The Journal of heart and lung transplantation : the official publication of the International Society for Heart Transplantation
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J. Heart Lung Transplant. · Nov 1999
Multicenter Study Comparative Study Clinical TrialComparison of functional capacity in patients with end-stage heart failure following implantation of a left ventricular assist device versus heart transplantation: results of the experience with left ventricular assist device with exercise trial.
Use of a permanent left ventricular assist device (LVAD) has been proposed as an alternate treatment of patients with end-stage heart failure. The purpose of this study was to compare the functional capacity of patients following implantation of a LVAD vs heart transplant (HTx). ⋯ Patients demonstrated a lower functional capacity post-LVAD than post-HTx. For some patients functional capacity post-LVAD may be improved by a higher maximum LVAD rate and output.
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J. Heart Lung Transplant. · Nov 1999
Comparative StudyAlveolar recruitment prevents rapid-reperfusion-induced injury of lung transplants.
Physical factors play an important role in ischemia-reperfusion-induced injury of lung transplants. For example, rapid restoration of reperfusion resulted in severe pulmonary edema and deterioration of pulmonary function of lung explants in an ex vivo reperfusion system. This type of injury can be prevented by a stepwise increase in the perfusion flow rate, or by adding prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) to the blood perfusate during the first 10 minutes. However, the mechanisms of these protective effects are unknown. We noted a dramatic decrease in airway pressure rather than pulmonary arterial pressure in these studies, suggesting that lung recruitment may be an important factor in minimizing injury. ⋯ These results suggest that overcoming alveolar collapse with inflation or ventilation, may protect the lung from mechanical-stress-induced injury during reperfusion.
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J. Heart Lung Transplant. · Nov 1999
Comparative StudyAcute native lung hyperinflation is not associated with poor outcomes after single lung transplant for emphysema.
Single-lung transplantation for emphysema may be complicated by acute native lung hyperinflation (ANLH) with hemodynamic and ventilatory compromise. Some groups advocate the routine use of independent lung ventilation, double-lung transplant, or right-lung transplant with or without contralateral lung volume reduction surgery in high-risk patients. The goal of this study was to determine the incidence of ANLH and identify its potential predictors. ⋯ Acute native lung hyperinflation is common radiographically but is rarely clinically severe. Although there was a trend toward an increase in symptomatic ANLH in patients with bullous emphysema, a high-risk group could not be identified preoperatively. Our results do not support the routine use of bilateral lung transplant, the exclusive use of right single-lung transplant, simultaneous lung volume reduction surgery, or independent lung ventilation for patients with emphysema. Management strategies should be employed that limit overdistension of the native lung and lead to early extubation.