Preoperative INTERMACS profiles determine postoperative outcomes in critically ill patients undergoing emergency heart transplantation: analysis of the Spanish National Heart Transplant Registry

Repetitive ambulatory levosimendan as a bridge to heart transplantation

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

Repetitive ambulatory doses of levosimendan are an option as a bridge to heart transplantation (HT), but evidence regarding the safety and efficacy of this treatment is scarce. The objective of the LEVO-T Registry is to describe the profile of patients on the HT list receiving levosimendan, prescription patterns, and clinical outcomes compared with patients not on levosimendan.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed all patients listed for elective HT from 2015 to 2020 from 14 centers in Spain.

RESULTS

A total of 1015 consecutive patients were included, of whom 238 patients (23.4%) received levosimendan. Patients treated with levosimendan had more heart failure (HF) admissions in the previous year and a worse clinical profile. The most frequent prescription pattern were fixed doses triggered by the patients' clinical needs. Nonfatal ventricular arrhythmias occurred in 2 patients (0.8%). No differences in HF hospitalizations were found between patients who started levosimendan in the first 30 days after listing and those who did not (33.6% vs 34.5%; P=.848). Among those who did not, 102 patients (32.9%) crossed over to levosimendan after an HF admission. These patients had a rate of 0.57 HF admissions per month before starting levosimendan and 0.21 afterwards. Propensity score matching analysis showed no differences in survival at 1 year after listing between patients receiving levosimendan and those who did not (HR, 1.03; 95%CI, 0.36-2.97; P=.958) or in survival after HT (HR, 0.97; 95%CI, 0.60-1.56; P=.958).

CONCLUSIONS

Repetitive levosimendan in an ambulatory setting as a bridge to heart transplantation is commonly used, is safe, and may reduce HF hospitalizations.

Heart transplantation as a rescue strategy for patients with refractory electrical storm

AIMS

Heart transplantation (HT) can be proposed as a therapeutic strategy for patients with severe refractory electrical storm (ES). Data in the literature are scarce and based on case reports. We aimed at determining the characteristics and survival of patients transplanted for refractory ES.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Patients registered on HT waiting list during the following days after ES and eventually transplanted, from 2010 to 2021, were retrospectively included in 11 French centres. The primary endpoint was in-hospital mortality. Forty-five patients were included [82% men; 55.0 (47.8-59.3) years old; 42.2% and 26.7% non-ischaemic dilated or ischaemic cardiomyopathies, respectively]. Among them, 42 (93.3%) received amiodarone, 29 received (64.4%) beta blockers, 19 (42.2%) required deep sedation, 22 had (48.9%) mechanical circulatory support, and 9 (20.0%) had radiofrequency catheter ablation. Twenty-two patients (62%) were in cardiogenic shock. Inscription on wait list and transplantation occurred 3.0 (1.0-5.0) days and 9.0 (4.0-14.0) days after ES onset, respectively. After transplantation, 20 patients (44.4%) needed immediate haemodynamic support by extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). In-hospital mortality rate was 28.9%. Predictors of in-hospital mortality were serum creatinine/urea levels, need for immediate post-operative ECMO support, post-operative complications, and surgical re-interventions. One-year survival was 68.9%.

CONCLUSION

Electrical storm is a rare indication of HT but may be lifesaving in those patients presenting intractable arrhythmias despite usual care. Most patients can be safely discharged from hospital, although post-operative mortality remains substantial in this context of emergency transplantation. Larger studies are warranted to precisely determine those patients at higher risk of in-hospital mortality.

Comparison of Veno-arterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Configurations for Patients Listed for Heart Transplantation

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) as a bridge to eventual heart transplantation (HT) is increasingly used worldwide. However, the effect of different VA-ECMO types on HT outcomes remains unclear.

METHODS

This was a retrospective observational study of 111 patients receiving VA-ECMO and awaiting HT. We assessed 3 ECMO configuration groups: peripheral (n=76), central (n=12), and peripheral to central ECMO conversion (n=23). Cox proportional hazards regression and landmark analysis were conducted to analyze the effect of the ECMO configuration on HT and in-hospital mortality rates. We also evaluated adverse events during ECMO support.

RESULTS

HT was performed in the peripheral (n=48, 63.2%), central (n=10, 83.3%), and conversion (n=11, 47.8%) ECMO groups (p=0.133) with a median interval of 10.5, 16, and 30 days, respectively (p<0.001). The cumulative incidence of HT was significantly lower in the conversion group (hazard ratio, 0.292, 95% confidence interval, 0.145-0.586, p=0.001). However, there was no difference in in-hospital mortality (log-rank p=0.433). In the landmark analysis, in-hospital mortality did not differ significantly among the 3 groups. Although we did note a trend toward lower HT in the conversion group, the difference was not statistically significant. Surgical site bleeding occurred mainly in the central, while limb ischemia occurred mainly in the peripheral groups.

CONCLUSIONS

We suggest that if patients are being stably supported with their initial ECMO configuration, whether it is central or peripheral, it should be maintained, and ECMO conversion should only be cautiously performed when necessary.

TEMPORAL TRENDS IN THE USE AND OUTCOMES OF TEMPORARY MECHANICAL CIRCULATORY SUPPORT AS A BRIDGE TO CARDIAC TRANSPLANTATION IN SPAIN. FINAL REPORT OF THE ASIS-TC STUDY

BACKGROUND

We aimed to describe recent trends in the use and outcomes of temporary mechanical circulatory support (MCS) as a bridge to heart transplantation (HTx) in Spain.

METHODS

Retrospective case-by-case analysis of 1,036 patients listed for emergency HTx while on temporary MCS in 16 Spanish institutions from January 1st, 2010 to December 31st, 2020. Patients were classified in 3 eras according to changes in donor allocation criteria (Era 1: January 2010/May 2014; Era 2: June 2014/May 2017; Era 3: June 2017/December 2020).

RESULTS

Over time, the proportion of candidates listed with intra-aortic balloon pumps decreased (Era 1 = 55.9%, Era 2 = 32%, Era 3 = 0.9%; p < 0.001), while the proportion of candidates listed with surgical continuous-flow temporary VADs (Era 1 = 10.6%, Era 2 = 32%, Era 3 = 49.1%; p < 0.001) and percutaneous VADs (Era 1 = 0.3%, Era 2 = 6.3%; Era 3 = 17.2%; p < 0.001) increased. Rates of HTx increased from Era 1 (79.4%) to Era 2 (87.8%), and Era 3 (87%) (p = 0.004), while rates of death before HTx decreased (Era 1 = 17.7%; Era 2 = 11%, Era 3 = 12.4%; p = 0.037) Median time from listing to HTx increased in patients supported with intra-aortic balloon pumps (Era 1 = 8 days, Era 2 = 15 days; p < 0.001) but remained stable in other candidates (Era 1 = 6 days; Era 2 = 5 days; Era 3 = 6 days; p = 0.134). One-year post-transplant survival was 71.4% in Era 1, 79.3% in Era 2, and 76.5% in Era 3 (p = 0.112). Preoperative bridging with ECMO was associated with increased 1-year post-transplant mortality (adjusted HR=1.71; 95% CI 1.15-2.53; p = 0.008).

CONCLUSIONS

During the period 2010 to 2020, successive changes in the Spanish organ allocation protocol were followed by a significant increase of the rate of HTx and a significant reduction of waiting list mortality in candidates supported with temporary MCS. One-year post-transplant survival rates remained acceptable.

Red blood cell distribution width to predict mortality in heart transplant recipients: a systematic review

Red blood cell distribution width (RDW) has been shown to have prognostic value in a number of different clinical settings, such as cardiovascular disease, including heart failure. However, its prognostic value in heart transplant (HT) recipients remains unknown. The aim of this systematic review is to determine the prognostic value of pre-transplant RDW for mortality in HT recipients. There is a pre-published protocol of this review. The terms "Heart transplant", "Red cell distribution width" and their synonyms were used in the search strategy. PubMed/Medline, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science and LILACS were searched until May 17th, 2022, without date or language restrictions. Two authors independently carried out the selection, first by title and abstract, second by full-text revision. Discrepancies were discussed and resolved with three other authors. Quality of individual studies was assessed with Newcastle Ottawa Scale (NOS) for cohorts. After removing the duplicates, 3885 articles were identified. Four articles were included in the qualitative synthesis. Three studies were classified as “good quality”: whereas one as “poor quality” according to NOS scale. All the included articles evaluated long-term mortality and one study also evaluated short-term mortality. In this one, a correlation between higher RDW values and short-term mortality was reported. Meanwhile, in all the studies, a high pre-HT RDW was a marker of long-term mortality following cardiac transplantation. Our review shows that an elevated on-admission RDW is associated with long-term mortality in heart transplantation recipients.

Relationships between 2018 UNOS heart policy and transplant outcomes in metropolitan, micropolitan, and rural settings

BACKGROUND

In 2018, United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) extended the radius for which a heart transplant candidate can match with a donor, and outcomes across population densities are unknown. We sought to determine whether the policy change was associated with differences in heart transplant waitlist time or death post-transplant for patients from rural, micropolitan, and metropolitan settings.

METHODS

Using the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients, we evaluated U.S. adult patients listed for heart transplant from Janurary 2017 to September 2019 with follow-up through March 2020. Patients were stratified by home zip-codes to either metropolitan, micropolitan, or rural settings. Fine and Gray and Cox models were respectively used to estimate Sub-distribution hazard ratios (SHR) of heart transplant with death or removal from transplant list as a competing event, and HR of death post-transplant within population densities after versus before the UNOS policy change date, October 18, 2018. Analyses were adjusted for demographics, comorbidities, and labs.

RESULTS

Among 8,747 patients listed for heart transplant, 84.7% were from metropolitan, 8.6% micropolitan, and 6.6% rural settings. The 2018 UNOS policy was associated with earlier receipt of heart transplant for metropolitan [SHR 1.56 (95% CI: 1.46-1.66)] and micropolitan [SHR 1.48 (95% CI: 1.21-1.82)] populations, but not significantly for rural [SHR 1.20 (95% CI: 0.93-1.54)]; however, the interaction between policy and densities was not significant (p = .14). Policy changes were not associated with risk of death post-transplant [metropolitan: HR 1.04 (95% CI: 0.80-1.34); micropolitan: HR 1.10 (95% CI: 0.55-2.23); rural: HR 1.04 (95% CI: 0.52-2.08); interaction p = .99].

CONCLUSIONS

The 2018 UNOS heart transplant policy was associated with earlier receipt of heart transplant and no difference in post-transplant survival within population densities. Additional follow-up is needed to determine whether improvements are sustained.

Cost-effectiveness of a centrifugal-flow pump for patients with advanced heart failure in Argentina

Background

Centrifugal-flow pumps are novel treatment options for patients with advanced heart failure (HF). This study estimated the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of centrifugal-flow pumps for patients with advanced HF in Argentina.

Methods

Two Markov models were developed to estimate the cost-effectiveness of a centrifugal-flow pump as destination therapy (DT) in patients with contraindication for heart transplantation, and as bridge-to-transplant (BTT), with a lifetime horizon using the third-party payer Social Security (SS) and Private Sector (PS) perspectives. Clinical, epidemiological, and quality-adjusted life years (QALY) parameters were retrieved from the literature. Direct medical costs were estimated through a micro-costing approach (exchange rate USD 1 = ARS 59.95).

Results

The centrifugal-flow pump as a DT increased the per patient QALYs by 3.5 and costs by ARS 8.1 million in both the SS and PS, with an ICER of ARS 2.3 million per QALY. Corresponding values for a centrifugal-flow pump as BTT were 0.74 QALYs and more than ARS 8 million, yielding ICERs of ARS 11 million per QALY (highly dependent on waiting times). For the 1, 3, and 5 GDP per QALY thresholds, the probability of a centrifugal-flow pump to be cost-effective for DT/BTT was around 2%/0%, 40%/0%, and 80%/1%, respectively.

Conclusion

The centrifugal-flow pump prolongs life and improves the quality of life at significantly higher costs. As in Argentina there is no current explicit cost-effectiveness threshold, the final decision on reimbursement will depend on the willingness to pay in each subsector. Nevertheless, the centrifugal-flow pump as a DT was more cost-effective than as a BTT.

Extracorporeal Photopheresis With Low-Dose Immunosuppression in High-Risk Heart Transplant Patients-A Pilot Study

In severely ill patients undergoing urgent heart transplant (HTX), immunosuppression carries high risks of infection, malignancy, and death. Low-dose immunosuppressive protocols have higher rejection rates. We combined extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP), an established therapy for acute rejection, with reduced-intensity immunosuppression. Twenty-eight high-risk patients (13 with high risk of infection due to infection at the time of transplant, 7 bridging to transplant via extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, 8 with high risk of malignancy) were treated, without induction therapy. Prophylactic ECP for 6 months (24 procedures) was initiated immediately postoperatively. Immunosuppression consisted of low-dose tacrolimus (8–10 ng/ml, months 1–6; 5–8 ng/ml, >6 months) with delayed start; mycophenolate mofetil (MMF); and low maintenance steroid with delayed start (POD 7) and tapering in the first year. One-year survival was 88.5%. Three patients died from infection (POD 12, 51, 351), and one from recurrence of cancer (POD 400). Incidence of severe infection was 17.9% (n = 5, respiratory tract). Within the first year, antibody-mediated rejection was detected in one patient (3.6%) and acute cellular rejection in four (14.3%). ECP with reduced-intensity immunosuppression is safe and effective in avoiding allograft rejection in HTX recipients with risk of severe infection or cancer recurrence.

Prognostic significance of serum lactate following cardiac transplantation

Aim: Hyperlactatemia is common post-heart transplantation. Lactate measurements in the first 24 h were analyzed with respect to mortality. Methods: A total of 153 consecutive cardiac transplant patients were reviewed. Recipients of organs maintained in a state of ex vivo perfusion were included. Results: A total of 143 heart recipients were included. Hyperlactatemia (>2 mmol/l) was present in all patients. Despite maximum lactate and lactate clearance being significantly higher in nonsurvivors (p = 0.002, p = 0.004), neither receiver operator curve analysis nor multivariate logistic regression showed association with 1-year mortality. In comparison, the minimum lactate was significantly associated with mortality (area under the curve 0.728 [p < 0.001]; odds ratio 1.28 [95% 1.01-162; p = 0.04]). Conclusion: The minimum lactate, a surrogate of persistent hyperlactatemia, was demonstrated to be superior compared with maximum lactate and lactate clearance in determining patient prognosis.

2021 ESC Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic heart failure: Developed by the Task Force for the diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic heart failure of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC). With the special contribution of the Heart Failure Association (HFA) of the ESC

Document Reviewers: Rudolf A. de Boer (CPG Review Coordinator) (Netherlands), P. Christian Schulze (CPG Review Coordinator) (Germany), Magdy Abdelhamid (Egypt), Victor Aboyans (France), Stamatis Adamopoulos (Greece), Stefan D. Anker (Germany), Elena Arbelo (Spain), Riccardo Asteggiano (Italy), Johann Bauersachs (Germany), Antoni Bayes-Genis (Spain), Michael A. Borger (Germany), Werner Budts (Belgium), Maja Cikes (Croatia), Kevin Damman (Netherlands), Victoria Delgado (Netherlands), Paul Dendale (Belgium), Polychronis Dilaveris (Greece), Heinz Drexel (Austria), Justin Ezekowitz (Canada), Volkmar Falk (Germany), Laurent Fauchier (France), Gerasimos Filippatos (Greece), Alan Fraser (United Kingdom), Norbert Frey (Germany), Chris P. Gale (United Kingdom), Finn Gustafsson (Denmark), Julie Harris (United Kingdom), Bernard Iung (France), Stefan Janssens (Belgium), Mariell Jessup (United States of America), Aleksandra Konradi (Russia), Dipak Kotecha (United Kingdom), Ekaterini Lambrinou (Cyprus), Patrizio Lancellotti (Belgium), Ulf Landmesser (Germany), Christophe Leclercq (France), Basil S. Lewis (Israel), Francisco Leyva (United Kingdom), AleVs Linhart (Czech Republic), Maja-Lisa Løchen (Norway), Lars H. Lund (Sweden), Donna Mancini (United States of America), Josep Masip (Spain), Davor Milicic (Croatia), Christian Mueller (Switzerland), Holger Nef (Germany), Jens-Cosedis Nielsen (Denmark), Lis Neubeck (United Kingdom), Michel Noutsias (Germany), Steffen E. Petersen (United Kingdom), Anna Sonia Petronio (Italy), Piotr Ponikowski (Poland), Eva Prescott (Denmark), Amina Rakisheva (Kazakhstan), Dimitrios J. Richter (Greece), Evgeny Schlyakhto (Russia), Petar Seferovic (Serbia), Michele Senni (Italy), Marta Sitges (Spain), Miguel Sousa-Uva (Portugal), Carlo G. Tocchetti (Italy), Rhian M. Touyz (United Kingdom), Carsten Tschoepe (Germany), Johannes Waltenberger (Germany/Switzerland) All experts involved in the development of these guidelines have submitted declarations of interest. These have been compiled in a report and published in a supplementary document simultaneously to the guidelines. The report is also available on the ESC website www.escardio.org/guidelines For the Supplementary Data which include background information and detailed discussion of the data that have provided the basis for the guidelines see European Heart Journal online.

Value of SERCA2a as a Biomarker for the Identification of Patients with Heart Failure Requiring Circulatory Support

Background: Heart failure (HF) alters the nucleo-cytoplasmic transport of cardiomyocytes and reduces SERCA2a levels, essential for intracellular calcium homeostasis. We consider in this study whether the molecules involved in these processes can differentiate those patients with advanced HF and the need for mechanical circulatory support (MCS) as a bridge to recovery or urgent heart transplantation from those who are clinically stable and who are transplanted in an elective code. Material and method: Blood samples from 29 patients with advanced HF were analysed by ELISA, and the plasma levels of Importin5, Nucleoporin153 kDa, RanGTPase-Activating Protein 1 and sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca²⁺ ATPase were compared between patients requiring MCS and those patients without a MCS need prior to heart transplantation. Results: SERCA2a showed significantly lower levels in patients who had MCS compared to those who did not require it (0.501 ± 0.530 ng/mL vs. 1.123 ± 0.661 ng/mL; p = 0.01). A SERCA2a cut-off point of 0.84 ng/mL (AUC 0.812 ± 0.085, 95% CI: 0.646–0.979; p = 0.004) provided a 92% sensitivity, 62% specificity, 91% negative predictive value and 67% positive predictive value. Conclusions: In this cohort, patients with advanced HF and a need for MCS have shown significantly lower levels of SERCA2a as compared to stable patients without a need for MCS prior to heart transplantation. This is a small study with preliminary findings, and larger-powered dedicated studies are required to confirm and validate these results.

Advanced Heart Failure: Definition, Epidemiology, and Clinical Course

Advanced heart failure (HF) is characterized by a progressive worsening of symptoms disabling for daily life, refractory to all therapies, and with high mortality. These patients may be candidates for life-prolonging therapies, such as heart transplantation (HT) or long-term (LT) mechanical circulatory support (MCS) or must just require palliative therapies. The 1-year survival after HT and/or LT-MCS is approaching 80% to 90%, being patient selection and timely referral to advanced HF centers critical for optimal outcomes. There is no single symptom, sign, or test that can identify these patients and different classifications are complementary and helpful for clinical decision-making.

Outcomes of temporary mechanical circulatory support in cardiogenic shock due to end-stage heart failure

Background

There are few reports of mechanical circulatory support (MCS) in patients with cardiogenic shock (CS) due to end-stage heart failure (ESHF). We evaluated our institutional MCS strategy and compared the outcomes of INTERMACS 1 and 2 patients with CS due to ESHF.

Methods

Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data (November 2014 to July 2019) from a single centre. ESHF was defined by a diagnosis of HF prior to presentation with CS. Other causes of CS (eg: acute myocardial infarction) were excluded. We compared the clinical course, complications and 90-day survival of patients with CS due to ESHF in INTERMACS profile 1 and 2.

Results

We included 60 consecutive patients with CS due to ESHF Differences in baseline characteristics were consistent with the INTERMACS profiles. The duration of MCS was similar between INTERMACS 1 and 2 patients (14 (10–33) vs 15 (7–23) days, p = 0.439). There was no significant difference in the number of patients with complications that required intervention. Compared to INTERMACS 2, INTERMACS 1 patients had more organ dysfunction on support and significant lower 90-day survival (66% vs 34%, p = 0.016).

Conclusion

Our temporary MCS strategy, including earlier intervention in patients with CS due to ESHF at INTERMACS 2 was associated with less organ dysfunction and better 90-day survival compared to INTERMACS 1 patients.

A review of the management of patients with advanced heart failure in the intensive care unit

Despite progress in the medical and device therapy for heart failure (HF), the prognosis for those with advanced HF remains poor. Acute heart failure (AcHF) is the rapid development of, or worsening of symptoms and signs of HF typically leading to hospitalization. Whilst many HF decompensations are managed at a ward-based level, a proportion of patients require higher acuity care in the intensive care unit (ICU). Admission to ICU is associated with a higher risk of in-hospital mortality, and in those who fail to respond to standard supportive and medical therapy, a proportion maybe suitable for mechanical circulatory support (MCS). The optimal pre-operative management of advanced HF patients awaiting durable MCS or cardiac transplantation (CTx) is vital in improving both short and longer-term outcomes. This review will summarize the clinical assessment, hemodynamic profiling and management of the patient with AcHF in the ICU. The general principles of pre-surgical optimization encompassing individual systems (the kidneys, the liver, blood and glycemic control) will be discussed. Other factors impacting upon post-operative outcomes including nutrition and sarcopenia and pre-surgical skin decolonization have been included. Issues specific to durable MCS including the assessment of the right ventricle and strategies for optimization will also be discussed.

Utility of the INTERMACS profile at the time of assessment for heart transplant

The Interagency Registry of Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support (INTERMACS) profiles are associated with mortality in heart failure patients undergoing ventricular assist device (VAD) implantation and heart transplantation (HTx). We assessed the prognostic value of the INTERMACS profile at the time of assessment for HTx or durable VAD implantation as bridge to candidacy (BTC). A total of 503 consecutive patients considered for HTx or VAD between 2006 and 2016 were included. The associations between INTERMACS profile and (a) waitlist mortality or delisting, (b) probability of HTx, and (c) overall mortality or delisting were evaluated using multivariable analysis. Median follow-up time was 2.9 years (IQR: 0.9-5.5) during which 184 received VAD, 347 received HTx, and 73 died (27 waitlist, 46 post-transplant). INTERMACS I-II profile was associated with higher waitlist mortality or delisting (HR: 3.83, 95% CI: 1.22-12.03), and this risk was reversed by VAD implantation (HR: 0.12, 95% CI: 0.03-0.50). INTERMACS III-IV profile was associated with a higher probability of HTx (HR: 1.82, 95% CI: 1.37-2.40). INTERMACS profile was not associated with the composite outcome of overall mortality or delisting. These results emphasize the prognostic utility of INTERMACS at time of decision for advanced therapies and its potential value in selecting patients for different interventions.

Implication of Ventricular Assist Devices in Extracorporeal Membranous Oxygenation Patients Listed for Heart Transplantation

The new allocation criteria classify patients on veno-arterial extracorporeal membranous oxygenation (VA-ECMO) as the highest priority for receiving orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT) especially if they are considered not candidates for ventricular assist devices. The outcomes of patients who receive ventricular assist devices (VADs) after being listed for heart transplantation with VA-ECMO is unknown. We analyzed 355 patients listed for OHT with VA-ECMO from the United Network for Organ Sharing database from 2006 to 2014. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional-hazards models were used to determine the contribution of prognostic variables to the outcome. Thirty-three patients (9.3%) received VADs (15 dischargeable, 7 non-dischargeable VADs). The VAD and non-VAD groups had similar listing characteristics except that the VAD group were more likely to have non-ischemic cardiomyopathy (48.5% vs. 25.2%), and less likely to be obese (6.1% vs. 25.2%) or have a history of prior organ transplant (3% vs. 31.1%). Patients who underwent VAD implantation had more days on the list (median 189 vs. 14 days) compared to the non-VAD group. Amongst the patients who had VADs, (25/33) 75.5% patients were subsequently transplanted with similar post-transplant survival compared to the non-VAD group (72% vs. 60.5%; p = 0.276). Predictors of one-year post-transplant mortality included panel reactive antibodies (PRA) class I ≥ 20%, recipient smoking history, increased serum creatinine and total bilirubin. Therefore, a small proportion of patients listed for transplantation with VA ECMO undergo VAD implantation. Their waitlist survival is better than non-VAD group but with similar post-transplant survival.

Prognostic scales in advanced heart failure

Heart transplantation (HT) is the treatment of choice for patients with advanced heart failure (HF) who remain symptomatic despite optimal medical therapy. Due to the shortage of organs for transplantation and constantly increasing number of patients placed on waiting lists, accurate risk stratification is a crucial element of management in this population. Prognostic scales allow one to evaluate the patient prognosis, estimate the potential benefits of therapy and identify those patients most likely to benefit from advanced methods of treatment. In this review, we describe prognostic scales in advanced HF, concentrating on commonly used tools – the Heart Failure Survival Score (HFSS) and Seattle Heart Failure Model (SHFM) – as well as on the new promising scales for evaluating waiting list mortality and post-transplant outcomes.

Use of Intra-aortic Balloon Pump as a Bridge to Heart Transplant in Spain: Results From the ASIS-TC Study

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

In Spain, intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) has been used frequently as a bridge to urgent heart transplant (HT). We sought to analyze the clinical outcomes of this strategy.

METHODS

We conducted a case-by-case, retrospective review of clinical records of 281 adult patients listed for urgent HT under IABP support in 16 Spanish institutions from 2010 to 2015. Pre- and post-transplant survival and adverse clinical events were analyzed.

RESULTS

A total of 194 (69%, 95%CI, 63.3-74.4) patients were transplanted and 20 (7.1%, 95%CI, 4.4-10.8) died during a mean period of IABP support of 10.9±9.7 days. IABP support was withdrawn before an organ became available in 32 (11.4%) patients. Thirty-five (12.5%, 95%CI, 8.8-16.9) patients transitioned from IABP to full-support mechanical devices. Mean urgent waiting list time increased from 5.9±6.3 days in 2010 to 15±11.7 days in 2015 (P=.001). Post-transplant survival rates at 30-days, 1-year, and 5-years were 88.1% (95%CI, 85.7-90.5), 76% (95%CI, 72.9-79.1), and 67.8% (95%CI, 63.7-71.9), respectively. The incidence rate of major adverse clinical outcomes-device dysfunction, stroke, bleeding or infection-during IABP support was 26 (95%CI, 20.6-32.4) episodes per 1000 patient-days. The incidence rate of IABP explantation due to complications was 7.2 (95%CI, 4.5-10.8) cases per 1000 patient-days.

CONCLUSIONS

In a setting of short waiting list times, IABP can be used to bridge candidates to urgent HT with acceptable postoperative results, but there were significant rates of adverse clinical events during support.

Definitions of Stage D heart failure and outcomes among outpatients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction

BACKGROUND

An operational consensus definition of Stage D heart failure (HF) is currently lacking.

METHODS

We evaluated 512 outpatients (median age, 63 years; 35.0% women; 45.5% white and 45.9% black; median ejection fraction was 25%; 67.4% had coronary artery disease) with HF and reduced (≤40%) ejection fraction. We applied 3 hypothetical definitions for Stage D: (1) designation as "Stage D" or "advanced" HF by treating physician; (2) INTERMACS profiles, defining Stage D as profiles 2-6; and (3) European Society of Cardiology Heart Failure Association (ESC-HFA) criteria.

RESULTS

Physicians, INTERMACS profiles, and ESC-HFA criteria identified 64 (12.5%), 93 (18.2%), and 67 (13.1%) patients, respectively, as Stage D, with modest concordance between definitions (κ = 0.37). After a median of 3.1 years, 97 patients died (3-year mortality 20.4%). Among patients identified as Stage D by physicians, 3-year mortality was 43.7% vs. 17.0% for non-Stage D patients (age-adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 3.17; 95%CI 1.94-5.18; P < 0.001). The corresponding mortalities for the INTERMACS-based definition were 41.0% vs. 16.2% (HR 3.28; 95%CI 2.11-5.11; P < 0.001) and for ESC-HFA criteria 33.5% vs. 18.6% (HR 2.02; 95%CI 1.22-3.33; P = 0.006); the INTERMACS-based definition provided the best prognostic separation. Results were similar with an alternative INTERMACS-based definition considering only profiles 2-5 as Stage D HF. The INTERMACS-based definition best separated all-cause and HF-specific hospitalization and composite endpoint risk between Stage D and non-Stage D patients also.

CONCLUSIONS

INTERMACS profiles provide a practical alternative for the identification of Stage D HF in ambulatory populations with systolic HF. The ESC-HFA criteria offer limited prognostic information.

INTERMACS Profiles and Outcomes Among Non-Inotrope-Dependent Outpatients With Heart Failure and Reduced Ejection Fraction

OBJECTIVES

This study sought to evaluate INTERMACS (Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support) profiles for prognostic use among ambulatory non-inotrope-dependent patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF).

BACKGROUND

Data for INTERMACS profiles and prognoses in ambulatory patients with HFrEF are limited.

METHODS

We evaluated 3-year outcomes in 969 non-inotrope-dependent outpatients with HFrEF (EF: ≤40%) not previously receiving advanced HF therapies. Patients meeting an INTERMACS profile at baseline were classified as profile 7 (n = 348 [34.7%]); 146 patients (14.5%) were classified profile 6; and 52 patients (5.2%) were classified profile 4 to 5. Remaining patients were classified "stable Stage C" (n = 423 [42.1%]).

RESULTS

Three-year mortality rate was 10.0% among stable Stage C patients compared with 21.8% among INTERMACS profile 7 (hazard ratio [HR] vs. Stage C: 2.45; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.64 to 3.66), 26.0% among profile 6 (HR: 3.93; 95% CI: 1.64 to 3.66), and 43.8% among profile 4 to 5 (HR: 6.35; 95% CI: 3.51 to 11.5) patients. Hospitalization rates for HF were 4-fold higher among INTERMACS profile 7 (38 per 100 patient-years; rate ratio [RR] vs. Stage C: 3.88; 95% CI: 2.70 to 5.35), 6-fold higher among profile 6 patients (54 per 100 patient-years; RR: 5.69; 95% CI: 3.72 to 8.71), and 10-fold higher among profile 4 to 5 patients (69 per 100 patient-years; RR: 9.96; 95% CI: 5.15 to 19.3) than stable Stage C patients (11 per 100 patient-years). All-cause hospitalization rates had similar trends. INTERMACS profiles offered better prognostic separation than NYHA functional classifications.

CONCLUSIONS

INTERMACS profiles strongly predict subsequent mortality and hospitalization burden in non-inotrope-dependent outpatients with HFrEF. These simple profiles could therefore facilitate and promote advanced HF awareness among clinicians and planning for advanced HF therapies.

Prognostic Value of Serum Lactate Levels in Patients Undergoing Urgent Heart Transplant: A Subanalysis of the ASIS-TC Spanish Multicenter Study

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

To study the prognostic value of serum lactate in patients under temporary preoperative mechanical circulatory support who underwent urgent heart transplant.

METHODS

We conducted a subanalysis of a Spanish multicenter registry recording data on patients under temporary mechanical circulatory support listed for highly urgent heart transplant from 2010 to 2015. Participants selected for the present study were those who received a transplant and who had known preoperative serum lactate levels. The main study outcome was 1-year survival after transplant.

RESULTS

A total of 177 heart transplant recipients were studied; preoperatively, 90 were supported on venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, 51 on temporary left ventricular assist devices, and 36 on temporary biventricular assist devices. Preoperative hyperlactatemia (≥ 2 mmol/L) was present in 44 (25%) patients. On multivariable analysis, pretransplant serum lactate was identified as an independent predictor of 1-year posttransplant survival (adjusted HR per 0.1 mmol/L, 1.02; 95%CI, 1.01-1.03; P = .007). One-year posttransplant survival was 53.1% (95%CI, 45.3-60.9) in patients with preoperative hyperlactatemia and 75.6% (95%CI, 71.8-79.4) in those without preoperative hyperlactatemia (adjusted HR, 1.94; 95%CI, 1.04-3.63; P = .039). Preoperative hyperlactatemia correlated with adverse outcomes in patients supported with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, but not in patients supported on ventricular assist devices.

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative serum lactate is a strong independent predictor of worse outcomes in patients undergoing urgent heart transplant on short-term mechanical circulatory support.

Durable Mechanical Circulatory Support versus Organ Transplantation: Past, Present, and Future

For more than 30 years, heart transplantation has been a successful therapy for patients with terminal heart failure. Mechanical circulatory support (MCS) was developed as a therapy for end-stage heart failure at a time when cardiac transplantation was not yet a useful treatment modality. With the more successful outcomes of cardiac transplantation in the 1980s, MCS was applied as a bridge to transplantation. Because of donor scarcity and limited long-term survival, heart transplantation has had a trivial impact on the epidemiology of heart failure. Surgical implementation of MCS, both for short- and long-term treatment, affords physicians an opportunity for dramatic expansion of a meaningful therapy for these otherwise mortally ill patients. This review explores the evolution of mechanical circulatory support and its potential for providing long-term therapy, which may address the limitations of cardiac transplantation.

Comparison of 2-Year Outcomes of Extended Criteria Cardiac Transplantation Versus Destination Left Ventricular Assist Device Therapy Using Continuous Flow

Alternatives have emerged for patients ineligible for cardiac transplantation under standard criteria. The purpose of our study was to compare outcomes in patients ineligible for cardiac transplantation under standard criteria, treated either with extended criteria cardiac transplantation (ECCT) or a continuous flow destination therapy left ventricular assist device (CF DT-LVAD). From 2005 to 2012, patients treated with either ECCT or CF DT-LVAD at our institution were retrospectively analyzed. In the overall unmatched cohort, we examined mortality and other outcomes, including index hospitalization length of stay, renal function, stroke, and readmission rates. After propensity score (PS) matching, outcomes were compared between ECCT and CF DT-LVAD recipients. Overall, 62 patients underwent ECCT, and 146 patients were treated with CF DT-LVAD. The 2-year mortality estimate for ECCT recipients was 27.3% (95% confidence interval 15.5% to 39.1%) and for CF DT-LVAD recipients was 11.2% (95% confidence interval 4.8% to 17.6%). After PS matching of 39 patients from each treatment group, there was no significant difference in overall survival after 2 years (p = 0.346). In both unmatched and PS-matched analyses, CF DT-LVAD patients compared with ECCT had a significantly higher estimated glomerular filtration rate at 1 year but also had significantly higher hospital readmission rates. Stroke also more commonly occurred after CF DT-LVAD compared with ECCT (17 vs 5, unmatched; and 2 vs 1, PS matched). However, there was no significant difference between PS-matched groups in 2-year stroke-free survival (p = 0.371). In conclusion, ECCT and CF DT-LVAD in select patients are comparable therapies with respect to 2-year survival.

Outcomes in children with advanced heart failure in Japan: importance of mechanical circulatory support

The Japanese organ transplant law was revised in July 2010 in order to enable children aged <15 years to donate organs. However, the waiting time for orthotopic heart transplantation (HTx) is as long as 636 days in children due to a shortage of organ donors. Ventricular assist devices (VADs) have been widely used as a bridge to transplantation in Western countries, whereas experience with VADs is limited in Japan due to a lack of device availability for small children. This study aimed to clarify the clinical profiles and outcomes of children with advanced heart failure in Japan and to investigate the importance of mechanical circulatory support (MCS), VADs, and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in children. A retrospective chart review of patients with advanced heart failure who were eligible for HTx between January 2006 and May 2015 was performed at the Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Tokyo Woman's Medical University, Japan. Patients were divided into two groups based on need for MCS. Clinical data pre- and post-revision of the Japanese organ transplant law were compared. Preoperative clinical conditions were evaluated based on Interagency Registry for Mechanically Circulatory Support (INTERMACS) profiles. Twenty-two patients were included in the study, 12 of whom required MCS. VADs were implanted in nine patients and ECMO was needed in seven patients. Of the MCS group, 5 deaths occurred in patients with a preoperative INTERMACS profile-1. High total bilirubin was found to be associated with mortality by multivariate logistic regression analysis (OR 7.8, p = 0.02). Wait list mortality was 32 % and no difference in clinical profiles pre- and post-revision of the Japanese organ transplant law was observed. Approximately 55 % of pediatric patients with advanced heart failure required MCS support. Preoperative conditions such as INTERMACS profile-1 and high total bilirubin were associated with poor outcomes. The Japanese organ transplant law revision had no significant influence on patient profiles or outcomes.

Preventing LVAD implantation by early short-term mechanical support and prolonged inodilator therapy : A case series with acute refractory cardiogenic shock treated with veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and optimised medical strategy

Cardiogenic shock continues to be a life-threatening condition carrying a high mortality and morbidity, where the prognosis remains poor despite intensive modern treatment modalities. In recent years, mainly technical improvements have led to a more widespread use of short- and long-term mechanical circulatory support, such as veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) and left ventricular assist devices (LVADs). Currently, LVADs are indispensable as 'bridge' to cardiac recovery, heart transplantation (HTX), and/or as destination therapy Importantly, both LVADs and HTX put a vast burden on financial resources, besides significant short- and long-term risks of morbidity and mortality. These considerations underscore the importance of optimal timing and appropriate patient selection for LVAD therapy, avoiding as much as possible an unfortunate and costly clinical path. In this report, we present a series of three cases with acute refractory cardiogenic shock ('crash and burn', INTERMACS profile 1) successfully treated by ECMO and early optimal medical therapy preventing a certain path towards LVAD and/or HTX, for which they were initially referred. This conservative approach in INTERMACS profile one patients warrants very early introduction of adequate medical heart failure therapy under the umbrella of a combination of short-term mechanical circulatory and inotropic support by phosphodiesterase inhibitors. Therefore, this novel combined medical-mechanical approach could have important clinical implications for this extremely challenging patient category, as it may avoid an unnecessary and costly clinical path towards LVAD and/or heart transplantation.