Cajigas, Héctor

AbstractObjectivesTo assess the impact of pulmonary hypertension (PH) on outcomes of patients with severe mitral annular calcification (MAC) undergoing transcatheter mitral valve replacement (TMVR).BackgroundPH is associated with poor outcomes after mitral valve surgery. Whether the presence of PH in patients with MAC undergoing (TMVR) is associated with poor outcomes, is unknown.MethodsRetrospective evaluation of 116 patients from 51 centers in 11 countries who underwent TMVR with valve in mitral annular calcification (ViMAC) using balloon‐expandable aortic transcatheter valves (THVs) from September 2012 to March 2017. Pulmonary artery systolic blood pressure (PASP) by echocardiogram was available in 90 patients. The subjects were stratified based on PASP: No PH = PASP ≤35 mmHg (n = 11); mild to moderate PH = PASP 36–49 mmHg (n = 21) and severe PH = PASP ≥50 mmHg (n = 58). Clinical, procedural, and echocardiographic outcomes were assessed.ResultsMean age was 72.7 (±12.8) years, 59 (65.6%) were female, Society of Thoracic Surgeons score was 15.8 + 11.8% and 90.0% where in New York Heart Association (NYHA) class III–IV. There was no significant difference in all‐cause mortality at 30 days (no PH = 27.3%, mild–moderate PH = 19.0%, severe PH = 31.6%; p = 0.55) or at 1 year (no PH = 54.5%, mild–moderate PH = 38.1%, severe PH = 56.1%; p = 0.36). No difference in adverse events, NYHA class or amount of residual mitral regurgitation at 1 year were observed between the groups.ConclusionThis study suggests that the presence of PH in patients with predominantly mitral stenosis with MAC undergoing TMVR does not impact mortality or adverse events. Further studies are needed to fully understand the effect of PH in this group of patients.

Background. Portopulmonary hypertension (POPH) is the presence of pulmonary arterial (PA) hypertension in patients with portal hypertension and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. In a cohort of POPH patients, we describe the clinical outcomes of POPH patients who underwent liver transplantation (LT). Methods. Retrospectively collected data from a prospectively assembled cohort of all consecutive POPH adults evaluated in 3 transplant centers from 1996 to 2019. Results. From a cohort of 228 POPH patients, 50 patients underwent LT. Significant hemodynamic improvement after PA-targeted therapy was observed, with 58% receiving only monotherapy pretransplant. After LT, 21 (42%) patients were able to discontinue and remained off PA-targeted therapy. The 1-, 3-, and 5-y unadjusted survival rates after LT were 72%, 63%, and 60%, respectively. An elevated pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) before LT was associated with worse survival rate (HR, 1.91; 95% CI, 1.07-3.74, P = 0.04). No survival difference was observed in those granted MELD exception or transplants performed before or after the year 2010. Conclusions. Significant number of POPH patients discontinued PA-targeted therapy after LT. Higher PVR before LT was associated with worse survival, as was monotherapy use. Despite effective PA-targeted therapies, POPH survival outcomes after LT in our cohort were modest and may reflect the need for more aggressive therapy.

A 49-year-old man presented to the emergency department with acute-onset dyspnoea and hypoxaemia 1 day following nasal surgery for obstructive sleep apnoea. A chest X-ray showed diffuse bilateral pulmonary infiltrates. Supplemental 100% fractional inspired oxygen (FiO2) via non-rebreather mask was delivered with resulting arterial oxygen tension:FiO2 ratio of 67. Transthoracic echocardiogram demonstrated normal heart function. A clinical diagnosis of severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) was promptly made. Based on patient preference to avoid intubation and following a multidisciplinary approach, we decided to initiate venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV-ECMO) as an alternative strategy to mechanical ventilation. Though he ultimately required brief mechanical ventilation during ECMO cannulation, the patient spent a total of 5 days on VV-ECMO and a total of 8 days in the intensive care unit. Six days after discharge, his pulmonary function test demonstrated no significant abnormalities. We present a rare case of early initiation of VV-ECMO in a patient with severe ARDS that served as a bridge to recovery.