Utility of autopsy in uncovering unexpected neuropathology

Autopsy rates have declined in the last several decades for a variety of reasons. The purpose of this study is to compare autopsy neuropathologic findings from 2 periods to assess the prevalence of unexpected neuropathologic findings and unexpected neuropathologic diagnoses determined to be the major cause of death. Retrospective review of autopsies with examination of the central nervous system was performed in 2007 to 2008 (n = 289) and 1984 to 1985 (n = 328). Unexpected neuropathologic diagnoses were found at autopsy in 42.4% of cases from 1984 to 1985 vs 38.8% of cases from 2007 to 2008. The neuropathology was felt to contribute to the cause of death in 22% of cases from 1984 to 1985 vs 19.7% of cases from 2007 to 2008. Unexpected neuropathologic findings were the cause of death in 5.2% of cases from 1984 to 1985 vs 3.1% of cases from 2007 to 2008. These findings underscore the continued use of brain and spinal cord examination at autopsy despite advances in "modern" medicine.     

Ventricular assist device implantation in the pediatric population: does pump size selection and associated hemodynamics impact outcomes?

The use of pediatric ventricular assist devices (VADs) continues to evolve with the availability of smaller blood pumps. We examine the correlation of implanting appropriate sized blood pumps with a lower incidence of VAD related complications (VADRC). A 7-year retrospective review was undertaken for all pediatric VAD patients. Optimal VAD hemodynamics were defined as cardiac index of 2.7 L/m2 and rate of 80 beats per minute (bpm) with complete fill/empty of the blood pump. Patient/blood pump size match, VAD rate and fill/empty ratios were calculated (optimum = 1.0) and then correlated with incidence of VADRC. The study included 22 patients, mean age 9.77 years (6 mo-18 yrs) and mean body surface area (BSA) of 1.14 m2 (0.14 m2-2.32 m2), who underwent VAD implantation. VADRC included death while on support (n = 5), bleeding requiring reoperation (n = 8), hemolysis (n = 2), neurologic events (n = 2), thrombus formation (n = 3), and infection (n = 3). Six patients were bridged to transplant without any VADRC. This subset of patients had a mean blood pump size match ratio of 0.98, VAD rate ratio of 0.92 and fill/empty ratio of 1.00. Patients with VADRC (n = 16) were found to have a mean blood pump size match ratio of 0.72, VAD rate ratio of 0.72 and fill/empty ratio of 0.78. We report a series of pediatric patients with wide ranging BSA receiving VAD implantation. Selection of appropriate sized blood pumps can be correlated with decreased VADRC.     

Cost-benefit analysis of extended antifungal prophylaxis in ventricular assist devices

This report defines the cost and benefit of extended antifungal prophylaxis in ventricular assist device (VAD) patients (pts). Extended antifungal prophylaxis is defined as prophylaxis with fluconazole or nystatin that is given until pts are extubated and off antibiotics. These data are compared with that obtained from earlier VAD patients who only received anti-fungal drugs for documented fungal colonization or infection. Thirty-six patients had HeartMate (n = 15) or Thoratec (n = 21) VADs between 1989 and 1997. Cultures positive for fungus (n = 52 cultures) were obtained from 16 of 36 patients (44% of patients). Forty-three fungal cultures were in the preprophylaxis and nine in the postprophylaxis era. There was one death attributable to fungal sepsis in the preprophylaxis era and none in the postprophylaxis era. The total cost of antifungal drugs in the preprophylaxis era was $3,840 over 1,498 patient days (PD) (mean $2.56 per PD), versus $70,670 over 1,525 PD in the postprophylaxis era (mean $46.34 per PD). Extended antifungal prophylaxis was not cost effective in VAD patients at this institution. However, short-term perioperative antifungal prophylaxis was not addressed by this study. We are now using short-term antifungal prophylaxis with fluconazole and nystatin in VAD patients because of the potential for serious morbidity and mortality that is associated with fungal device infections. A future analysis will determine the usefulness of this change in strategy.     

Pathology in patients with ventricular assist devices: a study of 21 autopsies, 24 ventricular apical core biopsies and 24 explanted hearts.

BACKGROUND: Ventricular assist devices (VADs) are used as a bridge to cardiac transplantation or as a permanent or sometimes temporary treatment for end stage heart failure. METHODS: Our autopsy and surgical pathology experience with VADs prior to August 2002 was reviewed. Noted were patient's age, sex, underlying (UCOD) and proximate causes of death (PCOD), duration of VAD implantation, presence of native or prosthetic valvar disease and organ complications. Myocardium from biopsies and explanted hearts were blindly assessed for coagulative necrosis (CN), contraction bands (CB), myocytolysis (MC), increased eosinophilia (IE), myocyte waviness (MW) and fibrosis (F). Each was graded as either mild (score 1), moderate (score 2) or severe (score 3). RESULTS: Autopsy patients: Twenty-one patients, with mean age 55 years (range 10-73), comprised 10 women and 11 men. UCOD was ischemic disease in 16 patients, dilated cardiomyopathy in 4 and aortic valve disease in 1. The mean duration of VAD implantation was 125.7 days (range 1-1095 days, S.D.=253.6). Five patients had biventricular VADs, and 16 had LVAD only. Acquired aortic valve fusion was noted in three patients. PCOD was VAD related in six, donor heart problem in four, cerebrovascular accident in four, miscellaneous in three, pulmonary hypertension in two and aortic disease in two patients. Morbidity: local liver necrosis in seven, acquired aortic valve disease in four, gut infarction in three, abdominal aortic aneurysm in two and host cell assault against VAD porcine aortic valves in one case. Biopsies and explanted hearts: Twenty-four patients had a mean age of 53 years (range 38-68, S.D.=8.6). VADs were implanted for 177.8 days (range 7-593 days, S.D.=151.1). Comparison of histologic scores of biopsies with explanted hearts showed the following: CN 1.33 (S.D.=1.4)/0.21 (S.D.=0.66; P<.001); CB: 2.1 (S.D.=0.93)/0.83 (S.D.=0.28; NS); MC: 0.88 (S.D.=1.19)/0.13 (S.D.=0.34; P<.01); IE: 1.71 (S.D.=1.27)/0.38 (S.D.=0.65; NS); fibrosis: 1.08 (S.D.=1.35)/1.75 (S.D.=1.26; NS); and MW: 1.50 (S.D.=1.22)/0.59 (S.D.=0.73; P<.01). Acquired aortic stenosis developed in six hearts, and one heart showed thrombotic occlusion of the left ventricular outflow tract below an aortic bioprosthesis. CONCLUSIONS: VAD significantly reduced the amount of CN, MC and MW in the left ventricle but may lead to acquired aortic stenosis of native aortic valves or total occlusive thrombosis of aortic prosthetic valves. Proximate cause of death was, most often, VAD related.     

Hemodynamic predictors for weaning patients from ventricular assist devices (VADs)

In order to find hemodynamic parameters that can accurately predict whether patients can be successfully weaned from ventricular assist devices (VADs), we studied data from 17 patients supported with Pierce-Donachy VADs [11 left VAD (LVAD); 6 right VAD (RVAD)] following cardiogenic shock for periods from 1.3 to 22 days (mean 5.4). Myocardial recovery was determined by daily measurements of "pump on pump off" parameters, and the data from the 8 LVAD patients and 3 RVAD patients whose hearts recovered were compared to the data from those whose did not. In this study, daily pump on pump off hemodynamic measurements were found to be predictive of success for weaning patients from VADs. In particular, the most significant predictors were: increases in mixed venous oxygen saturation, cardiac index, mean arterial pressure and ventricular ejection fraction, as well as decreases in atrial pressures. An index for measuring hemodynamic function with the VAD off is proposed, as are models of recovery. Seventy percent of the patients weaned from VADs survived, indicating that patients appropriately weaned from VAD support have a reasonable chance for survival.     

Neurocognitive function in patients with ventricular assist devices: a comparison of pulsatile and continuous blood flow devices

The effect of successful ventricular assist device (VAD) implantation on neurocognitive function in terminal heart failure is uncertain. Additionally, the different impact of continuous versus pulsatile blood flow devices is unknown. A total of 29 patients (mean age 53 years), surviving implantation of a ventricular assist device as bridge to transplantation were prospectively followed (continuous flow: Micromed DeBakey, n = 11; pulsatile flow: Thoratec and Novacor, n = 18). Normative data were obtained in 40 age- and sex-matched healthy subjects (mean age 54 years). Neurocognitive function was objectively measured by means of cognitive P300 auditory evoked potentials before operation (baseline), at intensive care unit (ICU) discharge, and at the 8-week and 12-week follow-up. Before implantation of the VAD, cognitive P300 evoked potentials were impaired (prolonged) compared with age- and sex-matched healthy subjects (p < 0.001). After successful VAD implantation, P300 evoked potentials markedly improved compared with before operation (ICU discharge, p = 0.007; 8-week follow-up, p = 0.022; 12-week follow-up, p < 0.0001). Importantly, there was no difference between continuous and pulsatile VADs (before operation, p = 0.676; ICU discharge, p = 0.736; 8-week follow-up, p = 0.911 and 12-week follow-up, p = 0.397; respectively). Nevertheless, P300 peak latencies did not fully normalize at 12-week follow-up compared with healthy subjects (p = 0.012). Successful VAD implantation improves neurocognitive impairment in patients with terminal heart failure. Importantly, this effect is independent of the type of VAD (pulsatile vs. continuous blood flow).     

Paracorporeal ventricular assist device as a bridge to transplant candidacy in the era of implantable continuous-flow ventricular assist device

Ventricular assist devices (VADs) have long been used as bridge to transplant therapy (BTT). Nipro-Toyobo paracorporeal pulsatile-flow VAD (nt-VAD) was the only device available until April 2011, when implantable continuous-flow VADs (cf-VADs) became available. Although cf-VADs are central to BTT, nt-VAD remains a necessary option. We aimed to clarify the role of nt-VAD in an era of increasing cf-VAD use. We retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent VAD implantation at the National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center from May 2011 to March 2013. Characteristics were compared between the nt-VAD and cf-VAD groups. Twenty-nine patients (mean age 37.7 ± 11.1 years, 23 males) underwent VAD implantation. Fifteen patients initially received nt-VADs, although 4 were converted to cf-VADs. Of these 15 patients, 3 were too small for cf-VADs and 2 needed bilateral ventricular support. The remaining 10 patients received nt-VADs (7 patients at INTERMACS level 1 and 3 at level 2). The nt-VAD group patients had significantly more preoperative mechanical circulatory support and were in a more critical condition before VAD implantation than the cf-VAD group. The 2-year survival rate was not significantly different. Despite the critical conditions of nt-VAD patients, their overall survival is not statistically inferior to that of cf-VAD patients. nt-VAD is a good option as a BTC for the patient with urgent and critical condition.     

Retrospective analysis of adverse events in preclinical ventricular assist device experiments

Ventricular assist devices (VADs) are a widely acceptable therapeutic option for patients with end-stage heart failure. Data from preclinical animal trials provide important information about the efficacy, biocompatibility, and functioning of these devices. However, animal experiments have several limitations that may significantly affect outcomes even after implanting a properly functioning device. This retrospective analysis was performed to analyze, at explant, adverse events associated with VADs during the animal phase of testing. Data were collected from 141 VAD experiments performed in cattle that had received 11 different types of devices. A total of 294 adverse events were documented. Inflow cannula problems were cited in 79 implants (56%) and pump-related issues in 55 cases (39%). Adverse events associated with connectors were found in 53 implants (38%). Adverse events directly having to do with the animals represented only 17 implants (12%) in this series. These findings suggest that preclinical testing needs to place greater emphasis on the entire VAD system. In support of these results, human clinical data seem to indicate that actual VAD failure is rarely a cause for premature device removal.     

The neuropathology of acquired immune deficiency syndrome

We reviewed the neuropathologic characteristics of 52 cases of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) at autopsy. Histologically significant neuropathologic lesions were found in 38 cases. We believed that infection was the predominant pathologic process in 26 cases; occasionally, multiple infectious agents were present. This included Toxoplasma encephalitis (n = 16), fungal abscess (n = 1), tuberculous abscess (n = 1), progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (n = 2), cysticercosis (n = 1), and Escherichia coli meningoencephalitis (n = 1). Microglial nodules or perivascular inflammation suggested that encephalitis was the most likely cause in five cases. In two additional cases, a primary demyelinating process that was apparently related to cytomegalovirus was present. Vascular or hypoxic diseases were present in nine cases. The findings included intracerebral hemorrhage (n = 1), subarachnoid hemorrhage (n = 2), infarction (n = 2), diffuse hypoxic changes (n = 5), cerebral edema (n = 1), and rare thromboemboli with extravasation of RBCs (n = 1). One case of primary lymphoma was observed. The CNS lesions were the proximate cause of death in 15 patients. The CNS complications of AIDS are varied and often are the major manifestation of the syndrome.     

Gender differences during mechanical circulatory support

Long-term mechanical circulatory support (MCS) with ventricular assist devices (VADs) is now an acceptable option for patients with end-stage heart failure (HF). There are growing numbers of reports identifying sex-related differences in the development and prognosis of HF and cardiac surgery. With the experience of 1,607 VAD implantations in our institution we are the first to analyze our data to determine gender distribution in our patient populations and the effect of gender on outcomes. Of the total 1,456 patients with MCS, 1,225 were male and 231 female. The patients were divided into three age groups-below 13 years (group 1, n = 100), between 13 and 50 years (group 2, n = 540) and older than 50 years (group 3, n = 824). Five-year survival, HF etiology, and procedural success, defined as 30-day and 5-year survival were analyzed retrospectively. In group 1 the gender distribution was equal; the leading HF etiology was dilated cardiomyopathy (DCMP) with 17% in male (n = 17) and 19% in female (n = 19) patients, followed by congenital diseases (13% in male versus 9% in female) and postcardiotomy failure (13% in male versus 8% in female). No differences were seen in 5-year survival and procedural success. In group 2, significantly more men (n = 451, p < 0.0001) were supported by VADs. DCMP was the major cause for VAD implantation (54%) and was significantly more frequent in men (57.6%, p = <0.0001). Male patients were older (mean age = 37.1 years, p < 0.0001), with a longer median support time (151.6 days, p < 0.0001) and a higher median weight (78.2 kg, p < 0.0001). No difference was seen in procedural success whereas 5-year survival was better in men than in women (53% vs. 42%, p = 0.02).Group 3 consisted of 723 male patients and 101 female patients (p < 0.0001). Ischemic cardiomyopathy was the main HF etiology (37.9 %) and it was significantly more often the reason for left ventricular assist device support in men (p = 0.009). No differences were seen in procedural success; 5-year survival showed a better outcome in men (49% vs. 25%, p = 0.026). In patients supported by a VAD, gender has a significant impact on the distribution of diagnoses in the adult population. Women were underrepresented in the age group 13-50 years, and 50 years and older, and women had a higher risk for mortality on VAD support in the adult age groups (groups 2 and 3).     

Human factors issues in ventricular assist device recipients and their family caregivers

Ultimately, for ventricular assist devices (VADs) to be acceptable as permanent alternatives to heart transplantation, patients' and their families' satisfaction with specific features and risks of VADs must be addressed. Of 42 eligible patients who received VADs between February of 1996 and December of 1998, we interviewed 37 patients (17 Novacor, 18 Thoratec, 2 with both devices) and 20 of their primary family caregivers about device related concerns and reactions. Demographic and health related correlates of respondents' concerns were examined. Eleven patients discharged from the hospital with the VAD in place were then reinterviewed 1 month after discharge. At baseline, patients' general perceptions of the VAD were positive, although 22-52% reported specific concerns, including most often worry about infection (52%), difficulty sleeping due to the position of the driveline (52%), pain at the driveline exit site (46%), worry about device malfunction (40%), and being bothered during the day by device noise (32%). The prevalence of most concerns rose with duration of VAD support. Caregivers' perceptions did not differ significantly from patients' perceptions. Outpatients were somewhat more concerned than inpatients about device noise and risk of stroke, but were markedly less concerned about infection. Across all patients, higher levels of device related concerns were correlated with more physical functional limitations and more psychological distress, and reduced quality of life. Demographic characteristics and device type were not uniformly related to device concerns.     

Neuropathologic findings after bone marrow transplantation: an autopsy study

Clinicopathologic records and neuropathologic tissues of 109 patients who underwent necropsy after treatment with bone marrow transplantation (BMT) were examined. Underlying disorders included leukemia (70), aplastic anemia (25), solid tumors (7), lymphoma (5), Hodgkin's disease (1) and Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome (1). There were 34 females and 75 males, ranging in age from 2 to 56 years. Survival after transplantation averaged 3.6 months. The most common findings were cerebrovascular lesions (29), including hematomas, hemorrhagic necrosis, and infarcts. Central nervous system infections comprised the next most common finding, including 10 fungal and four bacterial infections. A recurrence of underlying malignancy for which transplant had been performed occurred in five patients. Leukoencephalopathy of varying severity was found in eight patients, half of whom had received intrathecal chemotherapy and/or cranial radiation. Patients with systemic graft-versus-host disease had a variety of nonspecific neuropathologic findings in the nervous system; however, nearly half (44%) showed no detectable changes. Other nonspecific alterations included hypoxic/ischemic changes, vascular siderocalcinosis, and neuroaxonal spheroids (associated with hemorrhage or necrosis). These findings provide a guide as to likely causes of a neurologic syndrome in a patient who has undergone BMT, and can be compared with neuropathologic findings in other forms of immunosuppression.     

Central nervous system aspergillosis: a 20-year retrospective series

Over the past 20 years at my institution, 71 patients with invasive necrotizing aspergillosis have been encountered; 42 have shown central nervous system (CNS) involvement by autopsy (40) or surgical biopsy (2). Most non-CNS aspergillosis patients had invasive disease confined to the lung, and only 2 with dissemination to 3 or more organs did not have spread to the CNS. In addition to the expected post-transplantation and hematologic malignancy cases, other risk groups identified included those with chronic asthma and steroid use, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, thermal burn, hepatic failure, and postoperative infection. Unusual cases manifested with basilar meningitis, myelitis, proptosis caused by sino-orbital disease, or epidural and subdural Aspergillus abscesses. The extent of gross neuropathologic disease ranged from subtle abscesses to massive hemorrhagic necrosis causing herniation and death. In addition to the expected hemorrhagic necrosis, extensive hemorrhage, focal purulent meningitis, and subtle bland infarctions were also seen. Distinctive microscopic findings encountered included 1 case with numerous meningeal granulomas and multinucleated giant cells and 4 cases showing the Splendore-Hoeppli phenomenon. During the same period, single cases of cerebritis caused by morphologically similar fungi (Pseudoallescheria boydii [Scedosporium apiospermum], Scedosporium inflatum, Chaetomium sp) were identified and were indistinguishable from CNS aspergillosis clinically and pathologically.     

Intracranial hemorrhage in adult patients with hematological malignancies

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Clinical characteristics and outcomes of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) among adult patients with various hematological malignancies are limited. METHODS: A total of 2,574 adult patients diagnosed with hematological malignancies admitted to a single university hospital were enrolled into this study between 2001 and 2010. The clinical characteristics, image reports and outcomes were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 72 patients (48 men and 24 women) with a median age of 56 (range 18 to 86) had an ICH. The overall ICH incidence was 2.8% among adult patients with hematological malignancies. The incidence of ICH was higher in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients than in patients with other hematological malignancies (6.3% vs 1.1%, P = 0.001). ICH was more common among patients with central nervous system (CNS) involvement of lymphoma than among patients with CNS involved acute leukemia (P <0.001). Sites of ICH occurrence included the cerebral cortex (60 patients, 83%), basal ganglia (13 patients, 18%), cerebellum (10 patients, 14%), and brainstem (5 patients, 7%). A total of 33 patients (46%) had multifocal hemorrhages. In all, 56 patients (77%) had intraparenchymal hemorrhage, 22 patients (31%) had subdural hemorrhage, 15 patients (21%) had subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), and 3 patients (4%) had epidural hemorrhage. A total of 22 patients had 2 or more types of ICH. In all, 46 (64%) patients died of ICH within 30 days of diagnosis, irrespective of the type of hematological malignancy. Multivariate analysis revealed three independent prognostic factors: prolonged prothrombin time (P = 0.008), SAH (P = 0.021), and multifocal cerebral hemorrhage (P = 0.026). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of ICH in patients with AML is higher than patients with other hematological malignancies. But in those with intracranial malignant disease, patients with CNS involved lymphoma were more prone to ICH than patients with CNS involved acute leukemia. Mortality was similar regardless of the type of hematological malignancy. Neuroimaging studies of the location and type of ICH could assist with prognosis prediction for patients with hematological malignancies.     

Blood biocompatibility analysis in the setting of ventricular assist devices

Ventricular assist devices (VADs) are increasingly applied to support patients with advanced cardiac failure. While the benefit of VADs in supporting this patient group is clear, substantial morbidity and mortality occur during the VAD implant period due to thromboembolic and infective complications. Efforts at the University of Pittsburgh aimed at evaluating the blood biocompatibility of VADs in the clinical, animal, and in vitro setting over the past decade are summarized. Emphasis is placed on understanding the mechanisms of thrombosis and thromboembolism associated with these devices.     

Cytomegalovirus infection in the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Clinical and autopsy findings

The clinical and autopsy findings of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) are reviewed. Of 164 patients, 81 had evidence of CMV infection at autopsy, but organ failure leading to patient demise from CMV occurred in only 17. Demographic differences between patients with AIDS with and without CMV were minimal. Cytomegalovirus was never the sole diagnostic criterion for AIDS in any patient but was always accompanied by at least one other opportunistic infection or neoplasm. The total clinical course did not significantly differ between the two groups, but the length of final hospitalization of patients with CMV was much longer. Therapy for CMV prolonged the clinical course in some cases but did not eliminate the infection or prevent death from CMV. At autopsy the most common sites of involvement were adrenal (75%), pulmonary (58%), gastrointestinal (30%), central nervous system (20%), and ocular (10%). Most patients (62%) had multiple sites of involvement. Gross pathologic findings were frequent but often subtle. Microscopic changes accompanying CMV inclusions were variable and usually limited in extent.     

Neuropathology of AIDS

Involvement of the central and peripheral nervous systems as a result of primary infection by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or due to secondary opportunistic infections and neoplasms has been recognized as a major clinical problem in patients with the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Currently, of new AIDS cases, 30 to 40% will have clinical evidence of nervous system dysfunction. Neurologic dysfunction will be the presenting problem in 10% of patients. Greater than 75 to 90% of AIDS victims will exhibit nervous system pathology at autopsy. The neuropathologic findings in AIDS can best be examined by separating them into three distinct groups: opportunistic infections, neoplasms, and proposed direct effects of HIV infection. This review considers each of these categories and relates them in turn to the current understanding of the biology of the virus, its epidemiology, and its interaction with the host.     

Heart transplantation in children after mechanical circulatory support: comparison of heart transplantation with ventricular assist devices and elective heart transplantation

Heart transplantation (HTx) is an ultimate treatment for children with end-stage heart failure or inoperable congenital heart disease. The supply of hearts is inadequate; therefore, different mechanical support systems must be used as bridge to HTx in pediatric patients with postoperative low output. The use of ventricular assist devices (VADs) as bridge to HTx in children is limited because of size differences. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the overall long-term outcome of pediatric circulatory support before pediatric HTx. From 1989 through 2004, 91 pediatric patients underwent isolated HTx. Seven of them required mechanical support before transplantation. We reviewed retrospectively the course of 91 children (mean age 14.7 years) who underwent HTx. Group A consisted of elective HTx patients who were treated as outpatients before HTx, whereas group B was the VAD-HTx bridging group (n=7; mean age 12.31 +/- 2.8 years). Mean duration of VAD support was 108 +/- 98 days (minimum 1 day, maximum 258 days). Overall survival rate after HTx was 80% at 1 year without significant differences between groups. Five of seven patients survived and could be discharged after successful HTx, for a survival rate of 77%. The mean follow-up period was 16.76 +/- 10.6 months. No differences in posttransplantation long-term survival and rejection episodes occurred between patients transplanted with or without VAD. VAD therapy can keep pediatric patients with end-stage heart failure alive until successful HTx, and bridge to HTx is a safe procedure in pediatric patients. After HTx, survival rates of these children are similar to those of patients awaiting elective HTx.     

Blood biocompatibility analysis in the setting of ventricular assist devices

Ventricular assist devices (VADs) are increasingly applied to support patients with advanced cardiac failure. While the benefit of VADs in supporting this patient group is clear, substantial morbidity and mortality occur during the VAD implant period due to thromboembolic and infective complications. Efforts at the University of Pittsburgh aimed at evaluating the blood biocompatibility of VADs in the clinical, animal, and in vitro setting over the past decade are summarized. Emphasis is placed on understanding the mechanisms of thrombosis and thromboembolism associated with these devices.     

Managing device infections: are we progressing or is infection an insurmountable obstacle?

This article reviews infections that occur in patients with implanted mechanical circulatory support devices and presents recent data for signs of progress in controlling the incidence and impact of these infections. Two types of comparisons are used to examine this question. First, the outcomes of patients with HeartMate vented electric left ventricular assist devices (VADs) (Thoratec Corp, Pleasanton, CA) implanted during the REMATCH Trial are compared with the outcome of more recent patients who received this pump as destination therapy. Second, the outcome of patients who received a smaller left VAD (e.g., an axial flow VAD) or a fully implanted left VAD are reported and contrasted with results from the REMATCH era. Data are presented to support the hypothesis that improvements in patient selection, patient management, device durability, and device design have resulted in lower rates of infection and infection-related death for patients who require mechanical circulatory support.