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. · Dec 2013
Comparative Study Observational StudyAn exploratory panel of biomarkers for risk prediction in pulmonary hypertension: emerging role of CT-proET-1.
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a rare, deadly condition. Although risk stratification is extremely important for assessment of prognosis and to guide therapy, there is lack of evidence concerning the role of novel biomarkers. In a pivotal study, we sought to comparatively investigate the predictive power of several new biomarkers in PAH. ⋯ CT-proET-1 provided prognostic information independent of other biomarkers. Importantly, we have provided the first evidence that CT-proET-1 may be superior to commonly used biomarkers.
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J. Heart Lung Transplant. · Dec 2013
Comparative StudyAn oversized allograft is associated with improved survival after lung transplantation for idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension.
Idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH) is associated with high short-term mortality after bilateral lung transplantation (BLT). Previous studies have suggested that oversized allografts are associated with improved outcomes and that this association was strongest within the first year after transplant. We hypothesized that oversizing the allograft is associated with improved survival after BLT for IPAH. ⋯ Oversizing the allograft is associated with improved survival after BLT for IPAH. In the setting of donor organ shortages and waiting list mortality, it is not practical to intentionally oversize the allograft. However, the pTLC ratio could provide further refinement in the peri-transplant risk assessment.
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J. Heart Lung Transplant. · Dec 2013
Comparative StudyImpact of concomitant cardiac procedures performed during implantation of long-term left ventricular assist devices.
There is a paucity of data evaluating the effect of performing a concomitant cardiac procedure (CCP) on peri-operative survival in patients undergoing implantation of long-term left ventricular assist devices (LVADs). The objective of this study was to review our single-institutional experience with patients who underwent a CCP during implantation of a long-term continuous-flow LVAD. ⋯ CCPs performed during implantation of a long-term continuous-flow LVADs does not increase peri-operative or mid-term mortality. In addition, unlike previous reports, there was no additive procedural risk for patients undergoing concomitant aortic valve repair or replacement.
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J. Heart Lung Transplant. · Dec 2013
Survival in pulmonary arterial hypertension patients awaiting lung transplantation.
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a progressive disease with lung transplantation as the only option for those patients refractory to medical therapy. Although several equations have been developed to predict PAH patient survival, it is unclear whether they can predict survival for patients awaiting transplantation. ⋯ Current prediction models overestimate survival for PAH patients listed for transplant in the LAS era. This new survival equation can help guide clinicians caring for PAH patients with progression of disease requiring transplant.
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J. Heart Lung Transplant. · Dec 2013
Pulmonary vascular abnormalities in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease undergoing lung transplant.
Little is known about the structure and function relationships of pulmonary vessels in the most severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) spectrum. We investigated morphometric, cellular, and physiologic characteristics of pulmonary arteries from COPD patients undergoing bilateral lung transplant. ⋯ In end-stage COPD patients undergoing lung transplant, pulmonary vascular involvement is unexpectedly modest, with low-grade endothelial dysfunction. In this sub-set of COPD patients, pulmonary emphysema may constitute the major determinant of the presence of pulmonary hypertension.