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Joglar JA, Wan EY, Chung MK, Gutierrez A, Slaughter MS, Bateson BP, Loguidice M, Drazner M, Kistler PM, Saour B, Poole JE, Murtaza G, Turagam MK, Vader J, Lakkireddy D, Birati EY, Dhingra R, Gopinathannair R. Management of Arrhythmias After Heart Transplant: Current State and Considerations for Future Research. Circ Arrhythm Electrophysiol 2021; 14:e007954. [PMID: 33685207 DOI: 10.1161/circep.120.007954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Orthotropic heart transplantation remains the most effective therapy for patients with end-stage heart failure, with a median survival of ≈13 years. Yet, a number of complications are observed after orthotropic heart transplantation, including atrial and ventricular arrhythmias. Several factors contribute to arrhythmias, such as autonomic denervation, effect of the surgical technique, acute and chronic rejection, and transplant vasculopathy among others. To minimize risk of future arrhythmias, the bicaval technique and minimizing ischemic time are current surgical standards. Sinus node dysfunction is the most common indication for early (within 30 days) pacemaker implantation, whereas atrioventricular block incidence increases as time from transplant increases. Atrial fibrillation can occur in the first few weeks following transplantation but is uncommon in the long term unless secondary to a precipitant such as acute rejection. The most common atrial arrhythmias are atrial flutters, which are mainly typical, but atypical circuits can be observed such as those that involve the remnant donor atrium in regions immediately adjacent to the atrioatrial anastomosis suture line. Choosing the appropriate pharmacological therapy requires careful consideration due to the potential interaction with immunosuppressive agents. Despite historical concerns, adenosine is effective and safe at reduced doses if administered under cardiac monitoring. Catheter ablation has emerged as an effective treatment strategy for symptomatic supraventricular tachycardias, including ablation of atypical flutter circuits. Cardiac allograft vasculopathy is an important risk factor for sudden cardiac death, yet the role of prophylactic implantable cardioverter-defibrillator implant for sudden death prevention is unclear. Current indications for implantable cardioverter-defibrillator implantation are as in the nontransplant population. A number of questions for future research are posed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose A Joglar
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas (J.A.J., M.L., M.D.)
| | - Elaine Y Wan
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY (E.Y.W.)
| | - Mina K Chung
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Heart and Vascular Institute, Cleveland Clinic, OH (M.K.C.).,Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY (M.K.T.)
| | | | - Mark S Slaughter
- Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, University of Louisville, KY (M.S.S., B.P.B.)
| | - Brian P Bateson
- Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, University of Louisville, KY (M.S.S., B.P.B.)
| | - Michael Loguidice
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas (J.A.J., M.L., M.D.)
| | - Mark Drazner
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas (J.A.J., M.L., M.D.)
| | - Peter M Kistler
- Heart Centre, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Australia (P.M.K.)
| | - Basil Saour
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle (B.S., J.E.P.)
| | - Jeanne E Poole
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle (B.S., J.E.P.)
| | - Ghulam Murtaza
- Kansas City Heart Rhythm Institute and Research Foundation, Overland Park, KS (G.M., D.L., R.G.)
| | | | - Justin Vader
- Department of Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Division, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO (J.V.)
| | - Dhanunjaya Lakkireddy
- Kansas City Heart Rhythm Institute and Research Foundation, Overland Park, KS (G.M., D.L., R.G.)
| | - Edo Y Birati
- Advanced Heart Failure/Transplantation Program, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA (E.Y.B.)
| | - Ravi Dhingra
- Advanced Heart Disease and Transplant, Division of Cardiology, University of Wisconsin, Madison (R.D.)
| | - Rakesh Gopinathannair
- Kansas City Heart Rhythm Institute and Research Foundation, Overland Park, KS (G.M., D.L., R.G.)
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