ABSTRACT
Durable mechanical circulatory support (MCS) systems are established therapy option in patients with end-stage heart failure, with increasing importance during the last years due to donor organ shortage. Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) are traditionally implanted through median sternotomy (MS). However, improvement in the pump designs during the last years led to evolvement of new surgical approaches that aim to reduce the invasiveness of the procedure. Numerous reports and studies have shown the viability and possible advantages of less-invasive approach compared to the sternotomy approach. The less invasive implant strategies for LVADs, while vague in definition, are characterized by minimizing surgical trauma and if possible, cardio-pulmonary bypass related complications. Usually it involves minimizing or completely avoiding sternal trauma, avoiding heart luxation while simultaneously leaving the major part of pericardium intact. There is no consensus between the centers regarding the ideal approach for LVAD implantation. Some centers, like our center, perform by default VAD implantation using less invasive approach in almost all patients and some centers use only sternotomy approach. The aim of this review article is to shed light on the currently available less invasive options of LVAD implantation, with particular focus on the centrifugal pumps, and their possible advantages compared to traditional sternotomy approach.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Our study aim was to evaluate the impact of left subclavian artery (LSA) flow preservation during thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) on outcome. METHODS: Between August 2001 and October 2016, 176 patients (mean age, 61.3 ± 15.8 years) underwent TEVAR with complete LSA coverage. Fifty-five of those patients (31.3%) also underwent LSA revascularization, whereas 121 patients (68.7%) did not. Perioperative data were acquired retrospectively for statistical analysis at the three study institutions. RESULTS: Overall in-hospital and follow-up mortality was 8.5% (n = 15) and 9.1% (n = 16), respectively, including 88 urgent and emergent cases (50%). Stroke (independent of location) and permanent paraplegia rates were 6.8% and 6.3%, respectively, for the entire cohort. Isolated upper-left extremity malperfusion exclusively occurred in 12 (9.9%) of the 121 patients without LSA revascularization. Left-hemispheric stroke was observed four times more often in patients without LSA revascularization and left arm malperfusion (16.7% versus 3.7%, p = 0.095). Multivariate analysis identified no LSA revascularization (odds ratio [OR] 3.779, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.096 to 13.029, p = 0.035), two or more endografts (OR 3.814, 95% CI: 1.557 to 9.343, p = 0.003), and coronary artery disease (OR 3.276, 95% CI: 1.262 to 8.507, p = 0.015) as independent risk factors for procedure-related adverse events (left-hemispheric stroke, left arm malperfusion, and permanent paraplegia) after TEVAR with complete LSA overstenting. CONCLUSIONS: Every 10th patient with LSA overstenting and no revascularization experienced left arm malperfusion. No LSA revascularization, extensive aortic coverage with two or more endografts, and coronary artery disease increased the risk of permanent paraplegia, left-hemispheric stroke, and left arm malperfusion. Patients should undergo LSA revascularization to prevent left vertebral artery-associated central neurologic complications and to maintain upper-left extremity perfusion.
