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Background: Continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) have been extensively used in a strategy of bridge to orthotopic heart transplant and destination therapy. The usage of LVAD, however, is not free from limitations such as device-related adverse events, including pump thrombosis (PT). We aimed to develop an algorithm of early PT detection based on the maintenance parameters monitored by the implanted device., Methods: We analyzed log files of 101 patients implanted with HeartWare pump (HVAD) with 18 PT events among them. For signal processing, we used the open-high-low-close format transformation and typical price (TP) technical analysis indicator. Model parameters were tuned with 5-fold cross-validation, and the final performance was measured on a separate group of patients., Results: Our algorithm achieved 100% sensitivity and 100% specificity of indications. In the final evaluation, alarms preceded the clinical acknowledgement of events by 2 days and 20 h on average. In the worst-case scenario, an alarm was raised 1 day and 8 h prior to the event., Conclusions: The proposed algorithm could be installed to work directly with the device controller and provide clinicians with automatic readings analysis, raising an alarm when there is a high probability of thromboembolism. Early event detection could enable better thrombosis management and improve prognosis in patients implanted with HVAD., (© 2022 International Center for Artificial Organs and Transplantation and Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Background: An increasing number of patients with end‑stage heart failure implies a wider use of left ventricular assist devices (LVADs). Irreversible pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a predictor of unfavorable prognosis and a contraindication to orthotopic heart transplant (OHT)., Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of continuous‑flow LVAD (CF‑LVAD) support on pulmonary pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) as well as the impact of pre‑LVAD hemodynamic parameters on survival during LVAD support., Methods: Data collected from 106 patients who underwent CF‑LVAD implantation in the years 2009 to 2018 (men, 95.3%; mean [SD] age, 51.8 [12] years; mean [SD] INTERMACS profile, 2.9 [1.6]; mean [SD] LVAD support time, 661 [520] days; follow‑up until May 2019) were retrospectively analyzed., Results: Right heart catheterization was performed before LVAD implantation in 94 patients (88.7%), after implantation-in 31 (29.2%), and before and after implantation-in 28 (26.4%). We observed mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) >25 mm Hg in 65 patients (61.3%) and PVR >2.5 Wood units in 33 patients (31.1%) before LVAD implantation. A significant improvement after CF‑LVAD implantation was noted in mPAP, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, transpulmonary gradient, PVR, cardiac output (P <0.001 for all parameters), and cardiac index (P = 0.003). All patients with initially irreversible PH became eligible for OHT during LVAD support. Survival during LVAD support did not depend on initial mPAP and PVR., Conclusions: In patients with end‑stage heart failure, CF‑LVAD support leads to a significant reduction of pre‑ and postcapillary PH. Survival on CF‑LVAD support is independent of elevated mPAP and PVR before implantation, which suggests that LVADs decrease the risk associated with PH.

Introduction: An increasing number of patients with end‑stage heart failure, along with a shortage of heart donors, necessitates the use of mechanical circulatory support., Objectives: This single‑center retrospective study evaluated short- and long term outcomes of continuous‑flow left ventricular assist device (CF LVAD) therapy in patients with end stage heart failure., Patients and Methods: We collected and assessed data of 79 patients (77 men, 2 women; mean age, 50.3 years; mean INTERMACS profile, 3.1) implanted with a CF‑LVAD between 2009 and 2017 (HeartMate 3 in 19 patients [24%]; HeartMate 2 in 9 [11.4%]; and HeartWare in 51 [64.6%])., Results: The mean time on CF-LVAD support was 604 days (range, 1–1758 days). There were 2 device exchanges due to pump thrombosis and 1 explantation due to heart regeneration; 9 patients (11.4%) underwent heart transplant. Stroke (nondisabling, 48%) occurred in 27.8% of patients (ischemic in 9 patients; hemorrhagic, in 14; both types, in 1) despite the standardized anticoagulation regimen. Major gastrointestinal bleeding and pump thrombosis were reported in 13 patients (16.5%), while 18 patients (22.8%) developed driveline infections (recurrent in 15 patients [19%]). Hemorrhagic stroke and bacteremia had a negative impact on survival. Hemorrhagic stroke was the main cause of death. Survival probability was 0.9 at 1 month and 0.81, 0.71, 0.61, and 0.53 at 1, 2, 3, and 4 years, respectively., Conclusions: Although CF‑LVAD support is associated with substantial adverse events, they do not significantly affect mortality (except hemorrhagic stroke and bacteremia). Novel devices seem to overcome these limitations, but larger studies are needed to support these findings.

BACKGROUND Cardiac allograft vasculopathy is a major cause of cardiac allograft rejection. Percutaneous coronary intervention has become the main form of treatment of significant focal lesions. Despite the significance of the problem, data remain scarce. With a large population of transplant recipients undergoing coronary angiography at our center, we decided to analyze the implications of the use of everolimus-eluting second-generation stents by performing 6-month clinical and angiographic follow-up. MATERIAL AND METHODS From December 2012 and August 2019, 319 patients after heart transplantation undergoing coronary angiography at our institution were analyzed. Subsequently, 22 patients underwent de novo angioplasty with second-generation everolimus-eluting stents. The primary study endpoint was angiographic restenosis as evaluated by quantitative coronary angiography. Secondary outcomes included binary restenosis, target lesion revascularization, and cardiac death during the follow-up period (6 months). RESULTS Patient comorbidities included hypertension (77.3%), type 2 diabetes mellitus (68.2%), dyslipidemia (68.2%), and obesity (31.8%). Primary success was obtained in all of the treated lesions. The analysis of quantitative coronary angiography after 6-month follow-up revealed low late lumen loss (0.22±0.40). Significant restenosis was observed in 1 of the cases. There were no deaths in the 6-month observation period. CONCLUSIONS In the analyzed population, invasive strategy with second-generation everolimus-eluting stents for de novo lesions in cardiac allograft vasculopathy resulted in a low rate of binary restenosis, low late lumen loss, and no deaths during the 6-month follow-up.

BACKGROUND Recent advances in ultrasound strain imaging facilitate more precise monitoring of subtle myocardial changes and thus may allow for more appropriate assessment of myocardium after orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT). This study aimed to explore longitudinal left ventricular (LV) and right ventricular (RV) function by speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE) during a 12-month follow-up period in relation to acute cellular rejection (ACR) degree ≥2R and the response to intense immunosuppressive therapy with intravenous steroids. MATERIAL AND METHODS Forty-five adult heart transplant recipients were prospectively assessed at a single center from January 2016 until June 2017. Echocardiography was performed serially at baseline and together with routine biopsies at 2 weeks and 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after OHT. Changes in graft function were evaluated using STE before and during ACR and in the resolving period of ACR. RESULTS A total of 220 pairs of biopsy specimens and strain recordings were analyzed. Moderate ACR was seen in 30 biopsies (13.6%). In the serial assessment, longitudinal strain parameters of the LV (global and 4-, 2-, 3-chamber longitudinal strain) and RV (global and free wall longitudinal strain) were decreased at baseline and improved significantly (P<0.001) within 12 months after OHT. The degree of improvement was not influenced by ACR. There were no significant differences in circumferential, radial, or longitudinal strain rate, or mechanical dyssynchrony. Reduced LV and RV longitudinal strain was related to ACR degree 2R and increased significantly (P<0.0005) during 3 days of intravenous methylprednisolone therapy. CONCLUSIONS Using the STE technique, we have documented an acute improvement in mechanical myocardial function following ACR steroid therapy and a progressive recovery of LV and RV longitudinal function during the first year after OHT.

Objectives: The aim of the study is to describe both professional and social activities of patients after heart transplant., Material and Methods: Ninety-five heart transplant patients treated at the Silesian Center for Heart Diseases in Zabrze were surveyed, comprising 29 women (30.5%) and 66 men (69.5%). The average age of respondents was 54.3 years old (standard deviation (SD) = 15 years); the average period that had elapsed since the heart transplant was 7.1 years (SD = 4 years). We designed a questionnaire as a tool for collecting information from patients., Results: Twenty-five percent of patients worked at the time of completion of the questionnaire. Eighty percent of those patients were working before and after the transplant, 20%--only after transplantation (p < 0.05). A different job position at a new workplace had 47.8% of patients, 34.8% of them had the same job position at the same work place as they had had before, 63.4% of the heart transplant respondents were pensioners. Eighty-two percent of patients had a certificate with a designated degree of disability--among them: 69% had a certificate for a significant degree of disability, 22%--for a moderate degree of disability. Among those surveyed, 52.5% said that their financial situation had not changed whereas 34.5% of those surveyed reported a change for the worse. Thirty-seven percent of respondents reported changes in family relationships. Seventy-seven percent reported that they received help from family members, as compared with 19% who did not., Conclusions: Only 25.3% of the patients treated at the Silesian Centre for Heart Diseases after heart transplant are employed and it is one of the lowest employment rates in this category of patients in Europe. One third of working patients have the same work place as they had before their operation. Heart transplant is a cause of changes in family relationships. Most often family bonds are strengthened but sometimes family members become nervous, impatient and unwilling to talk about the transplant., (This work is available in Open Access model and licensed under a CC BY-NC 3.0 PL license.)

Background: Identification of risk is essential to prevent cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) and graft failure due to CAV (GFDCAV) in heart transplant patients, which account for 30% of all deaths. Early CAV detection involves invasive, risky, and expensive monitoring approaches. We determined whether prediction of CAV and GFDCAV improves by adding inflammatory markers to a previously validated atherothrombotic (AT) model., Methods and Findings: AT and inflammatory markers interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured in heart biopsies and sera of 172 patients followed prospectively for 8.9±5.0 years. Models were estimated for 5- and 10-year risk using (1) the first post-transplant biopsy only, or (2) all biopsies obtained within 3 months. Multivariate models were adjusted for other covariates and cross-validated by bootstrapping. After adding IL-6 and CRP to the AT models, we evaluated the significance of odds ratios (ORs) associated with the additional inflammatory variables and the degree of improvement in the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC). When inflammatory markers were tested alone in prediction models, CRP (not IL-6) was a significant predictor of CAV and GFDCAV at 5 (CAV: p<0.0001; GFDCAV: p = 0.005) and 10 years (CAV: p<0.0001; GFDCAV: p = 0.003). Adding CRP (not IL-6) to the best AT models improved discriminatory power to identify patients destined to develop CAV (using 1st biopsy: p<0.001 and p = 0.001; using all 3-month biopsies: p<0.04 and p = 0.008 at 5- and 10-years, respectively) and GFDCAV (using 1st biopsy: 0.92 vs. 0.95 and 0.86 vs. 0.89; using all 3-month biopsies: 0.94 vs. 0.96 and 0.88 vs. 0.89 at 5- and 10-years, respectively), as indicated by an increase in AUROC., Conclusions: Early inflammatory status, measured by a patient's CRP level (a non-invasive, safe and inexpensive test), independently predicts CAV and GFDCAV. Adding CRP to a previously established AT model improves its predictive power.

Background: Even though coronary angiography (CAG) underestimates coronary allograft vasculopathy (CAV) development, especially in the distal parts of arteries, it remains a frame of reference for International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation (ISHLT) CAV classification. A retrospective analysis was performed to assess the prognostic value of CAG findings., Methods: Among 310 orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT) recipients with at least 2 CAGs at 2-year intervals, we identified 197 (146 men and 41 women; 55 ± 13 years) without lesions (Group 0), 27 (15 men and 12 women; 58 ± 8 years) in whom mild changes remained in consecutive CAGs (Group 1), 28 (24 men and 4 women; 58 ± 10 years) in whom mild lesions decreased in consecutive CAGs (Group 1REG), and 58 (53 men and 5 women; 56 ± 10 years) in whom the stenosis criteria of ISHLT CAV 2 or 3 were covered (Group 2). We compared survival and other clinical variables among the groups., Results: The average follow-up was 10 ± 4 years. Forty-one (21%) deaths occurred in Group 0, 15 (56%) in Group 1 (p = 0.002), 9(31%) in Group 1REG (p = NS), and 26 (46%) in Group 2 (p = 0.004, chi-square test). Time free from all-cause death was significantly shorter in Group 1 (T1/2 = 8 years) than in Group 0 (T1/2 = 15.5 years; p = 0.00072, log-rank test). Time free from cardiovascular death was significantly shorter in Groups 1 and 2, as was time free from CAV-related death in Groups 1, 1REG, and 2. Multivariate analysis, using a Cox proportional hazards model, revealed that Group 1 inclusion criterion of CAG findings is an independent predictor of all-cause death, cardiovascular death, and CAV-related death., Conclusions: Persistent mild coronary lesions, observed in consecutive CAG, predicted shorter survival of OHT recipients., (© 2013 International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation Published by International Society for the Heart and Lung Transplantation All rights reserved.)

Background: For over 40 years now orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT) has been the treatment of choice in patients with advanced heart failure. For many years patients undergoing OHT have been treated with the classical approach involving anastomosis of the donor atria with the recipient atria resulting in a heart in which the atria are enlarged. An alternative method for OHT is the bicaval anastomosis technique, which involves connecting both of the donor's venae cavae with the recipient's venae cavae., Aim: To assess left ventricular (LV) filling in patients undergoing OHT using the classical (biatrial) versus bicaval approach., Methods: We analysed 60 patients who had undergone OHT between 1 and 36 months before. Myocardial biopsy at echocardiography revealed grade 0 or 1A rejection in all the patients. All the patients were also in NYHA functional class I. The patients were divided in two groups: patients who had undergone biatrial anastomosis (Group 1, n = 40) and patients who had undergone bicaval OHT (Group 2, n = 20). In order to render the results independent of pre-OHT blood pressure values in the pulmonary circulation we assessed the values of right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP), mean pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) and transpulmonary gradient (TPG) in all the patients before OHT. We assessed the following echocardiographic parameters: peak early filling velocity (E-wave), peak atrial filling velocity (A-wave), E-wave deceleration time, early diastolic mitral valve ring motion velocity (E'), E/E', isovolumetric relaxation time of the LV, duration of the A-wave, right atrial area and left atrial area, LV mass, LV mass index, LV end-diastolic and end-systolic dimension, and the severity of tricuspid regurgitation (TR)., Results: The values of RVSP, PAP and TPG in the study groups before OHT did not differ significantly. The values of E (86.5 ± 12.5 vs. 67.3 ± 8.5; p < 0.001), E' (11.9 ± 1.1 vs. 10.9 ± 0.9; p = 0.003) and E/E' (7.4 ± 1.5 vs. 6.1 ± 0.85; p = 0.006) differed between the groups and were significantly higher in the group undergoing surgery using the biatrial approach. The duration of the A-wave was significantly longer in the group undergoing surgery using the bicaval approach (129.0 ± 5.1 vs. 136.7 ± 10.0; p = 0.001). There were no significant differences in the other parameters of LV filling. Right atrial area was significantly lower in the group undergoing surgery using the bicaval approach (19.2 ± 3.0 vs. 14.0 ± 2.0; p < 0.001). LV size, LV mass and LV mass index did not differ significantly between the groups. The lack of TR was more commonly observed in the group undergoing surgery using the bicaval approach at the limit of p = 0.05. Pacemaker implantation was required in 12 (30%) patients from the group undergoing surgery using the classical method and 2 (10%) patients from the group undergoing OHT using the bicaval approach (p = 0.04)., Conclusions: Certain echocardiographic parameters suggest a better LV filling in patients undergoing OHT using the bicaval approach. Preservation of the right atrial geometry in patients undergoing OHT using the bicaval approach plays an important role in LV filling.

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the effect of early steroid withdrawal on renal function, diabetes mellitus (DM) and coronary artery vasculopathy of the transplanted heart (CAV) development and late rejection in orthotopic heart transplant (OHT) recipients., Material/methods: 76 patients undergoing OHT in years 2000-2004 (6 women, 50% ischemic, 49±7 years, BMI 24±3.6, glomerular filtration ratio (GFR) - 68-20 ml/kg/min, LVEF 57±6%) receiving maintenance immunosuppression (cyclosporine, prednisone and azathioprine or mycophenolate mofetil) were observed for 5 years in groups, depending on steroid withdrawal time: Group 1 (N=48) - withdrawal later than 12 months post-OHT, Group 2 (N=28) - withdrawal up to 12 months post-OHT. Number of serious rejection episodes (SRE >ISHLT grade 2), time to first SRE after steroid withdrawal (TTSRE), need for steroid reinforcement, CAV presence, need for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), DM and abnormal GFR were compared between groups. P<0.05 was significant., Results: Steroids were administered for 615±188 days in group 1 (G1) and 309±96 days in group 2 (G2). There was a difference between group 1 and 2 in the number of SREs before 12 months (2.4±1.6 vs. 1.6±1.3) and before steroid withdrawal (2.4±1.6 vs. 1.5±1.3), but not in number (0.15±0.62 vs. 0.14±0.36) and percent of patients with an SRE (8.3 vs. 14.3%) after steroid withdrawal. There was no difference in TTSRE (314±312 vs. 199±122 days), need for steroid reinforcement (6.3 vs. 14.3%), time from steroid withdrawal to reinforcement (377±317 vs. 246±130 days), CAV (8.3 vs. 3.6%), PCI (4.2 vs. 3.6%), GFR 60-90 ml/kg/min (30.8 vs. 20.0%), and GFR <60 ml/kg/min (64.1 vs. 80.0%) at 5 years. DM was diagnosed in 58.3 and 71.4% of patients at discharge (p=NS) and in 51.3 and 80% at 5 years in group 1 and 2, respectively (p=0.018)., Conclusions: Patients with earlier steroid withdrawal presented DM and tended to present more severe stages of kidney failure more often. Despite lower frequency of CAV, they tended to require PCI equally often.

Background: Restrictive spirometry pattern is commonly associated with chronic heart failure (CHF), but its prognostic value is poorly documented. Utility of Lower Limit of Normal (LLN)-based spirometry interpretation has not yet been evaluated in CHF patients. Impact of restrictive pattern defined according to classic or LLN criteria on prognosis in CHF patients was therefore addressed., Material/methods: 171 CHF patients on long-term beta-antagonist treatment with PeakVO2 >12 ml/kg/min (147 men, 49±9 years, LVEF 26±8%, 51% ischemic) were divided into groups based on their spirometry: Group 1A (N=129) - classic criteria: no restriction, Group 2A (N=12) - classic criteria: restrictive pattern, Group 1B (N=90) - LLN criteria: no restriction, Group 2B (N=26) - LLN criteria: restrictive pattern. PeakVO2 in the study groups equaled 12.1-19.9 ml/kg/min. Control group (N=30) - PeakVO2 >20 ml/kg/min, absence of restriction or obstruction (FEV1%FVC ≥70) defined by classic criteria. Classic criteria: VCin% <70 and FEV1%FVC ≥70. LLN criteria: VCin%

Background: Thyroid hormones are essential for the correct functioning of the entire body. Diagnosis of thyroid disorders in patients after heart transplant in the early post-operative period and the implementation of correct treatment may prevent life-threatening complications., Material/methods: The aim of the study was to determine whether the complicated postoperative course (ie, hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism or low fT3 syndrome) in patients in the first month after heart transplantation was connected with impaired thyroid hormone management. The analysis encompassed material from 98 patients treated with heart transplantation between February 9, 2004 and January 4, 2010. Hyperthyroidism was diagnosed in 21 patients (19M/2F, 52±7 years of age), hypothyroidism in was diagnosed in 13 patients (10M/3F, 46±12 years old), and low fT3 syndrome was diagnosed in 18 patients (14M/4F, 43±12 years old)., Results: Patients with fT3 syndrome had the highest mortality (16.7%, NS), highest incidence of acute rejection (38.9%, NS), highest number of reoperations (27.8%, NS), and highest incidence of bacterial (16.7%, NS) and fungal infections (11.1%, NS). Cytomegaloviral infections occurred most frequently in patients with hyperthyroidism (23.8%, NS). Patients with hypothyroidism (84.6%, NS) were hospitalized the longest (>30 days), had the highest tendency towards pleural effusion (23.1%, NS) and pericardial effusion with tamponade (15.5%, NS), bradycardia with pacemaker (15.4%, NS) and renal failure requiring hemodiafiltration (15.4%, NS) (Table 1)., Conclusions: 1. The thyroid test panel should be performed in all patients in the early post-heart transplant period. 2. The diagnosis of thyroid disorders should be immediately followed by correct treatment aimed at restoring the euthyroid state, with a view to facilitate recovery and rehabilitation as well as to shorten the hospitalization time, thereby lowering treatment costs.,

Background: Previous studies have shown conflicting results about the value of heart rate turbulence (HRT) for risk stratification of patients (pts) with chronic heart failure (CHF). We prospectively evaluated the relation between HRT and progression toward end-stage heart failure or all-cause mortality in patients with CHF., Methods: HRT was assessed from 24-hour Holter recordings in 110 pts with CHF (54 in NYHA class II, 56 in class III-IV; left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) 30%+/- 10%) on optimal pharmacotherapy and quantified as turbulence onset (TO,%), turbulence slope (TS, ms/RR interval), and turbulence timing (beginning of RR sequence for calculation of TS, TT). TO > or = 0%, TS < or = 2.5 ms/RR, and TT >10 were considered abnormal. End point was development of end-stage CHF requiring heart transplantation (OHT) or all-cause mortality., Results: During a follow-up of 5.8 +/- 1.3 years, 24 pts died and 10 required OHT. TO, TS, TT, and both (TO and TS) were abnormal in 35%, 50%, 30%, and 25% of all patients, respectively. Patients with at least one relatively preserved HRT parameter (TO, TS, or TT) (n = 98) had 5-year event-free rate of 83% compared to 33% of those in whom all three parameters were abnormal (n = 12). In multivariate Cox regression analysis, the most powerful predictor of end point events was heart rate variability (SDNN < 70 ms, hazard ratio (HR) 9.41, P < 0.001), followed by LVEF < or = 35% (HR 6.23), TT > or = 10 (HR 3.14), and TO > or = 0 (HR 2.54, P < 0.05)., Conclusion: In patients with CHF on optimal pharmacotherapy, HRT can help to predict those at risk for progression toward OHT or death of all causes.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the predictive value of microvascular abnormalities and lipofuscin observed in endomyocardial biopsy samples for the development of cardiac allograft vasculopathy., Methods: The study group consisted of 68 cardiac allograft recipients (63 men and 5 women, 43 +/- 12 years old). We performed a re-evaluation of 1071 endomyocardial biopsy specimens to search for microvascular diseases and lipofuscin in cardiocytes. Endomyocardial biopsy specimens with an International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation rejection grade of 2 or more and those without arterioles were excluded. Abnormalities found in the remaining 517 specimens were correlated with the grade of rejection. Biopsy specimens obtained 2 weeks, 12 months, and 36 months after transplantation were compared with coronary angiography results, clinical events of cardiac allograft vasculopathies, and survivals. Kaplan-Meier curves were constructed to compare the time to the development of cardiac allograft vasculopathy or death., Results: Enlarged endothelial cells, lymphocytes inside the arteriolar wall, occluded arteriolar lumen, endothelial vacuolization, and hypertrophy of the vascular muscle were significantly correlated with rejection grade. Although none of the vascular abnormalities predicted cardiac allograft vasculopathy, patients with lipofuscin deposits at the 12-month biopsy specimens were characterized by the rapid development of angiography-confirmed cardiac allograft vasculopathy (P < .08) and events related to cardiac allograft vasculopathy (P < .03, log-rank test)., Conclusion: Microvascular abnormalities correlate with mild cellular rejection, but they do not seem to be predictive for development of cardiac allograft vasculopathy detected by angiography. The presence of lipofuscin in 12-month endomyocardial biopsy specimens may be predictive of development of angiographically confirmed cardiac allograft vasculopathy.

Background: The appropriate therapy after orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT) is determined by the results of endomyocardial biopsies (EMBs). The Quilty effect (QE) is a recognized cause of discrepancies in EMB grading, but its clinical implications remain unclear. In this study we assess the correlation of the QE with biopsy-proven acute cellular rejection (AR) and coronary artery vasculopathy (CAV)., Methods: We reassessed 5,361 EMB samples, obtained from 429 patients, based on QE occurrence and its impact on EMB score. Next, we divided all patients with at least 1 year of follow-up into two groups: a QE(+) group (n = 202, 58.7% of sample, 172 males/30 females, 44.8 +/- 12 years of age) and a QE(-) group (n = 142, 41.3% of sample, 124 males/18 females, 45.4 +/- 12 years of age), and compared AR and CAV occurrences., Results: The QE was observed in 669 EMBs (12.5%), and at least 1 EMB with QE was found among the 231 patients (53.8%). The initial QE occurrence took place during the first 3 months after OHT in 68% of QE(+) patients, and >1 year post-OHT in 13% of patients. The average EMB score was significantly higher in QE(+) biopsies. A comparison of the two groups revealed a significantly higher number of AR episodes and number of patients with at least one episode of AR in QE(+) patients. There was no significant difference in number of CAV occurrences between groups., Conclusions: The QE seems to be a marker of the same increased immune system activity that can lead to AR. A relationship between QE and CAV was not supported by the present results.

Transplant arteriosclerosis is characterized by inflammation and intimal thickening caused by accumulation of smooth muscle cells (SMCs) both from donor and recipient. We assessed the relationship between clinical factors and the presence of host-derived SMCs in 124 myocardial biopsies from 26 consecutive patients who received hearts from opposite-sex donors. Clinical and demographic information was obtained from the patients' medical records. Host-derived SMCs accounted for 3.35+/-2.3% of cells in arterioles (range, 0.08-12.51%). As shown by linear regression analysis, an increased number of SMCs was associated with rejection grade (mean, 1.41+/-1.03, p = 0.034) and the number of leukocytes (19.1+/-12.7 per 20 high-power fields, p = 0.01). The accumulation of host-derived SMCs was associated with an increased number of leukocytes in the allografts. In vitro, monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) released from leukocytes was crucial for SMC migration. After heart allotransplantation, mice treated with MCP-1-specific antibodies had significantly fewer host-derived SMCs in the grafts than mice treated with isotypic antibody controls. We conclude that the number of host-derived SMCs in human cardiac allografts is associated with the rejection grade and that MCP-1 may play pivotal role in recruiting host-derived SMCs into cardiac allografts.

The aim of this retrospective analysis was to assess the influence of rapamycin (RAPA) used perioperatively on surgical complications in heart transplant recipients. The study group consisted of 28 heart transplant recipients (26M/2F, 49.2+/-11 years) receiving 15 mg of RAPA before operation, 10 mg of RAPA on the first postoperative day (POD) and 5 mg daily (n=20) thereafter, or 5 mg daily starting on POD 2 (n=8), until the introduction of cyclosporine-A. A matched historical control group was composed of 28 patients (26M/2F, 49.7+/-9 years) receiving cyclosporine-A from POD 1. We compared a number of surgical complications and reinterventions among groups. Statistical significance was assessed using the chi-square test and the Mann-Whitney U-test. There were 16 (57%) patients in the study group vs. six (21%) in the control group requiring reintervention (p=0.014). Pericardial tamponade decompression was performed in seven (25%) vs. zero patients, and sternum refixation in seven (25%) vs. zero patients (p=0.015). None of the wounds was infected. The overall drainage volume was 4,213+/-5,996 vs. 1,911+/-1,728 mL (p=NS). The frequencies of biopsy-proven rejection and infection were comparable, except lower cytomegalovirus infection rates in the study group: three (11%) vs. 11 (39%) for the control group (p=0.023). The use of RAPA in the perioperative period of heart transplantation increases the risk of surgical wound-healing complications.

Unlabelled: sCD30 and ICE/caspase-1 as apoptosis-regulating factors are suspected to be involved in the survival rate of immunocompetent cells during immunosuppression after allotransplantation. Serum CD30 and ICE/caspase-1 concentrations were estimated and associated with unspecific serum apoptosis marker--anti-Annexin V antibodies and myocardial biopsies results., Materials and Methods: 28 clinically stabile patients--heart transplant recipients at least 3 months after cardiac transplantation performed due to heart failure caused by ischaemic and/or congestive cardiomyopathy or/and primary valvular heart disease (26 men and 2 women, mean age=36.8 years, S.D.=7.6) with normal heart function assessed by use of ultrasound scan--were involved in the trial. The patients were divided and analyzed in two ways: first according to the results of elective endomyocardial biopsies and second to main immunosuppressive agent used. The enzyme immunoassay (CD30, Dako; interleukin-1beta-converting enzyme (ICE)/Caspase-1 ELISA and anti-Annexin V BENDER MedSystem) for soluble CD30, caspase-1 and anti-Annexin V autoantibodies serum levels was used., Results: sCD30 and caspase-1 concentrations were non-significantly up-regulated in all analysed groups--with or without rejection signs or immunosuppressed with cyclosporine or especially tacrolimus. In contrast anti-Annexin V autoantibodies concentration was non-significantly down-regulated also in all studied groups. Moreover in the group with signs of transplant rejection, strong negative correlation between anti-Annexin antibodies and rejection grade was observed (-0.65, p<0.05). Biopsy results were comparable in groups treated with tacrolimus and cyclosporine A., Conclusions: The increasing tendency of sCD30 and caspase-1 as well as the decrease in anti-Annexin V autoantibodies concentrations in heart recipients could be the result of post-transplant apoptosis disturbances. This tendency seems to be inhibited in a greater degree by tacrolimus than by cyclosporine. Anti-Annexin V autoantibodies might be considered as negative rejection markers due to their strong negative correlation with the rejection grade.

Leptin is primarily produced by adipocytes but its receptors are expressed in a variety of tissues including the heart. Elevated plasma leptin levels predict acute myocardial infarction and it has been shown as acute phase reactant and a risk factor for coronary heart disease. The present study was undertaken to answer the question whether there exists a relationship or not, between serum leptin levels and grades of acute cellular rejection confirmed by elective endomyocardial biopsies in stable patients after orthotopic heart transplantation. We observed higher serum leptin levels compared with reference values, regardless of histopathologic biopsy findings studied. There was a positive correlation between serum leptin concentrations and body mass index, diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein. The elevated leptin levels found in heart transplant recipients could be due to the result of steroid therapy. These results point the need for further studies to explain the leptin role in heart transplant recipients.

Aim of the Study: Was to estimate an influence of acute cellular rejection on electrophysiologic parameters of allograft and remnants of recipient's heart, in patients after orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT)., Patients and Methods: Analysis was performed in 25 OHT recipients (24M/1F, age 48.4 +/- 9 y., ischemic time 197 +/- 51 min., donor age 30 +/- 9 y.), who underwent electrophysiological study (EPS), along with elective endomyocardial biopsy (EMB), scheduled for the 1st month after the surgery. Results of EPS were correlated with a degree of rejection, assessed with the ISHLT grading system. Grades > or =3A were considered a significant cellular rejection., Results: ISHLT grade 0 was observed in 8 patients, grade 1A or 1B in 12 patients, and 3A in 5 patients. Frequency of transplanted heart rhythm (TH-R) was 691.3+/- 37 ms in patients with ISHLT grade 0, 690.4 +/- 41 ms in patients with grade 1A or 1B, and 744.4 +/- 668 ms in individuals with 3A rejection (p < 0.04, for difference between 0 and 3A groups). Intraatrial conduction time (IntrtaCT) was significantly shorter in grade 3A group (20.4 +/- 1.6 ms), when compared with patients without rejection (36.2 +/- 4.9 ms, p < 0.03), or with 1A or 1B rejection (41.5 +/- 13 ms, p < 0.032). Also interatrial conduction time (InterCT) was the shortest in patients with 3A rejection (53.8 +/- 4.3 ms), when compared with ISHLT grade 0 group (78.5 +/- 7.6 ms, p < 0.02) and 1A/1B group (74.1 +/- 12 ms, p < 0.023). The other characteristics of atria, ventricles and AV-junction performance were comparable in all patients., Conclusions: TH-R, IntraCT and InterCT should be considered as the markers of significant cellular rejection in patients after OHT. Further analysis involving higher number of patients is warranted.

Background: Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is a member of growth factor with a variety of known activities, including angiogenesis promotion and antiapoptotic action. It prevents acute graft-versus-host disease after bone marrow transplantation and prolongs allogenic graft survival in rats. The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between serum HGF concentration and the grade of acute cellular rejection of heart transplant., Methods: We studied 68 male heart recipients. All of them received triple-drug immunosuppression: cyclosporine A, prednisone, and azathioprine or mycofenolate mofetil. All patients were without signs of heart failure. Blood samples were taken before elective ambulatory endomyocardial biopsy. Biopsy specimens were graded with the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation scale. Acute cellular rejection grade 3A and higher were considered as significant. Measurement of serum HGF was made by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay., Results: We found a positive relationship between serum HGF levels and grade of cellular rejection. As an indicator for the detection of cell rejection processes, HGF with cutoff 2000 pg/ml seems to be useful., Conclusions: The results of this study demonstrate that HGF can be useful as an indicator for heart graft cell rejection.

Unlabelled: The purpose of this study was to assess the clinical utility of mycophenolic acid (MPA) trough concentration monitoring in heart transplant recipients., Methods: We reviewed 456 MPA plasma level measurements (EMIT/Dade-Behring) which were performed in 76 pts. after orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT): 57 M and 21 F, age 41.9 +/- 16, time after OHT (months) 17.6 +/- 24. Daily dose of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) was 2-3 g before MPA measurement introduction, then it was adjusted to achieve MPA trough levels (TL) of 2-4 microg/ml. Additionally pts. received either cyclosporine-A (CyA) or tacrolimus and prednisone. We analyzed first MPA levels obtained in pts. without previous monitoring, then we looked for a relation between CyA or tacrolimus and MPA level, and finally we checked for a relation between MPA level and the side-effects of MMF RESULTS: In a group of 59 pts. without earlier MPA level monitoring we found that 36 pts. (61%) had MPA level below, 19 pts. (32%) within, and 4 pts. (7%) above target TL. We identified a group of 11 pts. (characterized by unstable CyA TLs and liver impairment) with a significant positive correlation between CyA and MPA level. For the remaining group of pts. we found a non-significant negative correlation between CyA and MPA concentrations. Target MPA TL was achieved in 40% of cases in pts. with CyA TL below 200 ng/ml (Axsym/Abbott), in 40% of cases in pts. with CyA TL 200-300 ng/ml, and in 27% of cases in pts. with CyA TL over 300 ng/ml. There was no correlation between tacrolimus and MPA level. MPA TL over 4 microg/ml occurred in 22% of results from pts. receiving tacrolimus (n=6) and 11% of pts. on CyA (n=17, p = 0.011). 90% of these pts. had symptoms of GI irritation, 33%--leucopoenia, and 14%--anemia., Conclusions: It is uncommon to achieve MPA TL of 2-4 microg/ml with typical doses of MMF, especially with concomitant high CyA TL. Typical side effects of MMF should be an indication to check MPA TL.

Background: Transplanted heart coronary artery disease (TxCAD) is the most frequent casue of death occuring > or =5 years after orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT). Considering three basic therapeutic approaches - percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), surgical revascularisation and retransplantation - PCI seems to be the superior method due to its safety and good short-term results, however, the long-term efficacy of PCI has been less well established., Aim: To evaluate long-term results of PCI in the treatment of OHT recipients with TxCAD., Methods: The study group consisted of 20 patients (19 males, aged 24-63, median 45.5 years; 14 (70%) had before OHT), who underwent single or multiple PCI of significant coronary lesions, revealed by elective (n=17) or urgent (n=3) coronary angiography (CAG). The overall number of PCI procedures was 26, including 8 with stent implantation. procedures were performed 9-151 (median 61.5) months after OHT. Analysis of PCI results was based on the follow-up CAGs or autopsy in case of death., Results: Follow-up time was 3-90 (median 28) months. At least one CAG was performed in 17 (85%) patients - the overall number of follow-up CAGs was 53. Progression of TxCAD was revealed by 33 (62%) CAGs - the decision to perform subsequent single or multiple PCI was undertaken in 22 (42%) patients. The overall number of re-PCI procedures was 38 (with stent implantation in 11 cases). Out of 38 PCI procedures without stent implantation, significant restenosis was found on control CAG in 16 (42%) patients, and out of 16 PCI with stents -- in 11 (69%) patients, including 8 haemodynamically significant lesions. TxCAD was the cause of 5 out of 9 deaths that occurred during follow-up., Conclusions: PCI is unable to stop TxCAD development in the majority of patients. Stent implantation does not improve long-term results of TxCAD treatment.

Background: Despite recent progress in clinical transplantology, coronary artery disease of transplanted heart (TxCAD) remains the main cause of long-term mortality. The role of elective coronary angiography (CAG) and percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) in these patients has not yet been well established., Aim: To evaluate the incidence of TxCAD based on the results of elective CAG and to assess the role of potential risk factors and treatment options., Methods: We analysed the results of 227 elective CAG procedures performed in 145 patients after orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT) between 1986 and 1998. The result of CAG was considered positive when any lesion was found in coronary arteries regardless of its hemodynamic relevance, including both atherosclerotic plaques and lesions characteristic of vasculopathy. The influence of immunological (rejection of transplanted heart) and non-immunological risk factors on the development of TxCAD was analysed separately for the first 3 years after OHT and for the subsequent period., Results: Positive result of at least one CAG was found in 54 (37%) patients. The overall percentage of positive CAG was 41%, starting from 18% one year after OHT to 55% five years after surgery. Vasculopathic lesions were found in 14% of CAG procedures. Risk factor analysis showed an increasing impact over time of non-immunological factors, however, differences were not statistically significant. Hemodynamically significant lesions were found in 21 patients. In 16 of those PCI was performed. Control CAG was done in 12 patients after PCI revealing indications for another PCI in 8 of them. TxCAD was the cause of death in 3 patients in the PCI group., Conclusions: Based on the results of elective CAG, frequency of TxCAD increases with time and reaches 55% by 5 years after OHT. PCI is an effective method of treating significant coronary lesions after OHT.

Diabetes mellitus is a very well recognized risk factor for coronary artery disease in non-transplant patients. With the introduction of new immunosuppressive agents in solid organ recipients, there is an interest in medical complications of immunosuppressive therapy. An influence of long-term cyclosporine-A (CyA) therapy on glucose metabolism was analyzed in a group of 122 heart transplant recipients who developed hyperglycemia after heart transplantation. Based on WHO criteria for diagnosis of diabetes two groups were identified: group 1 (102 pts) included pts with impaired glycemic control and group 2 (20 pts) with clinical diabetes. Fasting insulin, proinsulin, C-peptide, HbA1c and cyclosporine-A trough levels were determined 12-18 months post surgery in clinically stable period without transplant rejection. The immunosuppressive treatment in both groups was the same and consisted of cyclosporine A, azathioprine and prednisone. We observed a statistically significant negative correlation between CyA concentration and insulin in both groups, a statistically significant negative correlation between CyA concentration and proinsulin, C-peptide blood level in group 1 and statistically significant positive correlation between CyA and glucose blood level in both groups.

Objectives: Aim of the study was to assess frequency and risk factors of steroid resistant cellular rejection (SRR) in heart transplant recipients, to determine methods of its treatment, and to evaluate influence of steroid resistant rejection and method of its treatment on short- and long-term results., Methods: All pts. received cyclosporine-A, azathioprine and prednisone. Biopsy results > or = 3A (ISHLT) were considered a significant rejection, requiring treatment with 1 g i.v. methylprednizolone for 3 days followed by oral prednisone. SRR was recognized in case of biopsy-proven progression of rejection, lack of improvement in 2 consecutive biopsies, or increasing hemodynamic compromise despite treatment of biopsy-proven rejection. 146 pts. eligible for the study were divided into: study group--15 pts. with SRR (10%), and control group--131 pts. SRR was treated with: cytolytic therapy--ATG (10 pts.), mycophenolate mofetil (3 pts.) or steroids (2 pts.). Number of biopsies > or = 3A, cumulative biopsy score, average biopsy result, effectiveness of SRR treatment, side effects of therapy, and survival were analysed., Results: All parameters characterizing rejection were significantly higher in the study group. No risk factors of SRR were found. In 6 pts. with SRR and hemodynamic compromise (all treated with ATG) improvement was observed in 4 pts, while death occurred in 2 pts. There were no deaths in pts. without hemodynamic compromise--none of 3 methods of treatment was superior, however ATG increased the infection risk. Survival in the 1st year was significantly lower in the study group (67% vs. 89% in the control group)., Conclusions: SRR is recognized in about 10% of heart transplant recipients, increasing risk of death in the 1st year after surgery. Cytolytic therapy increases risk of infection, and should be avoided in pts. without hemodynamic compromise.

Objectives: Aim of this study was to find features characteristic for steroid resistant cellular rejection (SRR) of the transplanted heart, using phenotypic identification of cells creating infiltrates in endomyocardial biopsies (EMBs) obtained before and after high dose steroids treatment., Methods: 146 heart transplant recipients, treated with cyclosporine-A, azathioprine and prednisone, were taken under consideration. EMB results > or = 3A (ISHLT) were considered significant rejection, requiring treatment with 1 g i.v. methylprednizolone for 3 days followed by oral prednisone. SRR was diagnosed in case of increased grade of rejection in control EMB, lack of improvement in 2 consecutive EMBs or increasing hemodynamic compromise. SRR was found in 15 pts. (study group). Control group consisted of remaining 131 pts. Paraffin-embedded blocks containing EMB samples from 9 pts. from study group and randomly chosen 14 pts. from control group were used (2 EMBs per pt.). Significant rejection was present in the first EMB, the second EMB was performed 7 days after beginning of the treatment. In the study group, first 2 EMBs creating a sequence of SRR were analysed. Following antigens were identified: CD45RO (T-cells), CD8 (cytotoxic T-cells), CD20 (B-cells), and CD95 (marker of apoptosis). DR expression and macrophages presence were also quantified., Results: CD45RO was predominant phenotype before and after treatment in both groups. Higher quantity of CD20 cells were observed in study group, however its number increased after treatment in control group. CDB-cells and macrophages were present in low amounts, that did not react to treatment. CD95 positive cells were present only in 3 EMBs. None of above differences was statistically significant. DR expression staining showed no difference either in biopsies taken before steroid treatment or after completing of high dose steroid therapy., Conclusion: Phenotype identification of cells infiltrating myocardium of the transplanted heart was not sufficient to predict or characterise steroid resistant rejection.

A retrospective analysis was performed on the records of 95 pts who underwent heart transplantation at Dept. Of Cardiac Surgery & Transplantation in 1999 and 2000 y. In 34 pts lower respiratory tract infections were observed. In all cases bacterial factor was detected in sputum or bronchoalveolar lavage. In study population we analysed influence of such factors as age of the patients, the intensity and duration of immunosuppression, pre-existing diseases and timing after transplantation on the incidence of infection. Most often, in 43 pts gram negative stains bacteria was detected. Pseudomonas aeruginosa (15 pts), Acinetobacter baumanii (7 pts) and Enterobacter cloacae (6 pts) were predominant. Gram positive stains bacteria was detected only in two cases (Streptococcus pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus). In 1 pt we observed lung tuberculosis and in 2 pts Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia. Older recipient age was the only risk factor leading to occurrence of respiratory tract infections in patients after heart transplantation.

Pulmonary infections remain the leading cause of death in patients after heart transplantation. Lung tuberculosis is more common in transplant recipients than in general population. Two cases of tuberculosis are presented in patients after heart transplantation. Regarding to influence of rifampicin on immunosuppressive therapy, those patients were treated with antimycobacterial drugs except rifampicin. A cure without recurrence can be achieved with a scheme of treatment regimes without rifampicin.

Unlabelled: Orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT) is most effective method for treatment of irreversible heart failure. Patients after OHT considered for permanent pacing consist still present a challenge for the implanting physician due to distorted atrial geometry and specific electrophysiological conditions of atrium. The aim of our study was to analyse the effectiveness of permanent atrial pacing in these patients., Patients and Methods: We implanted atrial lead in 37 SND pts., 2 months--7 years after OHT, (3 pts with coexisting AV block received ventricular lead). Only straight BP screw-in leads and manually formed stylets were used; we found satisfactory pacing/sensing conditions in 25 pts in RA appendage or anterior/lateral wall, in 10 pts--in CS ostium region and in 2--in proximal part of CS., Results: All implantations were successful and no patient received VVI pacing system. One dislodged lead required revision (1/37, 3%) but this was not related to endomyocardial biopsy. In 2 pts, due to unacceptable low RA potential and/or high PTh values atrial lead was implanted to CS for sensing/pacing of left atrium. The average acute value of A wave were 2.4 mV and chronic 2.2 mV; values of pacing threshold were 0.9 V and 1.6 V respectively. Only in 13/37 pts native A waves were recorded but with amplitude < 0.6 mV. Wenckebach point was 120/min only in 2 pts., in borders 130-160 bpm in 15 pts. and exceeded 170 bpm. in remained 20 pts. Retrograde VA conduction was intact in 33/37 pts, but in 4 pts exceeded 260/min. During long term follow-up in no patient we observed AV conduction disturbances. In 6 pts. treadmill exercise (Bruce's protocol) was repeated three times during: sinus (spontaneous) rhythm, AAI pacing 70/min, AAI-R (DDD-R) pacing. AAI 70 bpm did not influence significantly attained workload, heart rate on peak exercise or duration of exercise. But atrial rate modulated pacing increased values of examined parameters significantly., Conclusions: 1. Atrial pacing (and atrial based pacing modes) are possible in majority of transplanted heart patients. 2. Frequency of atrial lead dislocation, appearance of atrial sensing problems and AV conduction disturbances (all in about 3%) are comparable to non-transplanted patients. 3. In most patients with SND after OHT AV conduction remains within normal limits; it indicates safety of rate responsive pacing modes in these patients. 4. Rate modulated atrial pacing improves exercise tolerance in heart transplanted patients with SND. 5. High ("supra-normal") values of Wenckebach's point observed in most of patients with transplanted (dennervated) heart may have clinical importance in cases of atrial arrhythmias in these patients.

Unlabelled: Lower-Shumway technique (atrioatrial anastomosis) is the most frequently used technique for orthotopic heart transplantation and such a patient has two right atria and two sinus nodes. Sinus node dysfunction (SND) is a frequent finding in pts. after OHT; taking advantage of the frequency of innervated sinus node of recipient's atrial remnant as a natural biosensor for triggered pacing of donor atrium is an interesting option for these pts. THE AIMS OF OUR STUDY: 1. the analysis of possibility of utility of recipient atrial sinus node as natural biosensor for triggered donor atrium permanent pacing in transplanted patients with SND. 2. the evaluation of pacing and sensing conditions of the recipient's atrium in the some pts.. 3. long-term observation of effectiveness A2A2T(/D) pacing mode., Methods: 10 out of 37 pts. received A2A2T (8 pts.) and A2A2T/D (2 pts) pacing systems. In pts. with NSR of recipients atrium, we evaluated acceleration of its frequency during slight exercise and atropine., Results: In recipient's atrium among 37 pts we recognized NSR only in 15/37 pts.; in the remaining 22 pts. we found: sinus bradycardia--in 3, atrial flutter--in 3, low voltage AF--in 12 and no electrical activity--in 4 pts. Positive response to isometric exercise and atropine was observed in 12/15 pts. and 8 of them received A2A2T or A2A2T/D pacing system. We found much better sensing and pacing conditions in donor (A wave 2.1 mV, p. threshold 0.8 V) than in recipient atrium (1.1 mV and 1.4 V respectively). We observed some problems with sensing of recipient atrium in 4 of 10 pts. and changes SST to AAI-R mode solved the problem without loss of atrial resynchronization. 9 out of 10 pts. preferred AAT to AAI-R pacing program. One dislodged lead required revision during postoperative period (1/44, 2%). There was no dislodgement related to endomyocardial biopsy. In one patient, atrial flutter in recipient atria was transmitted to atrium of transplanted heart by pacing system with 2:1 conduction; arrhythmia was interrupted with drugs and did not return., Conclusions: 1. Atrial resynchronization is possible only in about 1/4 patients with SND after OHT due to frequently noted electrophysiological changes in recipient atrium. 2. In transplanted heart patients sensing and pacing conditions are much more favorable in donor's than recipient's atrium. 3. Atrial resynchronization can be subjectively (positively) recognised by most of patient after OHT and it still remains a promising pacing mode for selected patients after OHT with SND.

Copyright of Polish Journal of Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery / Kardiochirurgia i Torakochirurgia Polska is the property of Termedia Publishing House and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Polish Journal of Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery / Kardiochirurgia i Torakochirurgia Polska is the property of Termedia Publishing House and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Polish Journal of Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery / Kardiochirurgia i Torakochirurgia Polska is the property of Termedia Publishing House and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Polish Journal of Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery / Kardiochirurgia i Torakochirurgia Polska is the property of Termedia Publishing House and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: Disturbed glucose metabolism, particularly in diabetes, is an important but not the sole factor leading to advanced glycation end-product (AGE) formation. The AGE amount and its distribution in cardiopathic myocardial tissues in the presence or absence of diabetes are not well documented. The aim of this study was to assess AGE deposition in unaffected myocardial vessels in heart failure patients with and without diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM2) undergoing transplantation. Methods: The following groups were established: 14 hearts harvested from subjects with ischemic cardiopathy and DM2; 8 hearts from subjects with dilated cardiopathy with DM2; 67 hearts from subjects with ischemic cardiopathy; 47 hearts from subjects with dilated cardiopathy; and 14 hearts from autopsy cases with diagnosed DM2. A control group consisted of 20 heart donors. AGE localization was determined immunohistochemically in tissue sections. A semi-quantitative scale was used to assess reaction intensity in arteries, arterioles, capillaries, venules and veins. Results: Both types of cardiomyopathy increased AGE accumulation in intramyocardial veins more than in arteries. The presence of DM2 significantly increased AGE in arterioles and capillaries, especially when coexisting with cardiomyopathy. The type of cardiopathy did not influence the pattern of AGE accumulation in myocardial vessels. Conclusion: Both chronic heart failure and DM2 intensified AGE pathology and changed the susceptibility of myocardial vasculature to glycation. However, chronic heart failure increases AGE deposition mostly in veins, whereas DM2 predisposes arterioles to AGE accumulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

sCD30 and ICE/caspase-1 as apoptosis-regulating factors are suspected to be involved in the survival rate of immunocompetent cells during immunosuppression after allotransplantation. Serum CD30 and ICE/caspase-1 concentrations were estimated and associated with unspecific serum apoptosis marker - anti-Annexin V antibodies and myocardial biopsies results. Materials and methods: 28 clinically stabile patients - heart transplant recipients at least 3 months after cardiac transplantation performed due to heart failure caused by ischaemic and/or congestive cardiomyopathy or/and primary valvular heart disease (26 men and 2 women, mean age=36.8 years, S.D. =7.6) with normal heart function assessed by use of ultrasound scan - were involved into trial. The patients were divided and analyzed in two ways: first according to the results of elective endomyocardial biopsies and second to main immunosuppressive agent used. The enzyme immunoassay (CD30, Dako; interleukin-1β-converting enzyme (ICE)/Caspase-1 EL1SA and anti-Annexin V BENDER MedSystem) for soluble CD30, caspase-1 and anti-Annexin V autoantibodies serum levels was used. Results: sCD30 and caspase-1 concentrations were non-significantly up-regulated in all analysed groups - with or without rejection signs or immunosuppressed with cyclosporine or especially tacrolimus. In contrast anti-Annexin V autoantibodies concentration was non-significantly down-regulated also in all studied groups. Moreover in the group with signs of transplant rejection, strong negative correlation between anti-Annexin antibodies and rejection grade was observed (-0.65, p<0.05). Biopsy results were comparable in groups treated with tacrolimus and cyclosporine A. Conclusions: The increasing tendency of sCD30 and caspase-1 as well as the decrease in anti-Annexin V autoantibodies concentrations in heart recipients could be the result of post-transplant apoptosis disturbances. This tendency seems to be inhibited in a greater degree by tacrolimus than by cyclosporine. Anti-Annexin V autoantibodies might be considered as negative rejection markers due to their strong negative correlation with the rejection grade. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]