H.-J. Schäfers

Decreased incidence of bronchial complications following lung transplantation.

Despite omental wrap and avoidance of prophylactic administration of corticosteroids in the early postoperative phase, ischemic bronchial complications still represent an important source of early morbidity and mortality following lung transplantation. In a retrospective analysis, the effect of pharmacological enhancement of pulmonary collateral flow on bronchial healing was investigated. Thirty-nine consecutive unilateral or bilateral transplant procedures (Tx) were analyzed. Immunosuppression consisted of rabbit antithymocyte globulin (RATG), cyclosporine A, and azathioprine. In group 1 (10 Tx, 12 anastomoses) routine immunosuppression was employed and the anastomoses wrapped with an omental or pericardial pedicle. In group 2 (29 Tx, 41 anastomoses) PGI2 (4 ng/kg per min x 48 h), heparin (200 U/kg per day), and prednisolone (0.5 mg/kg per day) were added to the therapeutic regimen. The 2 groups were comparable with respect to age and sex of the patients, primary diagnosis, type of transplant, intraoperative use of extracorporeal circulation, graft ischemia, duration of mechanical ventilation, and mortality. Bronchoscopic evidence of a significant bronchial ischemia (extending more than 1 cartilaginous ring beyond the anastomosis) was seen in 8 of 12 anastomoses in group 1 vs 14 of 53 anastomoses in group 2 (P = NS). In group 1, significant bronchial stenosis required implantation of an endobronchial silicone stent in 6 of 12 anastomoses, whereas in group 2, no significant bronchial stenosis occurred (P less than 0.01). No negative effects possibly related to the prophylactic administration of corticosteroids could be observed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Tricuspid valve regurgitation attributable to endomyocardial biopsies and rejection in heart transplantation

In the present report the prevalence, severity, and risk factors of tricuspid valve regurgitation (TR) in 251 heart transplant recipients have been analyzed retrospectively. Tricuspid valve function was studied by color-flow Doppler echocardiogram and annual heart catheterization. The presence or severity of TR was graded on a scale from 0 (no TR) to 4 (severe). Additional postoperative data included rate of rejection, number of endomyocardial biopsies, incidence of transplant vasculopathy, and preoperative and postoperative hemodynamics. The incidence of grade 3 TR increases from 5% at 1 year to 50% at 4 years after transplantation. Multivariate analysis showed rate of rejection and donor heart weight to be significant risk factors. The ischemic intervals as well as the preoperative and postoperative pulmonary hemodynamics did not affect the severity or prevalence of TR. These results indicate that various factors appear to have an impact on the development of TR and that the prevalence might be lowered by a reduction of the number of biopsies performed and when possible, oversizing of donor hearts.

Intraoperative echocardiography to detect and prevent tricuspid valve regurgitation after heart transplantation.

Tricuspid valve regurgitation (TVR) is frequently observed following orthotopic heart transplantation. The etiology of this phenomenon remains unclear. In a prospective study, we tried to identify pre-, intra- and postoperative factors possibly related to the occurrence of TVR in 15 patients (14 male, 1 female). Epicardial echocardiography was used during the transplant procedure and transthoracic echocardiography was performed at weekly intervals thereafter, TVR was graded semiquantitatively (grade 0-4). If TVR grade greater than 1 was detected after discontinuation of cardiopulmonary bypass, pericardial reduction plasty was performed (group R). If no or mild TVR (less than grade 1) was present, simple closure of the pericardium was carried out (control group). In group R the mean grade of TVR was 1.6 +/- 0.3 (SEM) before and 0.6 +/- 0.07 after pericardial closure (p less than 0.05). Following moderate elevation during the first 5 weeks, the degree of TVR reached levels slightly above the initial levels after 8 weeks. In the control group, a moderate increase of TVR developed during the first 8 weeks after surgery and remained at a significantly higher level than in group R (p less than 0.05). No preoperative risk factors for TVR, such as underlying disease or hemodynamic status of the recipients, was identified. Estimation of differences in heart volume between recipient and donor organs, by contrast, showed a significant discrepancy in group R but not in the controls. We therefore conclude that TVR in recipients of orthotopic heart transplants may be due to a size mismatch of donor heart and recipient pericardial cavity, resulting in distortion of the tricuspid valve ring.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Papillary fibroelastoma of the aortic valve presenting with myocardial infarction

We describe the case of a 56-year-old woman who presented with myocardial infarction. Noninvasive and invasive investigations revealed coronary embolism from a papillary tumor attached to the right coronary cusp of the aortic valve as the underlying process. The tumor, which histologically proved to be a papillary fibroelastoma, was excised surgically and the resulting defect in the aortic valve leaflet was closed with a patch of autologous pericardium, effectively reconstructing the aortic valve. The current literature on intracardiac papillary fibroelastoma as a source of embolism and its surgical treatment is summarized.

Left ventricular function, tricuspid incompetence, and incidence of coronary artery disease late after orthotopic heart transplantation.

Functional results and data concerning the incidence and severity of graft atherosclerosis (GASC) and tricuspid incompetence (TI) in the intermediate term after orthotopic heart transplantation (HTX) are still striking. We examined 92 patients 1, 2, and 3 years after HTX by right and left heart catheterization in order to evaluate pump function, the status of the coronary arteries and the extend of TI, using a double indicator thermodilation technique. Mean left ventricular volumes and ejection fraction were normal 1 and 2 years post-transplant. The incidence of GASC was 8/87 (9.2%) at 1, and 11/92 (12%) at 2 years. It was more frequent (16%) in patients with preexisting coronary artery disease (IHD) than in patients with underlying dilative cardiomyopathy (DCM) (11%). At the end of the 1st postoperative year, 62% of patients were free of TI, whereas only 38% had normal valve function 2 years posttransplant. In 9/14 (64%) of patients, consecutively assessed at 1 and 2 years, TI had increased between both investigations. Preoperative haemodynamics, the number of endomyocardial biopsies and rejection episodes as well as preoperative cardiac size did not correlate with TI. Left ventricular volumes and ejection fraction are normal in the intermediate term after HTX. The incidence of GASC was less than 10% at 1 year and did not significantly increase thereafter. TI is a frequent and yet unexplained finding after HTX showing a considerable tendency to increase with time, but with little or not haemodynamic consequence.

Predictive criteria for the need of extracorporeal circulation in single-lung transplantation

Use of extracorporeal circulation is mandatory in heart-lung and en bloc double-lung transplantation. However, no criteria exist to predict the necessity of its application during single-lung transplantation for parenchymal lung diseases. We therefore reviewed our experience in 23 patients undergoing single-lung transplantation for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. All patients were evaluated by preoperative right heart catheterization. For intraoperative monitoring, a pulmonary artery thermodilution catheter was placed in the contralateral lung to repeatedly assess pulmonary artery pressure, cardiac output, and pulmonary vascular resistance. Extracorporeal circulation was necessary during graft implantation in 4 patients, whereas 19 patients underwent operation without it. Preoperative demographic patient data, time of ischemia, and hemodynamic values obtained preoperatively and before the clamping of the pulmonary artery showed no significant differences between groups. In contrast, after the clamping of the pulmonary artery, a significant drop in cardiac index of about 1.5 L.min-1.m-2 (p less than 0.01) and a concomitant rise in pulmonary vascular resistance (p less than 0.01) was observed in the group requiring extracorporeal circulation, whereas these variables showed no significant changes in the other 19 patients. Pulmonary artery pressure rose significantly in both groups (p less than 0.05), without significant differences between them. It is concluded that intraoperative assessment of cardiac index and pulmonary vascular resistance is essential for estimation of cardiac performance during single-lung transplantation. A decrease in cardiac index of more than 1.5 L.min-1.m-2 after the clamping of the pulmonary artery rather than the degree of pulmonary hypertension is indicative of the need of extracorporeal circulation.

Retransplantation of the lung. A single center experience.

While lung retransplantation remains the only therapeutic option in early or late graft failure, its value is viewed controversially. Of 134 patients undergoing pulmonary transplantation in our institution, 13 patients underwent 14 redos following heart-lung transplantation (n = 3), bilateral lung transplantation (n = 5), and unilateral lung transplantation (n = 5). Indications for retransplantation were acute graft failure (n = 2), persistent graft dysfunction (n = 3), airway complications (n = 2), and chronic graft failure (n = 7). Prior to retransplantation, six patients had been in stable respiratory failure, the remaining eight patients were on mechanical ventilation or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (n = 2). Four patients died, 19, 43, 142, and 683 days following retransplantation due to pneumonia (n = 2), early onset of obliterative bronchiolitis (n = 1), and pulmonary embolism (n = 1). There was no correlation between mortality and intubation prior to re-operating, timing of operation, donor cytomegalovirus (CMV) status, or type of operation. Postoperative need for intensive care treatment was prolonged in patients undergoing acute retransplantation (P < 0.05). Actuarial 1- and 2-year survival rates were calculated at 77 and 64%. This was slightly lower than in the overall population following primary isolated lung transplantation (83 and 80%). Actuarial freedom from obliterative bronchiolitis (stage 3) at 1 and 2 years was calculated at 88 and 27% (primary grafts: 88% vs 72%; P < 0.05). Retransplantation is a realistic option in early and late graft failure after lung transplantation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Chronic rejection following lung transplantation. Incidence, time pattern and consequences. Discussion

UNLABELLEDnThe long-term prognosis following lung transplantation (LTX) depends mainly on the development of chronic rejection which appears clinically as deterioration of the lung function while, histologically, obliterative bronchiolitis (OB) is found. However, it still remains questionable whether heart-lung (HL), double or single lung (DL/SL) transplants behave similarly with regard to incidence and time pattern. Eighty-two patients, transplanted until August 92, were analyzed. Early and late deaths within 180 days postoperatively were excluded. A total of 64 patients at risk could be evaluated. By repeated lung function tests, obstructive airway disease was defined by a drop of 25% or more of the forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) in percent of the inspiratory vital capacity.nnnRESULTSnThe functional optimum after transplantation was reached after a comparable time-span postoperatively in all groups. Chronic deterioration of the lung function developed earlier following DLTX compared to HLTX and SLTX. Obstructive airway disease was diagnosed in 9/20 (45%) HL, 7/19 (37%) DL, and 7/25 (28%) SL patients. Of these, 4 died and 4 had to be retransplanted for the disease while an additional 15 patients are currently under investigation. It is concluded that the development of obstructive airway disease represents a serious problem in all types of lung transplantation. There is a tendency to earlier development following DLTX--perhaps caused by the greatest immunological potential in this group of patients.

Pulmonary Venous Obstruction Following Repair of Total Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Drainage

Recurrent pulmonary venous obstruction has been reported as a serious late complication following the initial repair of total anomalous pulmonary venous drainage. It occurs either as true pulmonary venous obstruction or as stenosis of the retrocardiac anastomosis between the left atrium and pulmonary veins. The 2 patients reported herein demonstrated the typical history and course following stenosis of the retrocardiac anastomosis. Reoperation resulted in complete relief of symptoms. Both patients are well 36 and 17 months after reoperation, demonstrating the favorable prognosis of this lesion.

Graft coronary vasculopathy in cardiac transplantation : evaluation of risk factors by multivariate analysis

The development of coronary vasculopathy is the main determinant of long-term survival in cardiac transplantation. The identification of risk factors, therefore, seems necessary in order to identify possible treatment strategies. Ninety-five out of 397 patients, undergoing orthotopic cardiac transplantation from 10/1985 to 10/1992 were evaluated retrospectively on the basis of perioperative and postoperative variables including age, sex, diagnosis, previous operations, renal function, cholesterol levels, dosage of immunosuppressive drugs (cyclosporin A, azathioprine, steroids), incidence of rejection, treatment with calcium channel blockers at 3, 6, 12, and 18 months postoperatively. Coronary vasculopathy was assessed by annual angiography at 1 and 2 years postoperatively. After univariate analysis, data were evaluated by stepwise multiple logistic regression analysis. Coronary vasculopathy was assessed in 15 patients at 1 (16%), and in 23 patients (24%) at 2, years. On multivariate analysis, previous operations and the incidence of rejections were identified as significant risk factors (P < 0.05), whereas the underlying diagnosis had borderline significance (P = 0.058) for the development of graft coronary vasculopathy. In contrast, all other variables were not significant in our subset of patients investigated. We therefore conclude that the development of coronary vasculopathy in cardiac transplant patients mainly depends on the rejection process itself, aside from patient-dependent factors. Therapeutic measures, such as the administration of calcium channel blockers and regulation of lipid disorders, may therefore only reduce the progress of native atherosclerotic disease in the posttransplant setting.