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. · Jul 2019
DireCt Lung Ultrasound Evaluation (CLUE): A novel technique for monitoring extravascular lung water in donor lungs.
Extravascular lung water (EVLW) could change in donor lungs in a time-dependent fashion during procurement or ex-vivo lung perfusion (EVLP) and may vary across different zones. Current techniques for EVLW assessment are either subjective, general estimation, or not feasible in the clinical setting. An accurate and non-invasive diagnostic tool for EVLW would be desirable for donor lung assessment and management. Therefore, we studied the feasibility and accuracy of direCt Lung Ultrasound Evaluation (CLUE) technique. ⋯ EVLW monitoring in donor lungs with CLUE after procurement is feasible and CLUE scores were found to be significantly correlated with lung weight, wet/dry, and PaO2/FIO2 ratio.
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J. Heart Lung Transplant. · Jul 2019
Usefulness of standard computed tomography pulmonary angiography performed for acute pulmonary embolism for identification of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension: results of the InShape III study.
Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is often diagnosed after a long delay, even though signs may already be present on the computed tomography pulmonary angiogram (CTPA) used to diagnose a preceding acute pulmonary embolism (PE). In this setting of suspected acute PE, we evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of dedicated CTPA reading for the diagnosis of already existing CTEPH. ⋯ Standardized reading of CTPA scans performed for acute PE can be useful for the diagnosis of CTEPH when structured identification of 6 characteristics is employed during interpretation. The use of this strategy may help reduce diagnostic delay of CTEPH.
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J. Heart Lung Transplant. · Jun 2019
Mitochondrial integrity during early reperfusion in an isolated rat heart model of donation after circulatory death-consequences of ischemic duration.
Cardioprotection and graft evaluation after ischemia-reperfusion (IR) are essential in facilitating heart transplantation with donation after circulatory death. Given the key role of mitochondria in IR, we aimed to investigate the tolerance of cardiac mitochondria to warm, global ischemia and to determine the predictive value of early reperfusion mitochondria-related parameters for post-ischemic cardiac recovery. ⋯ Mitochondrial dysfunction occurs with shorter periods of ischemia than cardiac dysfunction. Mitochondrial coupling, ROS emission from reverse electron transfer, and calcium retention are particularly sensitive to early reperfusion injury, reflecting potential targets for cardioprotection. Indicators of mitochondrial integrity may be of aid in evaluating suitability of donation after circulatory death grafts for transplantation.
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J. Heart Lung Transplant. · Jun 2019
Exercise cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging allows differentiation of low-risk pulmonary arterial hypertension.
Patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) have a decreased ability to compensate for demands on increased cardiac output, such as during exercise. In this study we aimed to differentiate cardiac exercise responses in patients with PAH, stratified according to known measurements of disease severity. ⋯ Assessment of right ventricular function with CMR during exercise stratifies patients currently perceived as having a low risk of mortality into different degrees of right ventricular inotropic reserve. Reduced SV during exercise is a plausible factor to increased risk of decompensation, possibly warranting targeted therapy intensification to restore right ventricular functional reserve.