Experiencia clínica con 53 trasplantes cardiacos consecutivos / Clinical experience with 53 consecutive heart transplants

Introduction: Heart transplantation is the therapy of choice for advance heart failure. Our group developed two transplant programs at Instituto Nacional del Tórax and Clínica Dávila. We report our clinical experience based on distinctive clinical policies. Patients and Methods: Fifty-three consecutive patients were transplanted between November 2008 and April 2013, representing 51% of all Chilean cases. Distinctive clinical policies include intensive donor management, generic immunosuppression and VAD (ventricular assist devices) insertion. Results: Ischemic or dilated cardiomyopathy were the main indications (23 (43%) each), age 48 ± 13 years and 48 (91%) were male. Transplant listing Status: IA 14 (26%) (VAD or 2 inotropes), IB 14 (26%) (1 inotrope) and II25 (47%) (no inotrope). Mean waiting time 70 ± 83 days. Twelve (24%) were transplanted during VAD support (median support: 36 days). Operative technique: orthotopic bicaval transplant with ischemia time: 175 ± 54 min. Operative mortality: 3 (6%), all due to right ventricular failure. Re-exploration for bleeding 2 (4%), stroke 3 (6%), mediastinitis 0 (0%), pneumonia 4 (8%), and transient dialysis 6 (11%). Mean follow-up was 21 ± 14 months. Three-year survival was 86 ± 6%. One patient died of Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia and the other died suddenly (non-compliance). Freedom from rejection requiring specific therapy was 80 ± 7% at 3 years of follow-up. Four hundred eighty four endomyocardial biopsies were done: 11 (2.3%) had 2R rejection. All survivors are in NYHA (New York Heart Association) functional class I and all but one have normal biventricular function. Conclusion: Mid-term results are similar to those reported by the registry of the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation. This experience has a higher proportion of VAD support than previous national series. Rejection rates are low in spite of generic immunosuppression.

Percutaneous left ventricular assist device in ischemic cardiac arrest: an experimental study in a porcine model

We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a percutaneous left ventricular assist device [LVAD] during ischemic cardiac arrest without simultaneous chest compressions and to assess effects of intensified volume loading. 16 domestic pigs of either sex were randomized to conventional or intensive fluid with LVAD support during ventricular fibrillation [VF]. After randomization for fluid infusion, VF was induced by balloon occlusion of the proximal left anterior descending artery. LVAD and fluid was started after VF had been induced. Brain, kidney, myocardial tissue perfusion, and cardiac index, were measured with microspheres injection technique at baseline, 3, and 15 minutes. Additional hemodynamic monitoring continued until 30 minutes. Mean cardiac index at 3 minutes of VF was 1.2 L/min/m[2] [28% of baseline, P=0.0001]. Mean perfusion at 3 minutes was 65% [P=0.008] in the brain and 74% in the myocardium [P=0.001], compared to baseline and remained unchanged during the initial 15 minutes. At 30 minutes LVAD function was sustained in all animals assigned to intensified fluid versus only 3 animals assigned to conventional fluid [P = 0.026]. During VF a percutaneous LVAD may sustain vital organ perfusion. Intensified fluid loading was associated with prolonged LVAD performance. A potential clinical role of the device during cardiac arrest and coronary revascularization has yet to be established

Utilización de la Bio-Pump en el tratamiento quirúrgico del aneurisma de aorta tipo "B" / Use of Bio-Pump in surgical treatment of aortic aneurysm type \"B\"

Entre agosto de 1989 y octubre de 1990, se operaron 5 pacientes portadores de aneurismas disecante crónico de la aorta descendente (ADCAD), en los que se usó una derivación arterio-arterial con interposición de una bomba centrífuga durante la oclusión aórtica. Población. Sexo masculino: n=4, femenino: n=1, edad media 58,2 años (44-67). Diagnóstico positivo por clínica, tomografía y angiografía de ADCAD tipo B de Stanford. En todos los casos se abordó por toracotomía posterolateral izquierda, cuarto espacio intercostal. Se realizó canulación cayado aórtico-femoral n=4 y aurícula izquierda-femoral n=1, con interposición de una bomba centrífuga que mantuvo un flujo aproximado de 2.000 cc/min durante la oclusión aórtica. Tiempo de clampeo aórtico media 45,6' (30-78). No se requirió heparinización. Se usó una técnica de autotransfusión. Los procedimientos fueron: resección e injerto con prótesis tubular: 3, aortoplastía: 1, endoneurismorrafía: 1. No hubo complicaciones ni mortalidad hospitalaria. El tiempo de internación fue de n=5: media 11,6 días (9-12). Se concluye que la autorregulación del sistema, con disminución de post-carga del ventrículo izquierdo, permite un fácil manejo hemodinámico durante el procedimiento. La ausencia de heparinización facilita una correcta hemostasia. Estas ventajas contribuyeron en éste número limitado de casos a obtener ausencia de morbimortalidad con un corto período de hospitalización

Asistencia ventricular derecha / Right ventricular assistance

La asistencia ventricular derecha (AVD) con un impulsor a rodillo fue utilizada en 4 pacientes sometidos a cirugía cardíaca con procedimientos valvulares y coronarios, que no podían ser desafectados de la circulación extracorpórea. El tiempo de la AVD alcanzó un promedio de 301 minutos, utilizándose flujos de 2,5 a 3 l/min. Los pacientes en su totalidad fueron desafectados satisfactoriamente de la asistencia, presentando actualmente una sobrevida alejada que abarca desde los 14 a los 63 meses (promedio: 37 meses/paciente). Se considera que éste procedimiento es un recurso válido a utilizar en pacientes con disfunción severa del ventrículo derecho que no responden al tratamiento convencional