Ergebnisse nach der Implantation von HeartMate II und HeartWare HVAD bei Patienten, die bis zur Herztransplantation mit Kreislaufunterstützung überbrückt werden.

Objective: Ventricular assist devices have become a standard treatment for patients with advanced heart failure. We present data comparing results after implantation of HeartMate II (HM II) versus HVAD (HW) left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) for the past 7 years at our institution. Methods: From July 2006 to August 2012, 121 consecutive patients underwent LVAD implantation: 70 (57.9%) received HM II and 51 (42.1%) HW. Patient demographics, perioperative characteristics, and laboratory parameters as well as postoperative outcome were compared retrospectively. Results: Patients in the HM II group were significantly younger (P < .01), with more deranged liver function (higher bilirubin [P = .02] and alanine aminotransferase [P = .01] levels), and had a significantly higher rate of preoperative infections requiring antibiotic treatment (P = .02) and a higher body core temperature (P < .01). Other demographic and preoperative parameters did not show statistical differences. Most postoperative characteristics were also similar between the two groups. HM II patients had a significantly higher transfusion rate, but there were no differences in incidence of resternotomy (P = .156). Recovery and VAD explantation were more likely in the HM II group (P = .02). Although there was no significant difference in survival (log rank test: P = .986; Breslow test: P = .827), HM II patients were more likely to develop a percutaneous site infection (P = .01). Conclusions: Both HM II and HW provide similar early postoperative outcome and good long-term survival. The differences observed between the groups may be related to demographic and preoperative factors rather than the type of the device used

Rapid Diagnostics and Treatment of Early Complications after CABG Surgery: A Life Saver

Early graft failure after CABG surgery may lead to severe adverse events and death. Because the cause of the graft failure can vary, rapid diagnostic management is mandatory in order to address these complications appropriately. In the present 2 cases, patients who underwent CABG procedures showed typical electrocardiograms and serology of a peri-operative myocardial ischemia shortly after surgery. In the first case, a rapidly performed coronary angiogram revealed a torqued right CABG, which was detorqued and, in order to avoid further torsion, fixated to the pericardium in a redo procedure. In the second case, the patient underwent a revascularization by means of percutaneous coronary intervention with stent implantation for severe stenosis due to a localized dissection of the vein graft, diagnosed on coronary angiogram. The further postoperative course of both patients was smooth and both could be discharged on day 8 and 11 after initial surgery, respectively

Coronary or ventricular rupture after blunt chest trauma? A clinical dilemma

Cardiac rupture (CR) is one of the most serious and life-threatening complications of blunt chest trauma (BCT) usually associated with high mortality. Moreover, its diagnosis and treatment strategies may be extremely challenging for clinicians due to various anatomical localisations of the tear. Whereas most injuries fall under the category of right atrial ruptures, left ventricular lesions represent a rare type of this injury, with greater mortality, particularly in cases of multi-chamber injuries. However, not only cardiac chamber or great vessel ruptures may occur as a result of BCT; a growing number of reports also describe BCT-induced isolated coronary artery injuries, including ruptures. Whereas CR requires immediate surgical treatment, less invasive interventional techniques, such as stent placement and closure with fibrin glue or coils, can be the treatment of choice in selected cases of hemodynamically less relevant coronary artery ruptures. In this report, we present a rare case of a ventricular rupture following BCT, with the tear localized in the right ventricular wall and an occult connection to the left ventricle without ventricular septum injury. Also, another contemporaneous emergency in our department that had to be managed at the same time resulted in challenging the decision-making process. As such an emergency constellation is difficult to manage, this report may help clinicians in difficult situations in terms of diagnosis and choosing the right treatment strategy

Monitoring of adult patient on venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in intensive care medicine

Nowadays high-tech medical assist device therapy is a crucial part of intensive care medicine. Especially, management of circulatory assist device systems poses an increasing challenge for intensive care medicine. So far, autonomous recommendations for monitoring of extracorporeal life support systems in the form of guidelines or position papers are lacking. The purpose of this paper was to present an orientation guide on this important topic

Delayed chest closure with skin approximation after lung transplant in oversized graft

Closure of the chest after lung transplant in cases of oversized grafts is often difficult. Lung volume reduction and delayed closure of the chest with Bogota bag are the only options available in such situations. Here, we propose to keep the sternum and intercostal spaces open and approximate skin over it. Once lung function improves and reperfusion-related edema recovers, the chest can be closed

Total Arterial Revascularization: Bypassing Antiquated Notions to Better Alternatives for Coronary Artery Disease

Total arterial revascularization is the leading trend in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) for the treatment of coronary artery disease (CAD). Adding to its superiority to vein conduits, arteries allow for a high degree of versatility and long-term patency, while minimizing the need for reintervention. This is especially important for patients with multi-vessel coronary artery disease, as well as young patients. However, arterial revascularization has come a long way before being widely appreciated, with some yet unresolved debates, and advances that never cease to impress. In this review, we discuss the evolution of this surgical technique and its clinical success, as well as its most conspicuous limitations in light of accumulated published date from decades of experience

Around and around the merry-go-round: multiple implantations of short- and long-term ventricular assist devices in a patient with severe heart failure

Multiple implantations of left ventricular assist devices over a period of three years were performed in a 17-year-old gentleman with non-ischaemic dilated cardiomyopathy and congestive cardiac failure. The first device (HeartMate II) was implanted as a bridge to transplantation. However, after few months of support the patient showed signs of myocardial recovery and the device was successfully explanted. After 2 years of uneventful follow-up, the patient's condition deteriorated requiring further mechanical support. Due to the elevated risk associated with a redo full-support LVAD implantation, we decided to implant a partial support device (Synergy(A (R)) CircuLite). Because of recurrent pump thrombosis requiring device exchange, the final weeks to transplantation were bridged with CentriMag(A (R)) short-term LVAD. After successful cardiac transplantation the patient required further temporary extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support which was weaned off and explanted on the fourth postoperative day. After further uncomplicated postoperative recovery the patient was discharged and has been doing well for 1 year of follow-up

Outcomes and factors associated with early mortality in pediatric and neonatal patients requiring extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for heart and lung failure

Background: Mortality and morbidity after surgical repair for complex congenital heart defects and severe cardiopulmonary failure on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support remain high despite significant advances in medical management and technological improvements. We report on outcomes and factors after using ECMO in our surgical pediatric population including short- and long-term survival. Methods: A total of 45 neonatal and pediatric patients were identified who needed ECMO in our department between January 2008 and December 2016. In 41 cases (91%) a vaECMO (ECLS) was implemented, whereas 4 patients (9%) received vvECMO treatment for respiratory failure. In 33 cases vaECMO was implanted following cardiac surgery for congenital heart disease (CHD), whereas in 8 patients ECMO was utilized by means of extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (eCPR) following refractory cardiac arrest. The primary endpoint of the present study was survival to discharge and long-term survival free from neurological impairments. Univariate and bivariate analysis was performed to address predictors for outcome. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to address mid- and long-term survival. Results: Median [IQR] duration of ECMO support was 3 [2, 5] days (range, 1-17 days). Median age at ECMO implantation was 128 [14, 1,813] days, median weight of patients was 5.4 [3.3, 12] kg. Totally 10 patients included in this study were diagnosed with concomitant genetic conditions. A total of 20 (44%) patients were successfully weaned off ECMO (survived >24 h after ECMO explantation), whereas 15 (33%) of them survived to discharge. Single ventricle (SV) repair was performed in 14, biventricular repair in 19 patients. Neonates (<30 days of age), female patients, patients with genetic conditions, SV repair patients, and eCPR patient cohort showed lower odds of survival on ECMO. Failed myocardial recovery (P=0.001), profound circulatory failure despite a high dose of catecholamines (P<0.001), neurological impairment pre-ECMO and post-ECMO (P=0.04 and P<0.001, respectively), and severe pulmonary failure despite high respiratory pressure settings were most common mortality reasons. Conclusions: ECMO provides efficient therapy opportunities for life-threatening conditions. Nevertheless, neonates and pediatric patients who underwent ECMO were at high risk for cerebrovascular events and poor survival. Appropriate patient selection using predictors of outcome reducing complications might improve outcomes of this patient cohort

Left ventricular assist device implantation with concomitant left ventricular reconstruction without patchplasty

In this case report, we describe a 66-year-old patient with a massive LV aneurism which resulted after myocardial infarction. Due to severe LV function impairment, it was decided to perform left ventricular reconstruction surgery and, at the same time, left ventricular assist device implantation as a bridge to transplantation. The entire procedure was completed without using any patch material. The patient had an uneventful recovery and was discharged home after 18 days. After 1-year follow-up no adverse events were observed