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Abstract Aims Whether sex affects selection for and outcomes after heart transplantation (HTx) remains unclear. We aimed to show sex differences in pre‐transplant characteristics and outcomes after HTx. Methods and results From 1995 to 2019, 49 200 HTx recipients were prospectively enrolled in the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network. Logistic regression models were used to evaluate clinical characteristics by sex. Multivariable Cox regression models were fitted to assess sex differences in all‐cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality, graft failure, cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV), and malignancy. In 49 200 patients (median age 55 years, interquartile range 46–62; 24.6% women), 49 732 events occurred during a median follow‐up of 8.1 years. Men were older than women, had more often ischaemic cardiomyopathy (odds ratio [OR] 3.26, 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.11–3.42; P

Abstract Aim Due to improved therapy in childhood, many patients with congenital heart disease reach adulthood and are termed adults with congenital heart disease (ACHD). ACHD often develop heart failure (HF) as a consequence of initial palliative surgery or complex anatomy and subsequently require advanced HF therapy. ACHD are usually excluded from trials evaluating heart failure therapies, and in this context, more data about heart failure trajectories in ACHD are needed to guide the management of ACHD suffering from HF. Methods and results The pAtients pResenTing with cOngenital heaRt dIseAse Register (ARTORIA‐R) will collect data from ACHD evaluated or listed for heart or heart‐combined organ transplantation from 16 countries in Europe and the Asia/Pacific region. We plan retrospective collection of data from 1989–2020 and will include patients prospectively. Additional organizations and hospitals in charge of transplantation of ACHD will be asked in the future to contribute data to the register. The primary outcome is the combined endpoint of delisting due to clinical worsening or death on the waiting list. The secondary outcome is delisting due to clinical improvement while on the waiting list. All‐cause mortality following transplantation will also be assessed. The data will be entered into an electronic database with access to the investigators participating in the register. All variables of the register reflect key components important for listing of the patients or assessing current HF treatment. Conclusion The ARTORIA‐R will provide robust information on current management and outcomes of adults with congenital heart disease suffering from advanced heart failure.

Abstract Aims Differences between female and male patients in clinical presentation, causes and treatment of cardiogenic shock (CS) are poorly understood. We aimed to investigate sex differences in presentation with and treatment of CS. Methods and results We analysed data of 978 patients presenting with CS to a tertiary care hospital between October 2009 and October 2017. Multivariable adjusted logistic/Cox regression models were fitted to investigate the association between sex and clinical presentation, use of treatments and 30 day mortality. Median age was 70 years (interquartile range 58–79 years), and 295 (30.2%) patients were female. After adjustment for multiple relevant confounders, female patients were more likely to be older [odds ratio (OR) 1.21, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02–1.42, P = 0.027], but other relevant presentation characteristics did not differ between both sexes. Despite the similar presentation, female patients were less likely to be treated with percutaneous left ventricular assist devices (OR 0.78, 95% CI 0.64–0.94, P = 0.010), but more likely to be treated with catecholamines (OR 1.21, 95% CI 1.02–1.44, P = 0.033) or vasopressors (OR 1.26, 95% CI 1.05–1.50, P = 0.012). A 30 day mortality risk in female patients was as high as in male patients (hazard ratio 1.08, 95% CI 1.00–1.18, P = 0.091). Conclusions In this large, contemporary cohort, clinical presentation was comparable in female and male patients, and both sexes were associated with a comparably high mortality risk. Nevertheless, female patients received different treatment for CS and were most importantly less likely to be treated with percutaneous left ventricular assist devices.

Purpose: Recently, a novel cardiac imaging system based on a wide‐band dielectric technology (KODEX‐EPD) was introduced to guide catheter ablation. The aim of the study was to evaluate this 3D wide‐band dielectric imaging system (WDIS) during cryoballoon (CB)‐based atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation focusing on accuracy of pulmonary vein (PV)‐anatomy. Methods: In consecutive patients with symptomatic AF, CB‐based ablation was performed in conjunction with the 3D WDIS. Selective PV‐angiographies were performed, and 3D anatomy of the left atrium (LA) and PVs using the 3D WDIS was created. The ostial diameters of the ipsilateral right‐sided and left‐sided PVs and ostial diameters of the right‐/left‐sided upper/lower PVs demonstrated by selective angiographies were analyzed and compared to 3D WDIS‐based PV visualization. Results: In 65 patients (42/65 (65%) male, age 65 ± 9 years, 29/65 (45%) paroxysmal AF) a total of 260 PVs were identified. Median ostial PV‐diameters for the ipsilateral left‐ and right‐sided PVs were 38 [34; 43] and 37 [34; 40.3] mm when assessed fluoroscopically and 40 [35.7; 43] and 39 [35.0; 43] mm as demonstrated by 3D WDIS. There was no statistically significant difference between both methods regarding PV‐diameter measurements. KODEX‐EPD overestimated fluoroscopy measurements by 1.08 mm (95% limits of agreement of ‐1.93 mm and 4.1 mm). Conclusion: The novel wide‐band dielectric 3D‐imaging system is feasible to create high‐resolution images of cardiac structures during CB ablation procedures and accurately visualizes PV‐anatomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]