Influence of Shunt Type on Survival and Right Heart Function after the Norwood Procedure for Aortic Atresia

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Pump Speed Optimization in Patients Implanted With the HeartMate 3 Device

Background

Pump speed optimization in patients implanted with a ventricular assist device represents a major challenge during the follow-up period. We present our findings on whether combined invasive hemodynamic ramp tests and cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPX) can help optimize patient management.

Assessment of the Serologic Status in Epstein-Barr Virus in Patients Qualified for Lung Transplantation in the First Half of 2021

BackgroundThe aim of the study was to assessment serologic status of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infections in patients qualificated for lung transplantation in the first half of 2021.MethodsThe study included 72 patients qualified for lung transplantation from January to June 2021. The youngest patient was aged 14 years and the oldest was aged 65 years. The study group consisted of 36 women and 36 men. In the serum of patients, a multi-parameter, comprehensive diagnosis of EBV infections was performed using the IIFT BIOCHIP EBV sequence tests. This test is based on a combination of several substrates, enabling the simultaneous evaluation of antibodies against capsid antigens (anti-CA antibodies), both in the IgG and IgM class, early antigens (anti-EA), nuclear antigens and the assessment of the avidity of anti-CA antibodies. The analysis of all diagnostically significant antibodies specific for EBV infections, including the avidity of anti-CA antibodies, increases the diagnostic accuracy in differentiating active and past infection with EBV.ResultsIn the studied group it was shown that 58 had past EBV infection (80.6%). Twelve patients (16.6%) have anti-EA antibodies, which indicate that the virus is reactivated. Only 2 patients (2.8%) had no antibodies to EBV.ConclusionsComprehensive assessment of antibodies against various EBV antigens in patients qualified for lung transplantation is important in the management and further diagnosis of this infection, especially after transplantation, due to the risk of developing post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease.     

Severity Scores for Ebstein Anomaly: Credibility and Usefulness of Echocardiographic vs Magnetic Resonance Assessments of the Celermajer Index

BackgroundThe severity score of Ebstein anomaly (EA) that corresponds to clinical status is still under research, with the Celermajer index (Cel-ind) being one of those. The agreement between echocardiographic and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) assessment of Cel-ind is not known. We determined the agreement between echocardiography- and CMR-derived Cel-ind and its relationship with heart failure markers.MethodsA total of 37 unoperated adults with EA (mean age, 43.0 ± 14.4 years) underwent echocardiography, CMR, and cardiopulmonary tests. For the Cel-ind, end-diastolic areas in echocardiography or end-diastolic volumes in CMR were used according to the following formula: Cel-ind = (right atrium + atrialized right ventricle)/(functional right ventricle + left atrium + left ventricle). On the basis of this assumption, patients were classified as follows: grade 1 = Cel-ind < 0.5, grade 2 = 0.5 to 0.99, grade 3 = 1.0 to 1.49, grade 4 > 1.5. The agreement between echocardiographic and CMR was determined with the intraclass correlation coefficient or Cohen’s kappa (<0.2 poor agreement; 0.2-0.4 fair agreement; 0.4-0.6 moderate agreement; 0.6-0.8 good agreement; 0.8-1.0 very good agreement).ResultsThe median echoCel-ind was 0.9 (range, 0.4-2.3), and the median cmrCel-ind was 0.7 (range, 0.3-5.3). Grade 1 or 2 was found in 19 patients (51.3%) by echocardiography and in 27 patients (72.9%) by CMR. The agreement between imaging methods was only fair (kappa = 0.39, P = 0.002) for the 4-grade classification and moderate (intra-class correlation coefficient = 0.43; 95% confidence interval, 0.13-0.66) for Cel-ind calculation. Significant correlations between Cel-ind in CMR and cardiopulmonary parameters were found (for peak oxygen uptake: R = −0.35, P = 0.034; for the ventilation/carbon dioxide slope: R = 0.46, P = 0.005). Neither of them correlated with echocardiographic severity score.ConclusionsThe agreement between echocardiographic and CMR assessment of the Cel-ind is at most moderate; echocardiography usually overestimates, but rarely underestimates, EA severity. Cel-ind by CMR seems to be more valuable, because it is associated with heart failure markers.