J. Felius

Prospective Assessment of Frailty Using the Fried Criteria in Patients Undergoing Left Ventricular Assist Device Therapy

Frail patients are more prone to adverse events after cardiac surgery, particularly after implantation of left ventricular assist devices. Thus, frailty assessment may help identify patients unlikely to benefit from left ventricular assist device therapy. The purpose was to establish a suitable measure of frailty in adults with end-stage heart failure. In a prospective cohort of 75 patients (age 58 ± 12 years) with end-stage heart failure, we assessed the association between frailty (5-component Fried criteria) and the composite primary outcome of inpatient mortality or prolonged length of stay, as well as extubation status, time on ventilator, discharge status, and long-term mortality. Fried frailty criteria were met in 44 (59%) patients, but there was no association with the primary outcome (p = 0.10). However, an abridged set of 3 criteria (exhaustion, inactivity, and grip strength) was predictive of the primary outcome (odds ratio 2.9, 95% confidence interval 1.1 to 7.4), and of time to extubation and time to discharge. In patients with advanced heart failure, the 5-component Fried criteria may not be optimally sensitive to clinical differences. In conclusion, an abridged set of 3 frailty criteria was predictive of the primary outcome and several secondary outcomes, and may therefore be a clinically useful tool in this population.

Bilateral sympathectomy for treatment of refractory ventricular tachycardia

Ventricular tachycardia (VT) commonly occurs in patients with ischemic or nonischemic cardiomyopathy and requires antiarrhythmic drugs, ablation, or advanced circulatory support. However, life‐threatening VT may be refractory to these therapies, and may cause frequent implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) discharges. Left cardiac sympathetic denervation reduces the occurrence of these fatal arrhythmias by inhibiting the sympathetic outflow to the cardiac tissue. We present a 69‐year‐old man with nonischemic cardiomyopathy, life‐threatening VT, and hemodynamic instability with numerous ICD discharges, who remained refractory to antiarrhythmic drug therapy and ablation attempts. He was effectively treated with bilateral cardiac sympathectomy. Six months later, he remained free of VT with no ICD discharges.

Usefulness of a left ventricular assist device in patients with left ventricular noncompaction

ABSTRACT Left ventricular noncompaction (LVNC) is a multifactorial structural abnormality of the myocardial wall characterized by prominent trabeculae and deep trabecular recesses. LVNC may present as a congenital or acquired defect characterized by 2 distinct tissue layers: a spongy, noncompacted inner myocardium and a thin, compacted outer myocardium. Patients with LVNC are prone to thromboembolic events, either due to deep trabeculations in the noncompacted myocardium or due to arrhythmias accompanying the defect. There are sparse data concerning treatment options for patients with LVNC who fail medical management. We present 2 such patients with LVNC who, following failed medical management, received a left ventricular assist device (LVAD): one for long-term management and one as a bridge to transplant. Both were managed successfully without thromboembolic events to date. The success of these cases suggests that LVAD placement is a viable therapy in patients with LVNC as a bridge to transplant or as long-term management.

Patient acceptance of the Heart-to-Heart program: Using patients' native hearts to promote post-transplant health.

Megan C. Reynolds, MS, Sandra A. Carey, PhD, Simon Driver, PhD, Jong Ko, BA, Joost Felius, PhD, William C. Roberts, MD, and Shelley A. Hall, MD From the Baylor Institute for Rehabilitation, Dallas, Texas; Center for Advanced Heart and Lung Disease, Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, Texas; Baylor Heart and Vascular Institute, Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, Texas; and the Annette C. and Harold C. Simmons Transplant Institute, Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, Texas