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Background On October 18, 2018, several changes to the donor heart allocation system were enacted. We hypothesize that patients undergoing orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT) under the new allocation system will see an increase in ischemic times, rates of primary graft dysfunction, and 1-year mortality due to these changes. Methods In this single-center retrospective study, we reviewed the charts of all OHT patients from October 2017 through October 2019. Pre- and postallocation recipient demographics were compared. Survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method. Results A total of 184 patients underwent OHT. Recipient demographics were similar between cohorts. The average distance from donor increased by more than 150 km (p = .006). Patients in the postallocation change cohort demonstrated a significant increase in the rate of severe left ventricle primary graft dysfunction from 5.4% to 18.7% (p = .005). There were no statistically significant differences in 30-day mortality or 1-year survival. Time on the waitlist was reduced from 203.8 to 103.7 days (p = .006). Conclusions Changes in heart allocation resulted in shorter waitlist times at the expense of longer donor distances and ischemic times, with an associated negative impact on early post-transplantation outcomes. No significant differences in 30-day or 1-year mortality were observed.

Background Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) has significantly impacted the healthcare landscape in the United States in a variety of ways including a nation‐wide reduction in operative volume. The impact of COVID‐19 on the availability of donor organs and the impact on solid organ transplant remains unclear. We examine the impact of COVID‐19 on a single, large‐volume heart transplant program. Methods A retrospective chart review was performed examining all adult heart transplants performed at a single institution between March 2020 and June 2020. This was compared to the same time frame in 2019. We examined incidence of primary graft dysfunction, continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) and 30‐day survival. Results From March to June 2020, 43 orthotopic heart transplants were performed compared to 31 performed during 2019. Donor and recipient demographics demonstrated no differences. There was no difference in 30‐day survival. There was a statistically significant difference in incidence of postoperative CRRT (9/31 vs. 3/43; p = .01). There was a statistically significant difference in race (23 W/8B/1AA vs. 30 W/13B; p = .029). Conclusion We demonstrate that a single, large‐volume transplant program was able to grow volume with little difference in donor variables and clinical outcomes following transplant. While multiple reasons are possible, most likely the reduction of volume at other programs allowed us to utilize organs to which we would not have previously had access. More significantly, our growth in volume was coupled with no instances of COVID‐19 infection or transmission amongst patients or staff due to an aggressive testing and surveillance program.

Background The aim of this study was to evaluate nationwide outcomes of ventricular assist device (VAD) implantation in elderly patients in the United States. Methods Patients undergoing VAD implantation between 2003 and 2008 were identified in the Nationwide Inpatient Sample. The primary outcome was inpatient mortality following VAD implantation. Secondary outcomes included disposition following discharge and costs of care. After stratification based on primary versus postcardiotomy VAD support, outcomes were compared between controls aged 60–69 years and elderly patients aged ≥70 years. Results A total of 2787 patients aged 60–69 years and 1472 patients aged ≥70 years underwent VAD implantation during the study period. Unadjusted mortality rates were comparable between elderly and control patients in both primary support (35.7% vs. 32.1%, p = 0.61) and postcardiotomy support (58.1% vs. 56.1%, p = 0.70). Similarly, in risk-adjusted multivariable logistic regression analysis incorporating clinically relevant variables, age ≥70 did not exert an independent effect on inpatient mortality for either indication. Inpatient costs in the elderly were lower than controls in the primary support cohort, although costs per day were similar, with comparable overall costs between age groups in the postcardiotomy cohort. Elderly survivors were discharged to a facility more frequently than control survivors (primary: 49.9% vs. 29.6%, p = 0.007; postcardiotomy: 67.4% vs. 45.7%, p = 0.03). Conclusions This large-cohort population-based analysis provides a useful framework for inpatient prognosis and resource utilization in elderly patients undergoing VAD implantation. Although mortality rates and costs were found to be comparable between elderly patients and those aged 60–69 years, these rates were nonetheless significant. This combined with more frequent discharge-to-facility in elderly survivors underscores the importance of careful patient selection in this population. doi: 10.1111/jocs.12066 (J Card Surg 2013;28:183–189)

Introduction: Left ventricular assist device (LVAD) support is associated with many complications, but relatively few studies have examined the full spectrum of complications beyond infectious and bleeding events. Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of patients receiving either a pulsatile-flow Heartmate XVE (HM1; Thoratec Corp., Pleasanton, CA, USA) or continuous-flow Heartmate II (HM2; Thoratec Corp.) LVAD at our institution (June 2000 to March 2012). Frequency and date of onset of nonbleeding, noninfectious complications were examined. Results: One hundred eighty-two LVADs were implanted, 49 HM1, and 133 HM2. Support duration was longer for HM2s (median 358 vs. 112 days; p = 0.0003). Overall, the most frequent complications were respiratory failure, ventricular arrhythmia, atrial arrhythmia, right heart failure, and renal failure. Respiratory failure, arrhythmias, severe psychiatric events, and renal failure all occurred with median date of onset ≤ seven days postprocedure. Right heart failure, hepatic failure, thromboembolism, and transient ischemic attacks had a median date of onset 8 to 30 days postprocedure. Stroke, hemolysis, and device failure occurred mostly more than a month postoperatively. Right heart failure, hepatic failure, and device failure were more frequent in HM1 patients than in HM2 patients. Several events, including stroke, had much later onset in HM2 patients. Conclusion: In this 10-year review of complications following LVAD implantation, the most common adverse events tended to occur early after implantation. As pulsatile-flow HM1s showed greater frequency and earlier onset of some adverse events, our data suggest better overall outcomes with the continuous-flow HM2s. (J Card Surg 2012;27:630-638)

Mycotic pseudoaneurysm is a rare complication after orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT). This case describes a middle-aged OHT recipient who developed a mycotic pseudoaneurysm after an episode of acute cholecystitis. The region of involved aorta was effectively repaired using a patch of bovine pericardium and a brief period of hypothermic circulatory arrest. (J Card Surg 2010;25:749-751)