Background and Objectives: Since the first use of ventricular assist devices (VADs) as bridge to recovery and bridge to cardiac transplantation in the early 1990s, significant technological advances have transformed VAD implantation into a routine destination therapy. With improved survival, many patients present for cardiac surgery for conditions not directly related to their permanent mechanical circulatory support. The aim of this study was to analyze the indications and outcomes of non-cardiac surgeries (NCSs) of left ventricular assist device (LVAD) patients in tertiary center. Material and Methods: We present a single-center experience after 151 LVAD implantations in 138 consecutive patients between 2012–2019 who had to undergo NCS during a follow-up period of 37 +/− 23.4 months on left ventricular assist device (LVAD). Results: A total of 105 procedures was performed in 63 LVAD recipients, resulting in peri-operative mortality of 3.8%. Twenty-five (39.7%) of patients underwent multiple surgeries. We found no significant difference in cumulative survival associated with the performed surgical interventions (p = 0.469). Conclusion: We demonstrated good overall clinical outcomes in LVAD patients undergoing NCS. With acceptable peri-operative mortality, NCS can be safely performed in LVAD patients on long-term support.

Purpose During our transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) courses, medical students showed difficulty in spatial orientation. We implemented the use of 3D printed cardiac models of standard TTE views PLAX, PSAX, and A4C and assessed their efficacy in TTE-teaching. Methods One hundred fifty-three participants were split into two groups. A pre-test-retest of anatomy, 2D -, and 3D orientation was conducted. The intervention group (n = 77) was taught using 3D models; the control group (n = 76) without. Both were comparable with respect to baseline parameters. Besides test-scores, a Likert scale recorded experiences, difficulties, and evaluation of teaching instruments. Results From the 153 students evaluated, 123 improved, 20 did worse, and ten achieved the same result after the course. The median overall pre-test score was 29 of 41 points, and the retest score was 35 (p < 0.001). However, the intervention group taught with the 3D models, scored significantly better overall (p = 0.016), and in 2D-thinking (p = 0.002) and visual thinking (p = 0.006) subtests. A backward multivariate linear regression model revealed that the 3D models are a strong individual predictor of an excellent visual thinking score. In addition, our study showed that students with difficulty in visual thinking benefited considerably from the 3D models. Conclusion Students taught using the 3D models significantly improved when compared with conventional teaching. Students regarded the provided models as most helpful in their learning process. We advocate the implementation of 3D-printed heart models featuring the standard views for teaching echocardiography. These findings may be transferable to other evidence based medical and surgical teaching interventions.

Background and Objectives: The understanding of high body mass index (BMI) and outcomes after Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) implantation continues to evolve and the relationship has not been established yet. In this study, we investigated the effects of obesity (BMI > 30 kg/m2) on post–LVAD implantation outcomes. HeartWare LVAD and Heart Mate III LVAD were implanted. The primary outcome that was measured was mortality (in-hospital and on follow-up). The secondary outcomes that were measured were major adverse events. Materials and Methods: At our institution, the West German Heart and Vascular Center (Essen, Germany), from August 2010 to January 2020, a total of 210 patients received a long-term LVAD. Patients were stratified according to BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 representing the obesity threshold. The first group (n = 162) had an average BMI of 24.2 kg/m2 (±2.9), and the second group (n = 48) had an average BMI of 33.9 kg/m2 (±3.2). Baseline demographics were analysed alongside comorbidities per group. Results: Overall mortality was not significantly different between the obese group (51.1% n = 24) and the nonobese group (55.2%, n = 85) (p = 0.619). The difference between the mean duration of survival of patients who expired after hospital discharge was insignificant (2.1 years ± 1.6, group 1; 2.6 years ± 1.5, group 2; p = 0.29). In-hospital mortality was unvaried between the two groups: group 1: n = 34 (44% out of overall group 1 deaths); group 2: n = 11 (45.8% out of overall group 2 deaths) (p > 0.05). Postoperative complications were unvaried between the obese and the non-obese group (all with p > 0.05). However, a significant difference was found with regards to follow-up neurological complications (18.5% vs. 37.8%, p = 0.01) and LVAD thrombosis (14.7% vs. 33.3%, p = 0.01), as both were higher in the obese population. Conclusion: Obesity does not form a barrier for LVAD implantation in terms of mortality (in-hospital and on follow up). However, a significantly higher incidence of follow-up LVAD thrombosis and neurological complications has been found in the obese group of patients.

Background and Objectives: Over the past decade, veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) has developed into a mainstream treatment for refractory cardiogenic shock (CS) to maximal conservative management. Successful weaning of VA-ECMO may not be possible, and bridging with further mechanical circulatory support (MCS), such as urgent implantation of a left ventricular assist device (LVAD), may represent the only means to sustain the patient haemodynamically. In the recovery phase, many survivors are not suitably prepared physically or psychologically for the novel issues encountered during daily life with an LVAD. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis of our institutional database between 2012 and 2019 was performed to identify patients treated with VA-ECMO for CS who underwent urgent LVAD implantation whilst on MCS. Post-cardiotomy cases were excluded. QoL was assessed prospectively during a routine follow-up visit using the EuroQol-5 dimensions-5 level (EQ-5D-5L) and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) surveys. Results: Among 126 in-hospital survivors of VA-ECMO therapy due to cardiogenic shock without prior cardiac surgery, 31 (24.6%) urgent LVAD recipients were identified. In 11 (36.7%) cases, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was performed (median 10, range 1–60 min) before initiation of VA-ECMO, and in 5 (16.7%) cases, MCS was established under CPR. Mean age at LVAD implantation was 51.7 (+/−14) years and surgery was performed after a mean 12.1 (+/−8) days of VA-ECMO support. During follow-up of 46.9 (+/−25.5) months, there were 10 deaths after 20.4 (+/−12.1) months of LVAD support. Analysis of QoL questionnaires returned a mean EQ-5D-5L score of 66% (+/−21) of societal valuation for Germany and a mean PHQ-9 score of 5.7 (+/−5) corresponding to mild depression severity. When compared with 49 elective LVAD recipients without prior VA-ECMO therapy, there was no significant difference in QoL results. Conclusions: Patients requiring urgent LVAD implantation under VA-ECMO support due to CS are associated with comparable quality of life without a significant difference from elective LVAD recipients. Close follow-up is required to oversee patient rehabilitation after successful initial treatment.

Background: The current coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is associated with severe pulmonary and cardiovascular complications. Case presentation: This report describes a young patient with COVID-19 without any comorbidity presenting with severe cardiovascular complications, manifesting with pulmonary embolism, embolic stroke, and right heart failure. Conclusion: Management with short-term mechanical circulatory support, including different cannulation strategies, resulted in a successful outcome despite his critical cardiovascular status.

Background: Multi-organ failure characterized by acute kidney injury, liver dysfunction, and respiratory failure is a complex condition associated with high mortality, for which multiple individual support devices may be simultaneously required. This review aims to appraise the current evidence for the ADVanced Organ Support (ADVOS) system, a novel device integrating liver, lung, and kidney support with blood detoxification. Methods:We performed a literature review of the PubMed database to identify human and animal studies evaluating the ADVOS system. Results:In porcine models of acute liver injury and small clinical studies in humans, ADVOS significantly enhanced the elimination of water-soluble and protein-bound toxins and metabolites, including creatinine, ammonia, blood urea nitrogen, and lactate. Cardiovascular parameters (mean arterial pressure, cerebral perfusion pressure, and cardiac index) and renal function were improved. ADVOS clears carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) effectively with rapid correction of pH abnormalities, achieving normalization of CO 2 , and bicarbonate levels. In patients with COVID-19 infection, ADVOS enables rapid correction of acid-base disturbance and respiratory acidosis. ADVOS therapy reduces mortality in multiorgan failure and has been shown to be safe with minimal adverse events. Conclusions:From the small observational studies analyzed, ADVOS demonstrates excellent detoxification of water-soluble and protein-bound substances. In particular, ADVOS permits the correction of metabolic and respiratory acidosis through the fluid-based direct removal of acid and CO 2 . ADVOS is associated with significant improvements in hemodynamic and biochemical parameters, a trend toward improved survival in multi-organ failure, and is well-tolerated.Larger randomized trials are now necessary to further validate these encouraging results.

The current coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is associated with severe pulmonary and cardiovascular complications. This report describes a young patient with COVID-19 without any comorbidity presenting with severe cardiovascular complications, manifesting with pulmonary embolism, embolic stroke, and right heart failure. Management with short-term mechanical circulatory support, including different cannulation strategies, resulted in a successful outcome despite his critical cardiovascular status.

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