Pulmonary artery pulsatility index predicts prolonged inotrope/pulmonary vasodilator use after implantation of continuous flow left ventricular assist device

Invasive haemodynamics predict outcomes in paediatric pulmonary artery hypertension

BACKGROUND

Invasive haemodynamics are often performed for initiating and guiding pulmonary artery hypertension therapy. Little is known about the predictive value of invasive haemodynamic indices for long-term outcomes in children with pulmonary artery hypertension. We aimed to evaluate invasive haemodynamic data to help predict outcomes in paediatric pulmonary artery hypertension.

METHODS

Patients with pulmonary artery hypertension who underwent cardiac catheterisation (2006-2019) at a single centre were included. Invasive haemodynamic data from the first cardiac catheterisation and clinical outcomes were reviewed. The combined adverse outcome was defined as pericardial effusion (due to right ventricle failure), creation of a shunt for pulmonary artery hypertension (atrial septal defect or reverse Pott's shunt), lung transplant, or death.

RESULTS

Among 46 patients with a median [interquartile range (IQR)] age of 13.2 [4.1-44.7] months, 76% had CHD. Median mean pulmonary artery pressure was 37 [28-52] mmHg and indexed pulmonary vascular resistance was 6.2 [3.6-10] Woods units × m2. Median pulmonary artery pulsatility index was 4.0 [3.0-4.7] and right ventricular stroke work index was 915 [715-1734] mmHg mL/m2. After a median follow-up of 2.4 years, nine patients had a combined adverse outcome (two had a pericardial effusion, one underwent atrial level shunt, one underwent reverse Pott's shunt, and six died). Patients with an adverse outcome had higher systolic and mean pulmonary artery pressures, higher diastolic and transpulmonary pressure gradients, higher indexed pulmonary vascular resistance, higher pulmonary artery elastance, and higher right ventricular stroke work index (p < 0.05 each).

CONCLUSION

Invasive haemodynamics (especially mean pulmonary artery pressure and diastolic pressure gradient) obtained at first cardiac catheterisation in children with pulmonary artery hypertension predicts outcomes.

Research Gaps in Pediatric Heart Failure: Defining the Gaps and Then Closing Them Over the Next Decade

Given the numerous opportunities and the wide knowledge gaps in pediatric heart failure, an international group of pediatric heart failure experts with diverse backgrounds were invited and tasked with identifying research gaps in each pediatric heart failure domain that scientists and funding agencies need to focus on over the next decade.

A Novel Hemodynamic Index of Post-operative Right Heart Dysfunction Predicts Mortality in Cardiac Surgical Patients

INTRODUCTION

This study aimed to investigate whether mortality following cardiac surgery was associated with the pulmonary artery pulsatility index (PAPi): pulmonary artery pulse pressure divided by central venous pressure (CVP), and a novel index: mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) minus CVP.

METHODS

This retrospective analysis investigated all cardiac surgery patients in the Society of Thoracic Surgeons registry at a single academic medical center from January 2017 through March 2020 (n = 1510). The primary and secondary outcomes were mortality at 1 year and serum creatinine increase during index surgical admission, respectively. CVP, mPAP, PAPi, mPAP-CVP gradient, mean arterial pressure (MAP), and cardiac index (CI) were sampled continually from invasive hemodynamic monitors post-operatively. Associations with mortality were tested with univariate and multivariate analyses. The relationship with serum creatinine was investigated with Pearson's correlation at alpha = .05.

RESULTS

One-year mortality was observed in 44/1200 patients (3.7%). On univariate analysis, mortality was associated with minimums for mPAP, MAP, and CI and maximums for CVP, mPAP, PAPi, mPAP-CVP gradient, and CI (all P < .10). Model selection revealed that the only independently predictive parameters were minimum MAP (AOR = .880 [.819-.944]), maximum mPAP-CVP gradient (AOR = 1.082 [1.031-1.133]), and maximum CI (AOR = 1.421 [.928-2.068]), with model c-statistic = .770. A maximum mPAP-CVP gradient >20.5 predicted mortality with 54.5% sensitivity and 79.30% specificity, maintaining significance on survival analysis (P < .001). Peak increase in serum creatinine from baseline demonstrated a weak association with all parameters (max |r| = .33).

CONCLUSIONS

Mortality was not predicted by the post-operative PAPi; rather, it was independently predicted by the mPAP-CVP gradient, MAP, and CI.

Pulmonary Artery Pulsatility Index and Hemolysis during Impella-Incorporated Mechanical Circulatory Support

Background: Impella is a percutaneous transcatheter left ventricular assist device. Device-related hemolysis is a serious complication that is sometimes encountered depending on the device position, device speed, and support duration. However, the impact of hemodynamics on the occurrence of hemolysis remains unknown. In this study, we aimed to clarify the relationships between hemodynamics, especially right ventricular function, and the occurrence of hemolysis during Impella-incorporated mechanical circulatory support. Methods: Consecutive patients who received Impella (2.5, CP, and 5.0) support at our institute between March 2018 and July 2021 were retrospectively included. The relationships between the pulmonary artery pulsatility index (PAPi) immediately after Impella insertion and the occurrence of hemolysis were investigated. Results: Forty-two patients (median 71 years old, 60% men) were included. Hemolysis occurred in 20 patients (48%). A cutoff of PAPi to predict hemolysis was calculated as 1.3, with 80.0% sensitivity and 72.7% specificity. Lower PAPi (<1.3) significantly correlated with the occurrence of hemolysis with an odds ratio of 11.65 (95% confidence interval 1.58−85.98, p = 0.017), adjusted for other potential confounders. Survival discharge was significantly lower in patients with lower PAPi (<1.3) (50% vs. 86%, p = 0.019). Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that patients with right ventricular impairment indicated by lower PAPi following the initiation of Impella-incorporated mechanical circulatory support have a higher risk of hemolysis.