of left ventricular assist devices in patients with a previous median sternotomy, especially in high-risk patients, remains challenging. Herein, we compared the HeartWare left ventricular assist system implantation by thoracotomy with anastomosis of the outflow graft to the descending aorta with the standard sternotomy approach.

METHODS

Between March 2013 and June 2016, we implanted 118 adult patients with a HeartWare left ventricular assist system, excluding implants with concurrent procedures, paediatric cases and biventricular left ventricular assist device. Of these implants, 30 implants were performed with a lateral thoracotomy with outflow graft anastomosis to the descending aorta. The remaining implants were carried out with the standard median sternotomy with outflow graft anastomosis to the ascending aorta. Propensity matching using the variables age, body mass index, right atrial pressure, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, cardiomyopathy type and Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support (INTERMACS) levels resulted in a comparative data set of 30 thoracotomy and 30 sternotomy patients.

RESULTS

Within the first 30 days, the incidence of right heart failure (17% vs 10%, thoracotomy vs sternotomy) and bleeding (10% vs 7%, respectively) were similar between the surgical approaches. Thirty-day survival was 93.3% for both groups. Currently, 3 patients in the thoracotomy cohort have been transplanted and 17 remain on support, while in the sternotomy cohort, 1 patient has been transplanted and 21 remain on support.

CONCLUSIONS

In our single-centre experience, the lateral thoracotomy with outflow graft anastomosis to the descending aorta had similar early outcomes compared to the standard sternotomy.

Results of 1001 liver transplantations in 23 years: Ege University experience

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Liver transplantation (LT) is now the standard of care for most end-stage liver diseases. Over the next 30 years, advances in medicine and technology will greatly improve the survival rates of patients after this procedure. The aim of the present study was to analyze retrospectively the results of 1001 patients withLT.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Medical reports of 989 patients were analyzed retrospectively. Data were obtained from the patient's data chart. Descriptive statistics were used to describe continuous variables (mean, median, and standard deviation).

RESULTS

A total of 1001 LTs for 989 recipients were performed at Ege University Organ Transplantation and Research Center between 1994 and 2017. Therewere 639 male and 350 female recipients. Among 1001 LTs, there were 438 deceased donors and 563 living donors. The age interval of the patients was 4 months to 71 years old. The median Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score was 20. There were 12 deceased liver donors using the split method. There were 12 cases subject to retransplantation. In living donor LT grafts, 423 right lobes, 46 left lobes, and 94 left lateral sectors were used. In the first monitoring,the total annual mortality rate was 130 cases (13%). The mortality rate in retransplantation was found to be 66%. A 1-year survival rate of 87% was generally stablished.

CONCLUSION

LThas been improving consistently over the last two decades. Ege University is one of the biggest liver transplant centers in Turkey for both technical and educational perspective.

Assessment of Cardiac Complications in Patients Undergoing Pulmonary Resection

BACKGROUND

Patients who underwent lung resection in our clinic were retrospectively investigated in terms of development of postoperative cardiac complications.

METHODS

The file records of 207 patients who underwent lung resection between the years 2010 and 2014 were reviewed. One hundred and eighteeen (118) (57%) of the patients were evaluated by the preoperative cardiologist and the risk level of the patients was determined according to the Lee index. Postoperative cardiac complication relation was compared with each parameter.

RESULTS

The difference between the mean age of the patients with and without complication was statistically significant (p=0.024). When the patients were grouped as over and under 65 years old, the risk of developing postoperative complications was higher and statistically significant (p=0.015) in patients over 65 years of age. When the patients were evaluated in line with the presence of additional disease, smoking and electrocardiogram (ECG) findings, patients with hypertension developed more complications than those without hypertension (p=0.002). When the logistic regression was adjusted according to age and sex, the development of cardiac complications in patients with hypertension was 3.25 times greater.

CONCLUSIONS

It should be kept in mind that the presence of hypertension in patients who will undergo lung resection and advanced age increases the risk of cardiac complications and that preoperative cardiology care may be appropriate for these patients.