Outcomes of Heart Transplantation in Adult Congenital Heart Disease With Prior Intracardiac Repair

Current approaches to optimize the donor heart for transplantation

Heart transplantation remains a critical therapy for patients with end-stage heart failure, offering incremental survival and improved quality of life. One of the key components behind the success of heart transplantation is the condition and preservation of the donor's heart. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of ischemic reperfusion injury, risk factors associated with primary graft dysfunction, current use of various preservation solutions for organ procurement, and recent advancements in donor heart procurement technologies. This state-of-the-art review will explore factors associated with bringing the "ideal" donor heart to the operating room in the contemporary era.

Heart transplantation in adults with congenital heart diseases: A comprehensive meta-analysis on waiting times, operative, and survival outcomes

The rising prevalence of congenital heart disease (CHD) among adults has led to increased heart transplantation (HT) procedures in this population. However, CHD patients face significant challenges including longer waiting times, higher early mortality rates, and increased risks of complications such as renal dysfunction. This systematic review and meta-analysis examined 50 studies to assess waiting times, postoperative outcomes, and survival rates in CHD patients undergoing HT compared to non-CHD patients. Results revealed that CHD patients experience longer HT waiting times (mean difference [MD]: 53.86 days, 95 % CI: [22.00, 85.72], P = 0.0009) and increased ischemic times (MD: 20.01 min, 95 % CI: [10.51, 29.51], P < 0.0001), which may increase waitlist and early postoperative mortality. Regarding complications, renal dysfunction is more prevalent in CHD patients than in non-CHD patients (RR: 2.05, 95 % CI: [1.61, 2.61], P < 0.00001). Despite these challenges, long-term survival rates for CHD patients are comparable to those of non-CHD recipients, with significant improvements noted in recent allocation systems. Our findings emphasize the need for ongoing refinements in HT allocation systems to improve outcomes for CHD patients, particularly in reducing waiting times and managing post-transplant complications.

Risk of Post-Transplant Malignancy After Isolated Heart Transplant Among Adult Patients With Congenital Heart Disease

INTRODUCTION

Patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) are at increased risk of cancer. In patients with CHD and advanced heart failure, isolated heart transplantation (HT) can be considered. In the overall HT population, immunosuppression after HT increases the risk of post-transplant malignancy (PTM). However, cancer outcomes among adult HT patients with CHD have not been investigated.

METHODS

Patients aged ≥ 18 years who received HT between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2021 were identified using the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) registry. Patients with CHD were compared to those without. T primary outcome was a composite outcome of PTM or death due to malignancy. Multivariable Fine-Gray competing-risk regression was used to estimate the subhazard ratio (SHR) of primary and secondary outcomes.

RESULTS

Of the total of 29717 patients with HT were included, 1017 (3.4%) had CHD. Patients with CHD were younger, more likely to be female, and have had prior cardiac surgery. After multivariable competing-risk regression, CHD was associated with a higher risk of the primary outcome (SHR 1.43, 95% CI 1.15-1.80). Among patients who developed PTM, the median time to diagnosis of first PTM (median 36 vs. 46 months, p = 0.027) was shorter in patients with CHD. Among patients with CHD, survival after PTM was significantly lower compared with patients without malignancy (HR 3.32, 95% CI 2.03-5.43).

CONCLUSIONS

Among adult patients with HT, CHD was associated with an increased risk of PTM. Further investigation is warranted to identify risk factors and screening strategies for malignancy in this patient population.

Heart Transplantation for Adults With Congenital Heart Disease Can Be Performed at Adult or Pediatric Hospitals With Comparable Outcomes

INTRODUCTION

The goal of this study was to evaluate the relationship between hospital-related factors and hospital type on outcomes of heart transplantation for patients with adult congenital heart disease (ACHD).

METHODS

Patients with ACHD who underwent heart transplant between 2010 and 2021 were identified using the United Network for Organ Sharing data registry. The primary outcome was post-transplant mortality. Kaplan-Meier unadjusted survival curves were compared using the log-rank test. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard models were used for risk-adjustment in evaluating the independent effect of hospital type on post-transplant mortality.

RESULTS

Of 70 centers, 54 (77.1%) adult centers performed 415 (87.0%) heart transplants and 16 (22.9%) pediatric centers performed 62 (13.0%) heart transplants. Patients transplanted at pediatric centers were younger, had lower creatinine levels, and had lower body mass index. The unadjusted 1-y and 5-y survival was comparable in pediatric versus adult centers, respectively: 93.4% versus 86.6% (log-rank P = 0.16) and 87.4% versus 73.9% (log-rank P = 0.06). These findings persisted after risk-adjustment. One-year mortality hazard ratio for pediatric hospitals: 0.64 (0.22-1.89, P = 0.416) and 5-y mortality hazard ratio for pediatric hospitals: 0.53 (0.21-1.33, P = 0.175). Rates of acute rejection, postoperative stroke, and new-onset postoperative dialysis were also comparable.

CONCLUSIONS

Heart transplantation for patients with ACHD can be performed safely in adult centers. The majority of heart transplant for ACHD in the United States are performed at adult hospitals. However, further research is needed to delineate the impact of individual surgeon characteristics and hospital-related factors on outcomes.

Staged therapeutic surgery for progressive pulmonary regurgitation and pacemaker induced cardiomyopathy after the tetralogy of fallot repair

BACKGROUND

Recently, improvements in the repair of tetralogy of Fallot have increased the need for reoperation in adulthood, and it's not rare that these reoperation candidates suffer from biventricular failure. However, there are no firm treatment guidelines, and each country, and even each facility, treats each case individually.

CASE PRESENTATION

We report the successful staged treatment of pulmonary regurgitation and pacemaker-induced cardiomyopathy with biventricular failure in adulthood in a case of complete atrioventricular block after tetralogy of Fallot repair in childhood. We planned a staged therapeutic strategy with preoperative left ventricular volume reduction with medication, following surgical pulmonary valve replacement concomitant epicardial lead implantation on the lateral basal wall, placed just beneath the generator pocket through 3rd intercostal space. in addition to postoperative intervention with a defibrillator to adjust cardiac resynchronization therapy, resulted in improvement of symptoms.

CONCLUSION

In a patient with biventricular failure after TOF repair, a staged treatment strategy involving medication, PVR, and CRT with a combination of epicardial and intravenous leads could be a useful treatment worth trying before heart transplantation.

Survival After Cardiac Transplantation in Adults With Single-Ventricle Congenital Heart Disease

BACKGROUND

Without large-scale analyses of adults with single-ventricle congenital heart disease (CHD) undergoing heart transplantation, little evidence exists to guide listing practices and patient counseling.

OBJECTIVES

This study aims to evaluate survival after heart transplantation in adults with single and biventricular CHD and compare it to that of non-CHD transplant recipients.

METHODS

In this 15-year (2005-2020) retrospective analysis, outcome-blinded investigators used probability-linkage to merge the National (Nationwide) Inpatient Sample and Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network data sets.

RESULTS

Of 382 adult (≥18 years of age) heart transplant recipients with CHD, 185 (48%) had single-ventricle physiology. Compared to biventricular CHD, single-ventricle patients showed significantly reduced survival at 1 (80% vs 91%; HR: 2.50; 95% CI: 1.40-4.49; P = 0.002) and 10 years (54% vs 71%; HR: 2.10; 95% CI: 1.38-3.18; P < 0.001). Among patients who survived the first post-transplantation year, biventricular CHD patients exhibited similar 10-year survival as single-ventricle patients, except for those with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (79% vs 71%; HR: 1.58; 95% CI: 0.85-2.92; P = 0.15). Additionally, biventricular CHD transplant recipients showed significantly better 10-year conditional survival compared to their non-CHD counterparts (79% vs 68%; HR: 0.73; 95% CI: 0.59-0.90; P = 0.003).

CONCLUSIONS

Among adult CHD transplant recipients, single-ventricle physiology correlated with higher short-term mortality. However, 10-year conditional survival was similar for biventricular and most single-ventricle CHD patients, and notably better for biventricular CHD patients compared to non-CHD heart transplant recipients. These findings have significant implications towards patient selection and listing strategies, easing concerns related to heart transplantation in adults with CHD and destigmatizing most subtypes of single-ventricle CHD.

Continuous-Flow Ventricular Assist Device Support in Adult Congenital Heart Disease: A 15-Year, Multicenter Experience of Temporary and Durable Support

Heart failure (HF) is common in adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) patients; however, use of continuous-flow ventricular assist devices (CF-VADs) remains rare. We reviewed outcomes of patients with congenital heart disease greater than or equal to 18 years of age at the time of CF-VAD implant at the affiliated pediatric and adult institutions between 2006 and 2020. In total, 18 ACHD patients (15 with great anatomical complexity) received 21 CF-VADs. Six patients (median age 34 years) received seven percutaneous CF-VADs with a median duration of support of 20 days (3-44 days) with all patients survived to hospital discharge and two patients were bridged to durable CF-VADs. Fourteen patients (median age 38 years) received durable CF-VADs. Thirteen patients (93%) survived to hospital discharge and the median duration of support was 25.8 months (6.4-52.1 months). Estimated survival on durable CF-VAD at 1, 3, and 5 years was 84%, 72%, and 36%, respectively. Three patients were successfully bridged to transplantation. Device-related complications include cerebrovascular accident (n = 5), driveline infection (n = 3), device infection requiring chronic antibiotic therapy (n = 4), gastrointestinal bleeding (n = 6), and presumed pump thrombosis (n = 5). These results show percutaneous and durable CF-VADs can support ACHD patients with advanced HF.

Ventricular assist device for end-stage adult congenital heart disease patients: Current status

As long-term surgical outcome of congenital heart disease has continued to improve, most pediatric patients with congenital heart disease are able to reach adulthood. However, adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) patients have increased risk of arrhythmia, valvular diseases, infectious endocarditis, and heart failure. The end-stage ACHD patients with advanced heart failure may require mechanical circulatory support to improve the heart failure symptoms or to recover from circulatory collapse, and may eventually aim to heart transplant or destination therapy. In general, long-term mechanical support for dilated cardiomyopathy or ischemic cardiomyopathy has been achieved with left ventricular assist device with excellent survival outcomes and improved quality of life. However, the ventricular assist device for end-stage ACHD patients can be challenging due to patient-specific anatomical feature, multiple histories of surgical and catheter-based interventions and possible multiple end-organ dysfunctions, and offered less frequently compared to non-ACHD patients. The Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support data published recently showed that ACHD patients receiving long-term mechanical circulatory support consisted <1 % of all registrants and had higher mortality after mechanical support than non-ACHD patients. However, the ACHD patients supported with left ventricular assist device had similar survival with non-ACHD patients and a large proportion of the mortality difference between ACHD and non-ACHD patients seemed to result from operative and perioperative factors. Therefore, the ventricular assist device therapy can be an excellent treatment for selected ACHD patients. In this paper, we describe the current status of ventricular assist device support for end-stage ACHD patients and consideration to the future.

Advanced heart failure and heart transplantation in adult congenital heart disease in the current era

BACKGROUND

Adults with congenital heart disease (ACHD) may undergo heart transplantation (HTx) despite increased risk of poor short-term outcomes due to factors including surgical complexity and antibody sensitization. We assessed the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with ACHD in the current era referred for HTx at a single high-volume transplant center.

METHODS

From 2010-2020, 37 ACHD patients were evaluated for HTx. ACHD HTx recipients were compared to non-ACHD HTx recipients matched for age, sex, listing status, and prior cardiac surgery.

RESULTS

Of the 37 patients with ACHD, 8 (21.6%) were declined for HTx. Of 29 ACHD patients listed, 19 (65.5%) underwent HTx. Compared with non-ACHD HTx controls, the ACHD HTx recipients had more treated cellular (21.1% vs 15.8%, p = 0.010) and antibody-mediated (15.8% vs 10.5%, p = 0.033) rejection. There was no difference in hospital readmission or allograft vasculopathy at 1 year. There was a nonsignificant higher 1-year mortality in ACHD HTx recipients (21.1% vs 7.9%, p = 0.21).

CONCLUSION

At a high-volume transplant center, ACHD patients undergoing HTx appear to have a marginally higher risk of rejection, but no significant increase in 1-year mortality. With careful selection and management, HTx for patients with ACHD may be feasible in the current era. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Cardiac transplantation in adults with congenital heart disease: A single center case series

BACKGROUND

Adult congenital heart disease (CHD) transplant recipients historically experienced worse survival early after transplantation. We aim to review updated trends in adult CHD transplantation.

METHODS

We performed a single center case series of adult cardiac transplants from January 2013 through July 2020. Outcomes of patients with CHD were compared to non-CHD. The primary outcome was overall survival. Secondary outcomes included a variety of post-operative complications.

RESULTS

18/262 (7%) transplants were CHD recipients. CHD patients were younger with median age 41 (32-47) versus 58 (48-65) (P < .001). Fontan circulation for single ventricle physiology was present in 4/18 (22%) of CHD recipients, while 16/18 (89%) had systemic right ventricles. CHD recipients had higher rates of previous cardiovascular operations (94% vs. 51%, P < .001). 9/18 (50%) of CHD patients required reconstructive procedures at the time of transplant. Operative and cardiopulmonary bypass times were longer for the CHD cohort (7.5 h [6.6-8.5] vs. 5.6 h [4.6-7] P < .001) and (197 min [158-240] vs. 130 [105-167] P < .001), respectively. There were no differences in operative complications or survival between CHD and non-CHD recipients.

CONCLUSIONS

These data highlight the added technical challenges of performing adult CHD transplants. However, similar outcomes can be achieved as for non-CHD recipients.

SUMMARY

Modern advances in palliation of congenital heart defects (CHD) has led to increased survival into adulthood. Many of these patients require heart transplantation as adults. There are limited data on adult CHD transplantation. Historically, these patients have had worse perioperative outcomes with improved long-term survival. We retrospectively analyzed 262 heart transplants at a single center, 18 of which were for adult CHD. Here, we report our series of 18 CHD recipients. We detail the palliative history of all CHD patients and highlight the added technical challenges for each of the 18 patients at transplant. In our analysis, CHD patients had more prior cardiovascular surgeries as well as longer transplant operative and bypass times. Despite this, there were no differences in perioperative and long-term outcomes. We have added patient and institution specific data for transplanting patients with adult CHD. We hope that our experience will add to the growing body of literature on adult CHD transplantation.