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. · May 2004
Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid characteristics in acute and chronic lung transplant rejection.
The detection of graft rejection by bronchoalveolar lavage remains controversial. ⋯ In the present study we were not able to show any difference in lymphocyte sub-types when comparing acute rejection and control subjects. Cellular and soluble parameters in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid appear useful for diagnosing bronchiolitis obliterans.
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J. Heart Lung Transplant. · May 2004
Microvascular changes in small airways predispose to obliterative bronchiolitis after lung transplantation.
There is strong evidence that obliterative bronchiolitis (OB) in lung transplant recipients is related to acute rejection as graded by parenchymal perivascular infiltrates. OB (chronic rejection) is a small airways, rather than a parenchymal, scarring process. Moreover, there has been no study of the microcirculation in the small airways in lung transplantation. This study assesses the microvasculature around small airways (SA) in post-mortem lung allograft specimens. ⋯ OB after lung transplantation is associated with a decrease in microvascular supply to the small airway. This ischemic event may lead to airway damage or increase the tendency to repair by scarring. The small airways then appear to respond to this insult by angiogenesis, which may either occur too late to prevent permanent airway damage or be inadequate in restoring adequate blood supply to the airway.
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J. Heart Lung Transplant. · Apr 2004
The structural examination of myocardial samples from patients with end-stage heart failure supported by ventricular assist devices using electron microscopy and amino acid analysis reveals low degree of reverse remodeling.
Chronic heart failure is a multifactorial, progressive disease of many causes and is associated with complex ventricular remodeling. Deposition of extracellular matrix proteins and sarcomeric disarray of the myocytes occur in end-stage heart failure. Ventricular assist devices (VAD), implanted as bridge to transplantation, may reverse ventricular remodeling. Although successfully weaning patients from VAD support has been reported, it is not clear to what degree reversal of remodeling occurs in unloaded failing hearts. Because collagen deposition and ultrastructural disarray are hallmarks of myocardial remodeling, we analyzed the myocardial ultrastructure and collagen content of VAD-supported hearts before and after mechanical unloading. ⋯ Mechanical unloading does not alter the total collagen content of the supported, failing heart. Thus, structural reversal of the remodeling process associated with heart failure is not a general phenomenon in mechanically unloaded hearts.
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J. Heart Lung Transplant. · Apr 2004
Home continuous positive inotropic infusion as a bridge to cardiac transplantation in patients with end-stage heart failure.
The clinical use of positive inotropic therapy at home in patients awaiting cardiac transplantation has not been reported since United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) regulations were changed to allow home infusions in Status 1B patients. ⋯ Continuous positive inotropic therapy at home was safe and was associated with decreased health care costs in selected patients awaiting cardiac transplantation.
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J. Heart Lung Transplant. · Feb 2004
Case ReportsDobutamine-related asthma in a patient awaiting cardiac transplantation: the eosinophilic dilemma.
Long-term continuous intravenous inotrope infusion is frequently used as a pharmacologic bridge to cardiac transplantation in patients with end-stage congestive heart failure. We report a case of severe eosinophil-associated asthma after 6 weeks of therapy with the inotrope dobutamine in a patient awaiting cardiac transplantation. Review of the laboratory data revealed a steady increase in eosinophils during the period of treatment with dobutamine. Once the patient was switched to an alternative inotrope, milrinone, the eosinophil count returned to normal, and the asthma exacerbation resolved.