Outcomes of Durable Mechanical Circulatory Support in Myocarditis: Analysis of the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support Registry

Myocarditis can be refractory to medical therapy and require durable mechanical circulatory support (MCS). The characteristics and outcomes of these patients are not known. We identified all patients with clinically-diagnosed or pathology-proven myocarditis who underwent mechanical circulatory support in the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support registry (2013-2016). The characteristics and outcomes of these patients were compared to those of patients with nonischemic cardiomyopathy (NICM). Out of 14,062 patients in the registry, 180 (1.2%) had myocarditis and 6,602 (46.9%) had NICM. Among patients with myocarditis, duration of heart failure was <1 month in 22%, 1-12 months in 22.6%, and >1 year in 55.4%. Compared with NICM, patients with myocarditis were younger (45 vs. 52 years, P < 0.001) and were more often implanted with Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support profile 1 (30% vs. 15%, P < 0.001). Biventricular mechanical support (biventricular ventricular assist device [BIVAD] or total artificial heart) was implanted more frequently in myocarditis (18% vs. 6.7%, P < 0.001). Overall postimplant survival was not different between myocarditis and NICM (left ventricular assist device: P = 0.27, BIVAD: P = 0.50). The proportion of myocarditis patients that have recovered by 12 months postimplant was significantly higher in myocarditis compared to that of NICM (5% vs. 1.7%, P = 0.0003). Adverse events (bleeding, infection, and neurologic dysfunction) were all lower in the myocarditis than NICM. In conclusion, although myocarditis patients who receive durable MCS are sicker preoperatively with higher needs for biventricular MCS, their overall MCS survival is noninferior to NICM. Patients who received MCS for myocarditis are more likely than NICM to have MCS explanted due to recovery, however, the absolute rates of recovery were low.

Five-year outcomes of patients supported with HeartMate 3: a single-centre experience

OBJECTIVES

The HeartMate 3 left ventricular assist device was first implanted in 2014 and received the Conformité Européenne mark in 2015. Since then, several trials demonstrated its high haemocompatibility associated with good survival and low adverse events rates. Herein, we report our institutional experience with patients supported with HeartMate 3 for 5 years.

METHODS

This prospective cohort study included patients receiving a HeartMate 3 implantation in 2014 as part of the HeartMate 3 Conformité Européenne Mark clinical trial. Patients had follow-up visits every 3 months while on left ventricular assist device support, and all patients completed the 5-year follow-up. The primary end point was survival at 5 years. Secondary end points included adverse events, health status and quality of life.

RESULTS

Eight patients (men: 75%) aged 59 years (min-max: 52-66 years) were enrolled. At 5 years, survival was 100%. Patients remained on support for a median time of 1825 days (min-max: 101-1825 days); 2 patients successfully received cardiac transplants. No right heart failure, haemolysis, pump thrombosis, pump malfunction or neurological events occurred in any patients. A driveline infection was observed in 6 patients (0.25 events/patient-year). Compared to baseline, a significant improvement in quality of life and in New York Heart Association functional class was noted after the implant and for the whole follow-up time. A slight decline in kidney function and in the 6-min walk test results occurred after 3 years.

CONCLUSIONS

This study reports the longest single-centre follow-up of the HeartMate 3, showing excellent haemocompatibility over time with high survival and low complication rates at 5 years.

Retrospective 1-year outcome follow-up in 200 patients supported with HeartMate 3 and HeartWare left ventricular assist devices in a single centre

OBJECTIVES

Various trials have assessed the outcome and reliability of the HeartWare HVAD (HW) and HeartMate 3 (HM3) left ventricular assist devices. A direct comparison of clinical outcomes and of the complication profile of these 2 left ventricular assist devices is lacking. We present a retrospective analysis of patients supported with HM3 and HW as a left ventricular assist device.

METHODS

Preoperative data, complications and outcomes including a 1-year follow-up of patients supported with the HM3 and HW in a single centre were retrospectively analysed. Both pumps were implanted on- or off-pump, employing standard and minimally invasive techniques. For logistic reasons, the 2 device types were implanted in an alternating manner, thereby reducing the systematic bias for pump selection. We considered this to be an appropriate approach, as no differences in respect of survival or the complication profile of the two device types have been demonstrated. Anticoagulation was similar in patients with both pumps according to our anticoagulation protocol, with a target international normalized ratio of 2.5-3.0, a home monitoring system and blood pressure management with a mean arterial target pressure of 70-80 mmHg.

RESULTS

Between October 2015 and April 2017, 100 patients underwent implantation of the HW and 100 patients underwent implantation of the HM3. The median time on the device was 0.98 years (range 0-2.23 years). The median age was 58.5 (51-65) versus 57 (49-64) years (P = 0.456); the number of male patients was 87 versus 88 (P = 0.831). Of the HW patients, 73% were rated as having an INTERMACS level I or II, compared to 57% of the HM3 patients (P = 0.018). There were no further differences in preoperative data. A total of 14 patients had pre-, intra- or post-pump blood flow obstruction in the HW group versus 4 in the HM3 group [hazard ratio (HR) 2.5 (0.7-8.8), P = 0.103]. There were no differences regarding gastrointestinal bleeding [HR 1.25 (0.56-2.64), P = 0.624] or driveline infection (0.68 vs 0.8 events per patient-year, P = 0.0789). The incidence of ischaemic stroke was similar in both groups [HR 0.72 (0.25-2.09), P = 0.550]. Cerebral bleeding was more frequent in patients supported with HW [HR 6.79 (1.43-32.20), P = 0.016]. The incidence of cerebrovascular accidents, on the other hand, was similar in both groups [HR 1.85 (0.83-4.19), P = 0.13]. The incidence of haemocompatibility-related adverse events, however, was significantly higher in the HW group (113 points corresponding to 1.28 events per patient-year versus 69 points corresponding to 0.7 events per patient-year, P < 0.001). The 1-year survival was similar in both groups [62.2%, 95% confidence interval (CI) (0.53-0.73) vs 66.7%, 95% CI (0.58–0.767) [corrected].

CONCLUSIONS

Our data show that the complication profile differs between the 2 pumps, but that early survival is comparable.

The European Registry for Patients with Mechanical Circulatory Support (EUROMACS) of the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (EACTS): second report

OBJECTIVES

The European Registry for Patients with Mechanical Circulatory Support (EUROMACS) was founded in Berlin, Germany. EUROMACS is supported fully by the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (EACTS) and, since 2014, has functioned as a committee of the EACTS. The purpose of having the EUROMACS as a part of the EACTS is to accumulate clinical data related to long-term mechanical circulatory support for scientific purposes and to publish annual reports.

METHODS

Participating hospitals contributed surgical and cardiological pre-, peri- and long-term postoperative data of mechanical circulatory support implants to the registry. Data for all implants performed from 1 January 2011 to 31 December 2016 were analysed. Several auditing methods were used to monitor the quality of the data. Data could be provided for in-depth studies, and custom data could be provided at the request of clinicians and scientists. This report includes updates of patient characteristics, implant frequency, mortality rates and adverse events.

RESULTS

Fifty-two hospitals participated in the registry. This report is based on 2947 registered implants in 2681 patients. Survival of adult patients (>17 years of age) with continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices with a mean follow-up of 391 days was 69% (95% confidence interval 66-71%) 1 year after implantation. On average, patients were observed for 12 months (median 7 months, range 0-70 months). When we investigated for adverse events, we found an overall event rate per 100 patient-months of 3.56 for device malfunction, 6.45 for major bleeding, 6.18 for major infection and 3.03 for neurological events within the first 3 months after implantation.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared to the first EUROMACS report, the number of participating hospitals increased from 21 to 52 (+148%), whereas the number of registered implants more than tripled from 825 to 2947 (+257%). The increase in the number of participating hospitals led us to increase the quality control measures through data input control, on-site audits and statistical analyses.

Epidemiology of infection in mechanical circulatory support: A global analysis from the ISHLT Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support Registry

BACKGROUND

Despite advances in device technology and treatment strategies, infection remains a major cause of adverse events (AEs) in mechanical circulatory support (MCS) patients. To characterize the epidemiology of MCS infection, we examined the type, location, and timing of infection in the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation Registry (ISHLT) for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support (IMACS) over 3 years, 2013 to 2015.

METHODS

Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support (INTERMACS) definitions were used to categorize AE infections occurring in MCS patients within IMACS. The IMACS infection variables were mapped to ISHLT definitions for infection where feasible. Three categories of MCS infection were defined as ventricular assist device (VAD) specific, VAD related, and non-VAD.

RESULTS

There were 10,171 patients enrolled from January 2013 through December 2015. Infection was the most common AE, with 3,788 patients (37%) experiencing ≥ 1 infection, and 6,758 AE infections reported overall. Non-VAD infection was the largest category, 4,501: 34.0% pneumonias, 30.6% non-VAD-related bloodstream infections (BSIs), 24.15% urinary tract infections (UTIs), and 10.2% gastrointestinal infections. VAD-specific infection was the second largest category, 1,756: 82.9% driveline, 12.8% pocket, and 4.3% pump/or cannula infections. VAD-related infection was the smallest category, 501: 47.5% BSIs, 47.5% mediastinitis, and 5.0% mediastinitis/pocket infections. All 3 categories were more frequently reported ≤ 3 months after implant.

CONCLUSIONS

Non-VAD infection, including pneumonia, BSI, UTI, and gastrointestinal infection, was the leading category of infection in MCS patients and the most frequently reported ≤ 3 months after implant. These results provide evidence to support resourcing and strengthening infection prevention strategy early after implantation in MCS.

Outcomes from a recovery protocol for patients with continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices

BACKGROUND

In this retrospective analysis we evaluated a standardized echocardiographic assessment and an invasive technique for patient selection for successful continuous-flow left ventricular assist device (CF-LVAD) explantation.

METHODS

Inclusion criteria for LVAD recovery assessment were: clinically stable condition; LVAD support for >6 months; physical activity; normal echocardiography findings; and no more than mild valvular disease and aortic valve opening. In a second step, echocardiography was performed under CF-LVAD reduction and stop conditions (PStopE). In the third step, patients who presented with stable parameters underwent right heart catheterization under CF-LVAD stoppage and occlusion of the outflow graft with a balloon catheter. Criteria for explantation were normal pulmonary artery pressure and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure <16 mmHg.

RESULTS

Thirty-three of 424 patients entered the second step of evaluation and 20 entered the third step. Fourteen presented positive results and the pump was successfully explanted. The PCWP at baseline was 8.5 (2.8) mmHg in the explantation group and 10.6 (2.8) mmHg in the non-explantation group (p = 0.105). It increased to 10.9 (3.0) mmHg vs 20.8 (4.9) mmHg under outflow graft occlusion. The wedge pressure was significantly higher in the non-explantation group (p < 0.001). Median duration of follow-up after explantation was 9.74 (interquartile range 4.3 to 20.60) months, with survival of 93%.

CONCLUSIONS

The protocol presented is feasible and safe. The criteria applied provide good patient selection for sustained mid-term myocardial recovery after LVAD explantation.

Long-term evaluation of a fully magnetically levitated circulatory support device for advanced heart failure-two-year results from the HeartMate 3 CE Mark Study

AIM

This study aimed to assess safety and outcomes of patients, 2 years after implantation with the HeartMate 3 Left Ventricular Assist System.

METHODS AND RESULTS

This study included 50 adults with New York Heart Association (NYHA) class IIIB or IV symptoms or American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association stage D heart failure with an ejection fraction ≤25% and a cardiac index ≤2.2 L/min/m² without inotropes, or inotrope-dependent with optimal medical management, or listed for heart transplant. The median duration of left ventricular assist device support was 694 days (range: 19-833 days). At baseline, cardiac index was 1.8 ±0.5 L/min/m² , 58% of patients were receiving inotropes, and 92% were INTERMACS profiles 2-4. At 2 years, Kaplan-Meier survival was 74 ±6%, 5 (10%) patients were transplanted, and 32 patients (64%) remain with support. Adverse event rates include bleeding requiring surgery (16%), gastrointestinal bleeding (20%), driveline infection (24%), ischaemic stroke (16%), haemorrhagic stroke (8%), right heart failure (14%), and outflow graft thrombosis (2%). Notably, no haemolysis, pump thrombosis, or pump malfunction events occurred. At 2 years, 47% of patients remained in NYHA class I and 41% in NYHA class II (P <0.0001). From baseline to 2 years, the mean six-minute walk distance increased from 239 m to 347 m (P <0.0001), and the mean EQ-5D quality of life score improved from 48.2 to 70.6 (P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Two years post-HeartMate 3 implantation, results show expected and acceptable survival, enhanced haemocompatibility, improved patient functional status and quality of life. This corroborates the success of HeartMate 3 since its first-in-man implantation case in Germany. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02170363.

Less invasive HeartMate 3 left ventricular assist device implantation

Background

The novel HeartMate 3 (Abbott, Chicago, IL, USA) left ventricular assist device (LVAD) was worldwide first implanted by Prof. Schmitto and his team in 2014 at the Hannover Medical School, Germany and received CE Mark approval in October, 2015 following completion of a clinical trial.

Methods

Although HeartMate 3 implantation in the clinical trial was restricted to conventional sternotomy, the small size of the pump allows for less-invasive implantation, generally associated with less trauma and reduced perioperative complication rates. Herein we describe our first experiences with a less-invasive implantation of the HeartMate 3 using an upper hemi-sternotomy combined with anterior lateral thoracotomy approach.

Results

Results demonstrate the feasibility of this novel, less invasive technique for HeartMate 3 LVAD implantation with diminished surgical trauma, less postoperative bleeding, maintenance of the chest stability, reduced need of blood product transfusion and earlier recovery.

Conclusions

The results of our study indicate that less-invasive implantation of the HeartMate 3 is technically feasible and offers several benefits for surgical outcome and may become the standard of care for LVAD implantation techniques.

Derivation and Validation of a Novel Right-Sided Heart Failure Model After Implantation of Continuous Flow Left Ventricular Assist Devices

Background:

The aim of the study was to derive and validate a novel risk score for early right-sided heart failure (RHF) after left ventricular assist device implantation.

Methods:

The EUROMACS (European Registry for Patients with Mechanical Circulatory Support) was used to identify adult patients undergoing continuous-flow left ventricular assist device implantation with mainstream devices. Eligible patients (n=2988) were randomly divided into derivation (n=2000) and validation (n=988) cohorts. The primary outcome was early (<30 days) severe postoperative RHF, defined as receiving short- or long-term right-sided circulatory support, continuous inotropic support for ≥14 days, or nitric oxide ventilation for ≥48 hours. The secondary outcome was all-cause mortality and length of stay in the intensive care unit. Covariates found to be associated with RHF (exploratory univariate P <0.10) were entered into a multivariable logistic regression model. A risk score was then generated using the relative magnitude of the exponential regression model coefficients of independent predictors at the last step after checking for collinearity, likelihood ratio test, c index, and clinical weight at each step.

Results:

A 9.5-point risk score incorporating 5 variables (Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support class, use of multiple inotropes, severe right ventricular dysfunction on echocardiography, ratio of right atrial/pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, hemoglobin) was created. The mean scores in the derivation and validation cohorts were 2.7±1.9 and 2.6±2.0, respectively ( P =0.32). RHF in the derivation cohort occurred in 433 patients (21.7%) after left ventricular assist device implantation and was associated with a lower 1-year (53% versus 71%; P <0.001) and 2-year (45% versus 58%; P <0.001) survival compared with patients without RHF. RHF risk ranged from 11% (low risk score 0–2) to 43.1% (high risk score >4; P <0.0001). Median intensive care unit stay was 7 days (interquartile range, 4–15 days) versus 24 days (interquartile range, 14–38 days) in patients without versus with RHF, respectively ( P <0.001). The c index of the composite score was 0.70 in the derivation and 0.67 in the validation cohort. The EUROMACS-RHF risk score outperformed ( P <0.0001) previously published scores and known individual echocardiographic and hemodynamic markers of RHF.

Conclusions:

This novel EUROMACS-RHF risk score outperformed currently known risk scores and clinical predictors of early postoperative RHF. This novel score may be useful for tailored risk-based clinical assessment and management of patients with advanced HF evaluated for ventricular assist device therapy.

Response of a physiological controller for ventricular assist devices during acute patho-physiological events: an in vitro study

The current paper analyzes the performance of a physiological controller for turbodynamic ventricular assist devices (tVADs) during acute patho-physiological events. The numerical model of the human blood circulation implemented on our hybrid mock circulation was extended in order to simulate the Valsalva maneuver (VM) and premature ventricular contractions (PVCs). The performance of an end-diastolic volume (EDV)-based physiological controller for VADs, named preload responsive speed (PRS) controller was evaluated under VM and PVCs. A slow and a fast response of the PRS controller were implemented by using a 3 s moving window, and a beat-to-beat method, respectively, to extract the EDV index. The hemodynamics of a pathological circulation, assisted by a tVAD controlled by the PRS controller were analyzed and compared with a constant speed support case. The results show that the PRS controller prevented suction during the VM with both methods, while with constant speed, this was not the case. On the other hand, the pump flow reduction with the PRS controller led to low aortic pressure, while it remained physiological with the constant speed control. Pump backflow was increased when the moving window was used but it avoided sudden undesirable speed changes, which occurred during PVCs with the beat-to-beat method. In a possible clinical implementation of any physiological controller, the desired performance during frequent clinical acute scenarios should be considered.

Two Pumps for Single Ventricle: Mechanical Support for Establishment of Biventricular Circulation

A 31-year-old patient with a univentricular heart and double-inlet left ventricle, moderate pulmonary stenosis, and severe mitral valve regurgitation experienced irreversible heart failure after mitral valve replacement. "Biventricular" mechanical circulatory support was initiated. The systemic circulation was supported using the HeartWare ventricular assist device (HVAD) (HeartWare, Framingham, MA) pump in the usual manner. The second pump was inserted into the right atrium and connected to the pulmonary artery after closure of the pulmonary valve and atrial separation. This solution allowed optimal circulatory support, reduction of pulmonary resistance, and normal peripheral oxygen saturation. Thus the patient was listed for heart transplantation.