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Bacich D, Tessari C, Ciccarelli G, Lucertini G, Cerutti A, Pradegan N, Toscano G, Di Salvo G, Gambino A, Gerosa G. A Comprehensive Excursus of the Roles of Echocardiography in Heart Transplantation Follow-Up. J Clin Med 2024; 13:3205. [PMID: 38892916 PMCID: PMC11172807 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13113205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2024] [Revised: 05/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Current guidelines for the care of heart transplantation recipients recommend routine endomyocardial biopsy and invasive coronary angiography as the cornerstones in the surveillance for acute rejection (AR) and coronary allograft vasculopathy (CAV). Non-invasive tools, including coronary computed tomography angiography and cardiac magnetic resonance, have been introduced into guidelines without roles of their own as gold standards. These techniques also carry the risk of contrast-related kidney injury. There is a need to explore non-invasive approaches providing valuable information while minimizing risks and allowing their application independently of patient comorbidities. Echocardiographic examination can be performed at bedside, serially repeated, and does not carry the burden of contrast-related kidney injury and procedure-related risk. It provides comprehensive assessment of cardiac morphology and function. Advanced echocardiography techniques, including Doppler tissue imaging and strain imaging, may be sensitive tools for the detection of minor myocardial dysfunction, thus providing insight into early detection of AR and CAV. Stress echocardiography may offer a valuable tool in the detection of CAV, while the assessment of coronary flow reserve can unravel coronary microvascular impairment and add prognostic value to conventional stress echocardiography. The review highlights the role of Doppler echocardiography in heart transplantation follow-up, weighting advantages and limitations of the different techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Bacich
- Cardiac Surgery Unit, Department of Cardio-Thoracic-Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University Hospital of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy; (D.B.); (G.C.); (G.L.); (N.P.); (G.T.); (A.G.); (G.G.)
| | - Chiara Tessari
- Cardiac Surgery Unit, Department of Cardio-Thoracic-Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University Hospital of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy; (D.B.); (G.C.); (G.L.); (N.P.); (G.T.); (A.G.); (G.G.)
| | - Giulia Ciccarelli
- Cardiac Surgery Unit, Department of Cardio-Thoracic-Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University Hospital of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy; (D.B.); (G.C.); (G.L.); (N.P.); (G.T.); (A.G.); (G.G.)
| | - Giovanni Lucertini
- Cardiac Surgery Unit, Department of Cardio-Thoracic-Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University Hospital of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy; (D.B.); (G.C.); (G.L.); (N.P.); (G.T.); (A.G.); (G.G.)
| | - Alessia Cerutti
- Pediatric Cardiology Unit, Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, University Hospital of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy; (A.C.); (G.D.S.)
| | - Nicola Pradegan
- Cardiac Surgery Unit, Department of Cardio-Thoracic-Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University Hospital of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy; (D.B.); (G.C.); (G.L.); (N.P.); (G.T.); (A.G.); (G.G.)
| | - Giuseppe Toscano
- Cardiac Surgery Unit, Department of Cardio-Thoracic-Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University Hospital of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy; (D.B.); (G.C.); (G.L.); (N.P.); (G.T.); (A.G.); (G.G.)
| | - Giovanni Di Salvo
- Pediatric Cardiology Unit, Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, University Hospital of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy; (A.C.); (G.D.S.)
| | - Antonio Gambino
- Cardiac Surgery Unit, Department of Cardio-Thoracic-Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University Hospital of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy; (D.B.); (G.C.); (G.L.); (N.P.); (G.T.); (A.G.); (G.G.)
| | - Gino Gerosa
- Cardiac Surgery Unit, Department of Cardio-Thoracic-Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University Hospital of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy; (D.B.); (G.C.); (G.L.); (N.P.); (G.T.); (A.G.); (G.G.)
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Laks JA, Dipchand AI. Cardiac allograft vasculopathy: A review. Pediatr Transplant 2022; 26:e14218. [PMID: 34985793 DOI: 10.1111/petr.14218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Revised: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Heart transplantation has become the standard of care for pediatric patients with end-stage heart disease, and outcomes have consistently improved over the last few decades. CAV, however, remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in heart transplantation and is the leading cause of death beyond 3 years post-transplantation. We sought out to provide an in-depth overview of CAV in the pediatric heart transplant population. METHODS Database searches were conducted in both Medline and Embase on the topic of cardiac vasculopathy in pediatric heart transplant recipients. The search used five broad concept terms: heart transplant; pediatric; CAV; diagnosis, prognosis, and risk factors; and guidelines and reviews. References were captured if there was at least one term in each of the concepts. The search was limited to articles in the English language. RESULTS A total of 148 articles were identified via the literature search with further articles identified via review of references. Pediatric data regarding the etiology and development of CAV remain limited although knowledge about the immune and non-immune factors playing a role are increasing. CAV continues to be difficult to detect with many invasive and non-invasive methods available, yet their effectiveness in the detection of CAV remains suboptimal. There remains no proven medical intervention to treat or reverse established CAV disease, and CAV is associated with high rates of graft loss once detected. However, several medications are used in hopes of preventing, slowing progression, or modifying the outcomes. CONCLUSION This review provides a comprehensive overview of CAV, discusses its clinical presentation, risk factors, diagnostic tools used to identify CAV in the pediatric population, and highlights the current therapeutic options and the need for ongoing research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica A Laks
- Heart Institute, Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital, St Petersburg, Florida, USA
| | - Anne I Dipchand
- Labatt Family Heart Centre, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Non-Invasive Imaging in the Evaluation of Cardiac Allograft Vasculopathy in Heart Transplantation: A Systematic Review. Curr Probl Cardiol 2022; 47:101103. [PMID: 35016989 DOI: 10.1016/j.cpcardiol.2022.101103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) is the leading cause of long-term graft dysfunction in patients with heart transplantation and is linked with significant morbidity and mortality. Currently, the gold standard for diagnosing CAV is coronary imaging with intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) during traditional invasive coronary angiography (ICA). Invasive imaging, however, carries increased procedural risk and expense to patients in addition to requiring an experienced interventionalist. With the improvements in non-invasive cardiac imaging modalities such as transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET), an alternative non-invasive imaging approach for the early detection of CAV may be feasible. In this systematic review, we explored the literature to investigate the utility of non-invasive imaging in diagnosis of CAV in >3000 patients across 49 studies. We also discuss the strengths and weaknesses for each imaging modality. Overall, all four imaging modalities show good to excellent accuracy for identifying CAV with significant variations across studies. Majority of the studies compared non-invasive imaging with ICA without intravascular imaging. In summary, non-invasive imaging modalities offer an alternative approach to invasive coronary imaging for CAV. Future studies should investigate longitudinal non-invasive protocols in low-risk patients after heart transplantation.
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Cardiac Allograft Injuries: A Review of Approaches to a Common Dilemma, With Emphasis on Emerging Techniques. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HEART FAILURE 2022; 4:123-135. [PMID: 36262796 PMCID: PMC9383355 DOI: 10.36628/ijhf.2021.0042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Revised: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Clinical features of allograft injury are often unreliable, and context within the transplant journey is key. In the setting of post-transplant allograft dysfunction, the choice of initial investigation depends on clinical assessment and history. One of the major considerations is the time post transplantation in helping to decide a likely cause for allograft injury. Immediately post transplantation, it is important to consider donor factors (including donor demographics as well as immunological match), ischaemic times, surgical issues as well as early rejection. Clinical suspicion needs to remain high with variable presentations, including haemodynamic instability, arrhythmia, as well as left ventricular dysfunction. Symptoms of allograft dysfunction may include dyspnoea, exertional intolerance, dizziness / lightheadedness, palpitations, as well as right or left heart failure. In the coming weeks and months, endomyocardial biopsy and blood-based biomarkers may be helpful including high sensitivity troponin and donor-derived cell-free DNA. Molecular markers for rejection are hopeful, and may also be useful in non-ischaemic causes of allograft dysfunction. Screening remains important late post heart transplant due to variety of signs associated with rejection (early) and lack of typical anginal symptoms (later). New imaging modalities - especially cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, have been shown to be useful for assessing cause of allograft dysfunction including ischemia, infarction and rejection.
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Raftopoulos L, Aggeli C, Dimitroglou Y, Kakiouzi V, Tsartsalis D, Patsourakos D, Tsioufis C. The fundamental role of stress echo in evaluating coronary artery disease in specific patient populations. Curr Vasc Pharmacol 2021; 20:156-167. [PMID: 34931964 DOI: 10.2174/1570161120666211220104156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Revised: 11/06/2021] [Accepted: 11/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Stress echocardiography (SE) was initially used for assessing patients with known or suspected coronary heart disease by detecting and evaluating myocardial ischemia and viability. The implementation of SE has gradually been extended to several cardiovascular diseases beyond coronary artery disease, and SE protocols have been modified and adapted for the detection of coronary artery disease (CAD) or other cardiovascular diseases in specific patient populations. This review attempts to summarize current data concerning SE implementation and clinical value in these specific and diverse populations: patients with an intramural course of a coronary artery - known as a myocardial bridge, chronic severe or end-stage hepatic disease, chronic severe or end-stage kidney disease, cardiac allograft vasculopathy, patients scheduled for solid-organ transplantation and other intermediate and high-risk surgery and, finally, patients treated with anticancer drugs or radiotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonidas Raftopoulos
- First Department of Cardiology, University of Athens Medical School, General Hospital of Athens Hippokration, Athens, Greece
| | - Constantina Aggeli
- First Department of Cardiology, University of Athens Medical School, General Hospital of Athens Hippokration, Athens, Greece
| | - Yannis Dimitroglou
- First Department of Cardiology, University of Athens Medical School, General Hospital of Athens Hippokration, Athens, Greece
| | - Vasiliki Kakiouzi
- First Department of Cardiology, University of Athens Medical School, General Hospital of Athens Hippokration, Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Tsartsalis
- First Department of Cardiology, University of Athens Medical School, General Hospital of Athens Hippokration, Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Patsourakos
- First Department of Cardiology, University of Athens Medical School, General Hospital of Athens Hippokration, Athens, Greece
| | - Costas Tsioufis
- First Department of Cardiology, University of Athens Medical School, General Hospital of Athens Hippokration, Athens, Greece
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Sciaccaluga C, Ghionzoli N, Mandoli GE, Sisti N, D'Ascenzi F, Focardi M, Bernazzali S, Vergaro G, Emdin M, Valente S, Cameli M. The role of non-invasive imaging modalities in cardiac allograft vasculopathy: an updated focus on current evidences. Heart Fail Rev 2021; 27:1235-1246. [PMID: 34383194 PMCID: PMC9197817 DOI: 10.1007/s10741-021-10155-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) is an obliterative and diffuse form of vasculopathy affecting almost 50% of patients after 10 years from heart transplant and represents the most common cause of long-term cardiovascular mortality among heart transplant recipients. The gold standard diagnostic technique is still invasive coronary angiography, which however holds potential for complications, especially contrast-related kidney injury and procedure-related vascular lesions. Non-invasive and contrast-sparing imaging techniques have been advocated and investigated over the past decades, in order to identify those that could replace coronary angiography or at least reach comparable accuracy in CAV detection. In addition, they could help the clinician in defining optimal timing for invasive testing. This review attempts to examine the currently available non-invasive imaging techniques that may be used in the follow-up of heart transplant patients, spanning from echocardiography to nuclear imaging, cardiac magnetic resonance and cardiac computed tomography angiography, weighting their advantages and disadvantages.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Sciaccaluga
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, Section of Cardiology, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.
| | - N Ghionzoli
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, Section of Cardiology, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - G E Mandoli
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, Section of Cardiology, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - N Sisti
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, Section of Cardiology, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - F D'Ascenzi
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, Section of Cardiology, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - M Focardi
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, Section of Cardiology, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - S Bernazzali
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, University Hospital of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - G Vergaro
- Institute of Life Sciences, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Pisa, Italy.,Division of Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine, Fondazione Toscana Gabriele Monasterio, Pisa, Italy
| | - M Emdin
- Institute of Life Sciences, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Pisa, Italy.,Division of Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine, Fondazione Toscana Gabriele Monasterio, Pisa, Italy
| | - S Valente
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, Section of Cardiology, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - M Cameli
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, Section of Cardiology, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
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