Post-transplant outcomes in heart transplant patients after implantation of CentriMag™ ventricular assist device

Aim: The CentriMag™ short-term ventricular assist device (VAD) can be used as either as a bridge to transplantation (BTT) or candidacy (BTC) in critically ill patients with decompensated end-stage heart failure. In this study, we analyzed post-transplantation outcomes of patients that were bridged to heart transplantation (HTx) or candidacy with the CentriMag™ device and compared our results with the recent literature. Materials and methods: All patients supported with the CentriMag™ device as a BTT or BTC due to decompensated end-stage heart failure between 2004 and 2019 were analyzed. Primary endpoint were post transplantation 1-month and 1-year survival. Results: A total of 29 patients (37.2±13.8 years) underwent HTx after the implantation of the CentriMag™ device as a BTT (18 patients, 62%) or BTC (11 patients, 38%) over a 15-year study period. The device was used for the left ventricular in nine (31%), right ventricular in six (21%) and biventricular support in 14 patients (48%). Preoperatively, four patients (17%) were mechanically ventilated, four (14%) had uncertain neurological status, 9 (31%) had intra-aortic balloon pump, 26 (90%) had moderate/severe right ventricular failure, 14 (48%) had renal failure, five (17%) had multi-organ failure, and six (21%) had previous sternotomy at the time of the device implantation. One-month mortality after the implantation of the CentriMag was 7%. Mean duration of support was 38±44 days. We had no device failure. Post-transplant 1-month and 1-year survival were 90% and 83%, respectively. Conclusion: The CentriMag™ device can be effective in rescuing critically ill patients that are potential candidates for HTx and considered unsuitable for long-term VAD. It can be used as either BTT or BTC with satisfactory posttransplant outcomes

Factors associated with long-term outcomes in adult congenital heart disease patients with infective endocarditis: a 16-year tertiary single-centre experience

Objectives: Studies concerning factors associated with long-term outcomes in adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) patients after infective endocarditis (IE) are scarce, while IE-related mortality in these patients remains a burden. We evaluated the factors associated with long-term survival in ACHD patients admitted for IE. Methods: We performed a retrospective single-centre study of all ACHD patients admitted for IE to a tertiary cardiothoracic centre between 1999 and 2015. Underlying ACHD, detailed echocardiographic and clinical data, surgical treatment and long-term follow-up were analysed. Results: We identified 151 ACHD patients admitted due to 176 episodes IE with 30-day, 6-month and 1-, 5- and 10-year survival of 95.4%, 92.7%, 92.7%, 84.7% and 75.6%, respectively. In a multivariable analysis, adjusted estimated probability of death was consistently higher after an IE episode among patients with complex as compared to simple/moderate ACHD: 10.6% vs 2.4% at 30 days, 15.0% vs 3.4% at 6 months and 1 year, 30.4% vs 7.8% at 5 years and 44.9% vs 13.1% at 10 years. Risk of death was higher among patients with prosthetic valve in comparison with those without (risk ratios 1.73-1.92). Surgical treatment was required in 76 (43.2%) episodes with 30-day mortality of 3.9%. Risk of death appeared to be lower than in the conservatively treated subgroup (risk ratios 0.71-0.78). Conclusions: We demonstrated satisfactory long-term survival in ACHD patients who were treated for IE in a tertiary cardiothoracic centre. Early mortality tended to be lower in the surgically treated subgroup. Factors negatively associated with long-term survival were complex ACHD and presence of prosthetic valve

Morbidity and mortality after anaesthesia in early life: results of the European prospective multicentre observational study, neonate and children audit of anaesthesia practice in Europe (NECTARINE)

Background: Neonates and infants requiring anaesthesia are at risk of physiological instability and complications, but triggers for peri-anaesthetic interventions and associations with subsequent outcome are unknown. Methods: This prospective, observational study recruited patients up to 60 weeks' postmenstrual age undergoing anaesthesia for surgical or diagnostic procedures from 165 centres in 31 European countries between March 2016 and January 2017. The primary aim was to identify thresholds of pre-determined physiological variables that triggered a medical intervention. The secondary aims were to evaluate morbidities, mortality at 30 and 90 days, or both, and associations with critical events. Results: Infants (n=5609) born at mean (standard deviation [sd]) 36.2 (4.4) weeks postmenstrual age (35.7% preterm) underwent 6542 procedures within 63 (48) days of birth. Critical event(s) requiring intervention occurred in 35.2% of cases, mainly hypotension (>30% decrease in blood pressure) or reduced oxygenation (SpO2 <85%). Postmenstrual age influenced the incidence and thresholds for intervention. Risk of critical events was increased by prior neonatal medical conditions, congenital anomalies, or both (relative risk [RR]=1.16; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.04-1.28) and in those requiring preoperative intensive support (RR=1.27; 95% CI, 1.15-1.41). Additional complications occurred in 16.3% of patients by 30 days, and overall 90-day mortality was 3.2% (95% CI, 2.7-3.7%). Co-occurrence of intraoperative hypotension, hypoxaemia, and anaemia was associated with increased risk of morbidity (RR=3.56; 95% CI, 1.64-7.71) and mortality (RR=19.80; 95% CI, 5.87-66.7). Conclusions: Variability in physiological thresholds that triggered an intervention, and the impact of poor tissue oxygenation on patient's outcome, highlight the need for more standardised perioperative management guidelines for neonates and infants