Different patterns of extracellular matrix protein expression in the convexity and the concavity of the dilated aorta with bicuspid aortic valve: preliminary results

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to assess extracellular matrix protein expression patterns at the convexity (right anterolateral wall) and the concavity of the dilated ascending aorta in patients with bicuspid aortic valve disease.

METHODS

Aortic wall specimens were retrieved from the convexity and the concavity in 27 bicuspid aortic valve patients (12 with stenosis and 15 with regurgitation) and 6 heart donors (controls). Morphometry, immunohistochemistry, Western blot, and polymerase chain reaction were performed, focusing on matrix proteins involved in vascular remodeling.

RESULTS

Type I and III collagens were significantly decreased in bicuspid-associated dilated aortas versus controls (P < .001), particularly at the convexity (P < .05 vs concavity). Expression of messenger RNA for collagens was lower than normal only in the regurgitant subgroup. At immunohistochemistry, proteins whose overproduction has been demonstrated in response to abnormal wall stress, such as tenascin and fibronectin, were more expressed in the convexity than in the concavity, especially in the stenosis subgroup. Tenascin, which is produced by smooth muscle cells in the synthetic phenotype, was nearly undetectable in controls. Fewer smooth muscle cells (stenosis, P = .017; regurgitation, P = .008) and more severe elastic fiber fragmentation (P = .029 and P < .001) were observed in the convexity versus the concavity.

CONCLUSIONS

In bicuspid-associated aortic dilations, an asymmetric pattern of matrix protein expression was found that was consistent with the asymmetry in wall-stress distribution reported previously. Differences exist between patients with stenosis and those with regurgitation in terms of protein expression and content in the aortic wall. Further studies could clarify the relations between these findings and the pathogenesis of aortic dilatation in bicuspid aortic valve patients.

LOWERing the INtensity of oral anticoaGulant Therapy in patients with bileaflet mechanical aortic valve replacement: results from the "LOWERING-IT" Trial

BACKGROUND

Moderate anticoagulation after mechanical heart valve replacement has been proposed to reduce the risk of bleeding related to lifelong anticoagulation. However, the efficacy of such reduced antithrombotic regimens is still unknown. The present prospective open-label, single-center, randomized controlled trial aimed to evaluate the safety and feasibility of reduced oral anticoagulation after isolated mechanical aortic valve replacement.

METHODS

Low-risk patients undergoing bileaflet mechanical aortic valve replacement were randomized to a low International normalized ratio (INR) target (1.5-2.5; LOW-INR group) or to the standard currently recommended INR (2.0-3.0; CONVENTIONAL-INR group) through daily coumarine oral therapy. No aspirin was added. Median follow-up was 5.6 years. The primary outcome was assessment of noninferiority of the low over the standard anticoagulation regimen on thromboembolic events. Secondary end point was the superiority of the reduced INR target strategy on bleeding events.

RESULTS

We analyzed 396 patients (197 in the LOW-INR group and 199 in the CONVENTIONAL-INR group). The mean of INR was 1.94 +/- 0.21 and 2.61 +/- 0.25 in the LOW-INR and CONVENTIONAL-INR groups, respectively (P < .001). One versus three thromboembolic events occurred in the LOW-INR and CONVENTIONAL-INR, respectively, meeting the noninferiority criterion (P = .62). Total hemorrhagic events occurred in 6 patients in the LOW-INR group and in 16 patients in the CONVENTIONAL-INR group (P = .04).

CONCLUSIONS

LOWERING-IT trial established that the proposed LOW-INR target is safe and feasible in low-risk patients after bileaflet aortic mechanical valve replacement. It results in similar thrombotic events and in a significant reduction of bleeding occurrence when compared to the conventional anticoagulation regimen.

Sodium/glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors improve cardiac function by reducing JunD expression in human diabetic hearts

BACKGROUND

The pathogenesis of experimental diabetic cardiomyopathy may involve the activator protein 1 (AP-1) member, JunD. Using non-diabetic heart transplant (HTX) in recipients with diabetes, we examined the effects of the diabetic milieu (hyperglycemia and insulin resistance) on cardiac JunD expression over 12 months. Because sodium/glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) significantly reverse high glucose-induced AP-1 binding in the proximal tubular cell, we investigated JunD expression in a subgroup of type 2 diabetic recipients receiving SGLT2i treatment.

METHODS

We evaluated 77 first HTX recipients (40 and 37 patients with and without diabetes, respectively). Among the recipients with diabetes, 17 (45.9%) were receiving SGLT2i treatment. HTX recipients underwent standard clinical evaluation (metabolic status, echocardiography, coronary computed tomography angiography, and endomyocardial biopsy). In the biopsy samples, we evaluated JunD, insulin receptor substrates 1 and 2 (IRS1 and IRS2), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ), and ceramide levels using real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunofluorescence. The biopsy evaluations in this study were performed at 1-4 weeks (basal), 5-12 weeks (intermediate), and up to 48 weeks (final, end of 12-month follow-up) after HTX.

RESULTS

There was a significant early and progressive increase in the cardiac expression of JunD/PPAR-γ and ceramide levels, along with a significant decrease in IRS1 and IRS2 in recipients with diabetes but not in those without diabetes. These molecular changes were blunted in patients with diabetes receiving SGLT2i treatment.

CONCLUSION

Early pathogenesis in human diabetic cardiomyopathy is associated with JunD/PPAR-γ overexpression and lipid accumulation following HTX in recipients with diabetes. Remarkably, this phenomenon was reduced by concomitant therapy with SGLT2i, which acted directly on diabetic hearts.

Deep sternal wound infection: the role of early debridement surgery

OBJECTIVE

This retrospective chart review study aimed to evaluate whether a more aggressive staged approach can reduce morbidity and mortality following post-cardiotomy deep sternal wound infection.

METHODS

Between 1979 and 2000, 14620 patients underwent open heart surgery: mediastinitis developed in 124 patients (0.85%). Patients were divided in two groups: in 62 patients (Group A) (1979-1994) an initial attempt of conservative antibiotic therapy was the rule followed by surgical approach in case of failure; in 62 patients (Group B) (1995-2000) the treatment was staged in three phases: (1) wound debridement, removal of wires and sutures, closed irrigation for 10 days; (2) in case of failure open dressing with sugar and hyperbaric therapy (11 patients, 17%); (3) delayed healing and negative wound cultures mandated plastic reconstruction (three patients, 4%). Categorical values were compared using the Chi-square test, continuous data were compared by unpaired t-test.

RESULTS

Incidence of mediastinitis was higher in Group B (62 out of 5535; 1.3%) than in Group A (62 out of 9085; 0.7%) (P=0.007). Mean interval between diagnosis and treatment was shorter in Group B (18+/-6 days) than in group A (38+/-7 days) (P=0.001). Hospital mortality was higher in Group A (19/62; 31%) than in Group B (1 out of 62; 1.6%) (P<0.001). Hospital stay was shorter in Group B (30.5+/-3 days) than in group A (44+/-9 days) (P=0.001). In Group B complete healing was observed in all the 61 survivors: 47 cases (76%) after Stage 1; 11 (18%) after Stage 2; three (4.8%) after Stage 3.

CONCLUSIONS

Although partially biased by the fact that the two compared groups draw back to different decades, this study showed that an aggressive therapeutic protocol can significantly reduce morbidity and mortality of deep sternal wound infection.

Mitral mechanical replacement in young rheumatic women: Analysis of long-term survival, valve-related complications, and pregnancy outcomes over a 3707-patient-year follow-up

OBJECTIVE

A follow-up study was performed to assess long-term survival, valve-related complications, and pregnancy outcomes in young rheumatic women undergoing isolated mitral mechanical replacement. The influence of prosthetic type on outcomes was also investigated.

METHODS

Between 1975 and 2003, 267 isolated mitral mechanical prostheses were implanted. Follow-up reached 3707.8 patient-years.

RESULTS

Actuarial survival at 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 years was 97% +/- 0.01%, 90.4% +/- 0.017%, 85.3% +/- 0.023%, 82.3% +/- 0.025%, 71.7% +/- 0.036%, and 70.2% +/- 0.038%, respectively. At multivariate analysis, atrial fibrillation at follow-up was identified as an independent risk factor for late mortality, whereas left ventricular ejection fraction at 12 postoperative months proved to be a protective factor. Freedom from thromboembolism at 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 years was 98.1% +/- 0.01%, 94.1% +/- 0.015%, 89.1% +/- 0.021%, 85.9% +/- 0.025%, 81.1% +/- 0.031%, and 75.3% +/- 0.063%, respectively. Atrial fibrillation and Carbomedics device were significantly associated with an increase in thromboembolic events. Freedom from reoperation at 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 years was 99.2% +/- 0.005%, 95% +/- 0.014%, 91.6% +/- 0.018%, 88.6% +/- 0.022%, and 85.7% +/- 0.041%. Type of prosthesis (tilting disc) was identified as a predictor of reoperation. At the end of the study, 208 patients were still alive: 94.7% were in New York Heart Association class I or II. When receiving warfarin therapy, no patient undertaking pregnancy (n = 35) experienced adverse cardiac or valve-related events. Fetal events were significantly less frequent with a daily warfarin dose less than 5 mg.

CONCLUSIONS

Mechanical devices provided excellent performance, safety, and durability. The prognostic role of left ventricular function and atrial fibrillation overwhelmed any differences that might exist between different prosthetic designs. Pregnancies entail virtually no maternal risk and predictable fetal complications.

Lipid Accumulation in Hearts Transplanted From Nondiabetic Donors to Diabetic Recipients

BACKGROUND

Early pathogenesis of diabetic cardiomyopathy (DMCM) may involve lipotoxicity of cardiomyocytes in the context of hyperglycemia. There are many preclinical studies of DMCM pathogenesis, but the human evidence is still poorly understood.

OBJECTIVES

By using a nondiabetic mellitus (non-DM) heart transplanted (HTX) in diabetes mellitus (DM) recipients, this study conducted a serial study of human heart transplant recipients evaluating cardiac effects of diabetic milieu (hyperglycemia and insulin resistance) on lipotoxic-mediated injury. We evaluated cardiomyocyte morpho-pathology by seriated biopsies of healthy implanted hearts in DM recipients during 12-month follow-up from HTX. Because metformin reduces ectopic lipid accumulation, we evaluated the effects of the drug in a nonrandomized subgroup.

METHODS

The DMCM-AHEAD (Diabetes and Lipid Accumulation and Heart Transplant) prospective ongoing study (NCT03546062) evaluated 158 first HTX recipients (82 non-DM, 76 DM of whom 35 [46%] were receiving metformin). HTX recipients were undergoing clinical standard evaluation (metabolic status, echocardiography, coronary computed tomography angiography, and endomyocardial biopsies). Biopsies evaluated immune response, Oil Red-O staining, ceramide, and triacylglycerol levels. Lipotoxic factors and insulin resistance were evaluated by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS

There was a significant early and progressive cardiomyocyte lipid accumulation in DM but not in non-DM recipients (p = 0.019). In the subgroup receiving metformin, independently from immunosuppressive therapy that was similar among groups, lipid accumulation was reduced in comparison with DM recipients not receiving the drug (hazard ratio: 6.597; 95% confidence interval: 2.516 to 17.296; p < 0.001). Accordingly, lipotoxic factors were increased in DM versus non-DM recipients, and, relevantly, metformin use was associated with fewer lipotoxic factors.

CONCLUSIONS

Early pathogenesis of human DMCM started with cardiomyocyte lipid accumulation following HTX in DM recipients. Metformin use was associated with reduced lipid accumulation independently of immunosuppressive therapy. This may constitute a novel target for therapy of DMCM.

Coronary artery bypass grafting in patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction: a prospective randomized study on the timing of perioperative intraaortic balloon pump support

In this prospective trial the results of preoperative and intraoperative IABP in coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) patients with low left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) were compared. Sixty CABG patients with preoperative LVEF < or = 0.30 were enrolled: in group A patients (n=30) IABP was started within 2 hours preoperatively; in group B (n=30) it was instituted intraoperatively before weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass. Cardiac performance was assessed through Swan-Ganz catheter monitoring and daily echocardiography. Hospital survival, length of IABP support, intubation, ICU and hospital stay, need for postoperative inotropic drugs and incidence of myocardial infarction were compared between the two groups. Survival in group A patients proved significantly higher (P=0.047). Cardiac performance after myocardial revascularization improved in both groups with significantly better outcomes in group A patients (P<0.001). Doses of inotropic drugs (dobutamine, enoximone) were lower in group A (P=0.001; P=0.004) and duration shorter (P<0.001; P<0.001). No major IABP-related complication was observed.

Echocardiographic anatomy of ascending aorta dilatation: correlations with aortic valve morphology and function

BACKGROUND

Different anatomical forms of proximal aortic dilations associated with aortic valve disease can be distinguished by echocardiography. Differences in the anatomy could reflect different pathogeneses and need for different therapeutic approaches. The present study assessed the clinical features associated to each anatomical form, particularly focusing on the relations with valve morphology and function.

METHODS

Trans-thoracic and trans-esophageal echocardiography reports of 552 adult patients (mean age 60.4+/-12.8 years; 379 male) with mild to severe proximal aorta dilation were reviewed. The relationships between the anatomy of aorta dilatation (distinguished into "root type" dilatation, with maximal enlargement at the sinuses, and "mid-ascending type", with maximal diameter at the mid-ascending tract) and aortic valve morphology (tricuspid/bicuspid) and function (normal/stenosis/regurgitation) were assessed. The relations with other clinico-echocardiographic variables were also tested in univariate and multivariate analysis.

RESULTS

A "root type" dilatation was found in 4.9% tricuspid patients with stenosis, 32.3% with regurgitation, 22.5% with normal valve function (p=0.018). Dilatation prevailed at the mid-ascending tract in patients with bicuspid aortic valve, irrespective of valve function (stenotic: 92.9%, regurgitant: 87.9%, normal: 94.3%; p=0.23). Predominant root involvement was significantly more prevalent in male patients (24.8% versus 5.2% in females; p<0.001). In multivariate analysis, predominant aortic valve regurgitation (OR=1.83; p=0.028) independently predicted root site, while predominant aortic valve stenosis (OR=3.70; p=0.001), bicuspidity (OR=2.90; p=0.005) and female sex (OR=6.10; p<0.001) predicted mid-ascending site.

CONCLUSIONS

Pathogenetical considerations arise from the evidence of preferential mid-ascending localization of bicuspid-associated aortic dilatations. This finding is consistent with previous studies on bicuspid valve models revealing a wall stress overload beyond the sino-tubular ridge.

The epigenetic promise to improve prognosis of heart failure and heart transplantation

Heart transplantation is still the only possible life-saving treatment for end-stage heart failure, the critical epilogue of several cardiac diseases. Epigenetic mechanisms are being intensively investigated because they could contribute to establishing innovative diagnostic and predictive biomarkers, as well as ground-breaking therapies both for heart failure and heart transplantation rejection. DNA methylation and histone modifications can modulate the innate and adaptive immune response by acting on the expression of immune-related genes that, in turn, are crucial determinants of transplantation outcome. Epigenetic drugs acting on methylation and histone-modification pathways may modulate Treg activity by acting as immunosuppressive agents. Moreover, the identification of non-invasive and reliable epigenetic biomarkers for the prediction of allograft rejection and for monitoring immunosuppressive therapies represents an attractive perspective in the management of transplanted patients. MiRNAs seem to fit particularly well to this purpose because they are differently expressed in patients at high and low risk of rejection and are detectable in biological fluids besides biopsies. Although increasing evidence supports the involvement of epigenetic tags in heart failure and transplantation, further short and long-term clinical studies are needed to translate the possible available findings into clinical setting.

Protective effect of physical activity on mortality in older adults with advanced chronic heart failure: A prospective observational study

Objectives

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect on mortality of self-reported physical activity evaluated by the physical activity scale for the elderly (PASE) in elderly patients with advanced heart failure enrolled in a cardiac rehabilitation unit after heart failure decompensation (NYHA class IIIB).

Methods

The study prospectively enrolled 314 elderly patients (≥65 years) with heart failure in NYHA class IIIB (symptomatic with a recent history of dyspnoea at rest) consecutively admitted to cardiac rehabilitation between January 2010 and July 2011. Comprehensive geriatric assessment was performed. Physical activity was evaluated by PASE and stratified in tertiles (0–15, 16–75 and >75). Mortality was collected from September to October 2015 in 300 patients.

Results

The mean age was 74.5 ± 6.1 (range 65–89); 74.7% were men, 132 patients (44.0%) died during the follow-up (44.1 ± 20.7 months). Univariate analysis shows that physical activity level conducted before heart failure decompensation was inversely related to mortality (from 76.0% to 8.2%, P = 0.000). Multivariate analysis confirms that the PASE score predicts mortality independently of several demographic and clinical variables (hazard rate 0.987, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.980–0.994, P = 0.000). Notably, when considering PASE 0–15 versus 16–75 score and PASE 0–15 versus > 75 score, the hazard rate is 4.06 (95% CI 1.67–9.84, P < 0.001) and 7.25 (95% CI 2.7–19.5, P < 0.001), respectively.

Conclusions

Physical activity level evaluated by the PASE score is inversely related to mortality in elderly patients with advanced heart failure confirming the reduction of mortality exerted by moderate physical activity in such patients.

Early graft failure after heart transplant: risk factors and implications for improved donor-recipient matching

Early graft failure (EGF) is a dreaded complication after heart transplantation (HT). Despite several improvements, no effective therapy has been developed and the prognosis is poor. We evaluated the risk factors and clinical impact of EGF. In a consecutive series of 317 HTs performed at a single institution between January 1999 and December 2008, variables associated significantly with EGF were sought in bivariate and multivariable discriminant analyses. The deriving propensity score was used to stratify the study sample in to three groups (low, intermediate and high risk for EGF). Comparisons were performed between the higher-risk group and the remaining population in terms of preoperative features and outcomes. EGF occurred in 10.1% of the overall population (2.9, 3.8 and 23.6%, respectively, in the three groups). Overall, EGF-related mortality was 56.3% (100, 75 and 48%, respectively, in the three groups). Determinants of EGF in the highest-risk group were: redo procedure, valvular cardiomyopathy, status one at transplant, recipient male sex, donor-recipient (D/R) weight mismatch, high inotropic donor support, ischaemic time and first day troponin I release. In conclusion, several donor and recipient features predicted EGF. Since such characteristics are not readily modifiable but synergistically determine the occurrence of EGF, optimization of D/R matching is crucial to prevent it.

Sacubitril/valsartan in patients listed for heart transplantation: effect on physical frailty

AIMS

The aim of this study was to investigate prospectively the effect of sacubitril/valsartan in advanced heart failure (HF) patients in waiting list for heart transplantation (HT) and the effect on physical frailty (PF).

METHODS AND RESULTS

We treated 37 consecutive patients with advanced HF with sacubitril/valsartan. Patients were followed up until HT, device implant, or last follow-up visit after 2 years of follow-up. At baseline, mean New York Heart Association (NYHA) class was 3.1 ± 0.4, with 64.9% in NYHA III and 35.1% NYHA IIIB. Left ventricular ejection fraction was 23.5 ± 5.8%, VO₂ max was 10.3 ± 2.3 mL/kg/min, cardiac index was 2.3 ± 0.5 L/min/m² , and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-pro-BNP) was 4943.0 ± 5326.8 pg/mL. After a mean follow-up of 17.1 ± 4.4 months, no deaths were observed, but NYHA class improved significantly with 56.8% in NYHA II, 40.5% in NYHA III, and 2.7% in NYHA IIIB (P < 0.001). VO₂ max and 6 min walk test (6MWT) increased, whereas pulmonary systolic blood pressure, E/E', VE/VCO₂ slope, and NT-pro-BNP decreased. At right heart catheterization performed after 1 year of follow-up, cardiac index and pulmonary vascular resistance remained stable, while a decrease in systolic pulmonary artery pressure and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure is observed. Furosemide dosage decrease from 102.7 ± 69.4 to 78.7 ± 66.3 mg (P = 0.040). PF decreased from 3.35 ± 1.0 at baseline to 1.57 ± 1.3 at the end of follow-up (P < 0.001), with a reduction in all PF domains.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study showed a rapid improvement in PF in HT waiting list patients treated with sacubitril/valsartan. The improvement in all PF domains was paralleled by VO₂ and 6MWT increase and together with an NT-pro-BNP reduction constant over the follow-up.

Cardiac primitive cells become committed to a cardiac fate in adult human heart with chronic ischemic disease but fail to acquire mature phenotype: genetic and phenotypic study

Adult human heart hosts a population of cardiac primitive CD117-positive cells (CPCs), which are responsible for physiological tissue homeostasis and regeneration. While the bona fide stem cells express telomerase, their progenies are no longer able to preserve telomeric DNA; hence the balance between their proliferation and differentiation has to be tightly controlled in order to prevent cellular senescence and apoptosis of CPCs before their maturation can be accomplished. We have examined at cellular and molecular level the proliferation, apoptosis and commitment of CPCs isolated from normal (CPC-N) and age-matched pathological adult human hearts (CPC-P) with ischemic heart disease. In the CPC-P, genes related to early stages of developmental processes, nervous system development and neurogenesis, skeletal development, bone and cartilage development were downregulated, while those involved in mesenchymal cell differentiation and heart development were upregulated, together with the transcriptional activation of TGFβ/BMP signaling pathway. In the pathological heart, asymmetric division was the prevalent type of cardiac stem cell division. The population of CPC-P consisted mainly of progenitors of cardiac cell lineages and less precursors; these cells proliferated more, but were also more susceptible to apoptosis with respect to CPC-N. These results indicate that CPCs fail to reach terminal differentiation and functional competence in pathological conditions. Adverse effects of underlying pathology, which disrupts cardiac tissue structure and composition, and cellular senescence, resulting from cardiac stem cell activation in telomere dysfunctional environment, can be responsible for such outcome.

Aortic Arch Surgery: Thoracoabdominal Perfusion During Antegrade Cerebral Perfusion May Reduce Postoperative Morbidity

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to assess the results of the introduction of thoracoabdominal perfusion (TAP) in the surgical strategy for aortic arch replacement with cerebral protection.

METHODS

Two hundred two arch procedures performed with moderate hypothermia (22 degrees to 26 degrees C) and antegrade cerebral perfusion (ACP) were the objects of retrospective investigation. Acute type A dissection was the indication in 164 patients, aortic aneurysm in 38. In 80 patients, during ACP, the thoracoabdominal aorta was perfused either in an antegrade fashion through proximal descending aorta endoluminal cannulation (in 62 dissections), or retrograde through femoral artery cannulation with proximal descending aorta endoluminal occlusion (in 18 aneurysms). Hospital mortality and morbidity rates were compared between the two treatments (group A: ACP only, 122 patients; group B: ACP plus TAP, 80 patients) and the underlying aortic disease (dissection/aneurysm) was stratified.

RESULTS

Cerebral perfusion (p = 0.008) and cardiopulmonary bypass times (p = 0.035) were significantly longer in group B. No complication related to the TAP technique was observed in group B. Overall hospital mortality was 12.9%, without significant difference between groups. No differences were found in terms of permanent neurological dysfunction between groups A (9.3%) and B (9.1%; p = 0.58). Group B patients showed lower rates of respiratory failure (18.2% versus 30.5% in group A; p = 0.038), shorter mechanical ventilation times (18.1 +/- 26 hours versus 57.9 +/- 70.1; p < 0.001) and lower incidence of acute renal failure (6.5% versus 18.6%; p = 0.012). Shorter intensive care and hospital stays were observed in group B (p = 0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

The adjunction of TAP to ACP was associated with lower rates of end-organ complications, even in more extensive and time-consuming procedures.

Left ventricular mass regression after aortic valve replacement with 17-mm St Jude Medical mechanical prostheses in isolated aortic stenosis

OBJECTIVE

The present study investigated the outcomes of aortic valve replacement with 17-mm mechanical prostheses in patients with isolated aortic stenosis.

METHODS

Between January 1997 and January 2003, 35 patients (mean age, 63.4 +/- 17 years; median age, 70 years; age range, 16-84 years) underwent isolated aortic valve replacement with a 17-mm St Jude Medical Hemodynamic Plus (16 [45.7%] patients) or a St Jude Medical Regent prosthesis (19 [54.3%] patients). The paired Student t test or the paired Wilcoxon rank sum test were used to compare preoperative with follow-up echocardiographic measurements.

RESULTS

Thirty-two (91.4%) patients were female, mean height was 154.4 +/- 8.3 cm, mean weight was 62.2 +/- 9.2 kg, and mean body surface area was 1.59 +/- 0.13 m 2 . The preoperative average New York Heart Association class was 2.8 +/- 0.8. The mean preoperative left ventricular mass index was 135.2 +/- 31 g/m 2 . Preoperative echocardiography showed an average gradient of 65.7 +/- 19.2 mm Hg (mean) and 103.6 +/- 30.7 mm Hg (peak) and a mean indexed effective orifice area of 0.40 +/- 0.1 cm 2 /m 2 . Echocardiographic follow-up time averaged 28.2 +/- 22.7 months (range, 13-72 months). Follow-up was 100% complete (1131.7 patient-months). Hospital mortality was 8.6% (3 patients). Actuarial 5-year survival was 94.7%. The mean postoperative New York Heart Association class was 1.13 +/- 0.34 ( P < .001), with 27 (87.1%) patients in class I and 4 patients in class II. A significant regression of the indexed left ventricular mass was found (postoperative mean value, 107.8 +/- 22.8 g/m 2 ; P < .0001), despite a mean indexed effective orifice area of 0.67 +/- 0.14 cm 2 /m 2 (median, 0.66 cm 2 /m 2 ).

CONCLUSIONS

Selected patients with aortic stenosis can experience satisfactory clinical improvement and significant indexed left ventricular mass regression after aortic valve replacement with modern small-diameter bileaflet prostheses.

Midterm results of a prospective randomized comparison of two different rabbit-antithymocyte globulin induction therapies after heart transplantation

This prospective randomized study compared the effects in heart transplant recipients of thymoglobulin and ATG, two rabbit polyclonal antithymocyte antibodies available for induction therapy. Among 40 patients (29 men and 11 women, mean age: 40.7 +/- 14 years) undergoing orthotopic heart transplantation, 20 were randomly allocated to receive induction with thymoglobulin (group A) and 20 to ATG-fresenius (group B). Comparisons between the two groups included early posttransplant (6 months) incidence of acute rejection episodes (grade >/= 1B), bouts of steroid-resistant rejection, time to first rejection, survival, graft atherosclerosis, infections, and malignancies. The study groups displayed similar preoperative and demographic variables. No significant difference was found with regard to actuarial survival (P =.98), freedom from rejection (P =.68), number of early rejections > 1B (P =.67), mean time to first early cardiac rejection (P =.13), number of steroid-resistant rejections (P =.69). Cytomegalovirus reactivations were more frequent among group A (65%) than group B (30%; P =.028). New infections due to cytomegalovirus occurred only in group A (four patients; 20%; P =.05). No cases of malignancies were observed at a mean follow-up of 32.8 +/- 8.9 months. Although thymoglobulin and ATG showed equivalent efficacy for rejection prevention, they have different immunological properties. In particular, thymoglobulin seems to be associated with a significantly higher incidence of cytomegalovirus disease/reactivation.

ESOT Consensus Platform for Organ Transplantation: Setting the Stage for a Rigorous, Regularly Updated Development Process

The European Society for Organ Transplantation (ESOT) has created a platform for the development of rigorous and regularly updated evidence based guidelines for clinical practice in the transplantation field. A dedicated Guideline Taskforce, including ESOT-council members, a representative from the Centre for Evidence in Transplantation, editors of the journal Transplant International has developed transparent procedures to guide the development of guidelines, recommendations, and consensus statements. During ESOT’s first Consensus Conference in November 2022, leading experts will present in-depth evidence based reviews of nine themes and will propose recommendations aimed at reaching a consensus after public discussion and assessment by an independent jury. All recommendations and consensus statements produced for the nine selected topics will be published including the entire evidence-based consensus-finding process. An extensive literature review of each topic was conducted to provide final evidence and/or expert opinion.

Surgical repair of acute type A aortic dissection: continuous pulmonary perfusion during retrograde cerebral perfusion prevents lung injury in a pilot study

OBJECTIVE

Postoperative respiratory failure is a frequent and serious complication in patients with type A acute aortic dissection operated on with deep systemic hypothermia. Interaction between neutrophils and pulmonary endothelium along with ischemic insult and reperfusion are the major determinants of lung injury. The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the effect of continuous pulmonary perfusion during retrograde cerebral perfusion on lung function.

METHODS

Twenty-two patients referred for acute type A aortic dissection, who were free from preoperative respiratory dysfunction, were assigned prospectively and alternately to one of 2 treatment groups. Pulmonary perfusion was performed during retrograde cerebral perfusion in group B (11 patients), whereas the conventional Ueda technique was applied in group A (11 patients). Lung function was evaluated on the basis of intubation time, scoring of chest radiographs at 12 hours after cardiopulmonary bypass, and Pao(2)/fraction of inspired oxygen ratio assessed from immediately before the operation to 72 hours after termination of cardiopulmonary bypass.

RESULTS

Study groups were homogeneous for age, sex, interval between symptom onset and surgical operation, previous aortic surgery, preoperative ejection fraction and pulmonary gas exchange function, extent of aortic repair, and concomitant procedures. Cardiopulmonary bypass time, length of retrograde cerebral perfusion, operation time, need for blood substitutes, and surgical revision for bleeding did not differ between treatment groups. Postoperative Pao(2)/fraction of inspired oxygen ratios were higher in group B than in group A, and the difference remained statistically significant throughout the study period. The incidence of prolonged ventilator support (>72 hours) and the severity of the radiographic pulmonary infiltrate score were lower in the perfused group (18.2% vs 72.7% [P =.015] and 0.81 +/- 0.75 vs 1.8 +/- 0.78 [P =.028], respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Continuous pulmonary perfusion provided a better preservation of lung function in patients operated on with deep systemic hypothermia.

Treatment of extensive ischemic cardiomyopathy: quality of life following two different surgical strategies

OBJECTIVE

To review outcomes and quality of life following two surgical strategies for severe left ventricular dysfunction due to ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy.

METHODS

Hospital and follow-up records of 111 patients with extensive ischemic cardiomyopathy (mean age 57.3+/-8.4) referring to our institution between January 1996 and December 2003 were reviewed. Group A included 42 patients (mean age 62.4+/-7.9) with morphological and functional cardiac parameters allowing for ventricular restoration (including endoventricular circular patch plasty, coronary artery by-pass grafting, and, when needed, mitral surgery). Group B included 69 patients (mean age 54.3+/-7.2), undergoing cardiac transplantation. Hospital mortality, treatment-related late mortality, incidence of cardiac events, freedom from cardiac failure, freedom from hospital re-admission, functional recovery at follow-up (3075.2pts/months; 100% complete) and quality of life (WHOQOL test) were assessed.

RESULTS

Hospital mortality was 19% in group A and 8.7% in group B (P=0.143). No treatment-related late deaths were observed in group A, while six deaths (9.5%) occurred in group B (P=0.063). Incidence of cardiac events was comparable. At 60 months, freedom from cardiac failure was 93.5+/-0.04 and 86.2+/-0.05%, respectively (P=0.23), freedom from hospital re-admission was 93.5+/-0.04 and 61.3+/-0.07% (P=0.002). Exertion dyspnea was present in 40% patients in group A versus 13% in group B (P=0.006). WHOQOL test showed a satisfying quality of life in both groups, although patients undergoing restoration reached higher scores in the psychological and social domains.

CONCLUSIONS

Selected patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy, potentially eligible for transplantation, can be managed by ventricular restoration. In those patients post-operative quality of life is satisfactory, with comparable survival and low risk of re-hospitalization.