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Scheuermann-Poley C, Wiessner A, Kikhney J, Gatzer R, Müller M, Stichling M, Moter A, Willy C. Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization as Diagnostic Tool for Implant-associated Infections: A Pilot Study on Added Value. PLASTIC AND RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY-GLOBAL OPEN 2023; 11:e4994. [PMID: 37360245 PMCID: PMC10287136 DOI: 10.1097/gox.0000000000004994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
Implant-associated infections are a devastating complication in surgery. Especially in infections with biofilm-forming microorganisms, the identification of the causing microorganism remains a challenge. However, the classification as biofilm is not possible with conventional polymerase chain reaction or culture-based diagnostics. The aim of this study was to evaluate the additional value of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and nucleic acid amplification technique (FISHseq) to discuss a diagnostic benefit of the culture-independent methods and to map spatial organization of pathogens and microbial biofilms in wounds. Methods In total, 118 tissue samples from 60 patients with clinically suspected implant-associated infections (n = 32 joint replacements, n = 24 open reduction and internal fixation, n = 4 projectiles) were analyzed using classic microbiological culture and culture-independent FISH in combination with polymerase chain reaction and sequencing (FISHseq). Results In 56 of 60 wounds, FISHseq achieved an added value. FISHseq confirmed the result of cultural microbiological examinations in 41 of the 60 wounds. In 12 wounds, one or more additional pathogens were detected by FISHseq. FISHseq could show that the bacteria initially detected by culture corresponded to a contamination in three wounds and could exclude that the identified commensal pathogens were a contamination in four other wounds. In five wounds, a nonplanktonic bacterial life form was detected. Conclusions The study revealed that FISHseq gives additional diagnostic information, including therapy-relevant findings that were missed by culture. In addition, nonplanktonic bacterial life forms could also be detected with FISHseq, albeit less frequently than previously indicated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catharina Scheuermann-Poley
- From the Trauma & Orthopedic Surgery, Septic & Reconstructive Surgery, Research and Treatment Centre Septic Defect Wounds, Federal Armed Forces of Germany, Bundeswehr (Military) Academic Hospital, Berlin, Germany
| | - Alexandra Wiessner
- Biofilmcenter, Institute for Microbiology, Infectious Diseases, and Immunology, Charité – University Medicine Berlin and MoKi Analytics GmbH, Berlin, Germany
| | - Judith Kikhney
- Biofilmcenter, Institute for Microbiology, Infectious Diseases, and Immunology, Charité – University Medicine Berlin and MoKi Analytics GmbH, Berlin, Germany
| | - Renate Gatzer
- Department of Microbiology, Federal Armed Forces of Germany, Bundeswehr (Military) Academic Hospital, Berlin, Germany
| | - Martin Müller
- Department of Microbiology, Federal Armed Forces of Germany, Bundeswehr (Military) Academic Hospital, Berlin, Germany
| | - Marcus Stichling
- From the Trauma & Orthopedic Surgery, Septic & Reconstructive Surgery, Research and Treatment Centre Septic Defect Wounds, Federal Armed Forces of Germany, Bundeswehr (Military) Academic Hospital, Berlin, Germany
| | - Annette Moter
- Biofilmcenter, Institute for Microbiology, Infectious Diseases, and Immunology, Charité – University Medicine Berlin and MoKi Analytics GmbH, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christian Willy
- From the Trauma & Orthopedic Surgery, Septic & Reconstructive Surgery, Research and Treatment Centre Septic Defect Wounds, Federal Armed Forces of Germany, Bundeswehr (Military) Academic Hospital, Berlin, Germany
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Gaálová-Radochová B, Kendra S, Jordao L, Kursawe L, Kikhney J, Moter A, Bujdáková H. Effect of Quorum Sensing Molecule Farnesol on Mixed Biofilms of Candida albicans and Staphylococcus aureus. Antibiotics (Basel) 2023; 12:antibiotics12030441. [PMID: 36978309 PMCID: PMC10044556 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12030441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 02/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The natural bioactive molecule farnesol (FAR) is widely studied mainly for its antibiofilm and antimicrobial properties. In addition, it increases the effectiveness of some antimicrobial substances, which makes it interesting for the development of combined therapy. In the present work, the effect of FAR either alone or in combination with oxacillin (OXA) on mixed biofilms formed by clinically relevant pathogens, Candida albicans and Staphylococcus aureus, was studied. S. aureus isolates used for biofilm formation originated from blood cultures and central venous catheters (CVC) were characterized in terms of antimicrobial resistance. The minimal biofilm inhibitory concentration (MBIC50) for FAR of 48 h mixed biofilms formed by the C. albicans and methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA) was determined to be 125 μM, and for the mixed biofilms with methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) was determined to be 250 μM. Treatment of mixed biofilms with OXA (2 mg/mL) showed ≤4% inhibition; however, the combination of OXA (2 mg/mL) and FAR (300 μM) resulted in 80% inhibition of biofilms. In addition, planktonic cells of S. aureus exhibited an increased susceptibility to OXA, cefoxitin and kanamycin in the presence of FAR (150 and 300 μM). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) micrographs confirmed patchy biofilm and lack of candidal hyphae in the samples treated with FAR and FAR/OXA in comparison to control and mixed biofilms treated only with OXA. Intriguingly, in a pilot experiment using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), considerable differences in activity (as indicated by ribosome content) of staphylococcal cells were detected. While the activity rate of the staphylococci in mixed biofilms treated with FAR was high, no FISH-positive signal for staphylococcal cells was found in the biofilm treated with FAR/OXA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbora Gaálová-Radochová
- Department of Microbiology and Virology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, Ilkovičova 6, 842 15 Bratislava, Slovakia
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +421-2-9014-9480
| | - Samuel Kendra
- Department of Microbiology and Virology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, Ilkovičova 6, 842 15 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Luisa Jordao
- Department of Environmental Health, Research and Development Unit, National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge (INSA), Av. Padre Cruz, 1649-016 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Laura Kursawe
- Biofilmcenter, Institute of Microbiology, Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Hindenburgdamm 30, 12203 Berlin, Germany
- MoKi Analytics GmbH, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Hindenburdamm 30, 12203 Berlin, Germany
| | - Judith Kikhney
- Biofilmcenter, Institute of Microbiology, Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Hindenburgdamm 30, 12203 Berlin, Germany
- MoKi Analytics GmbH, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Hindenburdamm 30, 12203 Berlin, Germany
| | - Annette Moter
- Biofilmcenter, Institute of Microbiology, Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Hindenburgdamm 30, 12203 Berlin, Germany
- MoKi Analytics GmbH, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Hindenburdamm 30, 12203 Berlin, Germany
- Moter Diagnostics, Marienplatz 9, 12207 Berlin, Germany
| | - Helena Bujdáková
- Department of Microbiology and Virology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, Ilkovičova 6, 842 15 Bratislava, Slovakia
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Is There a Wound Recontamination by Eluates with High Bacterial Load in Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy with Instillation and Dwell Time? Plast Reconstr Surg 2023; 151:136e-147e. [PMID: 36251856 PMCID: PMC9788932 DOI: 10.1097/prs.0000000000009770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study investigated bacterial colonization of the foam eluate after negative-pressure wound therapy (NPWT) with instillation and dwell time (NPWTi-d) to obtain an indication of possible recontamination of the wound during NPWTi-d. To detect bacterial colonization and the extent of planktonic and nonplanktonic bioburden as comprehensively as possible, routine culture and molecular biology methods were used. METHODS Before (time point 1) and after (median 3.0 days; time point 2) NPWT ( n = 15) and NPWTi-d with antiseptic installation ( n = 15), wound bed [22 acute, eight chronic wounds; median age, 51 years (range, 24 to 91); 26 men], foam, and eluate were examined by routine culture methods and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), polymerase chain reaction, and FISH sequencing (FISHseq). RESULTS At time point 2, 94.9% (37 of 39) of the pathogens identifiable in the eluate were also detected in the wound bed. Foam and eluate were always bacterially contaminated. NPWTi-d resulted in a significant reduction in the number of pathogen species compared with NPWT (NPWTi-d, time point 1 versus time point 2: P = 0.026; NPWT, time point 1 versus time point 2: not significant). Routine culture of wound bed samples at time point 2 identified only 28 of 52 (53.8%) of the pathogens, whereas examination of wound bed, foam, and eluate and additional FISHseq use detected 50 of 52 (96.2%) of the bacterial species. FISHseq identified biofilm in one and microcolonies in 10 wounds (time point 2). CONCLUSIONS The bacterial load of the foam is flushed back into the wound during NPWTi-d. FISHseq should be used in addition to the routine culture method when pathogen identification and detection of nonplanktonic bacterial growth is particularly important for the patient's therapy. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Therapeutic, V.
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Lewin D, Nersesian G, Lanmüller P, Schoenrath F, Falk V, Potapov EV, Ott S. Complications related to the access site after transaxillary implantation of a microaxial left ventricular assist device. J Heart Lung Transplant 2022; 42:679-687. [PMID: 36653272 DOI: 10.1016/j.healun.2022.12.018] [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: 05/06/2022] [Revised: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 12/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Impella 5.0 and 5.5 (summarized as Impella 5+) are microaxial, catheter-based left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) that are implanted via a vascular graft sutured to the axillary artery and provide blood flow of up to 5.5 liter/min. This study aims to investigate the incidence of long-term complications following circulatory support with Impella 5+. METHODS A single-center retrospective analysis of 203 consecutive adult patients treated between January 2017 and September 2021 with a surgically implanted Impella 5.0 or 5.5 via a vascular graft sutured to the axillary artery. RESULTS The median Impella support duration was 8 days. Of 203 patients, 78 (38.4%) died while on temporary mechanical circulatory support. Fifty-five (27.1%) were successfully weaned from Impella 5+ and 70 (34.5%) were bridged to a durable LVAD with a median follow-up time of 232 (IQR 68.5, 597) days after Impella 5+ explantation. In 119 of these patients, the Impella was explanted and the vascular graft was shortened, ligated, and pushed under the pectoralis muscle; in 6 patients early graft infection prompted complete graft removal during explantation. In addition, 13 patients (10.9%) developed a late-onset graft infection after a median of 86 days, requiring complete (n = 10) or partial (n = 2) explantation of the retained graft. In 1 patient, the graft infection was successfully treated by conservative therapy. Our analysis identified no specific risk factors for graft infections. Of the 203 patients, 5 (2.5%) developed a brachial plexus injury resulting in neurological dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS In 10.9% of patients, retaining the vascular graft was complicated by a late graft infection. Complete explantation of the graft prosthesis may decrease the infection rate, but may in turn increase the risk of brachial plexus injury. On the other hand, this method offers the possibility of bedside explantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Lewin
- Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, German Heart Center Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Gaik Nersesian
- Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, German Heart Center Berlin, Berlin, Germany; DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Pia Lanmüller
- Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, German Heart Center Berlin, Berlin, Germany; DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Felix Schoenrath
- Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, German Heart Center Berlin, Berlin, Germany; Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Berlin, Germany; DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Volkmar Falk
- Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, German Heart Center Berlin, Berlin, Germany; Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Berlin, Germany; DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Berlin, Berlin, Germany; Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Translational Cardiovascular Technologies, Institute of Translational Medicine, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Evgenij V Potapov
- Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, German Heart Center Berlin, Berlin, Germany; DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sascha Ott
- Department of Cardiac Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, German Heart Center Berlin, Germany; DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Berlin, Berlin, Germany; Department of Cardiac Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Berlin, Germany
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5
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Just IA, Barthel F, Moter A, Kikhney J, Friedrich A, Wloch A, Falk V, Starck C, Schoenrath F. Fluorescence in situ hybridization and polymerase chain reaction to detect infections of cardiac implantable electronic devices. Europace 2022; 25:578-585. [PMID: 36477494 PMCID: PMC9935028 DOI: 10.1093/europace/euac228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 10/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS In patients with infections of cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs), the identification of causative pathogens is complicated by biofilm formations and previous antibiotic therapy. In this work, the impact of an additional fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), in combination with polymerase chain reaction and sequencing (FISHseq) was investigated. METHODS AND RESULTS In 36 patients with CIED infections, FISHseq of explanted devices was performed and compared with standard microbiological cultivation of preoperative and intraoperative samples. The mean age was 61.9 (±16.2) years; 25 (69.4%) were males. Most patients (62.9%) had heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. Infections occurred as endoplastits (n = 26), isolated local generator pocket infection (n = 8), or both (n = 2); CIED included cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator (n = 17), implantable cardioverter defibrillator (n = 11), and pacemaker (n = 8) devices. The overall positive FISHseq detection rate was 97%. Intraoperatively, pathogens were isolated in 42 vs. 53% in standard cultivation vs. FISHseq, respectively. In 16 of 17 FISHseq-negative patients, the nucleic acid strain DAPI (4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole) indicated inactive microorganisms, which were partially organized in biofilms (n = 4) or microcolonies (n = 2). In 13 patients in whom no pathogen was identified preoperatively, standard cultivation and FISHseq identified pathogens in 3 (23%) vs. 8 (62%), respectively. For the confirmation of preoperatively known bacteria, a combined approach was most efficient. CONCLUSION Fluorescence in situ hybridization sequencing is a valuable tool to detect causative microorganisms in CIED infections. The combination of FISHseq with preoperative cultivation showed the highest efficacy in detecting pathogens. Additional cultivation of intraoperative tissue samples or swabs yielded more confirmation of pathogens known from preoperative culture.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Frank Barthel
- Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, German Heart Center Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Annette Moter
- Biofilmcenter, Institute of Microbiology, Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Charité—University Medical Center Berlin, Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany,MoKi Analytics GmbH, Hindenburgdamm 30, 12203 Berlin, Germany,Moter Diagnostics Practice, Marienplatz 9, 12207 Berlin, Germany
| | - Judith Kikhney
- Biofilmcenter, Institute of Microbiology, Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Charité—University Medical Center Berlin, Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany,MoKi Analytics GmbH, Hindenburgdamm 30, 12203 Berlin, Germany
| | - Aljona Friedrich
- Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, German Heart Center Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Alexa Wloch
- Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, German Heart Center Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Volkmar Falk
- Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, German Heart Center Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany,DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Berlin, Berlin, Germany,Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany,Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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6
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Potapov EV, Politis N, Karck M, Weyand M, Tandler R, Walther T, Emrich F, Reichenspurrner H, Bernhardt A, Barten MJ, Svenarud P, Gummert J, Sef D, Doenst T, Tsyganenko D, Loforte A, Schoenrath F, Falk V. Results from a multicentre evaluation of plug use for left ventricular assist device explantation. Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg 2021; 34:683-690. [PMID: 34888681 PMCID: PMC9026212 DOI: 10.1093/icvts/ivab344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Revised: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Evgenij V Potapov
- Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, German Heart Center Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Matthias Karck
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Michael Weyand
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - René Tandler
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Thomas Walther
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Johann-Wolfgang-Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Fabian Emrich
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Johann-Wolfgang-Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Hermann Reichenspurrner
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, University Heart and Vascular Center Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Alexander Bernhardt
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, University Heart and Vascular Center Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Markus J Barten
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, University Heart and Vascular Center Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Peter Svenarud
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jan Gummert
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Heart and Diabetes Center NRW Ruhr-University of Bochum, Bad Oeynhausen, Germany
| | - Davorin Sef
- Department of Cardiothoracic Transplantation and Mechanical Circulatory Support, Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS Foundation Trust, Harefield Hospital, London, UK
| | - Torsten Doenst
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University of Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Dmytro Tsyganenko
- Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, German Heart Center Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Antonio Loforte
- Division of Cardiac Surgery, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, S. Orsola University Hospital, Bologna, Italy
| | - Felix Schoenrath
- Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, German Heart Center Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Volkmar Falk
- Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, German Heart Center Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Berlin, Germany.,Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Eidgenössiche Technische Hochschule Zürich, Translational Cardiovascular Technology, Zurich, Switzerland
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Gerhard EF, Wang L, Singh R, Schueler S, Genovese LD, Woods A, Tang D, Smith NR, Psotka MA, Tovey S, Desai SS, Jakovljevic DG, MacGowan GA, Shah P. LVAD decommissioning for myocardial recovery: Long-term ventricular remodeling and adverse events. J Heart Lung Transplant 2021; 40:1560-1570. [PMID: 34479776 PMCID: PMC8627486 DOI: 10.1016/j.healun.2021.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Revised: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) mechanically unload the heart and coupled with neurohormonal therapy can promote reverse cardiac remodeling and myocardial recovery. Minimally invasive LVAD decommissioning with the device left in place has been reported to be safe over short-term follow-up. Whether device retention reduces long-term safety, or sustainability of recovery is unknown. METHODS This is a dual-center retrospective analysis of patients who had achieved responder status (left ventricular ejection fraction, LVEF ≥40% and left ventricular internal diastolic diameter, LVIDd ≤6.0 cm) and underwent elective LVAD decommissioning for myocardial recovery from May 2010 to January 2020. All patients had outflow graft closure and driveline resection with the LVAD left in place. Emergent LVAD decommissioning for an infection or device thrombosis was excluded. Patients were followed with serial echocardiography for up to 3-years. The primary clinical outcome was survival free of heart failure hospitalization, LVAD reimplantation, or transplant. RESULTS During the study period 515 patients received an LVAD and 29 (5.6%) achieved myocardial recovery, 12 patients underwent total device explantation or urgent device decommissioning, 17 patients underwent elective LVAD decommissioning, and were included in the analysis. Median age of patients at LVAD implantation was 42 years (interquartile range, IQR: 25-54 years), all had a nonischemic cardiomyopathy, and 5 (29%) were female. At LVAD implantation, median LVEF was 10% (IQR: 5%-15%), and LVIDd 6.6 cm (IQR: 5.8-7.1 cm). There were 11 hydrodynamically levitated centrifugal-flow (65%), and 6 axial-flow LVADs (35%). The median duration of LVAD support before decommissioning was 28.7 months (range 13.5-36.2 months). As compared to the turndown study parameters, 1-month post-decommissioning, median LVEF decreased from 55% to 48% (p = 0.03), and LVIDd increased from 4.8 cm to 5.2 cm (p = 0.10). There was gradual remodeling until 6 months, after which there was no statistical difference on follow-up through 3-years (LVEF 42%, LVIDd 5.6 cm). Recurrent infections affected 41% of patients leading to 3 deaths and 1 complete device explant. Recurrent HF occurred in 1 patient who required a transplant. Probability of survival free of HF, LVAD, or transplant was 94% at 1-year, and 78% at 3-years. CONCLUSIONS LVAD decommissioning for myocardial recovery was associated with excellent long-term survival free from recurrent heart failure and preservation of ventricular size and function up to 3-years. Reducing the risk of recurrent infections, remains an important therapeutic goal for this management strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleanor F Gerhard
- Heart Failure, Mechanical Circulatory Support and Transplantation, Inova Heart and Vascular Institute, Falls Church, Virginia; George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington DC, Washington DC
| | - Lu Wang
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Ramesh Singh
- Cardiac Surgery, Inova Heart and Vascular Institute, Falls Church, Virginia
| | - Stephan Schueler
- Cardiothoracic Centre, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Leonard D Genovese
- Heart Failure, Mechanical Circulatory Support and Transplantation, Inova Heart and Vascular Institute, Falls Church, Virginia
| | - Andrew Woods
- Cardiothoracic Centre, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel Tang
- Cardiac Surgery, Inova Heart and Vascular Institute, Falls Church, Virginia
| | | | - Mitchell A Psotka
- Heart Failure, Mechanical Circulatory Support and Transplantation, Inova Heart and Vascular Institute, Falls Church, Virginia
| | - Sian Tovey
- Cardiothoracic Centre, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Shashank S Desai
- Heart Failure, Mechanical Circulatory Support and Transplantation, Inova Heart and Vascular Institute, Falls Church, Virginia
| | | | - Guy A MacGowan
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Palak Shah
- Heart Failure, Mechanical Circulatory Support and Transplantation, Inova Heart and Vascular Institute, Falls Church, Virginia.
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Systems of conductive skin for power transfer in clinical applications. EUROPEAN BIOPHYSICS JOURNAL: EBJ 2021; 51:171-184. [PMID: 34477935 PMCID: PMC8964546 DOI: 10.1007/s00249-021-01568-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Revised: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
The primary aim of this article is to review the clinical challenges related to the supply of power in implanted left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) by means of transcutaneous drivelines. In effect of that, we present the preventive measures and post-operative protocols that are regularly employed to address the leading problem of driveline infections. Due to the lack of reliable wireless solutions for power transfer in LVADs, the development of new driveline configurations remains at the forefront of different strategies that aim to power LVADs in a less destructive manner. To this end, skin damage and breach formation around transcutaneous LVAD drivelines represent key challenges before improving the current standard of care. For this reason, we assess recent strategies on the surface functionalization of LVAD drivelines, which aim to limit the incidence of driveline infection by directing the responses of the skin tissue. Moreover, we propose a class of power transfer systems that could leverage the ability of skin tissue to effectively heal short diameter wounds. In this direction, we employed a novel method to generate thin conductive wires of controllable surface topography with the potential to minimize skin disruption and eliminate the problem of driveline infections. Our initial results suggest the viability of the small diameter wires for the investigation of new power transfer systems for LVADs. Overall, this review uniquely compiles a diverse number of topics with the aim to instigate new research ventures on the design of power transfer systems for IMDs, and specifically LVADs.
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