Impact of prolonged ischemic time on pediatric heart transplantation outcomes: Improved outcomes in the most recent era

BACKGROUND

Impacts of ischemic time (IT) on pediatric heart transplant outcomes are multifactorial. We aimed to analyze the effect of prolonged IT on graft loss after pediatric heart transplantation. We hypothesized that graft survival with prolonged IT has improved across eras.

METHODS

Patients <18 years old in the Pediatric Heart Transplant Society database were included (N=6,765) and stratified by diagnosis and era (1993-2004, 2005-2009, and 2010-2019). Severe graft failure (SGF) was defined as death, retransplant, or need for mechanical circulatory support in the first 7 days post-transplant. Descriptive statistical methods were used to compare differences between patient characteristics and IT. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis compared freedom from graft loss, rejection, and infection. Multivariable analysis was performed for graft loss and SGF (hazard and logistic regression modeling, respectively).

RESULTS

Diagnoses were cardiomyopathy (N = 3,246) and congenital heart disease (CHD; N = 3,305). CHD were younger, more likely to have an IT ≥4.5 hours, and more likely to require extracorporeal membrane oxygenation or mechanical ventilation at transplant (all p < 0.001). Median IT was 3.6 hours (interquartile range 2.98-4.31; range 0-10.5). IT was associated with early graft loss (HR 1.012, 95% CI 1.005-1.019), but not when analyzed only in the most recent era. IT was associated with SGF (OR 1.016 95%CI 1.003-1.030).

CONCLUSIONS

Donor IT was independently associated with an increased risk of graft loss, albeit with a small effect relative to other risk factors. Graft survival with prolonged IT has improved in the most recent era but the risk of SGF persists.

Extended ischemic time (>15 hours) using controlled hypothermic storage in lung transplantation: A multicenter experience

Static ice storage has long been the standard-of-care for lung preservation, although freezing injury limits ischemic time (IT). Controlled hypothermic storage (CHS) at elevated temperature could safely extend IT. This retrospective analysis assesses feasibility and safety of CHS with IT > 15 hours. Three lung transplant (LuTx) centers (April-October 2023) included demographics, storage details, IT, and short-term outcome from 13 LuTx recipients (8 male, 59 years old). Donor lungs were preserved in a portable CHS device at 7 (5-9.3)°C. Indication was overnight bridging and/or long-distance transport. IT of second-implanted lung was 17.3 (15.1-22) hours. LuTx were successful, 4/13 exhibited primary graft dysfunction grade 3 within 72 hours and 0/13 at 72 hours. Post-LuTx mechanical ventilation was 29 (7-442) hours. Intensive care unit stay was 9 (5-28) and hospital stay 30 (16-90) days. Four patients needed postoperative extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). One patient died (day 7) following malpositioning of an ECMO cannula. This multicenter experience demonstrates the possibility of safely extending IT > 15 hours by CHS.

The effect of allograft ischemic time on outcomes following bilateral, single, and reoperative lung transplantation

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether allograft ischemic times affect outcomes following bilateral, single, and redo lung transplantation.

METHODS

A nationwide cohort of lung transplant recipients from 2005 through 2020 was examined using the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network registry. The effects of standard (<6 hours) and extended (≥6 hours) ischemic times on outcomes following primary bilateral (n = 19,624), primary single (n = 688), redo bilateral (n = 8461), and redo single (n = 449) lung transplantation were analyzed. A priori subgroup analysis was performed in the primary and redo bilateral-lung transplant cohorts by further stratifying the extended ischemic time group into mild (≥6 and <8 hours), moderate (≥8 and <10 hours), and long (≥10 hours) subgroups. Primary outcomes included 30-day mortality, 1-year mortality, intubation at 72 hours' posttransplant, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support at 72 hours' posttransplant, and a composite variable of intubation or ECMO at 72 hours' posttransplant. Secondary outcomes included acute rejection, postoperative dialysis, and hospital length of stay.

RESULTS

Recipients of allografts with ischemic times ≥6 hours experienced increased 30-day and 1-year mortality following primary bilateral-lung transplantation, but increased mortality was not observed following primary single, redo bilateral, or redo single-lung transplants. Extended ischemic times correlated with prolonged intubation or increased postoperative ECMO support in the primary bilateral, primary single, and redo bilateral-lung transplant cohorts but did not affect these outcomes following redo single-lung transplantation.

CONCLUSIONS

Since prolonged allograft ischemia correlates with worse transplant outcomes, the decision to use donor lungs with extended ischemic times must consider the specific benefits and risks associated with individual recipient factors and institutional expertise.

Deceased Organ Donor Management and Organ Distribution From Organ Procurement Organization-Based Recovery Facilities Versus Acute-Care Hospitals

Introduction: Organ recovery facilities address the logistical challenges of hospital-based deceased organ donor management. While more organs are transplanted from donors in facilities, differences in donor management and donation processes are not fully characterized. Research Question: Does deceased donor management and organ transport distance differ between organ procurement organization (OPO)-based recovery facilities versus hospitals? Design: Retrospective analysis of Organ Procurement and Transplant Network data, including adults after brain death in 10 procurement regions (April 2017-June 2021). The primary outcomes were ischemic times of transplanted hearts, kidneys, livers, and lungs. Secondary outcomes included transport distances (between the facility or hospital and the transplant program) for each transplanted organ. Results: Among 5010 deceased donors, 51.7% underwent recovery in an OPO-based recovery facility. After adjustment for recipient and system factors, mean differences in ischemic times of any transplanted organ were not significantly different between donors in facilities and hospitals. Transplanted hearts recovered from donors in facilities were transported further than hearts from hospital donors (median 255 mi [IQR 27, 475] versus 174 [IQR 42, 365], P = .002); transport distances for livers and kidneys were significantly shorter (P < .001 for both). Conclusion: Organ recovery procedures performed in OPO-based recovery facilities were not associated with differences in ischemic times in transplanted organs from organs recovered in hospitals, but differences in organ transport distances exist. Further work is needed to determine whether other observed differences in donor management and organ distribution meaningfully impact donation and transplantation outcomes.

Trainee experience on ischemic times and outcomes following orthotopic heart transplantation

OBJECTIVE

This study was designed to evaluate the association of surgical training on outcomes following orthotopic heart transplantation in all levels of cardiothoracic surgery fellows.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort analysis was performed on all heart transplants at a single institution from 2011 to 2020. Transplants performed using organ preservation systems (n = 10) or with significant missing data were excluded (n = 37), resulting in 154 transplants performed by faculty surgeons and 799 total transplants performed by first-year Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education fellows (n = 73), second-year Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education fellows (n = 124), or non-Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education fellows (n = 602) in a transplantation and mechanical circulatory support fellowship. Primary outcome was warm ischemic time analyzed by year of fellowship. Additional secondary outcomes included 30-day mortality, primary graft dysfunction, reoperation for bleeding, and 5-year survival. Median follow-up was 3 years (interquartile range [IQR], 1.0-5.5 years) and 100% complete.

RESULTS

The median number of transplants performed was 30 (IQR, 19.5-51.8) during the study period performed by 22 trainees. Baseline transplant characteristics performed were similar amongst the trainee years, although the first-year Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education fellows approached significantly fewer re-do transplants (1.4% vs 8.1% and 4.3%; P = .07). Warm ischemic time was lower in the first-year fellows (49 minutes; IQR, 42-63 minutes) versus second-year fellows (56.5 minutes; IQR, 45.5-69 minutes) and mechanical circulatory support/transplant fellows (56 minutes; IQR, 46-67 minutes) (P = .028). Crossclamp time was also lower in the first-year fellows than in second-year and mechanical circulatory support/transplant fellows, respectively (79 minutes; IQR, 65-100 minutes vs 147 minutes; IQR, 125-176 minutes and 143 minutes; IQR, 119-175 minutes) (P = .008). Secondary outcomes, including 30-day mortality (4.1% [n = 3] vs 2.4% [n = 3] vs 2.7% [n = 16]; P = .76), primary graft dysfunction (5.5% [n = 4] vs 4.0% [n = 5] vs 4.3% [n = 26]; P = .88), reoperation for bleeding (2.7% [n = 2] vs 4.8% [n = 6] vs 4.2% [n = 25]; P = .78), and 5-year survival (82.2%; 95% CI, 66.7%-84.9% vs 77.3%; 95% CI, 66.7%-84.9% vs 79.3%; 95% CI, 74.9%-83.1%; P = .84) were comparable in all groups.

CONCLUSIONS

This cohort of nearly 800 operations demonstrates that orthotopic heart transplantation may be performed by cardiac fellowship trainees all levels of training with acceptable short- and long-term outcomes.

Impact of donor ventricular function on heart transplantation outcomes

BACKGROUND

Some heart transplant (HTx) centers have expanded their donor eligibility criteria in response to the organ shortage; one area of active interest involves utilizing hearts with ventricular dysfunction. Our study seeks to identify if a relationship exists between donor left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and ischemic time or donor age on HTx outcomes.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective analysis on adult patients who had a HTx between 1996 and 2021 (n = 46,936). Donor LVEF (dLVEF) values were categorized into three groups: <50%, 50%-70%, and >70%. Ischemic time and donor age were stratified into four groups: ≤2.0, 2.1-3.0, 3.1-4.0, >4.0 h, and ≤30, 31-40, 41-50, >50 years, respectively. The outcome of interest was long-term survival.

RESULTS

Multivariable survival analysis found a slight increase in overall mortality risk for patients with donor ejection fractions <50% (HR = 1.16, p = .013). However, subsequent subgroup investigation discovered that this elevated hazard was only applicable when ischemic time was prolonged to >3.0 h (3.1-4.0 h: HR = 1.23, p = .024; > 4.0 h: HR = 1.52, p < .001). There was no significant difference in survival between dLVEF groups when ischemic time was limited to ≤3.0 h or when stratified by donor age.

CONCLUSION

HTx patients with a low donor ejection fraction have comparable survival to recipients with a normal dLVEF when ischemic time is limited to ≤3.0 h. Reduced dLVEF does not appear to be sensitive to advanced donor age. The clinical implications of our study may encourage the recruitment of more donor hearts for transplantation.

Long-distance donor heart procurement using an innovative cold static storage system

The global lack of donor shortage poses a major limitation for heart transplantation. New concepts with expanded donor inclusion criteria comprise extended transport distances and prolonged ischemic times with the aim of reaching a larger number of potential donors. Recent developments in cold storage solutions may allow more donor hearts with prolonged ischemic times to be use for transplantation in the future. We present our experience during a long-distance donor heart procurement with the longest reported transport distance and transport time in the current literature. This was made possible through the use of SherpaPak™, an innovative cold storage system which allows for controlled temperatures during transportation.

Impact of anastomosis time during lung transplantation on primary graft dysfunction

Primary graft dysfunction (PGD) is a major obstacle after lung transplantation (LTx), associated with increased early morbidity and mortality. Studies in liver and kidney transplantation revealed prolonged anastomosis time (AT) as an independent risk factor for impaired short- and long-term outcomes. We investigated if AT during LTx is a risk factor for PGD. In this retrospective single-center cohort study, we included all first double lung transplantations between 2008 and 2016. The association of AT with any PGD grade 3 (PGD3) within the first 72 h post-transplant was analyzed by univariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis. Data on AT and PGD was available for 427 patients of which 130 (30.2%) developed PGD3. AT was independently associated with the development of any PGD3 ≤72 h in uni- (odds ratio [OR] per 10 min 1.293, 95% confidence interval [CI 1.136-1.471], p < .0001) and multivariable (OR 1.205, 95% CI [1.022-1.421], p = .03) logistic regression analysis. There was no evidence that the relation between AT and PGD3 differed between lung recipients from donation after brain death versus donation after circulatory death donors. This study identified AT as an independent risk factor for the development of PGD3 post-LTx. We suggest that the implantation time should be kept short and the lung cooled to decrease PGD-related morbidity and mortality post-LTx.

Lung transplantation using allografts with more than 8 hours of ischemic time: A single-institution experience

BACKGROUND

Six hours was historically regarded as the limit of acceptable ischemic time for lung allografts. However, broader sharing of donor lungs often necessitates use of allografts with ischemic time >6 hours. We characterized the association between ischemic time ≥8 hours and outcomes after lung transplantation using a contemporary cohort from a high-volume institution.

METHODS

Patients who underwent primary isolated bilateral lung transplantation between 1/2016 and 5/2020 were included. Patients bridged to transplant with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation or mechanical ventilation, and ex-vivo perfusion cases were excluded. Recipients were stratified by total allograft ischemic time <8 hours (standard) vs ≥8 hours (long). Perioperative outcomes and post-transplant survival were compared between groups.

RESULTS

Of 358 patients, 95 (26.5%) received long ischemic time (≥8 hours) lungs. Long ischemic time recipients were more likely to be male and have donation after circulatory death donors than standard ischemic time recipients. On unadjusted analysis, long and standard ischemic time recipients had similar survival, and similar rates of grade 3 primary graft dysfunction at 72 hours, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation post-transplant, acute rejection within 30 days, reintubation, and post-transplant length of stay. After adjustment, long and standard ischemic time recipients had comparable risks of mortality or graft failure.

CONCLUSIONS

In a modern cohort, use of lung allografts with "long" ischemic time ≥8 hours were associated with acceptable perioperative outcomes and post-transplant survival. Further investigation is required to better understand how broader use impacts post-lung transplant outcomes and the implications for smarter sharing under an evolving national allocation policy.

Sex Differences in Prehospital Delays in Patients With ST-Segment-Elevation Myocardial Infarction Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Background

Women with ST‐segment–elevation myocardial infarction experience delays in reperfusion compared with men with little data on each time component from symptom onset to reperfusion. This study analyzed sex discrepancies in patient delays, prehospital system delays, and hospital delays.

Methods and Results

Consecutive patients with ST‐segment–elevation myocardial infarction treated with percutaneous coronary intervention across 30 hospitals in the Victorian Cardiac Outcomes Registry (2013–2018) were analyzed. Data from the Ambulance Victoria Data warehouse were used to perform linkage to the Victorian Cardiac Outcomes Registry for all patients transported via emergency medical services (EMS). The primary end point was EMS call‐to‐door time (prehospital system delay). Secondary end points included symptom‐to‐EMS call time (patient delay), door‐to‐device time (hospital delay), 30‐day mortality, major adverse cardiovascular events, and major bleeding. End points were analyzed according to sex and adjusted for age, comorbidities, cardiogenic shock, cardiac arrest, and symptom onset time. A total of 6330 (21% women) patients with ST‐segment–elevation myocardial infarction were transported by EMS. Compared with men, women had longer adjusted geometric mean symptom‐to‐EMS call times (47.0 versus 44.0 minutes; P<0.001), EMS call‐to‐door times (58.1 versus 55.7 minutes; P<0.001), and door‐to‐device times (58.5 versus 54.9 minutes; P=0.006). Compared with men, women had higher 30‐day mortality (odds ratio [OR], 1.38; 95% CI, 1.06–1.79; P=0.02) and major bleeding (OR, 1.54; 95% CI, 1.08–2.20; P=0.02).

Conclusions

Female patients with ST‐segment–elevation myocardial infarction experienced excess delays in patient delays, prehospital system delays, and hospital delays, even after adjustment for confounders. Prehospital system and hospital delays resulted in an adjusted excess delay of 10 minutes compared with men.

Ischemic time of graft liver forces Th1-to-Th2 activity toward Th1 activity in patients who underwent living donor liver transplantation

Recipient's immune responses are an important factor in allograft survival in transplantation. Cytokines are reflected with immune responses. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate potential affecting factors of liver allograft survival and their possible correlation with seroum cytokine levels in living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). One hundred and seventy-one adult patients' data were collected retrospectively. Five cytokines were collected: interferon (IFN)-γ, interleukin (IL)-2, IL-10, IL-6, and IL-17. Ischemic time of liver grafts was divided into two periods: cold and warm ischemic times (CIT and WIT, respectively). CIT had no statically significant correlation, but WIT showed a significant correlation with IFN-γ, IL-2, and IL-17 serum levels (r = 0.0252, 0.282, 0.178, respectively; P < 0.05). WIT was dichotomized as T1 (<22 min), T2 (22-70 min), and T3 (>70 min). IFN-γ was significantly increased in T2 and T3 as compared to T1. IL-6 was in T3 compared to T1 and T2. IL-17 was in T3 compared to T1. For the Th1-to-Th2 ratio, IFN-γ/IL-10, IFN-γ/IL-6, and IL-2/IL-10 were significantly different in T2 and T3 as compared to T1, and also in T3 as compared to T2. Th1 cell activities were enhanced with increased WIT. In conclusion, the longer WIT (>70 min) in LDLT is more likely to induce immunological reactions of recipients by leading to a deleterious cytokine balances in favor of an reinforced production of Th1 cytokines.

Incidence and variables associated with 30-day mortality after lung transplantation

BACKGROUND

With the introduction of the lung allocation score (LAS), sicker patients are prioritized for lung transplantation (LT). There is a lack of data regarding variables independently associated with 30-day mortality after LT.

METHODS

We queried the UNOS database for adult patients undergoing LT between 1989 and 2014. Patients with dual organ or previous transplantation and those with missing survival data were excluded. Mortality during the first 30 days after LT was the primary outcome variable.

RESULTS

The yearly trends indicate a statistically significant reduction in the 30-day mortality during the study period (P < 0.001, overall mortality: 5.5%) which has continued in the post-LAS era (P = 0. 014, overall mortality: 3.6%). Among patients with 30-day mortality, "primary non-function" (n = 118, 72.8%) was reported as the most common etiology. Transplant indication of vascular diseases, history of non-transplant cardiac or lung surgery, mean pulmonary pressures >35 mm Hg, disabled functional status, ECMO support, high LAS, ischemic time >6 hours, and blunt injury as the mechanism of donor death are independently associated with 30-day mortality.

CONCLUSION

The incidence of early mortality after LT continues to decline in the post-LAS era. Apart from the mechanism of donor death and ischemic time, early mortality appears to be primarily driven by the recipient characteristics.

Influence of graft ischemic time on survival in children with cystic fibrosis after lung transplantation

BACKGROUND

The influence of graft ischemic time on survival after lung transplantation (LTx) in children with cystic fibrosis (CF) is not well studied.

METHODS

The United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) database was queried from May 2005 to September 2013 to examine the impact of ischemic time of <4, 4-6, and >6 hr in pediatric LTx recipients with CF.

RESULTS

One hundred and ninety-nine patients with CF under 18 years of age that were first-time LTx recipients from cadaveric donors were included in the analysis. Compared to 4-6 hr, univariate analysis showed a significant increase in mortality hazard with an ischemic time of <4 hr (HR = 2.407; 95%CI: 1.292, 4.485; P = 0.006) but not >6 hr (HR = 1.350; 95%CI: 0.796, 2.290; P = 0.266). A Kaplan-Meier plot demonstrated the highest survival with 4-6 hr (Log-rank test P = 0.018) of ischemic time. Multivariate Cox model confirmed a significantly higher mortality risk with <4 hr (HR = 2.388; 95%CI: 1.169, 4.764; P = 0.014) and not >6 hr (HR = 1.407; 95%CI: 0.760, 2.605; P = 0.278) in relation to 4-6 hr. Sub-analysis examining ischemic time and the hazard of bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome with death as a competing risk found no significant differences in the hazard of this outcome across the three ischemic time categories.

CONCLUSIONS

Ischemic time of 4-6 hr was associated with the highest long-term survival in first-time pediatric LTx recipients with CF, with ischemic time <4 hr related to diminished survival. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2016; 51:908-913. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Hospital length of stay after lung transplantation: Independent predictors and association with early and late survival

BACKGROUND

Duration of index hospitalization after lung transplantation (LTx) is an important variable that has not received much attention. We sought to determine independent predictors of prolonged hospital length of stay (LOS) and its association with early and late outcomes.

METHODS

The United Network of Organ Sharing database was queried for adult patients undergoing LTx between 2006 and 2014 (N = 14,320). Patients with dual organ or previous transplantation and patients who died during the first 25 days after LTx were excluded (n = 12,647, mean age 55.2 years ± 13.1). Primary outcome was prolonged LOS (>25 days) (3,251/12,647; 25.7%). Donor, recipient, and procedure-related variables were analyzed as potential predictors of prolonged LOS. Association of prolonged LOS with 1-year and 5-year survival was evaluated using Cox proportional hazards analysis.

RESULTS

Independent predictors of prolonged LOS included serum albumin, lung allocation score, functional status, and need of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation or ventilator support at the time of transplant; donor age >40 years; gender mismatch (female donor to male recipient); donor body mass index; African American ethnicity; ischemic time >6 hours; and double LTx. Prolonged LOS was independently associated with increased mortality at 1 year (hazard ratio, 3.96; 95% confidence interval, 3.48-4.50; p < 0.001) and 5 years (hazard ratio, 2.00; 95% confidence interval, 1.79-2.25; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

A significant proportion of patients have a prolonged LOS after LTx, and several recipient, donor, and procedure-related variables are independent predictors of this outcome. Patients with prolonged LOS after LTx have significantly increased risk of death at 1 year and 5 years.

Applicability of Under Vacuum Fresh Tissue Sealing and Cooling to Omics Analysis of Tumor Tissues

CONTEXT

Biobanks of frozen human normal and malignant tissues represent a valuable source for "omics" analysis in translational cancer research and molecular pathology. However, the success of molecular and cellular analysis strongly relies on the collection, handling, storage procedures, and quality control of fresh human tissue samples.

OBJECTIVE

We tested whether under vacuum storage (UVS) effectively preserves tissues during the time between surgery and storage for "omics" analyses.

DESIGN

Normal and matched tumor specimens, obtained from 16 breast, colon, or lung cancer patients and 5 independent mesenchymal tumors, were dissected within 20 minutes from surgical excision and divided in three to five aliquots; for each tissue sample, one aliquot was snap-frozen in liquid nitrogen (defined as baseline or T0 samples), and the other portions were sealed into plastic bags and kept at 4°C for 1, 24, 48, or 72 hours under vacuum and then frozen. The tissue and molecular preservation under vacuum was evaluated over time in terms of histomorphology, transcription (Illumina microarrays), protein (surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization-time of flight/mass spectrometry and Western blot), and metabolic profile (nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy).

RESULTS

Tissue morphology, Mib-1, and vimentin immunostaining were preserved over time without signs of tissue degradation. Principal variance component analysis showed that time of storage had a minimal effect on gene expression or the proteome, but affected the preservation of some metabolites to a greater extent. UVS did not impact the RNA and protein integrity or specific phosphorylation sites on mTOR and STAT3. Measurement of metabolites revealed pronounced changes after 1 hour of storage.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results show that UVS can preserve tissue specimens for histological, transcriptomic, and proteomic examinations up to 48 hours and possibly longer, whereas it has limitations for metabolomic applications.

Impact of delay to reperfusion on reperfusion success, infarct size, and clinical outcomes in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction: the INFUSE-AMI Trial (INFUSE-Anterior Myocardial Infarction)

OBJECTIVES

Our aim was to study the impact of delay from symptom onset to first coronary device on infarct size and clinical outcomes at 30 days and 1 year in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

BACKGROUND

Longer delay from symptom onset to reperfusion has been linked to increased mortality and worse clinical outcome. The mechanisms underpinning this association are not entirely clear.

METHODS

The INFUSE-AMI trial (INFUSE-Anterior Myocardial Infarction) randomized patients with anterior STEMI undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention with bivalirudin anticoagulation within 5 h of symptom onset to intralesion (IL) bolus abciximab versus no abciximab and to thrombus aspiration versus no aspiration. The primary endpoint was contrast magnetic resonance infarct size (IS) (percentage of left ventricular mass) at 30 days. Time to reperfusion was classified as <3 versus ≥3 h.

RESULTS

There were 280 patients (62%) with <3-h delay and 170 patients (38%) with ≥3-h delay. Patients with longer delay were significantly older, more often women, and diabetic. Earlier reperfusion was not associated with higher rates of final Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction flow grade 3 or myocardial blush grade 2/3, but was an independent predictor of smaller IS (p = 0.02 by multivariable linear regression). Mortality at 1 year was reduced in patients with shorter delay to reperfusion (4.0% vs. 9.2%, p = 0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with large anterior myocardial infarction undergoing relatively early reperfusion, longer delays to reperfusion were associated with larger IS and 1-year mortality, but not with reduced reperfusion success. (The INFUSE - Anterior Myocardial Infarction [AMI] Study; NCT00976521).

Assessing the safety of del Nido cardioplegia solution in adult congenital cases

PURPOSE

del Nido cardioplegia solution (CPS) has been successfully used for myocardial protection in the pediatric population. We propose this solution can be used safely in adult congenital patients. The proposed benefit of this solution is the avoidance of the need for repetitive interruption of the operation to administer multiple doses of standard cardioplegia.

METHODS

As part of a quality improvement initiative, 47 consecutive adult patients (mean age 40.9 years, range 18-71) undergoing congenital heart surgery were given del Nido CPS. Cardiac function was assessed pre- and post-operatively by echocardiography (ECHO). Inotrope use, troponin levels and restoration of cardiac rhythm were also evaluated.

RESULTS

The average duration of the longest ischemic time was 52.5 minutes ± 15.57 minutes. In patients receiving a single dose (40%, n=19) of CPS, the average ischemic time was 49.8 minutes ± 18.8 minutes. No patients demonstrated any ventricular electrical activity while the aorta was cross-clamped. Post-operative ECHO showed that 94% (n=44) had no change in ejection fraction from the pre-operative ECHO. Patients requiring inotropic support at the time of leaving the operating room (OR) was 43% (n=20). The percentage of patients requiring inotropic support twenty-four hours post-operatively was 17% (n=8). Spontaneous restoration of cardiac rhythm (without the need for defibrillation) after cross-clamp removal occurred in 91% (n=43) of patients. The average troponin T level post-op was 1.86 ± 2.9 µg/L.

CONCLUSIONS

del Nido CPS can be used for myocardial protection during adult congenital cardiac surgery without any apparent adverse effects. In addition, we were able to change our re-dosing protocol to 45 minutes with del Nido CPS compared to 20 minutes with our adult 4:1 blood CPS.

Interhospital transfer due to failed prehospital diagnosis for primary percutaneous coronary intervention: an observational study on incidence, predictors, and clinical impact

BACKGROUND

For patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), guidelines recommend prehospital triage and direct referral to a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)-capable centre in order to minimize ischemic time. However, few have studied failed prehospital diagnosis. We assessed the incidence, predictors, and clinical impact of interhospital transfer for primary PCI after initial referral to a non-PCI-capable centre due to a failed prehospital STEMI diagnosis.

METHODS

We studied 846 consecutive STEMI patients undergoing primary PCI between January 2008 and January 2010.

RESULTS

We found that 609 patients (72%) were directly admitted through prehospital triage and 127 patients (15%) required interhospital transfer after failed prehospital diagnosis. Median first medical contact to treatment time was 88 min in the prehospital diagnosis group and 155 min in the interhospital transfer group (p<0.001). In the interhospital transfer group, the first available electrocardiogram was diagnostic for STEMI in 77% of cases. Predictors of interhospital transfer were female gender, diabetes, prior myocardial infarction, and greater event location to PCI-capable centre distance. Interhospital transfer independently accounted for a 47% increase in ischemic time (95% CI 33 to 63%; p<0.001). One-year mortality was higher in the interhospital transfer group (10 vs. 5.3%; p=0.030).

CONCLUSIONS

Despite an often-diagnostic electrocardiogram, interhospital transfer after failed prehospital diagnosis occurred in 15% of STEMI patients undergoing primary PCI. Interhospital transfer was a major predictor of ischemic time and 1-year mortality was significantly higher. Continuing efforts to optimize prehospital triage are warranted, especially among patients at higher risk of failed prehospital diagnosis.

Donors' characteristics and impact on outcomes in pediatric heart transplant recipients

Organ availability and acceptability limit pediatric HTx. What characteristics define an unacceptable or high-risk pediatric donor remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to characterize a large cohort of pediatric donors and determine the donor risk factors, including cumulative risk, that affect recipient survival. Data from the PHTS, a prospective multicenter study, were used to examine the impact of donor factors on the outcomes of patients listed <18 yr of age who received a HTx between 1993 and 2009. Donor data were available for 3149 of 3156 HTx (99.8%). Donor cause of death, need for inotropes, or CPR did not affect survival outcomes (p = 0.05). Ischemic time also did not have an impact on overall recipient survival; however, longer ischemic times negatively impacted one-yr post-transplant survival (p < 0.0001). There was no impact of cumulative risk factors on survival (p = 0.8). Although used in a minority of cases, hormonal therapy in the donor positively impacted survival (p = 0.03). In multivariate analysis, the only donor factor associated with decreased survival was smaller donor BSA, the other factors being related to the recipient characteristics. When analyzed by recipient age, there were no donor-related factors that affected survival for those who received a transplant at <6 months of age. Longer ischemic time (p < 0.0001) and greater age difference between the recipient and donor (p = 0.0098) were donor-related factors impacting early-phase survival for recipients who received a graft at ≥10 yr of age. Factors perceived to define a marginal or high-risk pediatric heart donor including inotrope use, CPR and donor cause of death may have less impact on outcomes than previously thought. Longer ischemic times did impact one yr, but not overall survival, and this impact was much greater with older donors. Parameters for accepting a donor heart can potentially be expanded, especially in the infant age group, but strong consideration should always be given to the interaction between ischemic time and donor age.

Survival rate in lung, liver, heart and pancreas transplant recipients in iran: a registry-based study

BACKGROUND

The main purpose of organ transplantation is to prolong and maintain a quality life for patients with organ dysfunction.

OBJECTIVE

We tried to evaluate short-term survival rates in lung, liver, heart and pancreas recipients.

METHODS

This longitudinal study was based on the data of national registry of recipients in Ministry of Health and Medical Education (MOHME), Iran. Survival rate after 1 year of transplantation, recipients' age, gender, ischemic time as well as the number of transplantation units, OP units and identification units were collected from the database for all transplantation done between 2010 and 2011.

RESULTS

407 (223 female, and 184 male) patients were enrolled in the study. 13 (3.2%) patients received lung, 299 (73.5%) liver, 85 (20.9%) heart and 10 (2.5%) received pancreas. Within 1 year of transplantation, 61.5% of lung recipients, 88.3% of liver recipients, 72.9% of heart recipients and 80% of pancreas recipients (overall 85.3%) were functioning.

CONCLUSION

Given the short history of transplantation in Iran, we have achieved great success.

Quantitative assessment shows loss of antigenic epitopes as a function of pre-analytic variables

Pre-analytic variables, specifically cold ischemic time, have been implicated as key variables in the measurement of proteins by immunohistochemistry. To determine the significance and magnitude of antigenic loss due to pre-analytic variables, we have compared protein antigenicity in core needle biopsies, with essentially no cold ischemic time, with that in routinely processed tumor resection specimens. Two cohorts of matched core needle biopsies and tumor resections were collected with 20 matched pairs and 14 matched pairs, respectively. Both series were analyzed by quantitative immunofluorescence using the AQUA® method. Epitopes phospho-ERK, total ERK, phospho-AKT, total AKT, phospho-S6K1, total S6K1, estrogen receptor (ER), Ki67, cytokeratin and GAPDH were assessed. Detection levels for all phospho-epitopes were significantly decreased in tumor resections compared with biopsies while no significant change was seen in the corresponding total proteins. Of the other four proteins examined, ER and cytokeratin showed significant loss of antigenicity. This data suggest that measurement of phospho-protein antigenicity in formalin-fixed tissue by immunological methods is dramatically affected by pre-analytic variables. This study suggests that core needle biopsies are more accurate for assessment of tissue biomarkers.