scholarly journals Management of Heart Failure, Durable Left Ventricular Assist Device, and Heart Transplant Patients in the COVID-19 Era

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (5) ◽  
pp. 63-72
Author(s):  
Nadia Fida
2015 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 300-305
Author(s):  
Marc Angud

Heart failure is a chronic progressive disease that affects millions of people in the United States. Although medical management of heart failure has helped improve quality of life and survival, end-stage heart failure ultimately requires a heart transplant or long-term left ventricular assist device (LVAD) support. With more patients awaiting transplant, the demand for hearts outweighs the supply of donor hearts. The use of LVADs is increasing in patients with advanced heart failure as a treatment option for those awaiting a heart transplant or as a long-term solution if they are ineligible for a transplant. Although the LVAD is a marvel of modern medicine, infection is a cause of concern because today’s LVADs are powered externally through a percutaneous driveline that can be a major source of infection.


Author(s):  
Joseph Rabin ◽  
Luke A. Ziegler ◽  
Sarah Cipriano ◽  
Ronson J. Madathil ◽  
Erika D. Feller ◽  
...  

Objective We have observed that minimally invasive left ventricular assist device (LVAD) insertion leads to more facile re-entry and easier cardiac transplantation. We hypothesize minimally invasive LVAD implantation results in improved outcomes at the time of subsequent heart transplant. Methods All adults undergoing cardiac transplantation between October 2015 and March 2019 at our institution were retrospectively reviewed. Those bridged to transplantation with a HeartWare HVAD were identified and divided into 2 cohorts based upon the surgical approach: those who underwent HVAD placement by conventional sternotomy versus minimally invasive insertion via lateral thoracotomy and hemisternotomy (LTHS). Patient demographics, as well as perioperative transplant outcomes, including survival, length of stay (LOS), blood utilization, ischemic time, bypass time, and postoperative extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) were compared between cohorts. Results Forty-two patients were bridged to heart transplant with a HVAD implanted via either sternotomy ( n = 22) or LTHS technique ( n = 20). Demographics were similar between groups. There was 1 predischarge death in the sternotomy group and none in the LTHS group. Body surface area, cardiopulmonary bypass time, ischemic time, ECMO utilization, and reoperation for bleeding were similar. Red blood cell units transfused were significantly lower in the LTHS cohort (3.0 [1.0-5.0] vs 6.0 [2.5-10.0] P = 0.046). The LTHS cohort had a significantly shorter hospital LOS (12.0 [11.0-28.0] vs 22.5 [15.7-41.7] P = 0.022) with a trend toward shorter intensive care unit LOS (6.0 [5.0-10.5] vs 11.0 [6.0-21.5] days P = 0.057). Conclusions Minimally invasive HVAD implantation improves outcomes at subsequent heart transplantation, resulting in shorter LOS and less red cell transfusion. Larger multi-institutional studies are necessary to validate these findings.


SLEEP ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 44 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. A324-A325
Author(s):  
Pratibha Anne ◽  
Rupa Koothirezhi ◽  
Ugorji Okorie ◽  
Minh Tam Ho ◽  
Brittany Monceaux ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction Central sleep apnea is commonly seen in patients with heart failure. Here we present a case demonstrating shifting of predominant apneic events from central to obstructive type after placement of left ventricular assist device (LVAD) in end stage heart failure patient. Report of case(s) Case Presentation: 66 year-old African American male has past medical history of chronic congestive heart failure diabetes, hypertension, paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, anemia, hypothyroidism, chronic kidney disease and sleep apnea. Prior to his LVAD placement, his left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) was <10%. Patient was diagnosed with central sleep apnea with AHI of 58 (with 92% of apneic events being central events), oxygen nadir of 74%. Subsequently, patient had LVAD placed for symptomatic heart failure and repeat polysomnogram repeated at six month demonstrated an improved AHI of 45.8 with predominantly obstructive and mixed apneic events, with only 12.5% being central events. Conclusion This case report highlights not only the improvement of the sleep apnea in CHF treated with LVAD but also shows the shift of apneic events from predominantly central to obstructive type post LVAD. Support (if any) 1. Henein MY, Westaby S, Poole-Wilson PA, Cowie MR, Simonds AK. Resolution of central sleep apnoea following implantation of a left ventricular assist device. Int J Cardiol. 2010 Feb 4;138(3):317–9. PMID: 18752859. 2. Köhnlein T, Welte T, Tan LB, Elliott MW. Central sleep apnoea syndrome in patients with chronic heart disease: a critical review of the current literature. Thorax. 2002 Jun;57(6):547–54. PMID: 12037232 3. Monda C, Scala O, Paolillo S, Savarese G, Cecere M, D’Amore C, Parente A, Musella F, Mosca S, Filardi PP. Apnee notturne e scompenso cardiaco: fisiopatologia, diagnosi e terapia [Sleep apnea and heart failure: pathophysiology, diagnosis and therapy]. G Ital Cardiol (Rome). 2010 Nov;11(11):815–22. Italian. PMID: 21348318.


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