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Hyperlactatemia (HL) is a common phenomenon after cardiac surgery which is related to tissue hypoperfusion and hypoxia and associated with poor outcomes. It is also often seen in the postoperative period after orthotopic heart transplantation (OHTx), but the association between HL and outcomes after OHTx is not well known. We evaluated the incidence and outcome of HL after OHTx. This was a retrospective study of 209 patients who underwent OHTx between January 2011 and December 2020. Patients were classified into 3 groups according to their peak lactate levels within the first 72 h postoperatively: group 1, normal to mild hyperlactatemia (<5 mmol/L, n = 42); group 2, moderate hyperlactatemia (5–10 mmol/L, n = 110); and group 3, severe hyperlactatemia (>10 mmol/L, n = 57). The primary composite endpoint was all-cause mortality or postoperative initiation of veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA ECMO) within 30 days. Secondary endpoints included duration of mechanical ventilation, intensive care unit length of stay, and hospital length of stay. Patients with higher postoperative peak lactate levels were more commonly transplanted from left ventricular assist device support (33.3 % vs 50.9 % vs 64.9, p < 0.01) and had longer cardiopulmonary bypass time [127 min (109–148) vs 141 min (116–186) vs 153 min (127–182), p = 0.02]. Composite primary endpoint was met in 18 patients (8.6 %) and was significantly more common in patients with higher postoperative peak lactate levels (0.0 % vs 6.4 % vs 19.3 %, p < 0.01). Severe hyperlactatemia following orthotopic heart transplant was associated with an increased risk of post-transplant VA ECMO initiation and mortality at 30 days. [Display omitted] • Postoperative hyperlactatemia (HL) >5 mmol/L was seen in 79.9% of patients after OHTx. • Postoperative HL was associated with a higher rate of death and or use of VA ECMO. • Threshold value was high around 10 mmol/L (sensitivity 61.1%, specificity 75.9%). • Total ischemic time was not significantly associated with the peak lactate levels. • Cardiopulmonary bypass time and preoperative durable left ventricular assist device were associated with postoperative severe HL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Most patients who require VA-ECMO after heart transplantation are weaned from support. • One-third do not survive to hospital discharge and one-half do not survive to 1 year. • Prior sternotomy and recipient age are factors that negatively impact survival. • Early intraoperative cannulation and peripheral cannulation may improve survival. Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) is a prevailing option for the management of severe early graft dysfunction. This systematic review and individual patient data (IPD) meta-analysis aims to evaluate (1) mortality, (2) rates of major complications, (3) prognostic factors, and (4) the effect of different VA-ECMO strategies on outcomes in adult heart transplant (HT) recipients supported with VA-ECMO. We conducted a systematic search and included studies of adults (≥18 years) who received VA-ECMO during their index hospitalization after HT and reported on mortality at any timepoint. We pooled data using random effects models. To identify prognostic factors, we analysed IPD using mixed effects logistic regression. We assessed the certainty in the evidence using the GRADE framework. We included 49 observational studies of 1477 patients who received VA-ECMO after HT, of which 15 studies provided IPD for 448 patients. There were no differences in mortality estimates between IPD and non-IPD studies. The short-term (30-day/in-hospital) mortality estimate was 33% (moderate certainty, 95% confidence interval [CI] 28%–39%) and 1-year mortality estimate 50% (moderate certainty, 95% CI 43%–57%). Recipient age (odds ratio 1.02, 95% CI 1.01–1.04) and prior sternotomy (OR 1.57, 95% CI 0.99–2.49) are associated with increased short-term mortality. There is low certainty evidence that early intraoperative cannulation and peripheral cannulation reduce the risk of short-term death. One-third of patients who receive VA-ECMO for early graft dysfunction do not survive 30 days or to hospital discharge, and one-half do not survive to 1 year after HT. Improving outcomes will require ongoing research focused on optimizing VA-ECMO strategies and care in the first year after HT. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heart-lung transplantation is a mature therapy but has perioperative complications, such as phrenic nerve dysfunction and mediastinal bleeding. We report our technical modifications to simplify the procedure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Owing to improved surgical results, there is a growing population of patients with repaired congenital heart disease (CHD) requiring heart transplantation. The objective of the study was to review our experience in these patients. A retrospective review of the outcomes of heart transplantation in patients with CHD (n = 77) between 1988 and 2014 was performed. Outcomes of early (1988-1999) and late (2000-2014) eras were compared. In results, the mean age was 18 ± 14 years (range: 16 days-58 years). Seventy (91%) patients underwent a mean of 2.6 ± 1.3 (range: 1-6) cardiac operations before transplantation, whereas 7 were primary transplants. Univentricular palliation had been performed in 44 (57%) patients. Patients with CHD in the later era had longer mean cardiopulmonary bypass time (early: 190 ± 70 minute vs late: 271 ± 115 minute; P < 0.001), ischemic times (early: 222 ± 98 minute vs late: 275 ± 102 minute; P = 0.039), and more often required reconstruction of the great arteries at the time of transplantation (8% vs 28%; P = 0.036). In those with prior univentricular palliations, the ratio of ischemic to cardiopulmonary bypass time decreased in the later era (early: 1.41 ± 0.60 vs late: 0.99 ± 0.37; P = 0.016), reflecting increased intraoperative complexity. Following transplantation, hospital mortality was 13% (10/77; 7 due to primary graft failure). There was no difference in inhospital mortality between the 2 eras (P = 0.52); however, patients in the later era more often required postoperative extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (early: 8%, 3/38 vs late: 28%, 11/39; P = 0.036). In patients with prior univentricular palliations, those in the late era were more likely to experience postoperative renal impairment (early: 1/21, 5% vs late: 9/23, 39%; P = 0.01). Patients with CHD had higher 30-day mortality (CHD: n = 8, 10% vs non-CHD: n = 17, 3.8%; P = 0.021), but similar survival at 10 years (67% ± 12% vs 70% ± 4.7%; P = 0.87) compared to those without CHD. In conclusion, patients with CHD undergoing cardiac transplantation in the recent era were more complex. They had a greater number of prior cardiac operations, and more often underwent complex vascular reconstructions and required more prolonged intraoperative preparation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Donation after circulatory death (DCD) is an evolving method for lung transplantation with potential for increasing the limited donor pool. Satisfactory outcomes have been reported from early experience with this technique. DCD lung procurement requires a systematic approach for efficient utilization of resources. It is important to minimize the ischemic time during lung procurement. We have presented our management protocol, surgical techniques used and results from the Alfred Hospital in Melbourne, Australia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The use of lobar transplantation and other size reduction techniques has allowed larger donor lungs to be utilized for smaller recipients who tend to have longer waiting times for transplantation. However, despite these advantages, the techniques have not been widely adopted. We outline the surgical and sizing issues associated with this technique. Methods: A retrospective review of 23 consecutive patients who received lung transplantation with anatomic lobar reduction was performed, focusing on surgical technique and outcomes. Results: All 23 patients received an anatomic lobar reduction of between 1 and 3 lobes. Survival analysis showed no difference between the lobar reduction cohort and the other historically comparable lung transplant patients from our institution (p = 0.115). Percent predicted forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in 1 second at 3 months correlated with transplanted donor to recipient total lung capacity ratio, confirming the importance of correct sizing. Conclusions: Anatomic lobar reduction in lung transplantation is a safe and effective means of transplanting pediatric and small adult recipients, and urgently listed patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aim of this review was to analyze our results with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support for primary graft failure (PGF) in heart transplant recipients. Methods: A retrospective review of 239 consecutive patients who underwent heart transplantation between January 2000 and August 2009 was performed. Orthotopic, heterotopic, and heart lung transplants were included in this analysis. Over that time period, 54 patients developed PGF, of whom 39 patients required ECMO support. These 39 patients form the basis of this review. Results: Thirty-four patients (87%) were successfully weaned from ECMO and 29 (74.3%) survived to hospital discharge. There were no significant differences in wean rates or complications between central and peripheral ECMO. Comparison of survival in the 39 ECMO patients to the non-PGF patients (n = 185) showed a significantly worse survival in the ECMO group (p = 0.007). When those patients who died in the first 30 days were excluded, there was no difference in overall survival between groups (p = 0.73). Conclusions: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation provides excellent circulatory support for patients with PGF after heart transplantation with good wean and survival to discharge rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Heterotopic heart transplantation was first performed in humans in 1974, the main advantage being the continuing function of the patient''s native heart, in the event of life-threatening acute rejection. The effect of cyclosporine on acute rejection saw the heterotopic transplantation technique wane. Our unit revisited heterotopic transplantation in response to a growing number of waiting list patients with high pulmonary artery pressures. We also anticipated an increased cardiac allograft utilization, and improvement of our waiting list times.Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 151 patients undergoing heart transplantation by our unit between August 1997 and September 2003. Twenty received allografts in the heterotopic position. This cohort was compared with the 131 contemporary orthotopic heart transplant recipients with respect to their outcomes.Results: The indication for transplantation was ischemic cardiomyopathy in 14 (70%) of the heterotopic cohort and 47 (36%) of the orthotopic cohort (p = 0.004), and dilated cardiomyopathy in 3 (15%) and 48 (37%) in the heterotopic and orthotopic groups, respectively (p = 0.06). Heterotopic recipients were significantly older than orthotopic recipients, and they had higher pulmonary artery pressures. The heterotopic donors were also older and the ischemic times were longer. A subgroup analysis was made among those patients who had high pulmonary artery pressures as these groups were better matched. Major morbidity in the heterotopic heart transplantation group consisted of reversible allograft dysfunction in 4 patients, renal dysfunction requiring hemofiltration in 3 patients, profound myopathy in 4 patients, and cerebrovascular events in 2 patients. There were two early deaths in the heterotopic transplant group and eight in the orthotopic group (p = 0.87). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis of survival was performed.Conclusions: Heterotopic heart transplantation is a viable transplant option for selected high-risk heart transplant recipients in spite of somewhat poorer outcomes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract Objective Midline sternotomy remains the most common access incision for cardiac operations. Traditionally, the sternum is closed with stainless steel wires. Wires are well known to stretch and break, however, leading to pain, nonunion, and potential deep sternal wound infection. We hypothesized that biocompatible plastic cable ties would achieve a more rigid sternal fixation, reducing postoperative pain and analgesia requirements. Methods A prospective, randomized study compared the ZIPFIX (De Puy Synthes, West Chester, Pa) sternal closure system (n = 58) with standard stainless steel wires (n = 60). Primary outcomes were pain and analgesia requirements in the early postoperative period. Secondary outcome was sternal movement, as assessed by ultrasound at the postoperative follow-up visit. Results Groups were well matched in demographic and operative variables. There were no significant differences between groups in postoperative pain, analgesia, or early ventilatory requirements. Patients in the ZIPFIX group had significantly more movement in the sternum and manubrium on ultrasound at 4 weeks. Conclusions ZIPFIX sternal cable ties provide reliable closure but no demonstrable benefit in this study in pain or analgesic requirements relative to standard wire closure after median sternotomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aims of this study were first to analyze neurocognitive outcomes of patients after open-chamber cardiac surgery to determine whether carbon dioxide pericardial insufflation reduces incidence of neurocognitive decline (primary end point) as measured 6 weeks postoperatively and second to assess the utility of carbon dioxide insufflation in cardiac chamber deairing as assessed by transesophageal echocardiography. Methods: A multicenter, prospective, double-blind, randomized, controlled trial compared neurocognitive outcomes in patients undergoing open-chamber (left-sided) cardiac surgery who were assigned carbon dioxide insufflation or placebo (control group) in addition to standardized mechanical deairing maneuvers. Results: One hundred twenty-five patients underwent surgery and were randomly allocated. Neurocognitive testing showed no clinically significant differences in z scores between preoperative and postoperative testing. Linear regression was used to identify factors associated with neurocognitive decline. Factors most strongly associated with neurocognitive decline were hypercholesterolemia, aortic atheroma grade, and coronary artery disease. There was significantly more intracardiac gas noted on intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography in all cardiac chambers (left atrium, left ventricle, and aorta) at all measured times (after crossclamp removal, during weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass, and at declaration of adequate deairing by the anesthetist) in the control group than in the carbon dioxide group (P < .04). Deairing time was also significantly longer in the control group (12 minutes [interquartile range, 9–18] versus 9 minutes [interquartile range, 7–14 minutes]; P = .002). Conclusions: Carbon dioxide pericardial insufflation in open-chamber cardiac surgery does not affect postoperative neurocognitive decline. The most important factor is atheromatous vascular disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]