Cognitive outcomes in pediatric heart transplant recipients bridged to transplantation with ventricular assist devices

Current state of neurodevelopmental and psychosocial care practices for paediatric patients with ventricular assist devices: an Advanced Cardiac Therapies Improving Outcomes Network and Cardiac Neurodevelopmental Outcome Collaborative collaborative survey

PURPOSE

Paediatric patients with heart failure requiring ventricular assist devices are at heightened risk of neurologic injury and psychosocial adjustment challenges, resulting in a need for neurodevelopmental and psychosocial support following device placement. Through a descriptive survey developed in collaboration by the Advanced Cardiac Therapies Improving Outcomes Network and the Cardiac Neurodevelopmental Outcome Collaborative, the present study aimed to characterise current neurodevelopmental and psychosocial care practices for paediatric patients with ventricular assist devices.

METHOD

Members of both learning networks developed a 25-item electronic survey assessing neurodevelopmental and psychosocial care practices specific to paediatric ventricular assist device patients. The survey was sent to Advanced Cardiac Therapies Improving Outcomes Network site primary investigators and co-primary investigators via email.

RESULTS

Of the 63 eligible sites contacted, responses were received from 24 unique North and South American cardiology centres. Access to neurodevelopmental providers, referral practices, and family neurodevelopmental education varied across sites. Inpatient neurodevelopmental care consults were available at many centres, as were inpatient family support services. Over half of heart centres had outpatient neurodevelopmental testing and individual psychotherapy services available to patients with ventricular assist devices, though few centres had outpatient group psychotherapy (12.5%) or parent support groups (16.7%) available. Barriers to inpatient and outpatient neurodevelopmental care included limited access to neurodevelopmental providers and parent/provider focus on the child's medical status.

CONCLUSIONS

Paediatric patients with ventricular assist devices often have access to neurodevelopmental providers in the inpatient setting, though supports vary by centre. Strengthening family neurodevelopmental education, referral processes, and family-centred psychosocial services may improve current neurodevelopmental/psychosocial care for paediatric ventricular assist device patients.

Improvement in patient selection, management and outcomes in infant heart transplant from 2000 to 2020

OBJECTIVES

The study's primary outcome was to evaluate if post-transplant survival has improved over the last 2 decades. Secondary outcomes were the infant's waitlist mortality, waitlist time and identifying factors that affected the infant's survival.

METHODS

United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) database was queried for infants (age ≤ 1) who were listed for heart transplantation between 2000 and 2020. The years were divided into 3 eras (Era 1 2000-2006, Era 2 2007-2013 and Era 3 2014-2020). Non-parametric tests, Chi-Squared, Log-Rank test and Cox-Proportional hazard ratio were used for analysis (α = 0.05).

RESULTS

4234 infants were listed for heart transplants between 2000 and 2020. At the time of listing, Infants in era 3 were more likely to be heavier [in kg (P < 0.001)] and had better renal function (P < 0.001). Additionally, they were less likely to be on dialysis (P < 0.001), on a ventilator (P < 0.001) and on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (P < 0.001). There has been a significant increase in left ventricular assist device use (P < 0.001), though there was no difference in waitlist (0.154) or post-transplant survival (0.51). In all 3 eras, waitlist survival (P < 0.001) and post-transplant survival (P < 0.001) have improved significantly. Congenital heart disease and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation were associated with worse waitlist survival in all 3 eras (P < 0.05). Infants are now waiting longer on the waitlist (in days) (33 Era 1 vs 46 Era 2 vs 67 Era 3, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Infant heart transplant outcomes have improved, but they are now waiting longer on the waitlist. Further improvement in increasing the donor pool, expert consensus on listing strategies and donor utilization is needed to improve outcomes.

Pediatric Organ Transplantation and Learning Disabilities: A Systematic Review

OBJECTIVES

Organ transplant is a vital treatment for pediatric patients. Kidney, liver, heart, and other organ transplants can significantly improve the quality of life for children with various chronic diseases and can improve long-term survival rates. However, the effects of transplant on cognitive and educational aspects should be considered, including the effects of pre- and posttransplant treatment protocols, medications, psychosocial stress, and surgical interventions. Learning disabilities can negatively affect the child's educational life, social relationships, and overall quality of life. We aimed to examine the prevalence of learning difficulties after organ transplant, the influencing factors, and the interventions aimed at solving these problems by conducting a systematic review of existing research on learning difficulties associated with pediatric organ transplant.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

For this systematic review, We searched PubMed, Cochrane, Web of Science, Science Direct, and Scopus databases to examine studies conducted during the past decade. We used the key words organ transplantation, pediatrics, and learning disabilities for our search. We included English language, full-text articles in the study; meta-analyses, systematic reviews, and case reports for which the full text was not available in English were excluded from the study.

RESULTS

Among an initial search result of 174 articles, 4 met the inclusion criteria. Across all studies, a consistent observation emerged that indicated a decline in neurocognitive functions among children who had undergone organ transplant. Specific areas affected included verbal intelligence, memory, reading/spelling skills, mathematical ability, motor skills, attention, and memory, collectively contributing to learning difficulties.

CONCLUSIONS

In light of the findings, minimizing learning difficulties in children after organ transplant necessitates strategies such as reducing transplant waiting times, seamlessly integrating children into the posttransplant school environment, and implementing specialized programs within educational institutions.

[Formula: see text] The multifaceted role of neuropsychology in pediatric solid organ transplant: preliminary guidelines and strategies for clinical practice

The incidence of pediatric solid organ transplantation (SOT) has increased in recent decades due to medical and surgical advances as well as improvements in organ procurement. Survival rates for pediatric kidney, liver, and heart transplantation are above 85% but patients continue to experience complex healthcare needs over their lifetime. Long-term developmental and neuropsychological sequelae are becoming increasingly recognized in this population, although preliminary work is limited and deserves further attention. Neuropsychological weaknesses are often present prior to transplantation and may be related to underlying congenital conditions as well as downstream impact of the indicating organ dysfunction on the central nervous system. Neuropsychological difficulties pose risk for functional complications, including disruption to adaptive skill development, social-emotional functioning, quality of life, and transition to adulthood. The impact of cognitive dysfunction on health management activities (e.g., medication adherence, medical decision-making) is also an important consideration given these patients' lifelong medical needs. The primary aim of this paper is to provide preliminary guidelines and clinical strategies for assessment of neuropsychological outcomes across SOT populations for pediatric neuropsychologists and the multidisciplinary medical team, including detailing unique and shared etiologies and risk factors for impairment across organ types, and functional implications. Recommendations for clinical neuropsychological monitoring as well as multidisciplinary collaboration within pediatric SOT teams are also provided.

Quality of life and lifetime achievement in adult survivors of pediatric heart transplant

BACKGROUND

Survival in pediatric heart transplantation has improved since the first successful transplant over 35 years ago leading to increasing numbers of patients entering adulthood. We sought to examine quality of life and various lifetime achievements in our institutional population of long-term adult survivors of pediatric heart transplant.

METHODS

Participants ≥18 years of age who received a heart transplant as a pediatric patient (<18 years old), and who have survived ≥10 years post-transplant, completed two self-report surveys: (1) Ferrans and Powers QLI cardiac version which reports a measure of life satisfaction with a range of 0 (very dissatisfied) to 1 (very satisfied); and (2) CHONY Pediatric Heart Transplant Life Achievement Survey to examine lifetime achievement.

RESULTS

Sixty-two and sixty-five participants completed the Ferrans and Powers QLI cardiac version and CHONY Pediatric Heart Transplant Life Achievement Survey. The mean overall QLI was 0.75 ± 0.14 with the most satisfaction in the family domain. QLI scores were analyzed by age at initial transplant, gender, indication for transplant, and whether patients currently followed by pediatric or adult providers, with no statistically significant differences noted. Seventy-two percent of participants demonstrated stable employment or schooling. Around thirty percent of participants showed the ability to reach academic milestones including college and post-graduate education and ten percent to start their own families.

CONCLUSIONS

Our cohort of long-term adult survivors of pediatric heart transplant report a quality of life with scores thought to be reflective of a satisfactory quality of life, and many demonstrate achievement of major life milestones.

Psychosocial outcomes in pediatric patients with ventricular assist devices and their families: A systematic review

Ventricular assist device (VAD) therapy has provided pediatric patients with severe heart failure new therapeutic options. However, pediatric patients and families receiving VAD therapy also experience psychosocial challenges. No synthesis of the literature on psychosocial outcomes within the pediatric VAD population has been conducted; thus, the current review sought to systematically investigate the impact of pediatric VAD on patient, parent, and family psychosocial outcomes and assess variables associated with poorer outcomes. Literature searches were conducted in PsycInfo, PubMed, and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature databases and full texts were assessed according to pre-established inclusion criteria. Main findings and study quality were reviewed. Sixteen studies were included in the present review. Findings highlighted the likelihood for psychological sequelae among pediatric patients and families receiving VAD therapy, including decreased psychological and emotional well-being, elevated stress, and difficulty coping with changes to family dynamics and responsibilities. Health-related quality of life was reported comparable to that of healthy peers and children with other cardiac conditions. Patients and families on VAD therapy experience significant difficulties in psychological well-being and challenges related to adjustment. The current review underscores the importance of ongoing support for families and continued assessment of psychosocial functioning across VAD support. Three critical periods for increased distress were identified: 1) immediately following VAD implantation, 2) discharge home and the weeks following discharge, and 3) long-term VAD therapy.

Executive Functioning in Pediatric Solid Organ Transplant Recipients: A Meta-analytic Review

BACKGROUND

Examining executive functioning (EF) posttransplant has become increasingly prevalent, as EF deficits are associated with poor disease-related outcomes and psychosocial functioning. The purpose of the current meta-analysis was to compare overall and domain-specific EF between healthy youth and those with a kidney, heart, or liver transplant, and identify moderating variables related to EF differences between these 2 groups.

METHODS

A literature search of PsycINFO, Pubmed, and Medline was conducted for eligible articles published until January 2019. Twenty studies met eligibility criteria and were included in the present meta-analysis.

RESULTS

Results from the random-effects model indicated a significant standardized mean difference in overall EF skills with transplant recipients demonstrating worse EF (g = 0.40; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.29-0.50) than healthy youth. Specifically, transplanted youth had worse working memory (g = 0.33; 95% CI, 0.01-0.66), processing speed (g = 0.41; 95% CI, 0.19-0.62), attentional control (g = 0.53; 95% CI, 0.33-0.73), and metacognitive skills (g = 0.36; 95% CI, 0.18-0.54). Assessment type and time since transplantation were not significant moderators.

CONCLUSIONS

Pediatric solid organ transplant recipients demonstrate worse overall EF skills and deficits in working memory, processing speed, attentional control, and metacognitive skills. Many children who have undergone solid organ transplantation will require additional support in medical and academic settings because of deficits in various EF domains.

Educational and learning morbidity in pediatric heart transplant recipients: A pediatric heart transplant society study

Educational development is an important component of quality of life for children with heart transplant. Aims include determining prevalence of and risk factors for modified education placement in a large representative sample of pediatric heart transplant recipients. Participants included 1495 patients (age 6-18 years) from the PHTS database. Data on education placement and clinical predictors were collected at listing and at 1 and 3 years post-transplant. At listing, 88% of patients were in typical education placement, while 12% were in modified education. Males (P = .02), those with CHD (P < .0001), those with non-private insurance (P < .0001), and those with longer hospital stay (P = .001) were more likely to be in a modified education placement at time of listing. Age, race, listing status, mechanical support, and waitlist time were not significantly associated with placement. The prevalence of typical education placement was similar (87% at 1-year and 86% at 3-year) post-transplant. Predictors of modified education placement at 3-year follow-up included placement at listing (OR = 12.9 [95% CI 7.6-21.9], P < .0001), non-private insurance (OR = 2.0 [95% CI 1.3-3.2], P = .001), CHD (OR = 1.8 [95% CI 1.1-2.7, P = .01), history of post-transplant infection (OR = 1.9 [95% CI 1.2-2.9, P = .007), and number of post-transplant infections (OR = 1.3 [95% CI 1.1-1.5, P = .002). Among pediatric heart transplant recipients, males, those with non-private insurance, those with CHD, and those who experience post-transplant infections are at greatest risk for modified academic placement, which persists for several years post-transplant and deserves targeted intervention.

Motor outcome, executive functioning, and health-related quality of life of children, adolescents, and young adults after ventricular assist device and heart transplantation

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the current study is to measure long-term executive function, motor outcome, and QoL in children, adolescents, and young adults after VAD and Htx.

METHODS

Patients were examined during routine follow-up. Investigation tools were used as follows: Examination for MND of motor outcomes, Epitrack^® for attention and executive functioning, and Kidscreen-52 and EQ-5D-5L questionnaires for QoL. Additional data were retrospectively obtained by an analysis of patient medical records.

RESULTS

Out of 145 heart transplant recipients at the department of pediatric cardiology of the University Hospital Munich, 39 were implanted with a VAD between 1992 and 2016. Seventeen (43.6%) patients died before or after Htx; 22 (56.4%) patients were included in our study. Mean age at transplant was 9.52 years (range: 0.58-24.39 years, median 9), and the mean follow-up time after Htx was 6.18 years (range: 0.05-14.60 years, median 5.82). MND examination could be performed in 13 patients (normal MND: n = 11, simple MND: n = 1, complex MND: n = 1). Executive functioning was tested in 15 patients. Two (13.3%) patients had good results, six (40%) average results, three (20%) borderline results, and four (26.7%) impaired results. QoL (Kidscreen n = 7, EQ-5D-5L n = 8) was similar to a healthy German population.

CONCLUSION

Motor outcome, executive functioning and QoL in survivors of VAD bridging therapy and Htx can be good, though underlying diseases and therapies are associated with a high risk of cerebral ischemic or hemorrhagic complications.

A contemporary review of paediatric heart transplantation and mechanical circulatory support

Improvements in the care of children with cardiomyopathy, CHDs, and acquired heart disease have led to an increased number of children surviving with advanced heart failure. In addition, the advent of more durable mechanical circulatory support options in children has changed the outcome for many patients who otherwise would have succumbed while waiting for heart transplantation. As a result, more children with end-stage heart failure are being referred for heart transplantation, and there is increased demand for a limited donor organ supply. A review of important publications in the recent years related to paediatric heart failure, transplantation, and mechanical circulatory support show a trend towards pushing the limits of the current therapies to address the needs of this growing population. There have been a number of publications focussing on previously published risk factors perceived as barriers to successful heart transplantation, including elevated pulmonary vascular resistance, medication non-adherence, re-transplantation, transplantation of the failed Fontan patient, and transplantation in an infant or child bridged with mechanical circulatory support. This review will highlight some of these key articles from the last 3 years and describe recent advances in the understanding, diagnosis, and management of children with end-stage heart disease.

Ventricular assist device use in congenital heart disease with a comparison to heart transplant

Despite advances in medical and surgical therapies, some children with congenital heart disease (CHD) are not able to be adequately treated or palliated, leading them to develop progressive heart failure. As these patients progress to end-stage heart failure they pose a unique set of challenges. Heart transplant remains the standard of care; the donor pool, however, remains limited. Following the experience from the adult realm, the pediatric ventricular assist device (VAD) has emerged as a valid treatment option as a bridge to transplant. Due to the infrequent necessity and the uniqueness of each case, the pediatric VAD in the CHD population remains a topic with limited information. Given the experience in the adult realm, we were tasked with reviewing pediatric VADs and their use in patients with CHD and comparing this therapy to heart transplantation when possible.

Utility of a dedicated pediatric cardiac anticoagulation program: the Boston Children's Hospital experience

Congenital heart disease is the leading cause of stroke in children. Warfarin therapy can be difficult to manage safely in this population because of its narrow therapeutic index, multiple drug and dietary interactions, small patient size, high-risk cardiac indications, and lack of data to support anticoagulation recommendations. We sought to describe our institution's effort to develop a dedicated cardiac anticoagulation service to address the special needs of this population and to review the literature. In 2009, in response to Joint Commission National Patient Safety Goals for Anticoagulation, Boston Children's Hospital created a dedicated pediatric Cardiac Anticoagulation Monitoring Program (CAMP). The primary purpose was to provide centralized management of outpatient anticoagulation to cardiac patients, to serve as a disease-specific resource to families and providers, and to devise strategies to evolve clinical care with rapidly emerging trends in anticoagulation care. Over 5 years the CAMP Service, staffed by a primary pediatric cardiology attending, a full-time nurse practitioner, and administrative assistant with dedicated support from pharmacy and nutrition, has enrolled over 240 patients ranging in age from 5 months to 55 years. The most common indications include a prosthetic valve (34 %), Fontan prophylaxis (20 %), atrial arrhythmias (11 %), cardiomyopathy (10 %), Kawasaki disease (7 %), and a ventricular assist device (2 %). A patient-centered multi-disciplinary cardiac anticoagulation clinic was created in 2012. Overall program international normalized ratio (INR) time in therapeutic range (TTR) is favorable at 67 % (81 % with a 0.2 margin) and has improved steadily over 5 years. Pediatric-specific guidelines for VKOR1 and CYP2C9 pharmacogenomics testing, procedural bridging with enoxaparin, novel anticoagulant use, and quality metrics have been developed. Program satisfaction is rated highly among families and providers. A dedicated pediatric cardiac anticoagulation program offers a safe and effective strategy to standardize anticoagulation care for pediatric cardiology patients, is associated with high patient and provider satisfaction, and is capable of evolving care strategies with emerging trends in anticoagulation.

Quality of life and metrics of achievement in long-term adult survivors of pediatric heart transplant

Many children who undergo heart transplantation will survive into adulthood. We sought to examine the QOL and capacity for achievement in long-term adult survivors of pediatric heart transplantation. Adults >18 yr of age who received transplants as children (≤18 yr old) and had survived for at least 10 yr post-transplant completed two self-report questionnaires: (i) Ferrans & Powers QLI, in which life satisfaction is reported as an overall score and in four subscale domains and is then indexed from 0 (very dissatisfied) to 1 (very satisfied); and (ii) a "Metrics of Life Achievement" questionnaire regarding income, education, relationships, housing status, and access to health care. A total of 20 subjects completed the survey. The overall mean QLI score was 0.77 ± 0.16. Subjects were most satisfied in the family domain (0.84 ± 0.21) and least satisfied in the psychological/spiritual domain (0.7 ± 0.28). Satisfaction in the domains of health/functioning and socioeconomic were intermediate at 0.78 and 0.76, respectively. Most respondents had graduated from high school, reported a median annual income >$50 000/yr, and lived independently. Adult survivors of pediatric heart transplant report a good QOL and demonstrate the ability to obtain an education, work, and live independently.

An inpatient rehabilitation program utilizing standardized care pathways after paracorporeal ventricular assist device placement in children

BACKGROUND

Structured rehabilitation programs in adults after ventricular assist device (VAD) placement result in improvements in physical function and exercise capacity, and have been shown to improve survival and accelerate post-transplant recovery. The objective of this study was to determine the safety and feasibility of an acute inpatient rehabilitation program for children utilizing standardized, age-appropriate, family-centered care pathways after paracorporeal VAD placement in both the ICU and acute-care inpatient settings.

METHODS

Between November 12, 2010 and March 15, 2013, 17 patients were referred to therapy after VAD implantation, 14 of whom were medically stable enough to participate. Beginning in the ICU, a structured physical and occupational therapy program was implemented utilizing novel age-appropriate, standardized care pathways for infants (age <1 year) and children (age 1 to 12 years). The infant and child pathways consisted of 8 and 10 goals, respectively. Retrospective review was conducted to ascertain the number of phases achieved per patient. Adverse events, defined as bleeding, physiologic instability, stroke, or device disruption during therapy, were also analyzed.

RESULTS

The median age was 1.1 (range 0.5 to 14.4) years in the 14 patients considered medically stable enough to participate in rehabilitation. Nine of them were female. Eight patients participated in the infant standardized care pathway (SCP) and 6 participated in the child SCP. Seven patients were on biventricular support. Twelve patients were transplanted and survived. Two patients died while awaiting transplantation. There were 1,473 total days on the VAD (range 40 to 229 days). The median time to extubation was 2 days (range 1 to 8) and the median ICU stay was 6.5 days (range 3 to 152). Eleven patients achieved all goals of the SCP, including all of the patients in the child group. For the infant group, 5 patients achieved all goals of the SCP (range 5 to 8), and all but 1 patient achieved at least 7 goals of the SCP. There were no adverse events related to therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Standardized, family-centered inpatient rehabilitation care paths are safe for infants and children after paracorporeal device placement. Structured rehabilitation goals can be achieved by the majority of pediatric patients during VAD support. Early mobilization and inpatient rehabilitation in this cohort promotes normalization of function while awaiting cardiac transplantation.