No abstract

Long-term results after LTx with organs procured following DCD are in general comparable with those obtained after DBD LTx. However, patients transplanted using organs from DCD donors have a predisposition for development of BOS in the longer follow-up.

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a temporary mechanical circulatory assist method that offers circulatory as well as respiratory support efficiently via peripheral access; however, it is liable to complications. Limb ischemia is one of the notorious complications of ECMO but can be avoided utilizing a proper distal limb perfusion method. A retrospective study of patients undergoing peripheral venoarterial (VA) ECMO for various reasons between June 2010 and December 2012 was performed. All patients were evaluated by our multidisciplinary team for suitability as candidates for ECMO. A peripheral VA-ECMO circuit was implanted via groin: inflow cannula in the femoral vein, an outflow cannula and distal-perfusion cannula, or an introducer sheath in the femoral artery. During the study period, 83 patients underwent various types of ECMO; 45 received peripheral VA-ECMO. Distal limb perfusion was achieved with an introducer sheath (6-8 Fr) in 13 cases and with a distal-perfusion cannula (10-12 Fr) in 32 cases. Nine (20%) patients developed signs of ischemia; five (11.2%) were treated conservatively, while four (8.8%) required surgical intervention. One patient required a below-knee amputation. The incidences of limb ischemia and limb ischemia requiring surgical intervention were significantly higher for the introducer sheath compared with the cannula (30.6 vs. 15.6% and 15.4 vs. 6.25%, respectively). Moreover, the patients supported on ECMO with a distal-perfusion cannula spent a significantly longer time on ECMO compared with the ones in whom an introducer sheath was used (11.9 ± 9.1 vs. 7.7 ± 4.3 days). The mean cannula size was significantly greater than the mean introducer sheath size (11.1 ± 1.3 vs. 7.0 ± 1.1 Fr). Use of a distal-perfusion cannula is a most reliable method of limb perfusion in peripheral VA-ECMO. The cannula can ensure adequate and smooth perfusion of the limb owing to its large caliber, its less turbulent flow, the ability it provides to monitor the flow, and the option to attach a side port.

Carefully chosen anastomosis geometry is likely to be able to generate a close-to-normal hemodynamic environment in the aortic root. Greater knowledge of aortic valve remodeling may make possible the creation of favorable flow patterns in the aortic root, through optimization of surgical design to reduce or delay the occurrence of aortic valve insufficiency.

No abstract

Left ventricular assist device (LVAD) is now a routine therapy for advanced heart failure. Minimally invasive approach via thoracotomy for LVAD implantation is getting popular due to its potential advantage over the conventional sternotomy approach in terms of reduced risk at re-operation due to sternal sparing. We compared the approaches (thoracotomy and sternotomy) to determine the superiority. Minimally invasive approach involved fitting of the LVAD inflow cannula into left ventricle apex via left anterior thoracotomy and anastomosis of outflow graft to ascending aorta via right anterior thoracotomy. In the sternotomy approach, both the procedures were performed via sternotomy. Outcomes in patients after LVAD implantation were compared depending on these approaches for the surgery. Two hundred and five continuous flow LVAD implantations performed between July 2006 and June 2015 at a single center were divided based on surgical approach, that is, sternotomy (n = 180) and thoracotomy (n = 25) groups.

Our results show that the unplanned use of CPB (conversion from off- to on-pump) might adversely affect outcome after LTx. Also, the negative impact of female-to-male transplantation should not be underestimated during recipient selection. Furthermore, poor early postoperative oxygenation, particularly with the need for extracorporeal oxygenation, might be a very strong negative prognostic factor after LTx.

SummaryLung transplantation (LTx) from "extended donor criteria" donors may reduce significantly organ shortage. However, its influence on results remains unclear. In this study, we evaluate retrospectively the results of LTx from donors outside standard criteria: PaO2/FiO2 ratio < 300 mmHg, age over 55 years, and history of smoking > 20 pack-years. Two hundred and forty-eight patients underwent first time LTx in our institution between January 2007 and January 2013. Seventy-nine patients (Group I) received organs from "extended donor criteria" and 169 patients (Group II) from "standard donor criteria." Recipients' and donors' demographics, perioperative variables, and outcome were compared. Donors from Group I were significantly older [median (interquartile range)]: 52.5 (44;58) vs. 42 (28.5;48.5) years (P < 0.001) with lower PaO2/FiO2 ratio: 366 AE 116.1 455 AE 80.5 mmHg (P < 0.001), higher incidence of smoking history: 57.7% vs. 41.8% (P = 0.013), and more extensive smoking history: 24(15;30) vs. 10 (3.75;14) pack-years (P < 0.001). Other parameters were comparable. Recipients' gender, diagnosis, percentage of patients operated on pump and receiving double LTx were also comparable. Recipients from Group I were significantly older: 50 (42;57) vs. 44 (29.5;53.5) years (P = 001). There were no differences observed in recipients' prevalence of primary graft dysfunction (PGD) grade 3 over first three postoperative days, duration of mechanical ventilation, intensive care and hospital length of stay, prevalence of rejection, and bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS). 90-day, 1-year, and 5-year survival (Group I vs. II) were also similar: 88.6% vs. 91.7%, 83.2% vs. 84.6%, and 59% vs. 68.2% (log rank P = 0.367). Carefully selected donor lungs from outside the standard acceptability criteria may expand existing donor pool with no detrimental effect on LTx outcome.