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Ann Thorac Surg 2020 Jul 4. Epub 2020 Jul 4.

Department of Cardiac Surgery, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia; Heart Research, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia. Electronic address:

Background: Outcomes of tricuspid valve repair in single ventricle palliation are poor. We sought to identify the impact of repair technique and primary mechanisms of regurgitation on outcomes following surgery.

Methods: A retrospective review of medical records across four centres undertaking single ventricle palliation in Australia and New Zealand was performed. Read More

Transpl Infect Dis 2020 Jul 7:e13402. Epub 2020 Jul 7.

Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, USA.

Background: Despite increased utilization of hepatitis C virus infected (HCV+) organs for transplantation into HCV-uninfected recipients, there is lack of standardization in HCV-related patient education/consent and limited data on financial and social impact on patients.

Methods: We conducted a survey on patients with donor-derived HCV infection at our center transplanted between 4/1/2017-11/1/2019 to assess: why patients chose to accept HCV+ organ(s), the adequacy of their pre-transplant HCV education and informed consent process, financial issues related to copays after discharge, and social challenges they faced.

Results: Among 49 patients surveyed, transplanted organs included heart (n=19), lung (n=9), kidney (n=11), liver (n=4), heart/kidney (n=4) and liver/kidney (n=2). Read More

Clin Transplant 2020 Jul 7:e14029. Epub 2020 Jul 7.

Cedars-Sinai Smidt Heart Institute, 127 S San Vicente Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, United States.

As the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic continues to unfold, the number of heart transplants completed in the United States has been declining steadily. The current case series examines the immediate short-term outcomes of 7 heart transplant recipients transplanted during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. We hope to illustrate that with proper preparation, planning, and testing, heart transplantation can be continued during a pandemic. Read More

Clin Transplant 2020 Jul 6:e14030. Epub 2020 Jul 6.

Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY, USA.

We conducted a retrospective review of thoracic transplant recipients (22 heart and 16 lung transplant recipients) prospectively enrolled in a single-center observational study of HCV NAT+ organ transplantation in HCV NAT- recipients. All recipients were treated with 8 weeks of glecaprevir-pibrentasvir (GP) for HCV viremia in addition to standard triple immunosuppression post-transplant. Thoracic transplant recipients of HCV NAT- organs were used as a control (24 heart and 22 lung transplant recipients). Read More

Transl Gastroenterol Hepatol 2020 5;5:36. Epub 2020 Jul 5.

University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA.

Along with the obesity epidemic there has been a major increase in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) prevalence, paralleling a steady increase in cirrhosis of the liver and hepatocellular cancer (HCC) related to NAFLD. Currently, NAFLD (related HCC and cirrhosis) is the second most common cause for liver transplantation (LT) and it is projected to take the top spot in the next 3-5 years. Patients with NAFLD cirrhosis and HCC have a unique set of comorbidities which potentially increases their risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and mortality. Read More

Cardiorenal Med 2020 Jul 6:1-7. Epub 2020 Jul 6.

Department of Nephrology, Arterial Hypertension, Dialysis, and Transplantation, University Hospital Center Zagreb, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia.

Background: Data on the cardiorenal syndrome (CRS) in renal transplant recipients (RTR) are scarce. We investigated the prevalence, clinical presentation, treatment, and outcomes of patients with CRS in our renal transplant cohort.

Methods: Charts and medical records of adult RTR were investigated to identify patients with renal allograft dysfunction and heart failure (HF) with reduced (HFrEF) or preserved (HFpEF) ejection fraction. Read More

EBioMedicine 2020 Jul 3;57:102862. Epub 2020 Jul 3.

Reference and Translation Center for Cardiac Stem Cell Therapy, Department Life, Light and Matter and Department of cardiac surgery, University Medicine Rostock, Schillingallee 35, 18055 Rostock, Germany. Electronic address:

Background: Bone marrow stem cell clonal dysfunction by somatic mutation is suspected to affect post-infarction myocardial regeneration after coronary bypass surgery (CABG).

Methods: Transcriptome and variant expression analysis was studied in the phase 3 PERFECT trial post myocardial infarction CABG and CD133 bone marrow derived hematopoetic stem cells showing difference in left ventricular ejection fraction (∆LVEF) myocardial regeneration Responders (n=14; ∆LVEF +16% day 180/0) and Non-responders (n=9; ∆LVEF -1.1% day 180/0). Read More

Future Cardiol 2020 Jul 6. Epub 2020 Jul 6.

Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305-5407, USA.

Orthotopic heart transplantation is the gold standard treatment for end-stage heart failure. However, the persistent shortage of available donor organs has resulted in an ever-increasing waitlist and longer waiting periods for transplantation. On the contrary, increasing the number of heart transplants by preserving extended criteria donors and donation after circulatory death hearts with the Organ Care System™ (OCS) Heart System has the potential to provide the gold standard, life-saving treatment to patients with end-stage heart failure. Read More

ESC Heart Fail 2020 Jul 6. Epub 2020 Jul 6.

Department of Surgery, Division of Cardiac Surgery, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, New Brunswick, NJ, USA.

Aims: This study investigated outcomes after continuous flow left ventricular assist device (CF-LVAD) implantation as bridge to heart transplantation (BTT) in advanced heart failure patients stratified by race.

Methods And Results: De-identified data from the United Network for Organ Sharing database was obtained for all patients who had a CF-LVAD as BTT from 2008 to 2018. Patients were stratified into four groups on the basis of ethnicity [Caucasian, African American (AA), Hispanic, and others (Asian, Pacific Islanders, and American Indian)]. Read More

Pacing Clin Electrophysiol 2020 Jul 5. Epub 2020 Jul 5.

Univ Rennes, CHU Rennes, INSERM, LTSI - UMR 1099, Rennes, F-35000, France.

Background: Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) lead dysfunction have been reported after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation in limited single-center studies. We aimed to describe and characterize the incidence of ICD lead parameters dysfunction after LVAD implantation.

Methods: Among the 652 patients enrolled in the ASSIST-ICD study, only patients with an ICD prior to LVAD were included (n = 401). Read More

Front Physiol 2020 17;11:673. Epub 2020 Jun 17.

Institute for Molecular Cardiovascular Research (IMCAR), University Hospital, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany.

Atherogenesis and arterial remodeling following mechanical injury are driven by inflammation and mononuclear cell infiltration. The binding of immune complexes (ICs) to immunoglobulin (Ig)-Fc gamma receptors (FcγRs) on most innate and adaptive immune cells induces a variety of inflammatory responses that promote atherogenesis. Here, we studied the role of FcγRIII in neointima formation after arterial injury in atherosclerosis-prone mice and compared the outcome and mechanism to that of FcγRIII in diet-induced "chronic" atherosclerosis. Read More

Clin Transplant 2020 Jul 5:e14028. Epub 2020 Jul 5.

Center for Advanced Cardiac Care, Division of Cardiology, Columbia College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, NY, USA.

Light-chain (AL) cardiac amyloidosis (CA) has a worse prognosis than transthyretin (ATTR) CA. In this single-center study, we compared post heart transplant (OHT) survival for AL and ATTR amyloidosis, hypothesizing that these differences would persist post-OHT. Thirty-nine patients with CA (AL, n=18; ATTR, n=21) and 1,023 non-amyloidosis subjects undergoing OHT were included. Read More

Allergy 2020 Jul 4. Epub 2020 Jul 4.

Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A Gemelli" - IRCCS, University of the Sacred Heart. Rome, Italy.

Millions of people of all ages suffer from chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs), including asthma, respiratory allergies and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. To date, although significant advances have been made in terms of treatment, end-stage CRDs still remains one of the most frequent causes of death worldwide with a death rate that has been increasing over the past few years. Lung transplantation is the only therapeutic option when other treatments fail. Read More

Cardiovasc Drugs Ther 2020 Jul 4. Epub 2020 Jul 4.

Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan.

Purpose: Chronic rejection induces the occurrence of orthotopic allograft transplantation (OAT) vasculopathy, which results in failure of the donor organ. Numerous studies have demonstrated that in addition to regulating blood sugar homeostasis, dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors can also provide efficacious therapeutic and protective effects against cardiovascular diseases. However, their effects on OAT-induced vasculopathy remain unknown. Read More

Ann Thorac Surg 2020 Jul 2. Epub 2020 Jul 2.

Division of Cardiac Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA. Electronic address:

Background: Although frailty has been previously shown to negatively influence post-operative outcomes, frailty measurements remain undefined and underutilized for patients undergoing orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT). This study aims to derive and validate an OHT frailty screening tool.

Methods: The UNOS database was queried for adults undergoing OHT between 2000 and 2018. Read More

J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2020 Apr 21. Epub 2020 Apr 21.

Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Heart, Vascular and Thoracic Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio; Transplant Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio; Department of Inflammation and Immunity, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio. Electronic address:

Objectives: To (1) determine outcomes after urgent listing compared with elective listing for lung transplant and (2) compare in-hospital morbidity and mortality, survival, and allograft function in these 2 groups.

Methods: From January 2006 to September 2017, 201 patients were urgently and 1423 electively listed. Among urgently listed patients, 130 subsequently underwent primary lung transplant as did 995 electively listed patients. Read More

Semin Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2020 Jul 1. Epub 2020 Jul 1.

Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY.

Thoracic organs from Hepatitis C virus (HCV) positive donors are not commonly used for transplantation. The development of direct-acting antivirals (DAA) for HCV treatment has led to renewed interest in using HCV-positive organs. We evaluated HCV transmission rates, viremia clearance, and short-term outcomes in HCV-negative patients who received HCV-positive thoracic organs at our institution. Read More

Nephrology (Carlton) 2020 Jul 3. Epub 2020 Jul 3.

Department of Nephrology Dialysis and Transplantation, San Bortolo Hospital, Vicenza, Italy.

Aim: Reduced treatment compliance in patients with peritoneal dialysis facilitates the development of fluid overload and as a result increased blood pressure and vascular stiffness in the long term. We aimed to evaluate blood pressure change and antihypertensive needs of patients within one year after changeover to remote monitoring automated peritoneal dialysis (RM-APD) and compare the effect of RM-APD and continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) on peripheral and central hemodynamic parameters, volume status of patients and antihypertensive drug needs.

Methods: This was an observational and cross-sectional study. Read More

Transplant Proc 2020 Jun 30. Epub 2020 Jun 30.

School of Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Professor Alfredo Balena Avenue, 190, 30.130-100, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil; University Hospital of the Federal University of Minas Gerais, Professor Alfredo Balena Avenue, 110, 30.130-100, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Background: Heart transplantation (HT) is the treatment for patients with end-stage heart failure (HF). It is hoped that the procedure increases both survival rates and the level of health-related quality of life (HRQoL), which may, however, be compromised by post-transplant complications. The objective of this study was to analyze the level of HRQoL in HT recipients and considered the influence of variables from social and clinical contexts. Read More

Mol Aspects Med 2020 Jul 1:100868. Epub 2020 Jul 1.

University of Leipzig Medical Center, Medical Department I - Hematology and Cell Therapy, Hemostaseology, Germany.

Systemic iron overload (SIO) is a common challenge in patients with hematological diseases and develops as a result of ineffective erythropoiesis, multiple red blood cell (RBC) transfusions and disease-specific therapies. Iron homeostasis is tightly regulated as there is no physiological pathway to excrete iron from the body. Excess iron is, therefore, stored in tissues like liver, heart and bone marrow and can lead to progressive organ damage. Read More

Curr Opin Organ Transplant 2020 Jun 30. Epub 2020 Jun 30.

Department of Surgery, Division of Hepatobiliary, Pancreas, and Abdominal Organ Transplant, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA.

Purpose Of Review: In the United States, the leading indication for kidney transplant is primary kidney dysfunction arising from chronic hypertension and diabetes. However, an increasing indication for kidney transplantation is secondary kidney dysfunction in the setting of another severe organ dysfunction, including pancreas, liver, heart, and lung disease. In these settings, multiorgan transplantation is now commonly performed. Read More

Int J Technol Assess Health Care 2020 Jun 18:1-8. Epub 2020 Jun 18.

Pharmacy Department, Georges Pompidou European Hospital, AP-HP, 20 Rue Leblanc, 75015Paris, France.

Objective: Because of a lack of suitable heart donors, alternatives to transplantation are required. These alternatives can have high costs. The aim of this study was to perform a systematic review of cost-effectiveness studies of ventricular assist devices (VADs) and to assess the level of evidence of relevant studies. Read More

G Ital Dermatol Venereol 2020 Jul 2. Epub 2020 Jul 2.

Department of Medical-Surgical Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Milan, Italy -

Pyogenic arthritis, pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) and acne (PAPA) syndrome is an autosomal dominant autoinflammatory syndrome due to mutations in proline-serine-threonine phosphatase interacting protein 1 (PSTPIP1) gene and presenting with cutaneous and articular manifestations. Other autoinflammatory syndromes caused by mutations in PSTPIP1 gene or characterized by clinical findings overlapping with those found in PAPA syndrome have been recently included in the group of PAPA spectrum disorders. These disorders are PASH (PG, acne and hidradenitis suppurativa [HS]), PAPASH (PASH associated with pyogenic sterile arthritis), PsAPASH (PASH combined with psoriatic arthritis [PsA], PASS (PG, acne, ankylosing spondylitis, with or without HS), PAC (PG, acne and ulcerative colitis [UC]) and PAMI syndrome (PSTPIP1-associated myeloid-related-proteinemia inflammatory syndrome). Read More

Eur Heart J Case Rep 2020 Jun 3;4(3):1-4. Epub 2020 May 3.

Department of Transplant Institute, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, SE-413 25, Gothenburg, Sweden.

Background: Haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is an uncommon but serious systemic inflammatory response with high mortality rates. It can be triggered by malignancy or infectious agents, often in the context of immunosuppression. Literature covering HLH in heart transplantation (HTx) is scarce. Read More

Eur Heart J Case Rep 2020 Jun 1;4(3):1-5. Epub 2020 Jun 1.

Cardiology Department, Reims University Hospital, Avenue du Général Koenig, 51092 Reims, France.

Background: Endomyocardial fibrosis (EMF) is a rare cause of restrictive cardiomyopathy, mainly found in tropical/subtropical country. Endomyocardial fibrosis causes severe congestive symptoms and may lead to end-stage heart failure.

Case Summary: A French Caucasian 44-year-old man without noticeable medical history and who had never travelled outside of France was hospitalized for a first episode of acute heart failure revealing an atypical appearance of the left ventricle. Read More

PLoS One 2020 2;15(7):e0234931. Epub 2020 Jul 2.

Department of Nephrology and Transplantation Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, Wrocław, Poland.

Background: Arteriovenous fistulas (AVF) are a source of various complications. Among previously hemodialyzed kidney transplant recipients (KTxR), the AVF may persist over time. The patients' decisions whether to ligate the functioning AVF may be prompted by many factors. Read More

Hum Vaccin Immunother 2020 Jul 2:1-8. Epub 2020 Jul 2.

Leuven University Vaccinology Center , Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.

Upon exposure to vaccine-preventable diseases, certain individuals are at increased risk for complications due to preexisting diseases, age or immunosuppressive treatment. Vaccination against influenza, pneumococcal disease and hepatitis B (for some groups) is advised in addition to standard vaccination against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis. We estimated the vaccination coverage and determinants of recommended vaccinations in patients with diabetes mellitus type 1 (n = 173) and type 2 (n = 177), chronic kidney disease (CKD) (n = 138), heart failure (n = 200), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (n = 187), HIV (n = 201) or solid organ transplantation (SOT) (n = 201) in a monocentric study. Read More

Front Immunol 2020 16;11:1392. Epub 2020 Jun 16.

Department of Kidney Transplantation, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China.

Since December 2019, the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has significantly affected solid organ transplantation (SOT) worldwide and has become a threat to the lives of SOT recipients. Here, we have reviewed, condensed, and organized the available information on COVID-19 to provide recommendations to transplant healthcare workers. Our review of reported cases shows that the symptoms of SOT patients with COVID-19 are similar to those of the normal population, but their severity and outcomes are worse. Read More

Sci Rep 2020 Jul 1;10(1):10752. Epub 2020 Jul 1.

Lifelab Program, Consorzio Per La Ricerca Sanitaria-CORIS, Veneto Region, Via Giustiniani 2, 35128, Padua, Italy.

Chronological age represents the main factor in donor selection criteria for organ transplantation, however aging is very heterogeneous. Defining the biological aging of individual organs may contribute to supporting this process. In this study we examined the biological age of the heart [right (RA)/left atrium (LA)] and peripheral blood leucocytes in the same subject, and compared these to assess whether blood mirrors cardiac biological aging. Read More

Sci Rep 2020 Jul 1;10(1):10709. Epub 2020 Jul 1.

University of Maryland School of Medicine, Department of Surgery, Baltimore, MD, USA.

Heterotopic cardiac transplantation in the intra-abdominal position in a large animal model has been essential in the progression of the field of cardiac transplantation. Our group has over 10 years of experience in cardiac xenotransplantation with pig to baboon models, the longest xenograft of which survived over 900 days, with rejection only after reducing immunosuppression. This article aims to clarify our approach to this model in order to allow others to share success in long-term survival. Read More

Int J Cardiol 2020 Apr 11. Epub 2020 Apr 11.

Heart Failure Unit, Cardiology Department, Polichirurgico Hospital G. Da Saliceto, Piacenza, Italy.

Background: The advent of beta-blockers (BBs) has revolutionized the treatment of heart failure due to left ventricular dysfunction (HFrEF), as these drugs increase survival and reduce hospitalization without a significant impact on exercise tolerance. In this new prognostic scenario, the predictive role of cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) has been questioned.

Aim: To evaluate the predictive value of CPET and "traditional" derived and calculated risk parameters in HFrEF patients on BBs. Read More

J Am Heart Assoc 2020 Jul 2;9(13):e014811. Epub 2020 Jul 2.

Department of Inflammation Biology School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences King's College London, Guy's Hospital London United Kingdom.

Background Anticoagulants induce atherosclerosis regression in animal models but exploiting this clinically is limited by bleeding events. Here we test a novel thrombin inhibitor, PTL060, comprising hirulog covalently linked to a synthetic myristoyl electrostatic switch to tether to cell membranes. Methods and Results ApoE-/- mice were fed chow or high-fat diets, before transplantation of congenic aortic segments or injection of PTL060, parental hirulog, control saline, or labeled CD11b positive cells. Read More

Nutrients 2020 06 29;12(7). Epub 2020 Jun 29.

Division of Nephrology, University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects >10% of the adult population. Each year, approximately 120,000 Americans develop end-stage kidney disease and initiate dialysis, which is costly and associated with functional impairments, worse health-related quality of life, and high early-mortality rates, exceeding 20% in the first year. Recent declarations by the World Kidney Day and the U. Read More

Trop Med Infect Dis 2020 Jun 29;5(3). Epub 2020 Jun 29.

Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Av. Alfredo Balena 190, Belo Horizonte CEP 30130-110, MG, Brazil.

Chagas disease, caused by a infection, is one of the main causes of heart failure in Latin America. It was originally a health problem endemic to South America, predominantly affecting residents of poor rural areas. With globalization and increasing migratory flows from these areas to large cities, the immigration of chronically-infected people to developed, non-endemic countries has occurred. Read More

J Invasive Cardiol 2020 Jul;32(7):E191-E192

Schulich Medicine & Dentistry Western University, London Health Sciences Centre, St. Joseph's Health Care, London, Canada.

Coronary-to-cardiac chamber fistulae and coronary aneurysms are potential complications after heart transplantation. In the setting of exercise intolerance and large fistulae at major coronary vessels, covered stents may provide an effective interventional strategy. Read More

ESC Heart Fail 2020 Jun 30. Epub 2020 Jun 30.

Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics, Madison, WI, USA.

Aims: End-stage heart failure patients often present with severe kidney failure and have limited treatment options. We compared the clinical characteristics and outcomes among end-stage heart and kidney failure patients who underwent combined heart and kidney transplant (HKTx) with those who underwent kidney transplant after heart transplant (KAH).

Methods And Results: All patients from 2007-2016 who underwent combined HKTx (n = 715) and those who underwent KAH (n = 130) using the United Network for Organ Sharing database were included. Read More

ESC Heart Fail 2020 Jul 1. Epub 2020 Jul 1.

Department of Cardiology, Angiology and Pneumology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 410, Heidelberg, 69120, Germany.

Aims: Amiodarone and digitalis are frequently used drugs in patients with heart failure. Both have separately been linked to reduced post-transplant survival, but their combined impact on mortality after HTX remains uncertain. This study investigated the effects of combined amiodarone and digitalis use before HTX on post-transplant outcomes. Read More

ESC Heart Fail 2020 Jun 30. Epub 2020 Jun 30.

Heart Institute (InCor) do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Dr. Enéas de Carvalho Aguiar, 44, São Paulo, 05403-000, Brazil.

Aims: Left ventricular non-compaction cardiomyopathy (LVNC) is a genetic heart disease, with heart failure, arrhythmias, and embolic events as main clinical manifestations. The goal of this study was to analyse a large set of echocardiographic (echo) and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMRI) parameters using machine learning (ML) techniques to find imaging predictors of clinical outcomes in a long-term follow-up of LVNC patients.

Methods And Results: Patients with echo and/or CMRI criteria of LVNC, followed from January 2011 to December 2017 in the heart failure section of a tertiary referral cardiologic hospital, were enrolled in a retrospective study. Read More

Transplant Direct 2020 Jun 8;6(6):e554. Epub 2020 May 8.

Department of Infectious Diseases, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore.

The current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has not only caused global social disruptions but has also put tremendous strain on healthcare systems worldwide. With all attention and significant effort diverted to containing and managing the COVID-19 outbreak (and understandably so), essential medical services such as transplant services are likely to be affected. Closure of transplant programs in an outbreak caused by a highly transmissible novel pathogen may be inevitable owing to patient safety. Read More

Int J Nanomedicine 2020 18;15:4205-4224. Epub 2020 Jun 18.

Department of Chemical Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, United States.

Cardiovascular diseases are the number one cause of heart failure and death in the world, and the transplantation of the heart is an effective and viable choice for treatment despite presenting many disadvantages (most notably, transplant heart availability). To overcome this problem, cardiac tissue engineering is considered a promising approach by using implantable artificial blood vessels, injectable gels, and cardiac patches (to name a few) made from biodegradable polymers. Biodegradable polymers are classified into two main categories: natural and synthetic polymers. Read More

BMC Cardiovasc Disord 2020 Jun 30;20(1):312. Epub 2020 Jun 30.

Department of Cardiac Surgery, Medical University Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria.

Background: An optimal donor work-up to exclude preexisting conditions is recommended, but urgency and technical equipment in donor centers must be considered. We report a case of two coronary stents present in the donor heart and the related long-term outcome.

Case Presentation: A 59-year-old European male patient suffering from dilated cardiomyopathy with severely reduced left ventricular function and presenting with NYHA III underwent cardiac transplantation in 2004. Read More

Eur J Prev Cardiol 2020 Jun 30:2047487320936020. Epub 2020 Jun 30.

Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Mainz (Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz), Germany.

Aims: We investigated trends in incidence, case fatality rate, patient characteristics and adverse inhospital events of patients hospitalised for heart failure in Germany.

Methods And Results: The German nationwide inpatient sample (2005-2016) was used for this analysis. Patients hospitalised due to heart failure were selected for analysis. Read More

Minerva Anestesiol 2020 Jun;86(6):688

Division of Anesthesia and General Intensive Care, Department of Medical, Surgical and Experimental Sciences, Sassari University Hospital, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy, The originally published version of this article is available online at 10.23736/S0375-9393.20.14384-0.

This corrects the article DOI:10.23736/S0375-9393.20. Read More