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Left ventricular recovery (LV) in patients with advanced heart failure (HF) supported by a durable left ventricular assist device (LVAD) is uncommon but clinically significant. There is limited understanding on the timing of LV recovery in relation to LVAD implantation. A total of 383 HF patients who underwent LVAD implantation were evaluated for LV functional improvement defined as an absolute increase in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of greater than or equal to 20% post-LVAD placement. Out of 383 LVAD patients, 39 (10.1%) demonstrated significant LV improvement. Among these, 25 (64%) patients had received LVAD less than or equal to 1 year of HF diagnosis, whereas 14 (36%) patients were implanted greater than 1 year from HF diagnosis. No significant differences in baseline imaging or hemodynamics were found between these two groups. The timing of LVAD implantation and time from LVAD to LVEF improvement was not associated with 5 year outcomes. Survival, free from HF relapse or transplant was 59% in the less than or equal to 1 year and 46% in greater than 1 year HF duration groups ( p = 0.83). Thus, LV functional improvement can occur across a broad spectrum of HF duration, suggesting that the potential for recovery is not limited to those with newly diagnosed disease.

BACKGROUND: A preservation system, the Organ Care System (OCS; TransMedics) uses normothermic pulsatile perfusion during organ transport for heart transplantation. This system has demonstrated favorable outcomes in hearts recovered from extended-criteria donors after brain death (DBD) and donors after circulatory death (DCD). METHODS: The OCS Heart Perfusion Registry collects data on US heart transplantations using the OCS, static cold storage (SCS), or thoracoabdominal normothermic regional perfusion (NRP) and donor hearts recovered from DBD or DCD donors. We analyzed donor and recipient characteristics and posttransplantation outcomes in patients transplanted with OCS donor hearts (either DBD or DCD) compared with SCS hearts, and with OCS hearts from DCD donors compared with those recovered with NRP followed by SCS. Propensity score matching was used in survival analyses to adjust for differences among recipient characteristics. RESULTS: Between 2021 and 2023, 3225 consecutive heart transplantations enrolled from 56 centers were analyzed in the Heart Perfusion Registry. The OCS was used in 854 of 3225 heart transplantations (26.4%), among which 340 (39.8%) were DBD and 514 (60.2%) were DCD donors, whereas 2174 DBD donors were recovered with SCS and another 197 DCD donors with NRP techniques. The OCS-DBD group experienced a greater number of organ offer refusals before final acceptance (13 versus 6; Wilcoxon rank sum, P <0.001) and a longer transport distance (667 miles versus 232 miles; Wilcoxon rank sum, P <0.001) compared with SCS-DBD. Survival at 12 months was similar between the 2 groups (89.9% for OCS-DBD versus 90.6% for SCS-DBD; marginal Cox model, P =0.54). Among the OCS-DCD and SCS-DBD groups, survival at 12 months was also similar (91.0% versus 92.5%, respectively; marginal Cox model, P =0.32). The OCS-DCD and NRP-DCD groups demonstrated similar survival (91.0% versus 91.7%, respectively; log rank, P =0.63), although the transport distance was longer in OCS-DCD compared with DCD with NRP followed by SCS (400 miles versus 223 miles; Wilcoxon rank sum, P <0.001). By 2023, 90% of all OCS donor management and recovery was performed with dedicated organ recovery teams. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrate that real-world implementation of the OCS for DBD donors (using predominantly a dedicated recovery team) is associated with expanded donor criteria, longer transport distance, and excellent posttransplantation outcomes. In OCS-DCD donors, outcomes parallel those of donors recovered with NRP-DCD and compare favorably with DBD donor organs.

Right ventricular failure (RVF) is a significant cause of mortality in patients undergoing left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation. Although right ventricular assist devices (RVADs) can treat RVF in the perioperative LVAD period, liberal employment before RVF is not well established. We therefore compared the survival outcomes between proactive RVAD placement at the time of LVAD implantation with a bailout strategy in patients with RVF. Retrospectively, 75 adult patients who underwent durable LVAD implantation at our institution and had an RVAD placed proactively before LVAD implantation or as a bailout strategy postoperatively due to hemodynamically unstable RVF were evaluated. Patients treated with a proactive RVAD strategy had lower Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support (INTERMACS) and a higher proportion of these required temporary mechanical circulatory support (MCS) preoperatively. Preoperative hemodynamic profiling showed a low pulmonary artery pulsatility index (PAPi) score of 1.8 ± 1.4 and 1.6 ± 0.94 (p = 0.42) in the bailout RVAD and proactive RVAD groups, respectively. Survival at 3, 6, and 12 months post-LVAD implantation was statistically significantly higher in patients who received a proactive RVAD. Thus, proactive RVAD implantation is associated with short- and medium-term survival benefits compared to a bailout strategy in RVF patients undergoing LVAD placement.

Importance In patients with severe aortic valve stenosis at intermediate surgical risk, transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) with a self-expanding supra-annular valve was noninferior to surgery for all-cause mortality or disabling stroke at 2 years. Comparisons of longer-term clinical and hemodynamic outcomes in these patients are limited. Objective To report prespecified secondary 5-year outcomes from the Symptomatic Aortic Stenosis in Intermediate Risk Subjects Who Need Aortic Valve Replacement (SURTAVI) randomized clinical trial. Design, Setting, and Participants SURTAVI is a prospective randomized, unblinded clinical trial. Randomization was stratified by investigational site and need for revascularization determined by the local heart teams. Patients with severe aortic valve stenosis deemed to be at intermediate risk of 30-day surgical mortality were enrolled at 87 centers from June 19, 2012, to June 30, 2016, in Europe and North America. Analysis took place between August and October 2021. Intervention Patients were randomized to TAVR with a self-expanding, supra-annular transcatheter or a surgical bioprosthesis. Main Outcomes and Measures The prespecified secondary end points of death or disabling stroke and other adverse events and hemodynamic findings at 5 years. An independent clinical event committee adjudicated all serious adverse events and an independent echocardiographic core laboratory evaluated all echocardiograms at 5 years. Results A total of 1660 individuals underwent an attempted TAVR (n = 864) or surgical (n = 796) procedure. The mean (SD) age was 79.8 (6.2) years, 724 (43.6%) were female, and the mean (SD) Society of Thoracic Surgery Predicted Risk of Mortality score was 4.5% (1.6%). At 5 years, the rates of death or disabling stroke were similar (TAVR, 31.3% vs surgery, 30.8%; hazard ratio, 1.02 [95% CI, 0.85-1.22]; P = .85). Transprosthetic gradients remained lower (mean [SD], 8.6 [5.5] mm Hg vs 11.2 [6.0] mm Hg; P &amp;lt; .001) and aortic valve areas were higher (mean [SD], 2.2 [0.7] cm 2 vs 1.8 [0.6] cm 2 ; P &amp;lt; .001) with TAVR vs surgery. More patients had moderate/severe paravalvular leak with TAVR than surgery (11 [3.0%] vs 2 [0.7%]; risk difference, 2.37% [95% CI, 0.17%- 4.85%]; P = .05). New pacemaker implantation rates were higher for TAVR than surgery at 5 years (289 [39.1%] vs 94 [15.1%]; hazard ratio, 3.30 [95% CI, 2.61-4.17]; log-rank P &amp;lt; .001), as were valve reintervention rates (27 [3.5%] vs 11 [1.9%]; hazard ratio, 2.21 [95% CI, 1.10-4.45]; log-rank P = .02), although between 2 and 5 years only 6 patients who underwent TAVR and 7 who underwent surgery required a reintervention. Conclusions and Relevance Among intermediate-risk patients with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis, major clinical outcomes at 5 years were similar for TAVR and surgery. TAVR was associated with superior hemodynamic valve performance but also with more paravalvular leak and valve reinterventions.

Background and Objectives: Knowledge of the incidence and time frames of the adverse events of patients presenting syncope at the ED is essential for developing effective management strategies. The aim of the present study was to perform a meta-analysis of the incidence and time frames of adverse events of syncope patients. Materials and Methods: We combined individual patients’ data from prospective observational studies including adult patients who presented syncope at the ED. We assessed the pooled rate of adverse events at 24 h, 72 h, 7–10 days, 1 month and 1 year after ED evaluation. Results: We included nine studies that enrolled 12,269 patients. The mean age varied between 53 and 73 years, with 42% to 57% females. The pooled rate of adverse events was 5.1% (95% CI 3.4% to 7.7%) at 24 h, 7.0% (95% CI 4.9% to 9.9%) at 72 h, 8.4% (95% CI 6.2% to 11.3%) at 7–10 days, 10.3% (95% CI 7.8% to 13.3%) at 1 month and 21.3% (95% CI 15.8% to 28.0%) at 1 year. The pooled death rate was 0.2% (95% CI 0.1% to 0.5%) at 24 h, 0.3% (95% CI 0.1% to 0.7%) at 72 h, 0.5% (95% CI 0.3% to 0.9%) at 7–10 days, 1% (95% CI 0.6% to 1.7%) at 1 month and 5.9% (95% CI 4.5% to 7.7%) at 1 year. The most common adverse event was arrhythmia, for which its rate was 3.1% (95% CI 2.0% to 4.9%) at 24 h, 4.8% (95% CI 3.5% to 6.7%) at 72 h, 5.8% (95% CI 4.2% to 7.9%) at 7–10 days, 6.9% (95% CI 5.3% to 9.1%) at 1 month and 9.9% (95% CI 5.5% to 17) at 1 year. Ventricular arrhythmia was rare. Conclusions: The risk of death or life-threatening adverse event is rare in patients presenting syncope at the ED. The most common adverse events are brady and supraventricular arrhythmias, which occur during the first 3 days. Prolonged ECG monitoring in the ED in a short stay unit with ECG monitoring facilities may, therefore, be beneficial.

While clinical status at the time of ventricular assist device (VAD) implant can negatively affect outcomes, it is unclear if early improvement after implant can have a positive effect. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to describe the clinical status of pediatric patients supported with a VAD and determine the impact of clinical status on the 1-month follow-up form on survival and ability to discharge. This was a retrospective analysis of data collected prospectively by the Pediatric Interagency Registry for Mechanical Circulatory Support Registry (Pedimacs) Registry. The Pedimacs database was queried for patients implanted between September 19, 2012, and September 30, 2019, who were alive on VAD support at 1-month postimplant on either a paracorporeal pulsatile or intracorporeal continuous device. Four factors on the 1-month follow-up were the focus of this study: mechanical ventilation, supplemental nutritional support, inotropic support, and ambulatory status. These factors were regarded as present if detected between 1-week and 1-month postimplant and were analyzed to determine their impact on survival following 1 month of VAD support and on successful discharge from hospital in patients with implantable continuous-flow devices. The eligible study cohort consisted of 414 patients with a mean age of 9.6 ± 6.2 years, weight of 40.8 ± 32.3 kg with the majority being male (56.7%) and having cardiomyopathy (68%). An isolated left ventricular assist device (LVAD) was the most common implant (85.5%). At implant, 40% were ventilated, 57% required nutritional support, 93% were on inotropes, and 58% were nonambulating. On the 1-month postimplant form, there were significant improvements in all four categories (14% ventilator support, 46% nutritional support, 53% on inotropes, and 25% nonambulating). However, there was no significant early change in the percentage of patients requiring supplemental nutrition in the paracorporeal pulsatile devices (88% vs. 82%; p = 0.2). Presence of these clinical parameters in early follow-up postimplant had a significant negative impact on survival and on the ability of patients with continuous-flow devices to be discharged. Presence of four specific clinical parameters early after VAD placement is associated with worse overall survival and an inability to discharge patients on VAD support. Ongoing work is needed for optimization of patients before implant and aggressive rehabilitation after implant to help improve long-term outcomes.

Background: The Asp358Ala variant (rs2228145; A>C) in the IL (interleukin)-6 receptor ( IL6R ) gene has been implicated in the development of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs), but its effect on AAA growth over time is not known. We aimed to investigate the clinical association between the IL6R -Asp358Ala variant and AAA growth and to assess the effect of blocking the IL-6 signaling pathway in mouse models of aortic aneurysm rupture or dissection. Methods: Using data from 2863 participants with AAA from 9 prospective cohorts, age- and sex-adjusted mixed-effects linear regression models were used to estimate the association between the IL6R -Asp358Ala variant and annual change in AAA diameter (mm/y). In a series of complementary randomized trials in mice, the effect of blocking the IL-6 signaling pathways was assessed on plasma biomarkers, systolic blood pressure, aneurysm diameter, and time to aortic rupture and death. Results: After adjusting for age and sex, baseline aneurysm size was 0.55 mm (95% CI, 0.13–0.98 mm) smaller per copy of the minor allele [C] of the Asp358Ala variant. Change in AAA growth was −0.06 mm per year (−0.18 to 0.06) per copy of the minor allele; a result that was not statistically significant. Although all available worldwide data were used, the genetic analyses were not powered for an effect size as small as that observed. In 2 mouse models of AAA, selective blockage of the IL-6 trans-signaling pathway, but not combined blockage of both, the classical and trans-signaling pathways, was associated with improved survival ( P <0.05). Conclusions: Our proof-of-principle data are compatible with the concept that IL-6 trans-signaling is relevant to AAA growth, encouraging larger-scale evaluation of this hypothesis.

The aims of this study were (1) to identify research publications studying noninvasive electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring devices, (2) to define and categorize current technology in noninvasive ECG recording, and (3) to discuss desirable noninvasive recording features for personalized syncope evaluation to guide technological advancement and future studies. We performed a systematic review of the literature that assessed noninvasive ECG-monitoring devices, regardless of the reason for monitoring. We performed an Internet search and corresponded with syncope experts and companies to help identify further eligible products. We extracted information about included studies and device features. We found 173 relevant papers. The main reasons for ECG monitoring were atrial fibrillation (n = 45), coronary artery disease (n = 10), syncope (n = 8), palpitations (n = 8), other cardiac diseases (n = 67), and technological aspects of monitoring (n = 35). We identified 198 devices: 5 hospital telemetry devices, 12 patches, 46 event recorders, 70 Holter monitors, 23 external loop recorders, 20 mobile cardiac outpatient telemetries, and 22 multifunctional devices. The features of each device were very heterogeneous. There are a large number of ECG-monitoring devices with different features available in the market. Our findings may help clinicians select the appropriate device for their patients. Since there are only a few published articles analyzing their usefulness in syncope patients, further research might improve their use in this clinical setting.

The PREVENtion of HeartMate II pump Thrombosis through clinical management (PREVENT) study was a multicenter, prospective investigation to evaluate the rate of pump thrombosis (PT) with adoption of a uniform set of surgical and medical practices for left ventricular assist device implantation. We sought to quantify pump position at baseline and retrospectively define a pump position associated with poor clinical outcomes. Chest x-rays at baseline were prospectively obtained per protocol. Pump pocket depth, inflow cannula (IC) angle relative to the pump, and IC angle relative to the vertical were measured. Pumps falling in the tail-ends of the IC angle and pump pocket depth distributions were categorized as having an extreme pump position within the PREVENT study. Patients with extreme pump position had a significantly higher risk of confirmed and suspected PT, hemolysis, and elevated lactate dehydrogenase. In a multivariable analysis of survival free of confirmed PT, extreme pump position was an independent risk factor (hazard ratio = 3.6; 95% confidence interval = 1.5–8.9; p = 0.006) when adjusting for differences in pump speed and anticoagulation level. Our analysis shows that HeartMate II pump position at implant can significantly impact event-free survival and the incidence of adverse events at 6 months.

AbstractObjectivesThe objective was to develop a patient decision aid (DA) to promote shared decision making (SDM) for stable, alert patients who present to the emergency department (ED) with syncope.MethodsUsing input from patients, clinicians, and experts in the field of syncope, health care design, and SDM, we created a prototype of a paper‐based DA to engage patients in the disposition decision (admission vs. discharge) after an unremarkable ED evaluation for syncope. In phase 1, we conducted one‐on‐one semistructured exploratory interviews with 10 emergency physicians and 10 ED syncope patients. In phase 2, we conducted one‐on‐one directed interviews with 15 emergency care clinicians, five cardiologists, and 12 ED syncope patients to get detailed feedback on DA content and design. We iteratively modified the aid using feedback from each interviewee until clarity and usability had been optimized.ResultsThe 11 × 17‐inch, paper‐based DA, titled SynDA, includes four sections: 1) explanation of syncope, 2) explanation of future risks, 3) personalized 30‐day risk estimate, and 4) disposition options. The personalized risk estimate is calculated using a recently published syncope risk‐stratification tool. This risk estimate is stated in natural frequency and graphically displayed using a 100‐person color‐coded pictogram. Patient‐oriented questions are included to stimulate dialogue between patient and clinician. At the end of the development process, patient and physician participants expressed satisfaction with the clarity and usability of the DA.ConclusionsWe iteratively developed an evidence‐based DA to facilitate SDM for alert syncope patients after an unremarkable ED evaluation. Further testing is required to determine its effects on patient care. This DA has the potential to improve care for syncope patients and promote patient‐centered care in emergency medicine.