Current Situation and Prognostic Evolution of Combined Heart-lung Transplantation in a European Union Country

Background

This study aims to evaluate the entire experience in heart-lung transplantation (HLTx) in a country of the European Union with 47 million inhabitants according to the etiologies that motivated the procedure.

Methods

A retrospective study on 1,751 consecutive transplants (HLTx: 78) was performed from 1990 to 2020 in two centers. Overall survival, adjusted for clinical profile and etiological subgroups, was compared. 7 subgroups were considered: 1) Cardiomyopathy with pulmonary hypertension (CM + PH). 2) Eisenmenger syndrome. 3) Congenital heart disease (CHD). 4) Idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH). 5) Cystic fibrosis. 6) Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)/Emphysema. 7) Diffuse interstitial lung disease (ILD).

Results

Early mortality was 44% and that of the rest of the follow-up was 31%. There were differences between HTLx and HTx in survival, also comparing groups with a similar clinical profile with propensity score (p= 0.04). Median survival was low in CM + PH (18 days), ILD (29 days) and CHD (114 days), intermediate in Eisenmenger syndrome (600 days), and longer in IPAH, COPD/Emphysema and cystic fibrosis.

Conclusion

HLTx has a high mortality. The etiological analysis is of the utmost interest to make the most of the organs and improve survival.

Consensus on the management of hyperkalemia in patients with heart failure: Recommendations from the SEC-SEMI

Use of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors (RAASi) in patients with heart failure (HF) and reduced ejection fraction is associated with functional improvement, an increase in perceived quality of life, a reduction in the probability of cardiovascular death, and a decrease in the number of hospitalizations. Some of these drugs are also efficacious in patients with chronic kidney disease and albuminuria as well as in patients with resistant hypertension. Despite their numerous benefits, RAASi are associated with an increase in incidence of hyperkalemia, especially in patients with concomitant chronic kidney disease. Hyperkalemia is a common electrolyte disorder that is defined as an elevation in plasma concentrations of potassium above 5 mEq/L. It has been related to rehospitalizations, malignant arrhythmias, and an increase in mortality. On the other hand, optimized treatment with RAASi requires progressive dose increases which can in turn entail a greater probability of hyperkalemia. For all of these reasons, it is necessary to establish management and treatment guidelines for these patients. This consensus document arises from this objective. Its recommendations have been developed by a group of ten experts and reviewed by a panel of another ten specialists in the treatment of patients with HF (ten cardiologists and ten internists in total). This document has been endorsed by the Spanish Society of Cardiology (SEC, for its initials in Spanish) and the Spanish Society of Internal Medicine (SEMI, for its initials in Spanish).

P3119Malignancy after Heart Transplantation: Difference in incidence and prognosis between genders. Data from the Spanish post-Heart Transplant Tumor Registry

Background

Malignancy is one of the leading causes of mortality in the long term follow up after heart transplantation (HT). Male sex has been described as an independent risk factor for developing cancer in this group of patients. However, the real incidence of all type of neoplasm and its impact prognosis in mortality in both group of sex remains unknown.

Purpose

The aim of this study was to assess the incidence of malignancy and the disparity in its relative weight as a cause of death between genders.

Methods

Observational longitudinal study of heart transplant patients from the Spanish post-HT Tumor registry (SPHTTR) who underwent HT in this country from 1984 to 2017. Re-transplant, combined transplant patients and those with survival less than 3 months since HT were excluded. Incidence and mortality rates per 1000 person-year for all tumors, skin cancer (including melanoma), lymphoma and non-skin solid malignancy (NSSM) were calculated for both groups of sex. The main end-point of the study was death for any causes related to cancer following HT. Survival curves since first diagnosis of neoplasia were constructed using Kaplan Meier estimates and comparisons among genders were performed using long-rank test.

Results

A total of 5865 patients (81.6% male, 18.4% female) were included in the analysis. Incidence and mortality rates in both genders are summarized in Table 1. Total cumulative incidence rate of all tumors, non-skin solid malignancy and lung cancer were higher in men patients (All tumors: 44.8 vs 25.7 per 1000 person-year; female to male RR 0.68, 95% CI 0.60–0.78, p<0.001). Mortality rates were also higher in male patients for all types of tumors (RR 0.76, CI 95% 0.62–0.94, p=0.01) and for NSSM (RR 0.60, 95% CI 0.44–0.80, p=0.001) albeit not for cutaneous neoplasia or lymphoma. Survival curves are shown in figure 1 and display significant differences among both genders (p=0.0037).

Table 1 Type of tumor Female Male Female to Male Incidence RR Female to male mortality RR Incidence rate* Mortality rate* Incidence rate* Mortality rate* RR p-value RR p-value All tumors 25.7 (22.8–29.0) 94.0 (77.3–114.3) 44.8 (42.9–46.8) 129.6 (120.9–138.9) 0.68 (0.60–0.78) <0.001 0.76 (0.62–0.94) 0.01 Skin cancer 12.6 (10.6–15.0 63.2 (45.4–88.0) 24.4 (23.0–25.9) 70.4 (62.6–79.1) 0.62 (0.52–0.74) <0.001 0.88 (0.62–1.25) 0.481 Lymphoma 2.0 (1.3–3.0) 137.8 (80.0–237.3) 2.5 (2.1–3.0) 237.5 (187.9–300.2) 0.84 (0.52–1.36) 0.483 0.58 (0.32–1.06) 0.076 NSSM 11.1 (9.3–13.4) 125.0 (95.2–164.0) 17.5 (16.4–18.8) 234.7 (214.0–257.5) 0.75 (0.62–0.92) <0.001 0.60 (0.44–0.80 0.001 NSSM: Non-skin solid malignancy. *Per 1000 person-year.

Figure 1

Conclusions

Incidence of malignancy post-HT is higher in men than in women specially for skin cancer and de novo solid tumors. The relative weight of cancer as a cause of death was also higher in men than in women, furthermore, this could have impact prognosis in HT survivors.

Steroid withdrawal during 5 years following heart transplantation, and the relationship between steroid dosage at 1-year follow-up and complications during the next 2 years: results from the RESTCO study

BACKGROUND

Little information is available regarding the controversial issue of steroid withdrawal following heart transplantation (HT), or instead in the incidence of adverse steroid effects at dosages typically employed in Spain.

METHODS

We analyzed the 5-year follow-up records of 1209 patients (82.5% men, aged ≥ 18 years) who underwent HT between 2000 and 2005 and survived at least 1 month in 13 Spanish centers. The incidences of first steroid withdrawal before 1, 3, and 5 years post-HT were expressed as Kaplan-Meier probability estimates. Three patient groups defined in accordance with steroid dosage at 1-year follow-up (0, ≤ 5, and >5 mg/d; groups A, B, and C, respectively) were compared with regard to the incidence of de novo hypertension, diabetes, and bone fractures over the following 2 years.

RESULTS

The 5-year incidence of withdrawal was 28%, 21% of whom required reintroduction of steroids. Kaplan-Meier probabilities of withdrawal before 1, 3, and 5 years post-HT were 8.8% (95% confidence interval ([CI] 7.3%-10.7%), 27.8% (CI 25.2%-30.6%), and 30.2% (CI 27.5%-33.2%), respectively. At 1-year follow-up, 9.9% of patients were steroid-free, 28.9% were taking ≤ 5 mg/d, and 61.3% >5 mg/d. The 2-year incidence of de novo hypertension increased significantly (P = .012) from 13.5% to 29.6% to 35.3% in groups A, B, and C respectively. These groups did not differ significantly in regard to the 2-year incidence of diabetes or bone fractures.

CONCLUSIONS

Reintroduction of steroids was required by 21% of the 28% of Spanish HT patients who has been weaned from steroids within 5 years of HT. The incidence of de novo hypertension between 1 and 3 years post-HT increased with steroid dosage at 1-year follow-up. De novo diabetes and bone fractures showed no similar significant association.

Normalization of the heart rate response to exercise 6 months after cardiac transplantation

INTRODUCTION

Heart transplant recipients show an abnormal heart rate (HR) response to exercise due to complete cardiac denervation after surgery. They present elevated resting HR, minimal increase in HR during exercise, with maximal HR reached during the recovery period. The objective of this study was to study the frequency of normalization of the abnormal HR in the first 6 months after transplantation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We prospectively studied 27 heart transplant recipients who underwent treadmill exercise tests at 2 and 6 months after heart transplantation (HT). HR responses to exercise were classified as normal or abnormal, depending on achieving all of the following criteria: (1) increased HR for each minute of exercise, (2) highest HR at the peak exercise intensity, and (3) decreased HR for each minute of the recovery period. The HR response at 2 months was compared with the results at 6 months post-HT.

RESULTS

At 2 months post-HT, 96.3% of the patients showed abnormal HR responses to exercise. Four months later, 11 patients (40.7%) had normalized HR responses (P<.001), which also involved a significant decrease in the time to achieve the highest HR after exercise (124.4±63.8 seconds in the first test and 55.6±44.6 seconds in the second). A significant improvement in exercise capacity and chronotropic competence was also shown in tests performed at 6 months after surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

We observed important improvements in HR responses to exercise at 6 months after HT, which may represent early functional cardiac reinnervation.

Influence of traditional cardiovascular risk factors in the recipient on the development of cardiac allograft vasculopathy after heart transplantation

BACKGROUND

Cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) is the leading cause of death heart transplant (HT) recipients after the first year. We assessed the influence of cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs) in HT recipients on the development of CAV after 1 year of follow-up.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From 2001 to 2005, we studied 72 patients who received a HT and survived for at least 1 years. All patients underwent coronary arteriography and intravascular ultrasonography at 1 year after HT. Cardiac allograft vasculopathy was defined as intimal proliferation of 0.5 mm or more. The analyzed CVRFs were age, sex, body mass index, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and smoking. We also considered the heart disease that was the reason for HT. The statistical tests used in the univariate analysis were the t and chi(2) tests. Logistic regression was performed with the variables obtained at univariate analysis.

RESULTS

Mean (SD) recipient age at HT was 51 (9) years. Eighty patients (90.5%) were men. Dyslipidemia was significantly associated with a greater incidence of CAV at 1 year (68.3% vs 41.9%; P = .03). Ischemia, as opposed to all other causes, was also significantly associated with CAV (69.4% vs 44.4%; P = .03). Older age, hypertension, smoking history, and high body mass index were associated with a higher incidence of CAV, albeit without statistical significance. At multivariate analysis, dyslipidemia was the most significant CVRF (P = .045) for the development of CAV.

CONCLUSIONS

Recipient dyslipidemia is a risk factor for the development of CAV in HT. The remaining traditional CVRFs are more weakly associated with CAV. After HT close monitoring of recipients with pretransplantation CVRFs is essential for early detection of CAV.

[Major complications in the recovery unit following heart transplant: incidence and risk factors]

OBJECTIVE

To assess the incidence of major complications in the postoperative recovery unit and to analyze the associated recipient, donor, and surgical risk factors.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We studied a series of consecutive orthotopic heart transplants carried out in our hospital from 2001 through 2007. Patients who experienced major complications during their stay in the recovery ward were compared with those who did not. Exitus, primary graft failure, severe infection, and need for hemodialysis were considered major complications.

RESULTS

One hundred fifty-two patients were enrolled. The mean stay in the recovery unit was 3 days (range, 225-5 days). Thirty-nine patients (26%) developed major complications in the recovery unit and 113 did not. The complications were primary graft failure (20%), infection (12%), and acute renal failure (53%). Patients with and without major complications were significantly different with respect to mean (SD) age (55 [6] vs 50 [12] years, respectively; P=.001), presence of diabetes mellitus (41% vs 14%, P=.0001), classification in New York Heart Association functional class IV/IV status (54% vs 34%, P=.05), emergency transplantation (46% vs 18%, P=.001), mean cardiopulmonary bypass time (145 [66] vs 119 [35], P=.03), pretransplant use of an intra-aortic balloon pump (15% vs 6%, P=.04). Multivariate analysis demonstrated an association between major complications and emergency transplantation (OR, 5.67; P=.001), recipient age over 55 years (OR, 2.99; P=.027), and diabetes mellitus (OR, 2.86; P=.048).

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of major complications in our postoperative recovery unit was 26%. The most common complications were primary graft failure, infection, and acute renal failure. Emergency transplantation, older age, and a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus in the recipient were predictors of complication.

Effect of circulatory assistance on premature death and long-term prognosis

BACKGROUND

Patients undergoing urgent heart transplantation (HT) have a poorer prognosis and more long-term complications. The objective of this study was to compare the preoperative course in patients undergoing urgent HT according to the need for preoperative intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation (IABP).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We studied 102 consecutive patients including 23 patients with IABP who underwent urgent HT between January 2000 and September 2006. We excluded patients who received combination transplants, those who underwent repeat HT, and pediatric patients who underwent HT. The statistical methods used were the t test for quantitative variables and the chi(2) test for qualitative variables. A logistic regression model was constructed to assess the possible relationship between IABP and other variables on premature death within 30 days after HT.

RESULTS

Mean (SD) patient-age was 50 (10) years. No significant differences were observed in baseline characteristics between the IABP and the non-IAPB groups. The IABP patient group had higher rates of acute graft failure (45.5% vs 35.4%; P = .46) and premature death (18.8% vs 14.8%; P = .67) and shorter long-term survival (40.6 [34.9] vs 54.5 [43.7] mo; P = .30). Multivariate analysis demonstrated no association between the need for IABP and increased frequency of premature death.

CONCLUSIONS

Use of IABP is not associated with premature or late death. We recommend use of IABP in patients with acute decompensated heart failure to stabilize them before HT.

Randomized prospective study of the evolution of renal function depending on the anticalcineurin used

BACKGROUND

Renal failure is one of the primary medium- to long-term morbidities in heart transplant (HT) recipients. To a great extent, this renal deterioration is associated with calcineurin inhibitors, primarily cyclosporine A (CsA). It has been suggested that tacrolimus provides better renal function in these patients. We assessed the medium-term evolution of renal function depending on the calcineurin inhibitor used after HT.

PATIENTS AND METHOD

We assessed 40 consecutive HT recipients over one year. Patients were randomized to receive CsA (n = 20) or tacrolimus (n = 20) in combination with mycophenolate mofetil (1 g/12 h) and deflazacort in decreasing dosages. We analyzed demographic variables before HT, creatinine values before and six months after HT and incidence of acute rejection.

RESULTS

No demographic, clinical, or analytical differences were observed were between the two groups before HT. Repeated measures analysis of variance of creatinine values showed no significant differences between the two groups (P = .98). Furthermore, no differences were observed in either the incidence of rejection (P = .02) or rejection-free survival (P = .14).

CONCLUSION

There seems to be no difference in efficacy profile and renal tolerability between CsA and tacrolimus therapy during the first months after HT.

Predictors of Mortality Following Heart Transplantation: Spanish Registry of Heart Transplantation 1984–2003

INTRODUCTION

Because the number of heart transplants performed per center is rather low, multicenter registries and databases are designed to analyze a large number of transplants to draw reliable conclusions. The objective of this study was to determine the factors associated with early and late mortality following heart transplantation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

All heart transplants performed in Spain since the start of activity (May 1984) to December 31, 2001 were analyzed. Using multivariate methods with Cox regression. The variables included donor, recipient, immunosuppression, surgical and follow-up factors (a total of 111 variables).

RESULTS

The Total number of transplants was 4386. Early survival (at 30 days posttransplant) was 86%; survivals at 1, 5, and 10 years were 76%, 66%, and 54%, respectively. Variables associated with early mortality were acute graft failure, ventricular assistance, prior surgery, urgent transplant, bypass duration >180 minutes, and combined transplant. Variables associated with late mortality were acute graft failure, renal dysfunction, obesity, CMV+ serology, absence of induction therapy, infection, dialysis, and neurologic complications.

CONCLUSIONS

Multicenter records of large databases are essential to draw reliable conclusions. This Registry provided reliable information on heart transplants in our country. The identification of factors associated with mortality provides a good perspective on the problems and a basis for future solutions and prospective studies.

Predictors of mortality following heart transplantation: Spanish Registry of Heart Transplantation 1984-2001

Because the number of heart transplants performed at each center is rather low, multicenter registries are designed to analyze a large number of transplants to draw reliable conclusions.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the factors associated with early and late mortality following heart transplantation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

All heart transplants performed in Spain since the start of transplant activity (May 1984) to December 31, 2001 were subjected to multivariate test using Cox regression in blocks of variables grouped into donor, recipient, immunosuppression, surgical and follow-up variables (a total of 111 metrics).

RESULTS

Among the 3786 transplants early survival at 30 days after transplant was 86%, while survivals at 1, 5, and 10 years were 76%, 63%, and 50%. Variables associated with early mortality included acute graft failure, pulmonary vascular resistance >2.5 Wood Units (WU), prior thoracic surgery, respiratory obstruction, donor treatment with dobutamine, ventricular assistance, hepatic and/or renal dysfunction, hyperuricemia, mechanical ventilation, prior infection, duration of ischemia and/or extracorporeal circulation >4 hours. Variables associated with late mortality were: acute graft failure, graft vascular disease, tumors, rejection, infection, dialysis, and hypertension.

CONCLUSIONS

Multicenter records provide reliable information on heart transplants in our country, revealing factors associated with mortality for future solutions.

[Utility of pravastin in cardiac transplant dyslipidemia]

Patients undergoing cardiac transplantation are at increased risk of dyslipidemia (60% to 80%). Lipid-lowering treatment in these patients should be aggressive given the known role of dyslipidemia in chronic transplant rejection. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of pravastatina therapy and its effect upon cyclosporine levels in a population of dyslipidemic cardiac transplant patients.A total of 20 cardiac transplant patients were enrolled in this 39-week length prospective observational study. Patients had serum cholesterol levels exceeding 200 mg/dl, and received pravastatin therapy at the adequate dose to obtain an optimal lipid profile without significant adverse effects. Pravastatin, at a mean dose of 50 18 mg/day, produced a significant reduction in total cholesterol levels (from 291 32 to 203 25 mg/dl, p < 0.05), LDL cholesterol (from 187 34 to 102 15 mg/dl, p < 0.05) and an increase in HDL-cholesterol levels (from 48 16 to 55 14, p < 0.05). A slight asymptomatic increase in CPK levels was observed but no differences in cyclosporine levels. Pravastatin has shown to be an effective and safe therapy in dyslipidemic cardiac transplant patients.

[Spanish heart transplant registry. 12th official report (1984-2000)]

This paper outlines the general characteristics and results obtained with heart transplantation in Spain after including the data for the year 2000. In the course of last year 353 transplants were performed; along with the operations performed since 1984, this represents an overall total of 3445 transplants. The year 2000 was the first year in which the limit of 350 yearly operations was exceeded. The average clinical profile of the Spanish heart transplant patient corresponds to a male of about 50 years of age, with an A blood group, coronary disease that is not amenable to revascularization, and NYHA functional status IV/IV. In order to evaluate and compare this data register with others, it is important to take into account that on one hand it includes absolutely all the transplants performed in this country -thereby reliably reflecting the true situation of the technique in Spain- while on the other the analyses made are global and include high-risk transplants (urgent, recipients of advanced or paediatric age, retransplanted patients, heterotopic transplants, combined with lung, kidney and liver, etc.). The percentage of urgent heart transplants was 16%, a figure considerably lower than in previous years (20-25%). The mean early mortality in the past 10 years was 15%.Long-term survival has increased with respect to the records for last year, with a mean patient survival of 10.6 years. The probability of survival after 1, 5 and 10 years is 75, 63 and 51%, respectively. The most frequent causes of early death are infection and graft failure, while long-term survival is limited by tumors and vascular graft disease. In conclusion, we can say that our overall survival rate is slightly superior to that reported from other data records in the world literature. Nevertheless, a persisting challenge is to improve our results in the early phases of heart transplantation.

[The Registry of Spanish Heart Transplantation. Eleventh official report]

As carried out since 1991, the Section of Heart Transplantation of the Spanish Cardiology Society presents an analysis of the characteristics and results of all transplants performed in Spain since the beginning of this activity (1984) up to December 31 of the year before its publication. The 336 transplants performed in 1999 in addition to all those performed since 1984 represent a total of 3,092 transplants. The number of procedures undertaken in 1998 was of 349, indicating slight decrease in transplantation activity in the last year. Nevertheless, the figures are similar and the analysis of the last years shows that the mean annual figure is close to 250 transplants/year. In our country, the mean clinical profile of the patient undergoing transplantation corresponds to a male (82%), aged 48 years (48 +/- 15), blood type A (54%) or 0 (32%), with severe heart disease due to ischemic heart disease (39%) or idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (35%). The recorded results have been analyzed globally, thus including all the transplants performed; high risk transplants (urgent, elderly or pediatric receptors, retransplantation, multiple heterotopic transplantation with lung, kidney and liver...) in this analysis. This should be taken into account when comparing the results with other registries. The mean early mortality (first 30 days after transplantation) corresponding to the last 10 years is of 14%. In this period, acute graft failure (35%), multi-organic failure (15%) and infections (10%) constitute the most frequent cause of death. The sum of the results obtained in 1999 and those obtained in former years show survival in the 1st, 5th and 10th year to be of 74, 62 and 47%, respectively. Global mortality is mainly due to infection (18%), acute graft failure (17%) and rejection (11%). We can conclude that, although the number of transplants performed yearly appears to have reached a plateau, the results obtained cannot be considered stable since year after year, thanks to the great experience of the Transplant Units, these results are gradually exceeding the survival levels.

[The clinical practice guidelines of the Sociedad Española de Cardiología on pericardial pathology]

The pericardium is a serous membrane consisting of two layers (parietal and visceral), which may be involved by different infectious, physical, traumatic, or inflammatory agents as well as in metabolic or systemic diseases. The reactions of the pericardium to these insults result in rather nonspecific clinical features, such as the characteristic inflammatory findings in acute pericarditis, the development of pericardial effusion with the possible complication of cardiac tamponade, and a fibrous retractile reaction that may lead to constrictive pericarditis. These phenomena are not mutually exclusive and can be simultaneous or consecutive in the same patient; however, for the sake of clarity they are independently discussed. The aim of the present guidelines is to provide orientation about the management of patients with pericardial disease. Such management should basically rest on the knowledge of the clinical and epidemiological features (such as disease frequency) of the different types of pericardial disease that determine the diagnostic and therapeutic yield of the different invasive pericardial procedures (pericardiocentesis, pericardial biopsy and pericardiectomy), and, therefore, their respective indications. In addition, the indication of the different types of medical therapy are discussed. On the other hand, emphasis is made on the possible limitation of the validity of these guidelines for patients belonging to geographical areas or socioeconomic contexts with different etiologic spectra.

[The Spanish Registry of Heart Transplantation. The 10th Official Report (1984-1998). Spanish Heart Transplantation Groups. The Section of Heart Transplantation of the Spanish Society of Cardiology]

The results of the Spanish Registry of Heart Transplantation are hereby presented. A total of 349 transplants were performed in 1998--representing a net 2756 transplants since 1984. The number of procedures increased again in the last year, with a 9.8% rise over the preceding year. This was probably due to an increase in the number of available organs, combined with less restrictive acceptance conditions imposed by the prolonged waiting list. Early mortality improved compared to 1997 (11% versus 16%), despite an increase in the proportion of urgent transplants performed (26% versus 22%). Overall survival increased for all transplant types and situations (urgent, pediatric, elderly and combined with kidney, liver or lung) on incorporating the 1998 data to the previous year (survival at 1 and 5 years: 74% and 62% versus 73% and 60%). Mean patient survival also increased from 8.6 to 9.5 years. As in the previous year, over 100 variables per patient have been analyzed to establish predictors of early and late mortality. In conclusion, heart transplantation in Spain has not yet reached a plateau, and year after year the number of procedures increases, with improved results.

Right ventricular infarction mimicking anterior infarction: a case report

Right ventricular infarction usually occurs in association with inferior infarction, with no remarkable electrocardiographic signs in conventional leads. This report describes a patient with a previous inferior acute myocardial infarction who developed right ventricular infarction with significant anterior lead ST segment elevation (V1-V4) caused by the loss of two large right ventricular branches during a coronary angioplasty of the right coronary artery. The case is discussed and the literature is reviewed.

[Myocardial bridging as a cause of acute ischemia. Description of a case and review of the literature]

Myocardial bridges consist of muscle fiber bundles lining an epicardial coronary artery for a variable distance. They are a relatively common finding, with incidence changing on the basis of the study method used (angiographic/necropsy). Although myocardial bridges are usually associated with a benign prognosis, being in many cases asymptomatic and only found by chance, their presence has also been considered a cause of angina, malignant arrhythmia, myocardial infarction and sudden death. They are diagnosed in vivo by angiography when a systolic compression of a coronary artery which disappears during diastole is evidenced. We report the case of a patient with electrocardiographic signs of severe ischemia in the territory of the anterior descending artery, which was initially assessed as myocardial infarction and treated as such. Eventually, the ECG returned to normal, and no new Q waves of necrosis occurred. An angiohemodynamic study confirmed the existence of an isolated muscular bridge over the middle third of the anterior descending artery, with no other associated coronary lesions.

[Evaluation of the usefulness of the antimyosin monoclonal antibody (AMA) uptake in the diagnosis of heart transplant (HT) rejection]

OBJECTIVE

To ascertain whether a given level of antimyosin monoclonal antibody (AMA) uptake in the endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) can identify patients with rejection.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

186 examinations were performed on 65 patients (8 women and 57 men) with orthotopic heat transplant (HT): Mean age 51 +/- 13 years. There were 3 examinations per patient (range 1-6). The studies were conducted 13 to 880 days after the HT. The C/p uptake indexes were obtained according to the Carrió y cols. method and the results were compared with the biopsy findings. Rejection was considered to be when the biopsy showed at least one site of necrosis.

RESULTS

1) We analyzed the C/P index in accordance with the post-HT interval and with the degree of rejection obtained by EMB. No group showed any significant differences between the patients with an without rejection (p > 0,05). 2) We applied a variable threshold based on post-HT interval, using an exponential curve defined on the basis of the interval of the values corresponding to patients without rejection and good progress compared with that of the rejection patients. This approach also did not contribute any improvement compared to the use of a fixed threshold due to the significant overlay of the values for patients with and without rejection. 3) Finally, we analyzed the individual evolution of the C/P indexes for each patient in terms of time. In patients whose clinical progress was good, the C/P indexes were observed to drop progressively over time. In those whose clinical progress was poor, abrupt increases in the index values were observed.

CONCLUSION

We were unable to differentiate significantly between patients with and without rejection in EMB using fixed and variable thresholds of the C/P index. However, the different patterns of evolution for each patient provide information on the lack of complications and could be used as a follow-up technique.

[The National Heart Transplant Registry. The 9th Official Report (1984-1997). The Spanish Heart Transplant Groups. The Section of Heart Transplantation of the Spanish Society of Cardiology]

The results of the Spanish National Registry of Heart Transplantation, made up of 12 centers currently performing transplantation are reported. 318 transplantations performed in 1997, which, together with those performed since 1984, totals 2, 406 transplantations. The number of procedures increased again last year, breaking the trend of recent years. This has probably been due to an increase in organ obtention and a reduction in the acceptance level required, necessary because the waiting list has increased. Over 100 variables have been analyzed per patient to measure mortality predictors. The results are comparable to those published by the International Society of Heart and Lung Transplantation. Early survival, at the first 30 days post-transplantation, is lower in the National Registry, though 1-year survival tends to be higher, with a 3% fall in the National Registry and 4% in the International one. In conclusion, heart transplantation is a procedure completely established in Spain, with results comparable to those of the International Registry, due to the great experience of the centers.

Left ventricular end-diastolic extrasystole with pseudonormalization of a left bundle branch block unmasking inferior ischemia

An electrocardiogram tracing of a patient in conducted sinus rhythm with left bundle branch block is shown, in which occasional pseudonormalization of intraventricular conduction is seen. This event is attributed to ventricular fusions with end-diastolic extrasystoles of the left His-Purkinje system distal to the block site. This type of extrasystole is discussed. In this case, normalization of ventricular activation allowed for diagnosis of inferior subepicardial ischemia.

Severe pulmonary hypertension: a feature of Swyer-James syndrome?

Swyer-James syndrome, unilateral hyperlucent lung with air entrapment, generally occurs after severe infections during childhood. It is usually diagnosed by its characteristic chest radiographic image film or computed tomography, in patients who are almost asymptomatic. We report a case of Swyer-James syndrome, diagnosed from the study of severe pulmonary hypertension and with a fatal outcome.

[Transesophageal echocardiography diagnosis of perforation of the mitral valve secondary to infective endocarditis]

We report on a patient with infective endocarditis and severe mitral regurgitation secondary to perforation in the base of the posterior mitral leaflet. Transthoracic echocardiography was inconclusive. Only transesophageal echocardiography could confirm the presence of vegetations, their characteristics and the existence of valvular perforation. We also review the literature on the contribution of transesophageal echocardiography to the diagnosis of infective endocarditis and its complications.

[Isosorbide 5-mononitrate (delayed release) in stable effort angina]

This work has been carried out to evaluate over a short and medium space of time (100 days) the efficacy, tolerance and haemodynamic repercussion of 50 mg of sustained release Isosorbide 5-Mononitrate administered once day to patients with stable effort angina in a random and prospective study, which was double blind crossover and placebo-controlled. In this study we included 10 patients who showed positive exercise test using clinical (angina) and electrocardiographic (ischemic drop of the ST greater than 1 mm) criteria. The assessment was done with cycloergometry starting with 30W and increasing by 20W every 2 minutes until angina appeared accompanied by an ischemic drop of the ST. The effort tests were done basally and at intervals of 4, 12 and 24 hours after the dose. The parameters studied were obtained on the 1st, 25th and 100th days of the study and were compared with those of the placebo. The time taken for the ST to 1 mm to fall (seconds) increased when evaluated after 4 and 12 hours on the 1st, 25th and 100th days in comparison with placebo (p < 0.05). The time taken for angina (seconds) to appear lengthened considerably when evaluated 4 and 12 hours after the dose not only on the 1st day but also on the 25th and 100th days in comparison with placebo (p < 0.05). The duration of the effort (seconds) was significantly greater after 4 and 12 hours on the 1st, 25th and 100th days when compared to that of the placebo (p < 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)