Assessment of Preoperative Condition and Postoperative Outcome in Nonsmall Cell Lung Cancer Surgery

Complete surgical resection still represents the main curative treatment modality for patients with early-stage nonsmall cell lung cancer. Despite tremendous advances in perioperative and postoperative care, postoperative outcome is still disappointing. Although pathological tumor stage is the most important prognostic parameter in nonsmall cell lung cancer, additional parameters are required to explain the large variability in postoperative outcome. Therefore, assessment of preoperative condition and postoperative outcome in patients undergoing surgery is a challenging area. The research summarized in this thesis describes preoperative risk assessment, including preoperative staging, and early and late postoperative outcome. This may help the clinician in clinical decision-making and treatment tailoring

Pulmonary artery pressure telemonitoring by CardioMEMS in a patient pre- and post-left ventricular assist device implantation

We present a case to demonstrate the feasibility of pulmonary artery monitoring with the CardioMEMS sensor for the preoperative optimization of patients with end-stage heart failure undergoing LVAD surgery. Additionally, we demonstrate the feasibility of combining two state-of-the-art techniques by integrating haemodynamic feedback from CardioMEMS and static pump settings of an LVAD. CardioMEMS aids in the remote monitoring of LVAD patients with the potential of identifying complications, pump dysfunction or filling status alterations

The role of long-term mechanical circulatory support in patients with advanced heart failure

In patients with end-stage heart failure, advanced therapies such as heart transplantation and long-term mechanical circulatory support (MCS) with a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) have to be considered. LVADs can be implanted as a bridge to transplantation or as an alternative to heart transplantation: destination therapy. In the Netherlands, long-term LVAD therapy is gaining importance as a result of increased prevalence of heart failure together with a low number of heart transplantations due to shortage of donor hearts. As a result, the difference between bridge to transplantation and destination therapy is becoming more artificial since, at present, most patients initially implanted as bridge to transplantation end up receiving extended LVAD therapy. Following LVAD implantation, survival after 1, 2 and 3 years is 83%, 76% and 70%, respectively. Quality of life improves substantially despite important adverse events such as device-related infection, stroke, major bleeding and right heart failure. Early referral of potential candidates for long-term MCS is of utmost importance and positively influences outcome. In this review, an overview of the indications, contraindications, patient selection, clinical outcome and optimal time of referral for long-term MCS is given

Treatment selection of early stage non-small cell lung cancer: The role of the patient in clinical decision making

Background: The objective of this study is to investigate the role and experience of early stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patient in decision making process concerning treatment selection in the current clinical practice. Methods: Stage I-II NSCLC patients (surgery 55 patients, SBRT 29 patients, median age 68) were included in this prospective study and completed a questionnaire that explored: (1) perceived patient knowledge of the advantages and disadvantages of the treatment options, (2) experience with current clinical decision making, and (3) the information that the patient reported to have received from their treating physician. This was assessed by multiple-choice, 1-5 Likert Scale, and open questions. The Decisional Conflict Scale was used to assess the decisional conflict. Health related quality of life (HRQoL) was measured with SF-36 questionnaire. Results: In 19% of patients, there was self-reported perceived lack of knowledge about the advantages and disadvantages of the treatment options. Seventy-four percent of patients felt that they were sufficiently involved in decision-making by their physician, and 81% found it important to be involved in decision making. Forty percent experienced decisional conflict, and one-in-five patients to such an extent that it made them feel unsure about the decision. Subscores with regard to feeling uninformed and on uncertainty, contributed the most to decisional conflict, as 36% felt uninformed and 17% of patients were not satisfied with their decision. HRQoL was not influenced by patient experience with decision-making or patient preferences for shared decision making. Conclusions: Dutch early-stage NSCLC patients find it important to be involved in treatment decision making. Yet a substantial proportion experiences decisional conflict and feels uninformed. Better patient information and/or involvement in treatment-decision-making is needed in order to improve patient knowledge and hopefully reduce decisional conflict

Haemolysis as a first sign of thromboembolic event and acute pump thrombosis in patients with the continuous-flow

Background Despite advances in pump technology, thromboembolic events/acute pump thrombosis remain potentially life-threatening complications in patients with continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices (CF-LVAD). We sought to determine early signs of thromboembolic event/ pump thrombosis in patients with CF-LVAD, which could lead to earlier intervention. Methods We analysed all HeartMate II recipients (n = 40) in our centre between December 2006 and July 2013. Thromboembolic event/pump thrombosis was defined as a transient ischaemic attack (TIA), ischaemic cerebrovascular accident (CVA), or pump thrombosis. Results During median LVAD support of 336 days [IQR: 182–808], 8 (20%) patients developed a thromboembolic event/pump thrombosis (six TIA/CVA, two pump thromboses). At the time of the thromboembolic event/pump thrombosis, significantly higher pump power was seen compared with the no-thrombosis group (8.2 ± 3.0 vs. 6.4 ± 1.4 W, p = 0.02), as well as a trend towards a lower pulse index (4.1 ± 1.5 vs. 5.0 ± 1.0, p = 0.05) and a trend towards higher pump flow (5.7 ± 1.0 vs. 4.9 ± 1.9 L m, p = 0.06). The thrombosis group had a more than fourfold higher lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) median 1548 [IQR: 754– 2379] vs. 363 [IQR: 325–443] U/L, p = 0.0001). Bacterial (n = 4) or viral (n = 1) infection was present in 5 out of 8 patients. LDH > 735 U/L predicted thromboembolic events/ pump thrombosis with a positive predictive value of 88%. Conclusions In patients with a CF-LVAD (HeartMate II), thromboembolic events and/or pump thrombosis are associated with symptoms and signs of acute haemolysis as manifested by a high LDH, elevated pump power and decreased pulse index, especially in the context of an infection

Percutaneous Cryoablation for the Treatment of Medically Inoperable Stage I Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the midterm results of percutaneous cryoablation for medically inoperable stage I non-small cell lung cancer. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Between January 2004 and June 2010, 160 patients underwent computer tomography guided percutaneous cryoablation for lung tumors at our institution. Of these patients, histologically proven stage I lung cancer patients with more than one year of follow-up, were retrospectively reviewed. All of these patients were considered to be medically inoperable with Charlson comorbidity index of 3 or greater. Follow-up was based primarily on computed tomography. There were 22 patients with 34 tumors who underwent 25 sessions of cryoablation treatment. Complications were pneumothoraces in 7 treatments (28%, chest tube required in one treatment), and pleural effusions in 8 treatments (31%). The observation period ranged from 12-68 months, average 29±19 months, median 23 months. Local tumor progression was observed in one tumor (3%). Mean local tumor progression-free interval was 69±2 months. One patient died of lung cancer progression at 68 months. Two patients died of acute exacerbations of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis which were not considered to be directly associated with cryoablation, at 12 and 18 months, respectively. The overall 2- and 3-year survivals were 88% and 88%, respectively. Mean overall survival was 62±4 months. Median overall survival was 68 months. The disease-free 2- and 3-year survivals were 78% and 67%, respectively. Mean disease-free survival was 46±6 months. Pulmonary function tests were done in 16 patients (18 treatments) before and after cryoablation. Percentage of predicted vital capacity, and percentage of predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 second, did not differ significantly before and after cryoablation (93±23 versus 90±21, and 70±11 versus 70±12, respectively). CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Although further accumulation of data is necessary regarding efficacy, cryoablation may be a feasible option in medically inoperable stage I lung cancer patients

Mycobacterium chelonae, an ‘atypical’ cause of an LVAD driveline infection

We describe the first patient with a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) driveline infection caused by Mycobacterium chelonae presenting with persistent infection despite conventional antibiotics. Treatment was successful with surgical debridement, driveline exit relocation, and a 4-month period of antibiotics. In the case of a culture-negative LVAD driveline infection, non-tuberculous mycobacteria should be considered. This case illustrates tha

Toxoplasma gondii Serostatus Is not associated with impaired long-term survival after heart transplantation

BACKGROUND: Conflicting data have been reported about the effect of Toxoplasma serostatus on mortality after heart transplantation. Either a positive or a negative recipient Toxoplasma serostatus was found to be associated with increased mortality. METHODS: We evaluated the effects of T. gondii infection on survival of our 582 cardiac allograft recipients operated upon between June 1984 and July 2011. RESULTS: The 258 Toxoplasma seronegative and 324 seropositive recipients differed in age, pretransplantation diagnosis, ischemia time, renal function, donor Toxoplasma serology, and maintenance immunosuppression. After a median follow-up time of 8.3 years (range, 0-26 years), 117 (45%) seronegative and 219 (67%) seropositive patients died. No difference was found in deaths due to cardiac allograft vasculopathy. After adjustment for all relevant clinical characteristics, the recipient Toxoplasma serostatus was not associated with mortality (hazard ratio, 1.21; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.95-1.54). With the Toxoplasma serostatus combination donor negative/recipient negative as a reference, univariate hazard ratios for the Toxoplasma serostatus combinations were D+/R-0.52 (95% CI, 0.37-0.7

Preoperative right heart hemodynamics predict postoperative acute kidney injury after heart transplantation

Purpose: Acute kidney injury (AKI) frequently occurs after heart transplantation (HTx), but its relation to preoperative right heart hemodynamic (RHH) parameters remains unknown. Therefore, we aimed to determine their predictive properties for postoperative AKI severity within 30 days after HTx. Methods: From 1984 to 2016, all consecutive HTx recipients (n = 595) in our tertiary referral center were included and analyzed for the occurrence of postoperative AKI staged by the kidney disease improving global outcome criteria. The effects of preoperative RHH parameters on postoperative AKI were calculated using logistic regression, and predictive accuracy was assessed using integrated discrimination improvement (IDI), net reclassification improvement (NRI), and area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUC). Results: Postoperative AKI occurred in 430 (72%) patients including 278 (47%) stage 1, 66 (11%) stage 2, and 86 (14%) stage 3 cases. Renal replacement therapy (RRT) was administered in 41 (7%) patients. Patients with higher AKI stages had also higher baseline right atrial pressure (RAP; median 7, 7, 8, and in RRT 11 mmHg, p trend = 0.021), RAP-to-pulmonary capillary wedge pressure ratio (median 0.37, 0.36, 0.40, 0.47, p trend = 0.009), and lower pulmonary artery pulsatility index (PAPi) values (median 2.83, 3.17, 2.54, 2.31, p trend = 0.012). Higher RAP and lower PAPi values independently predicted AKI severity [adjusted odds ratio (OR) per doubling of RAP 1.16 (1.02–1.32), p = 0.029; of PAPi 0.85 (0.75–0.96), p = 0.008]. Based on IDI, NRI, and delta AUC, inclusion of these parameters improved the models’ predictive accuracy. Conclusions: Preoperative PAPi and RAP strongly predict the development of AKI early after HTx and can be used as early AKI predictors