In this short report, we present a rare scenario involving a 60-year-old male patient, in whom higher pump speed and suction mimicked external compression of the left ventricle. Surgical revision revealed excessive suctioning of the left ventricle and left atrium by the left ventricular assist device, leading to atrioventricular groove distortion that mimicked external compression of the left ventricle. After adjustment of the pump speed, obstruction of the inflow cannula and collapse of the left ventricle were resolved.

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Background Intestinal pneumatosis, the presence of gas and free air in the extraluminal space of the gastrointestinal tract can still be challenging for clinicians as the severity of underlying illness and adequate therapy might be difficult to assess, especially for complex patients following solid organ transplantations. Objective Purpose of this study was to analyse the occurrence of pneumatosis in patients following heart transplantation at the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases in Bratislava, Slovakia . Methods We designed this study as a single centre retrospective observational study. Study population included 19 patients who underwent computed tomography scan on which the abdomen was captured from a total of 125 transplanted patients Results Out of 19 patients, intestinal pneumatosis was detected in four patients of which in one it was evaluated only as discrete. Pseudo-pneumatosis was detected in four patients. In the intestinal pneumatosis group, three patients had uneventful course requiring no specific therapy and one patient underwent emergent laparotomy for ileus. Sixteen of the 19 patients who underwent a computed tomography scan had no clinical signs of acute abdomen, although three of them (18.75%) had intestinal pneumatosis. There was no statistical difference between the groups of patients with and without intestinal pneumatosis in terms of preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative characteristics including the hospital course. Conclusion Pneumatosis intestinalis is a relatively common radiological finding in patients post heart transplantation. This radiological sign can accompany variety of clinical conditions from completely benign to life-threatening requiring emergency surgery

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Background Mechanical assist device indications have changed in recent years. Reduced incidence of complications, better survival, and the third generation of mechanical support devices contributed to this change. In this single-center study, we focused on two time periods that are characterized by the use of different types of mechanical support devices, different patient characteristics, and change in the indications. Methods The data were processed from the European Registry for Patients with Mechanical Circulatory Support (EUROMACS). We retrospectively defined two time intervals to reflect changes in ventricular assist device technology (period 1: 2007–2015; period 2: 2016–20222). A total of 181 patients underwent left ventricular assist device implantation. Device utilization was the following: HeartMate II = 52 (76.4%) and HeartWare = 16 (23.6%) in period 1 and HeartMate II = 2 (1.8%), HeartMate 3 = 70 (61:9%), HeartWare = 29 (25.7%), SynCardia TAH = 10 (8.8%), and BerlinHeart EXCOR = 2 (1.8%) in period 2. The outcomes of the time intervals were analyzed and evaluated. Results Survival was significantly higher during the second time period. Multivariate analysis revealed that age and bypass pump time are independent predictors of mortality. Idiopathic cardiomyopathy, bypass time, and the Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support (INTERMACS) score are independent predictors of adverse events. Furthermore, the first period was noted to be at an increased risk of the following adverse events: pump thrombosis, gastrointestinal bleeding, and bleeding events. Conclusion Despite the higher risk profile of the patients and persistent challenges, during the second period, there was a significant decrease in mortality and morbidity. The use of the HeartMate 3 device may have contributed to this result.

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Background: Clinical assessment and laboratory markers provide valuable information on tissue perfusion and enhance the optimalisation of management in the treatment of patients on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). The PCO2 gap is a reliable marker of cardiac output (CO) and perfusion. The aim of this study was to evaluate the PCO2 gap as a marker of tissue hypoperfusion and to compare it to lactate and SvO2. Methods: A single-center retrospective study on 131 adult cardiac patients who underwent ECMO implantation in the period between 2010 and 2021. Baseline characteristics, laboratory markers and mortality were analyzed. Results: There was a statistically significant difference in the plasmatic levels of lactate, SvO2 and PCO2 gap between patients that survived and those who died post ECMO implantation (3.6±3.29 vs 7.15±7.38 mmol/l, p<0.001; 69.13±9 vs 67.38±10%, p<0.001; 7.65±2.93 vs 8.34±3.71, p<0.001 respectively). There was a statistically significant difference in PCO2 gap in the first 5 arterial blood gas (ABG) samples post ECMO implantation between patients that survived and those who died (9.08±4.79 vs 10.37±5.35, p<0.003). For SvO2, this difference was not statistically significant (69.82±11.91 vs 68.51±11.72, p<0.104). There was a statistically significant but low negative correlation between SvO2 and PCO2 gap post ECMO implantation (r = ‒0.354, p<0.001). Conclusion: The PCO2 gap is a valuable biomarker for monitoring tissue perfusion in patients on ECMO. It is associated with increased mortality and should be an integral part of clinical evaluation. (Tab. 1, Fig. 5, Ref. 26). Text in PDF www.elis.sk Keywords: PCO2 gap, VA-ECMO, lactate.

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Cardiac surgery-associated acute kidney injury is a common post-operative complication, mostly due to increasing oxidative stress. Recently, molecular hydrogen (H2 gas) has also been applied to cardiac surgery due to its ability to reduce oxidative stress. We evaluated the potential effect of H2 application on the kidney in an in vivo model of simulated heart transplantation. Pigs underwent cardiac surgery within 3 h while connected to extracorporeal circulation (ECC) and subsequent 60 min of spontaneous reperfusion of the heart. We used two experimental groups: T—pigs after transplantation and TH—pigs after transplantation treated with 4% H2 mixed with air during inhalation of anesthesia and throughout oxygenation of blood in ECC. The levels of creatinine, urea and phosphorus were measured in plasma. Renal tissue samples were analyzed by Western blot method for protein levels of nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2 (Nrf2), Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap-1), and superoxide dismutase (SOD1). After cardiac surgery, selected plasma biomarkers were elevated. However, H2 therapy was followed by the normalization of all these parameters. Our results suggest activation of Nrf2/Keap1 pathway as well as increased SOD1 protein expression in the group treated with H2. The administration of H2 had a protective effect on the kidneys of pigs after cardiac surgery, especially in terms of normalization of plasma biomarkers to control levels.

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Introduction: Based on a longtime voluntary registry founded by the Ministry of Healthcare of the Slovak Republic in 2012 and endorsed by the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, well-defined data of all adult cardiac surgery procedures performed during the year 2021 are analyzed. Material and method: For this period, data on 947 procedures were submitted to the registry. Results: The unadjusted in-hospital survival rate for the 352 isolated coronary artery bypass grafting procedures including urgent and emergency procedures (relationship on-/off pump 3.8 : 1) was 96.3 %. For 331 isolated heart valve procedures (33 transcatheter interventions), it was 95.5 %. Concerning ventricular assist devices, 19 implantations were registered. In 2021 the number of isolated heart transplantations was 16, which is a decrease by 38.5 % as compared to the previous year. Conclusion: These annually registered data are collected from voluntary public reporting and accumulate actual information on nearly all heart procedures carried out in the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases. These data capture advancements in heart medicine and represent the basis for quality management. In addition, the registry demonstrates that the provision of cardiac surgery in Slovakia is up to date, appropriate, and nationwide patient treatment is guaranteed all the time (Tab. 14, Fig. 2, Ref. 5). Text in PDF www.elis.sk Keywords: heart valve surgery, outcomes, coronary artery bypass grafting, aortic surgery, heart transplantation.

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Background: In patients following aortic valve replacement (AVR) for aortic regurgitation, a transient reduction in ejection fraction (TREF) sometimes occurs in the postoperative period without a clear remediable cause, which leads to a spontaneous improvement without the need for a specific treatment. Objective: To study the incidence and risk factors of TREF following AVR for aortic regurgitation. Methods: We designed a single-centre retrospective observational study. A total of 164 patients were enrolled in the study: 82 in the regurgitation group and 82 in the stenosis group. Data were obtained from international registries and patient documentation. Results: There were statistically significant differences in TREF between the regurgitation and stenosis groups (9.76 % and 0 %, respectively, p = 0.004). There was zero hospital mortality in both regurgitation and stenosis groups. The presence of TREF had no impact on long-term survival. Conclusion: Our results show that transient reduction in ejection fraction is a relatively common phenomenon following aortic valve replacement for aortic regurgitation and that in our study population it had no effect on short- and long-term survival (Tab. 2, Fig. 1, Ref. 15).

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Objectives: Mechanical circulatory support is an established therapy in end-stage heart failure. The EUROMACS registry was created to promote research in these patients. The aim of this report was to present our 12 year experience with the durable mechanical circulatory support devices and compare it with the EUROMACS registry. Methods: Data from the entire EUROMACS registry from January 2011 to April 2019 were included (4704 implantations in 4410 patients). During the 12 years of our experience, until April 2019,125 mechanical support devices were implanted, in 122 patients. We compare patients´ characteristics, operative data and results with the EUROMACS registry and we report the major complications during the observational period. Results: Primary end-point (death) occurred in 40 (32.8 %) patients in our cohort during the follow-up period, representing the survival rate 75 %, 68 %, and 58 % for 6, 12, 24 months respectively, which compares favourably with the data, reported by the EUROMACS registry, the survival 66 % and 53 % after 1 and 2 years respectively. Cerebrovascular accident occurred in 7 %, a bleeding event in 32 %, significant infection (driveline) in 78 % and a device malfunction in 13 % of the patients. Forty- three patients underwent a heart transplant with hospital and long-term mortality of 11.6 % and 14 % respectively. Conclusion: Mechanical circulatory support is a valuable therapeutic option with excellent survival rates, nevertheless it is associated with clinically significant complications rates. The direct comparison between our cohort and the EUROMACS registry showed that early implantation strategy and mini invasive approach may improve survival rates and decrease postoperative complications (Tab. 3, Fig. 3, Ref. 16).

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We report the cases of two patients who developed a massive spasm of the native coronary system in the immediate postoperative period, following a coronary artery bypass grafting operation with different outcomes. The first patient was hemodynamic stable and it was manifested as ischemic electrocardiographic changes in different leads (ST elevation or depression). He was treated with intracoronary and intravenous administration of nitroglycerin and calcium channel blocker and had a favorable outcome. The second patient died due to multiorgan failure and hemorrhagic shock, after the implantation of a central venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

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Objectives: Primary graft dysfunction (PGD) is a devastating complication and the most common cause of early death following a heart transplant. The goal of this study was to report our experience of using mechanical circulatory support to manage severe PGD. Methods: Following 208 heart transplants performed between January 2007 and May 2017, 14 (6.7%) patients presented with severe PGD. We provided haemodynamic support using the following approaches: a venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation device, left ventricular assist device, right ventricular assist device and biventricular assist device. Primary complications included severe PGD, which resulted in hospital deaths and late survival. The mean follow-up was 3.7 ± 2.7 years. Results: Fourteen (6.7%) heart transplant recipients presented with severe PGD. Seven patients received a venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation device; 1 patient received a left ventricular assist device; 4 patients received a right ventricular assist device; and 2 patients received a biventricular assist device. Mean device support and explantation times were 4.7 ± 2 and 6.3 ± 2 days, respectively. Weaning with cardiac recovery was successful in 57.1% of the patients. The hospital mortality rate was 50%. Postoperative causes of morbidity included renal failure that necessitated dialysis in 28.5%, surgical re-exploration due to postoperative bleeding in 57.1%, pneumonia in 28.5%, sepsis in 14.2%, sternal wound infection in 14.2% and mediastinitis in 7.1% of the patients, respectively. There were no deaths following hospital discharge or later follow-up appointments. Conclusions: Mechanical support devices such as venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation specifically offer a reliable therapeutic approach. Recognizing the relatively high number of deaths in-hospital, patients who have cardiac recovery and a successful hospital discharge can expect a favourable late outcome.

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