Maleszewski, Joseph J.

Renal function improves early after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation but later decline has been observed. We sought to determine the occurrence and evaluate possible causes for this decline. In 62 consecutive patients with HeartMateII LVAD with available calculated glomerular filtration rate (GFR, ml/min/1.73 m2) 1 year after implant, GFR was assessed repeatedly and possible predictors for decline from 3 to 12 months were investigated. Post-mortem renal specimens for patients supported with an LVAD were evaluated. GFR 54.5 ± 19.5 at admission increased to 66.4 ± 22.3 preoperatively and to 79.2 ± 30.1 ~1 month after implantation. Subsequently at ~3 months GFR declined to 74.7 ± 25.4, at ~6 months to 68.8 ± 23.1, and ~1 year after implant to 63.9 ± 17.7. Glomerular filtration rate at 1 year was significantly lower (p < 0.0001, p < 0.0001, p = 0.005) than GFR 1, 3, and 6 months after implant. Early rise in GFR after surgery was not associated with late decline. Shorter bypass time (β = −0.09, p = 0.048) and higher albumin 3 months after LVAD (β = 14.4, p = 0.025) were significantly associated with less later decline in GFR. Arteriosclerosis was identified in autopsy renal specimens. In conclusion, early gains in renal function after LVAD implant are not sustained in many patients. Patient, device, and operative factors may influence long-term renal function in these patients.

VT Ablation in LVAD RecipientsBackgroundPatients with advanced heart failure (HF) are predisposed to ventricular arrhythmias (VAs), particularly following implantation of a left ventricular assist device (LVAD). There is minimal evidence for appropriate management strategies.ObjectivesThis study aimed to compare the burden of VA and response to ablation performed either before or following LVAD implantation.MethodsWe created a retrospective cohort of patients who underwent both VA ablation and Heart Mate II (Thoratec, Pleasanton, CA, USA) LVAD implantation at Mayo Clinic (Rochester, MN, USA). Patients were stratified based on whether they underwent VA ablation before (pre‐LVAD) or after LVAD (post‐LVAD) implantation. Descriptive analyses assessed 6‐month arrhythmia burden in relation to LVAD implantation and VA ablation.ResultsA total of 9 patients underwent both LVAD implantation and VA ablation. There were 3 and 6 patients, respectively, in the pre‐LVAD and post‐LVAD cohorts. Among patients in the pre‐LVAD cohort, the median number of VAs tended to increase after ablation (9 vs. 72) and decreased after LVAD implantation (72 vs. 63). Similarly among patients in the post‐LVAD cohort, the median burden of VAs increased after LVAD implantation (1 vs. 22) and the median burden decreased after ablation (22 vs. 13). Two of 6 patients had substrate related to the LVAD inflow cannula site, while other substrate was not related directly to the cannula.ConclusionsIn patients with progressive HF and LVAD implantation, ablation is associated with reduced VA rates. In LVAD patients, most VAs arise from substrate unrelated to the inflow cannula site.

Giant cell myocarditis (GCM) is a rare and commonly fatal form of fulminant myocarditis. During the acute phase, while immunosuppressive therapy is initiated, venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) support is commonly used as a bridge to heart transplantation or recovery. Until recently, conventional transesophageal echocardiography and transthoracic echocardiography were the tools available for hemodynamic assessment of patients on this form of mechanical circulatory support. Nevertheless, both techniques have their limitations. We present a case of a 54-year-old man diagnosed with GCM requiring VA-ECMO support that was monitored under a novel miniaturized transesophageal echocardiography (hTEE) probe recently approved for 72 hours of continuous hemodynamic monitoring. Our case highlights the value of this novel, flexible, and disposable device for hemodynamic monitoring, accurate therapy guidance, and potential VA-ECMO weaning process of patients with this form of severe myocarditis.

Objective Cardiac angiosarcoma is the most common primary malignant cardiac tumor. The dismal prognosis and nonspecific symptomatology underscore the need for an accurate and cost‐effective approach to the identification and characterization of this rare tumor. Methods Mayo Clinic tissue registry archives were queried for all histologically confirmed cases of cardiac angiosarcoma (1976–2013) with available imaging data. Echocardiograms were retrospectively reviewed. Results Thirty‐three cases of cardiac angiosarcoma were identified; of these, 17 had echocardiograms available (mean age, 46 years; six men). Transthoracic echocardiography ( TTE ) as the initial diagnostic test had 75% sensitivity for visualizing primary cardiac angiosarcoma (9/12 patients). Tumor extension into the pericardium was common and pericardial effusion was present in 15 patients (88%); however, pericardial fluid cytology was negative for malignancy in all tested patients (n = 15). Left ventricular ejection fraction ( LVEF ) was preserved in 16 patients (94%) (average LVEF , 62%). Right ventricular function was mildly reduced in two patients (12%) at initial presentation. Tricuspid valve obstruction was present in three patients (18%; mean diastolic gradient, 6.3 mmHg [range, 3–11 mmHg]). Conclusion The sensitivity of TTE as the first diagnostic imaging modality compared favorably with computed tomography. Pericardial effusion was common, but pericardial fluid cytology was negative in all patients who underwent pericardiocentesis. The absence of a stalk was a universal finding that may help distinguish angiosarcoma from benign, primarily pedunculated tumors such as myxoma and papillary fibroelastoma.

Aims Prognostication and treatment selection for cardiac amyloidosis requires accurate amyloid typing. The aim of this study was to investigate the utility of histomorphology for predicting type. Methods and results Autopsy cases with cardiac amyloidosis (1998–2010) were typed by the use of mass spectrometry‐based proteomics. Deposition patterns were correlated with amyloid type. Among 108 decedents (mean age 75 years; 69% men), 107 had a single type, including transthyretin (ATTR) (60 cases), amyloid light chain (AL) (32 λ; 12 κ), amyloid A (AA) (two), and apolipoprotein AIV (AApoAIV) (one). Interstitial deposition was more extensive in AL amyloidosis cases than in ATTR cases [odds ratio (OR) 6.8, P = 0.0004]. Histomorphological patterns of interstitial deposition were mixed in 61% of AL amyloidosis cases and in 61% of ATTR cases, but diffuse pericellular deposits favoured AL amyloidosis (OR 10.7, P = 0.0001), nodular deposits favoured ATTR (OR 3.1, P = 0.0229), and discrete pericellular deposits tended to partially favour ATTR (OR 1.7, P = 0.1970). Arterial and venous deposits each favoured AL amyloidosis (OR ranging from 9.3 to 192.0, P‐value ranging from 0.0022 to <0.0001), and were severe in AL amyloidosis. Endocardial deposits favoured AL amyloidosis (OR 46.3, P < 0.0001) and were also more severe in AL amyloidosis. Conclusions The extent and distribution of cardiac amyloidosis strongly correlate with amyloid type, suggesting fundamental differences in the pathobiology of deposition. The tendency for mixed patterns to occur limits the practicality and accuracy of using histopathology for amyloid typing.