Published in
The Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation
Background We aimed to identify combinations of biomarkers to enhance the definition of primary graft dysfunction (PGD) for translational research. Methods Biomarkers reflecting lung epithelial injury (soluble receptor for advance glycation end products [sRAGE] and surfactant protein-D [SP-D]), coagulation cascade (plasminogen activator inhibitor-1...
Published in
The Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation
Background Despite positive associations with rejection, the clinical value of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) monitoring in heart transplant recipients has not been established. We sought to determine the predictive value of changes in serial BNP level for identifying patients with acute allograft rejection. Methods BNP, hemodynamics and biopsies...
Published in
The Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation
Background Cardiac extracellular matrix (ECM) is a dynamic and metabolically active collagenous network that responds to mechanical strain. The association between ECM turnover and right ventricular failure (RVF) development after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation in patients with advanced heart failure (HF) was investigated. Metho...
Published in
The Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation
Background Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with bare-metal stenting (BMS) has been reported to be associated with high rates of target-lesion revascularization (TLR) in heart transplant recipients. We aimed to assess the outcome of successful PCI with BMS or drug-eluting stenting (DES) in such patients. Methods Ninety-four consecutive hear...
Published in
The Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation
Background As left ventricular assist device (LVAD) support duration increases, quality of life (QoL) becomes a concern. We reviewed the QoL in patients on LVAD support for ≥1 year. Methods We retrospectively reviewed our prospective database for patients supported ≥1 year by HeartMate pulsatile- (HM1) or continuous-flow (HM2) LVADs from 2000 to 20...
Published in
The Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation
Background Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections in lung transplant recipients (LTRs) have been associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Immunoglobulins, ribavirin, and palivizumab are suggested treatments for both pre-emptive and therapeutic purposes. However, in the absence of randomized, placebo-controlled trials, efficacy is ...
Published in
The Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation
Cardiac cachexia, associated with excessive activation of the sympathetic nervous system together with immune activation, is an important prognostic indicator in heart failure. Anecdotally, the prevalence of cardiac cachexia appears to be falling, perhaps due to the increased use of beta-blockers. However, chronic heart failure is so common that ma...
Published in
The Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation
In this study we present a series of 5 cases that developed constrictive pericarditis after orthotopic heart transplantation. All 5 patients had pericardial effusion of non-infectious etiology in the early post-transplant period. They subsequently presented with heart failure unresponsive to standard medical management. The diagnosis was made by co...
Published in
The Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation
Background Identification of modifiable psychosocial characteristics related to survival of heart transplant (HTx) candidates is needed to prevent clinical deterioration and improve prognosis. Methods A multi-site, prospective study was conducted with 318 HTx candidates (18% female, 82% male; 53 ± 11 years of age) newly listed at 17 hospitals in Ge...
Published in
The Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation
Background The prognostic impact of pulmonary hypertension (PH) before and after heart transplantation (HTx) is debated. We investigated: (i) the significance of pre-operative reversible PH on post-operative survival; (ii) the value of recatheterization while on the waiting list; (iii) the evolution of right heart hemodynamics (RHH) after HTx; and ...
