Acute right atrial thrombus formation after extracorporeal life support removal during LVAD-implantation

A 58-year-old male underwent LVAD-Implantation after ECLS explantation. After removal of ECLS (A) transesophageal echocardiography revealed thrombus in the inferior vena cava (B) and right atrium (C). The thrombus was removed with a second pump run including RVAD-Implantation. (D) The diameter of thrombus formations was 6 × 1 cm and 5 × 1.5 cm.

Interventricular Septal Hematoma Complicating Ventricular Assist Device Placement in an Infant: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Interventricular septal hematoma is a rare and life-threatening complication of pediatric cardiac surgery. Commonly seen following ventricular septal defect repair, it has also been associated with ventricular assist device (VAD) placement. Although conservative management is usually successful, operative drainage of interventricular septal hematoma occurring in pediatric patients undergoing VAD implantation should be considered.

Use of Left Ventricular Assist Device After Arterial Switch Operation in Late Presenting D-Transposition of Great Arteries-A Technique for Retraining the Regressed Left Ventricle

The preferred approach for patients with D-transposition of the great arteries with an intact ventricular septum (DTGA/IVS) is the arterial switch operation (ASO). In those patients presenting late, with regressed left ventricle (LV), successful LV preparation is of paramount importance to achieve this goal. We present a toddler with DTGA/IVS who underwent ASO followed by successful left ventricular retraining with postoperative left ventricular assist device support with CentriMag centrifugal pump.

Delaying Decannulation After Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Is Safe and Advantageous

Removal of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) cannulae and discontinuing systemic anticoagulation typically occurs soon after separation from ECMO. We have found, however, that delaying decannulation after terminating ECMO therapy does not predispose to adverse outcomes and may be advantageous. Between January 2014 and June 2016, 36 postcardiotomy patients at the Children's Hospital of Oklahoma required ECMO. In this cohort of 36 patients, there was a need for 42 ECMO runs. Of the 42 ECMO runs, 29 (69%) survived to decannulation. Of those ECMO runs that survived to decannulation, 18 (62%) were cannulated centrally and 11 (38%) were cannulated via the neck. For the runs where the patient survived to decannulation, the mean number of days on ECMO support was 4 ± 2 days. There was an average time interval of 21 ± 14 hours from ECMO termination to decannulation. A single patient failed being separated from ECMO support and required reinstitution of ECMO 18 hours after separation (but did not require recannulation).

Short-term mechanical circulatory support as bridge to heart transplantation: paracorporeal ventricular assist device as alternative to extracorporeal life support

Extracorporeal life support (ECLS) is generally considered to be the treatment of choice for bridging to heart transplantation (HTx) patients with cardiogenic shock; however, alternative mechanical circulatory support (MCS) devices have been proposed with satisfactory results and, among those, paracorporeal systems have demonstrated to be safe and effective. This technology has been used for decades as bridge to transplant, especially in patients with advanced right ventricular dysfunction or evidence of multiorgan failure (MOF), which could be difficult to manage with an isolated left ventricular support. Paracorporeal systems are defined by having the pump located outside of the body, with inflow and outflow cannulas that traverse the skin connecting the pump with the heart and great vessels. They can be utilised in a uni- or bi-ventricular configuration and can provide pulsatile or continuous flow, depending on the device technology (pneumatic vs. centrifugal). In particular, pneumatic devices allow for patient mobilization and hospital discharge, improving rehabilitation and organ recovery while bridging to transplant. In our institution at the University Hospital of Udine, 34 pneumatic paracorporeal ventricular assist devices (VADs) have been implanted since 1998: in most cases (32 pts), as biventricular support for patients in INTERMACS class I-II. After a median support time of 34 (range, 0-385) days, with 19 patients (56%) supported for more than 1 month, 23 patients (68%) underwent HTx and 3 (9%) were successfully weaned to hospital discharge, resulting in an overall combined 76% survival to HTx or weaning. After transplant, the survival rate was similar to the one of the patients not bridged with MCS. In conclusion, pneumatic VADs can effectively assist patients with severe biventricular failure, especially those with contraindications to ECLS or expected long waiting times for HTx. Moreover, they can potentially result in hospital discharge, optimal organ and patient recovery and donor-recipient matching, resulting in a satisfactory transplant outcome.

Risk Factors for Survival After Heart Transplantation in Children and Young Adults: A 22-Year Study of 179 Transplants

BACKGROUND

This article reviews all patients who underwent heart transplantation (HTx) within a single institution (172 patients underwent 179 HTx [167 first-time HTxs, 10 second HTxs, 2 third HTxs]) to describe diagnostic characteristics, management protocols, and risk factors for mortality.

METHODS

Descriptive analysis was performed for the entire cohort using mean, standard deviation, median, interquartile range, and overall range, as appropriate. Univariable and multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were performed to identify prognostic factors for outcomes over time. The primary outcome of interest was mortality, which was modeled by Kaplan-Meier analysis.

RESULTS

Median age at HTx was 263 days (range, 5 days to 24 years; mean = 4.63 ± 5.95 years; 18 neonates, 79 infants). Median weight at HTx was 7.5 kg (range, 2.2-113 kg; mean = 19.36 ± 23.54). Diagnostic categories were cardiomyopathy (n = 62), primary transplantation for hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) or HLHS-related malformation (n = 33), transplantation after cardiac surgery for HLHS or HLHS-related malformation (n = 17), non-HLHS congenital heart disease (n = 55), and retransplant (n = 12). Operative mortality was 10.1% (18 patients). Cumulative total follow-up is 1,355 years. Late mortality was 18.4% (33 patients). Overall Kaplan-Meier five-year survival was 76.2%. One hundred twenty-one patients are alive with a mean follow-up of 7.61 ± 6.46 years. No survival differences were seen among the five diagnostic subgroups ( P = .064) or between immunosensitized patients (n = 31) and nonimmunosensitized patients (n = 141; P = .422).

CONCLUSIONS

Excellent results are expected for children undergoing HTx with comparable results among diagnostic groups. Pretransplant mechanical circulatory support and posttransplant mechanical circulatory support are risk factors for decreased survival. Survival after transplantation for HLHS or HLHS-related malformation is better with primary HTx in comparison to HTx after prior cardiac surgery.

Melody Transcatheter Pulmonary Valve Placement in a HeartMate II Patient

Transcatheter pulmonary valve placement is emerging as a standard therapy for dysfunctional right ventricular outflow tract conduits. The Melody transcatheter pulmonary valve is indicated for use in the management of pediatric and adult patients with right ventricular outflow tract conduits measuring at least 16 mm in diameter. This is the first reported case of placement in a patient with a left ventricular assist device. We outline the preprocedural evaluation process, the procedural methods, and the outcomes of a successful implantation in a complex patient. With a team-based approach including thoughtful preprocedural evaluation, and close monitoring, successful deployment of a transcatheter pulmonary valve is possible in complex patients in the setting of mechanical circulatory support.

Pediatric Ventricular Assist Devices: The Future (as of 2011)

In the last decade, there have been enormous advances in the field of pediatric-specific mechanical circulatory support. In the past, small children requiring bridge to transplant or recovery were limited to extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Now, in various stages of development, there are several devices that offer the promise of the same quality of support enjoyed by older teenagers and adolescents, with the potential to substantially reduce transplant waiting list mortality and optimize transplant outcomes. Advances have been driven by both industry and, for the first time, by funding from the US National Institutes of Health.