Jakob Gäbel

A single-centre experience of over one thousand lead extractions

AIMS The aim of the study was to present a single-centre experience of pacemaker and implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) lead extraction using different methods, mainly laser-assisted extraction. METHODS AND RESULTS Data from 1032 leads and 647 procedures were gathered. A step-by-step approach using different techniques while performing an ongoing risk-benefit analysis was used. The most common indications were local infection, systemic infection, non-functional lead, elective lead replacement, and J-wire fracture. Mean implantation time for all leads was 69 months and for laser-extracted leads 91 months. Laser technique was used to extract 60% of the leads, 29% were manually extracted, 6% extracted with mechanical tools, 4% were surgically removed, and 0.6% extracted by a femoral approach. Failure rate was 0.7%, and major complication rate was 0.9%. No extraction-related mortality occurred. Median time for laser extraction was 2 min. Long implantation time was not a risk factor for failure or for complication. CONCLUSION Pacing and ICD leads can safely, successfully, and effectively be extracted. Leads can often be extracted by a superior transvenous approach; however, open-chest and femoral extractions are still required. Laser-assisted lead extraction proved to be a useful technique to extract leads that could not be removed by manual traction. The results indicate that the paradigm of abandoning redundant leads, instead of removing them, may have to be reconsidered.

Cell salvage of cardiotomy suction blood improves the balance between pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines after cardiac surgery

OBJECTIVES The inflammatory response after cardiac surgery is characterized by a profound release of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Recent data suggest that the balance between pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines is of greater importance than the absolute levels. Retransfusion of unwashed cardiotomy suction blood contributes to the inflammatory response, but the balance between pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in cardiotomy suction blood and whether cell salvage before retransfusion influences the systemic balance have not been investigated previously. METHODS Twenty-five coronary artery bypass grafting patients were randomized to either cell salvage of cardiotomy suction blood or no cell salvage before retransfusion. Plasma levels of three anti-inflammatory cytokines [interleukin (IL)-1 receptor antagonist, IL-4 and IL-10] and two proinflammatory cytokines (tumour necrosis factor-alpha and IL-6), and the IL-6-to-IL-10 ratio was measured in cardiotomy suction blood before and after cell salvage, and in the systemic circulation before, during and after surgery. RESULTS Plasma levels of all cytokines except IL-4 and IL-10 were significantly higher in cardiotomy suction blood than in the systemic circulation. The IL-6-to-IL-10 ratio was 6-fold higher in cardiotomy suction blood than in the systemic circulation [median 10.2 (range 1.1-75) vs 1.7 (0.2-24), P < 0.001]. Cell salvage reduced plasma levels of cytokines in cardiotomy suction blood and improved the systemic IL-6-to-IL-10 ratio 24 h after surgery [median 5.2 (3.6-17) vs 12.4 (4.9-31)] compared with no cell salvage (P = 0.032). CONCLUSIONS The balance of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in cardiotomy suction blood is unfavourable. Cell salvage reduces the absolute levels of both pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in cardiotomy suction blood and improves the balance in the systemic circulation after surgery.

Retransfusion of cardiotomy suction blood impairs haemostasis: Ex vivo and in vivo studies

Abstract Objectives. Cardiotomy suction blood in volumes corresponding to 10–20% of the systemic blood volume is retransfused during cardiopulmonary bypass. We hypothesized that retransfusion of unwashed cardiotomy suction blood influences coagulation and platelet function. Design. Systemic blood samples collected during cardiopulmonary bypass were supplemented ex vivo with autologous wound blood (5, 10 and 20%, respectively). Clot formation and platelet function were assessed with thromboelastometry and platelet aggregometry. In an in vivo pilot study 30 patients were randomized into a retransfusion and a no-retransfusion group. Clot formation, platelet aggregability and thrombin generation capacity were compared between the groups. Results. Cardiotomy suction blood had markedly impaired clot stability and reduced levels of fibrinogen and platelets compared with systemic blood. Ex vivo addition of 10% and 20% suction blood to systemic blood impaired platelet aggregability and clot stability. Retransfusion of small amounts of wound blood in vivo (mean volume 280 ml, corresponding to 5% of the blood volume) did not significantly influence haemostasis. Conclusions. The ex vivo results suggest that addition of unwashed cardiotomy suction blood in clinically relevant volumes impairs systemic haemostasis. Retransfusion of smaller volumes in vivo has no or limited impact. Avoiding retransfusion of larger amounts of unwashed cardiotomy suction may improve postoperative haemostasis.

Cell saver processing mitigates the negative effects of wound blood on platelet function

Wound blood is highly activated and has poor haemostatic properties. Recent data suggest that retransfusion of unwashed wound blood may impair haemostasis. We hypothesized that cell saver processing of wound blood before retransfusion reduces the negative effects.

Continuous improvement in outcome after heart transplantation — Long-term follow-up after three decades of experience

AIMS Heart transplantation (HTx) has become the standard treatment for patients with end-stage heart disease. We report on the long-term outcome after HTx at our centre and investigate trends in outcome over time. METHODS During the period, between 1984 and 2014, a total of 610 HTx procedures were performed in 595 patients (median 48years; IQR 31-57years; range 24days-71years; mean 43years; 75% male) in our institution. Long-term outcome was investigated in the whole cohort, among children (n=76), bridged with mechanical circulatory support (MCS, n=131), re-transplanted (n=17), and concomitant kidney transplantation (n=12). RESULTS Long-term survival was at 1, 5, 10, 15 and 20years: 86% (95CI 0.83-0.89); 77% (95CI 0.73-0.80); 63% (95CI 0.59-0.68); 48% (95CI 0.43-0.54) and 30% (95CI 0.25-0.36), respectively. The median survival for the whole cohort was 14.1years. Patients transplanted during the most recent time period (2010-2014) had a better survival compared to previous eras, with a 1- and 3-year survival of 94% (95CI 0.89-0.97) and 93% (95CI 0.88-0.96), respectively (p<0.001). However, when survival was analysed for long-term MCS (n=80) versus short term MCS (n=35), there was a significantly poorer survival for the short-term MCS group (p=0.001). Independent predictors of long-term mortality included recipient age (p=0.041); previous smoking (p=0.034); ischemic heart disease (p=0.002); and preoperative ventilator therapy (p=0.004). CONCLUSIONS We have shown that continuous improvement in outcome after HTx still occurs. In the last time era, direct transplantation from short-term MCS was abandoned, which may have inflicted outcome during the last time era.