Incidence, risk factors and clinical outcome of multidrug-resistant organisms after heart transplantation

BACKGROUND Transplant recipients commonly harbor multidrug-resistant organisms(MDROs),as a result of frequent hospital admissions and increased exposure to antimi-crobials and invasive procedures.AIM To investigate the impact of patient demographic and clinical characteristics on MDRO acquisition,as well as the impact of MDRO acquisition on intensive care unit(ICU)and hospital length of stay,and on ICU mortality and 1-year mortality post heart transplantation.METHODS This retrospective cohort study analyzed 98 consecutive heart transplant patients over a ten-year period(2013-2022)in a single transplantation center.Data was collected regarding MDROs commonly encountered in critical care.RESULTS Among the 98 transplanted patients(70%male),about a third(32%)acquired or already harbored MDROs upon transplantation(MDRO group),while two thirds did not(MDRO-free group).The prevalent MDROs were Acinetobacter baumannii(14%),Pseudomonas aeruginosa(12%)and Klebsiella pneumoniae(11%).Compared to MDRO-free patients,the MDRO group was characterized by higher body mass index(P=0.002),higher rates of renal failure(P=0.017),primary graft dysfunction(10%vs 4.5%,P=0.001),surgical re-exploration(34%vs 14%,P=0.017),mechanical circulatory support(47%vs 26%P=0.037)and renal replacement therapy(28%vs 9%,P=0.014),as well as longer extracorporeal circulation time(median 210 vs 161 min,P=0.003).The median length of stay was longer in the MDRO group,namely ICU stay was 16 vs 9 d in the MDRO-free group(P=0.001),and hospital stay was 38 vs 28 d(P=0.006),while 1-year mortality was higher(28%vs 7.6%,log-rank-χ2:7.34).CONCLUSION Following heart transplantation,a predominance of Gram-negative MDROs was noted.MDRO acquisition was associated with higher complication rates,prolonged ICU and total hospital stay,and higher post-transplantation mortality.

Effect of TGF-β1 on the Expression of IL-12, IL-15, IL-18, IL-4 and IL-10 in Heart Transplantation Rejection in Rats

To investigate the effect of TGF-β1 on the expressions of IL-12, IL-15, IL-18, IL-4 and IL-10 in heart transplantation rejection in rats, a model of rat cervical heterotopic heart transplantation was set up and the model rats were randomly divided into three groups： control group, transplant group and TGF-β1 group. The mRNA expression levels of IL-12, IL-15, IL-18, IL-4 and IL-10 were determined by RT-PCR at the 5th day after the transplantation. The mRNA expression levels of IL- 12, IL-15, IL-18 were increased obviously and those of IL-4, IL-10 were significantly decreased in the transplant group as compared with the control group （P〈0.01）. In the TGF-β1 group, the mRNA ex- pression levels of IL- 12, IL- 15, IL- 18 were significantly decreased and those of IL-4, IL- 10 were significantly increased as compared with the transplant group （P〈0.01）. The immunosuppressive effect of TGF-β1 on heart transplantation rejection was related to its inhibition of the expressions of Th1-type cytokines （IL-12, IL-15, IL-18 etc） and its promotion of the expressions of Th2-tpye cyto- kines （IL-4, IL-10）.

Effect of ecdysterone on heteroptopic heart transplantation in rats

Objective： To investigate the protective effects of ecdysterone（EDS） on the allograft heart transplant model of rats. Methods： Fifty healthy Sprayue-Dawley（SD） rats were divided into donors and recipients randomly. Hearts were harvested and placed heterotopically into allogenic recipients. All animals were divided into three groups： sham-operation group（only opening and closing the abdomen, n=l 0）, EDS group（injected intraperitoneally with 20 mg/（kg · day） of EDS, n = 10）, and control group （injected intraperitoneally with normal saline, n = 10）. The pathological changes of myocardial tissue were analyzed by light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy and the levels of myocardial enzymes（GOT, LDH, CPK）, SOD, ET-1, NO, MDA in serum were measured. Tissue samples underwent the detection ofapoptotic cell death by in situ terminal deoxyribonucleotide transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling for apoptotic index（M） and also by immunohistochemistry method to study the expressions of Bcl-2 and Bax. Results： Pathological examination and transmission electron microscope observation showed greater myocardium damage in the control group. EDS group showed a decrease in the amount of myocardial enzymes, MDA, ET-1 and an increase in the levels of SOD, NO, compared to the control group. The A1 of EDS group became lower than that of control group, meanwhile the EDS group increased the expression of Bcl-2 and decreased the expression of Bax. Conclusion： EDS has protective effects on heteroptopic heart transplantation, which provides a new idea for myocardial protection in heart transplantation. However, the mechanism of its protective effect needs further research.

Exercise training in heart transplantation

Heart transplantation remains the gold standard in the treatment of end-stage heart failure(HF).Heart transplantation patients present lower exercise capacity due to cardiovascular and musculoskeletal alterations leading thus to poor quality of life and reduction in the ability of daily self-service.Impaired vascular function and diastolic dysfunction cause lower cardiac output while decreased skeletal muscle oxidative fibers,enzymes and capillarity cause arteriovenous oxygen difference,leading thus to decreased peak oxygen uptake in heart transplant recipients.Exercise training improves exercise capacity,cardiac and vascular endothelial function in heart transplant recipients.Pre-rehabilitation regular aerobic or combined exercise is beneficial for patients with end-stage HF awaiting heart transplantation in order to maintain a higher fitness level and reduce complications afterwards like intensive care unit acquired weakness or cardiac cachexia.All hospitalized patients after heart transplantation should be referred to early mobilization of skeletal muscles through kinesiotherapy of the upper and lower limbs and respiratory physiotherapy in order to prevent infections of the respiratory system prior to hospital discharge.Moreover,all heart transplant recipients after hospital discharge who have not already participated in an early cardiac rehabilitation program should be referred to a rehabilitation center by their health care provider.Although high intensity interval training seems to have more benefits than moderate intensity continuous training,especially in stable transplant patients,individualized training based on the abilities and needs of each patient still remains the most appropriate approach.Cardiac rehabilitation appears to be safe in heart transplant patients.However,long-term follow-up data is incomplete and,therefore,further high quality and adequately-powered studies are needed to demonstrate the long-term benefits of exercise training in this population.

Left Ventricle Geometry Remolding after Heart Transplantation:A Two-dimensional Ultrasound Study

The function of the transplanted heart will be affected by acute allograft rejection, chronic rejection, high blood pressure and so on, which may induce the reconstruction of the left ventricle and the increase of left ventricular mass （LVM）, and eventually lead to left ventricular hypertrophy that will significantly affect the prognosis of heart transplantation （HT）. The purpose of this study was to dy- namically monitor the changes of left ventricular geometric patterns after HT using two-dimensional echocardiography and to understand the remodeling process and its possible influencing factors. The left ventricular internal diameter, interventricular septal wall thickness, posterior wall thickness at end dias- tole were measured and the relative wall thickness （RWT）, left ventricular mass, left ventricular mass index were calculated respectively in 34 HT patients and 34 healthy volunteers by two-dimensional echocardiography. The type of left ventricular geometry was identified based on the echocardiographic determination of LVM index （LVMI） and RWT. The HT patients were divided into three groups ac- cording to the time length after surgery： A （3 months postoperatively）, B （6 months postoperatively） and C （12 months postoperatively）. We compared the parameters of left ventricle between HT group and normal control group, and explored the risk factors causing the increase of LVM. The results showed that 4 patients （16%） in group A had concentric remodeling. Nine patients （34.62%） in group B had re- construction, including 5 cases of concentric remodeling, 2 cases of concentric hypertrophy and 2 cases of eccentric hypertrophy. The hypertrophy incidence rate was 15.4% in group B. 15 patients （62.5%） had reconstruction in group C, including 9 cases of concentric remodeling, 5 cases of concentric hyper- trophy, and 1 case of eccentric hypertrophy. The prevalence of hypertrophy was 25%. Multivariate analysis showed that hypertension and acute rejection history were the risk factors that resulted in left ventricular hypertrophy. It is concluded that the left ventricular remodeling occurs following cardiac transplantation at an early stage and the incidence of left ventricular hypertrophy increases with survival time. In this study, the one-year prevalence of left ventricular hypertrophy was 25% after surgery. Hy- pertension and acute rejection history are risk factors that can predict the left ventricular hypertrophy.

Type A aortic dissection following heart transplantation:A case report

BACKGROUND Cardiac transplantation is considered the standard treatment for refractory endstage heart failure.Worldwide,5074 heart transplantations were performed in 2015.About 100 heart transplants are performed at the authors’center each year.The usual complications of heart transplantation include graft rejection,infection,and graft dysfunction.Aortic dissection after heart transplantation is very rare and is a serious complication that requires a hybrid procedure.CASE SUMMARY A 58-year-old female patient was admitted to Union Hospital Affiliated to Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology in July 2020 because of unprovoked low back pain without precipitating causes.Magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography angiography showed type A aortic dissection with an aberrant right subclavian artery.After admission,urapidil was used to control blood pressure.Ten days later,the patient underwent ascending aortic and aortic arch replacement,subclavian artery reconstruction,and endovascular repair of abdominal and thoracic aortic aneurysms.A cardiopulmonary bypass was established through the right femoral artery and femoral vein.The aberrant right subclavian artery,innominate artery,left common carotid artery,and left subclavian artery were blocked,and the left and right common carotid arteries were cannulated for bilateral cerebral perfusion.CONCLUSION The right axillary artery could not be selected for cardiopulmonary bypass intubation because of aberrant right subclavian artery.

Cardiac rehabilitation in a heart failure patient after left ventricular assist device insertion and subsequent heart transplantation:A case report

BACKGROUND Insertion of a left ventricular assist device(LVAD)and heart transplantation(HT)improve the survival of patients with heart failure.In addition,cardiac rehabilitation(CR)further increases the functional capacity.This case report describes a successful case of CR after LVAD insertion and subsequent HT.CASE SUMMARY In the present case,during the LVAD insertion period,peak oxygen consumption(VO2)increased by 12.16%after CR.HT was performed 7 mo after the LVAD insertion,and the patient participated in phases I and II CR.The peak VO2 increased from 17.24 to 22.29 m L/kg/min.This improvement was more significant than that reported in previous studies on CR after LVAD insertion or HT.The patient’s quality of life also improved.The total average score of the short form-36 questionnaire increased from 29.5 points at admission to 53.3 points 9 mo after HT.CONCLUSION A tailored CR program after LVAD insertion or HT may improve the patients’quality of life and increase survival.

Exploring the Experiences of Chinese Patients Waiting for Heart Transplantation

Background: Patients waiting for heart transplantation (HT) have complex physiological and psychosocial problems. Factors such as psychological state, behavior, social relationships, and cultural background of patients influence the HT process, such as causing psychotic disorder, difficult decision and close dependence. Care during the waiting period needs to be aimed at not only treating the symptoms but also the specific status. Purpose: To describe the physical and psychosocial experiences of the patients waiting for HT in one general hospital in the northern part of China. Methods: A qualitative approach was used in this study. Fifteen patients waiting for HT were selected based on purposive sampling, and semi-structured interviews were carried out. Results: In the analysis process, reported experiences of the participants were categorized into five main themes as follows: 1) feeling the impact;2) uncertainty about the future;3) difficult to make decisions;4) negative emotions and 5) request support. Conclusion: This study provides an in-depth description of patients waiting for HT who haveexperienced many physical, psychosocial, and familial problems due to disease and their cultural background. It found that Chinese patients have some special experiences due to their psychosocial background. This study suggests that nurses should focus on not only physical but also psychosocial problems of these patients, and provide understandings to develop more effective strategies to solve their problems. Relevance to Clinical Practice: This study focused on the special patients who are waiting for heart transplantation, and got the special results about the feelings and experiences. The results can help the doctors and nurses to help the patients pass the special period smoothly.

Patients 60 Years of Age and Older Should Have the Same Chance for Heart Transplantation or Not?

Heart transplantation is considered the best treatment modality for advanced heart disease. While old age has conventionally been considered a contraindication for heart transplantation due to the reported adverse effect of advanced age, however donor hearts＇ shortage continues to stimulate the discussion about the recipient＇s upper age limit. Our study was based on a retrospective analysis for the results of 52（18%） patients aged 60 years and older undergoing heart transplantation between May 2008 and December 2015, and these patients were compared with 236（82%） adult recipients who were younger than 60 years at the time of transplantation and during the same period. In older group, 71% were males with the mean age of 63.38±3.55 years, and in younger group, 83.4% were males with a mean age of 43.72±11.41 years（P=0.27）. Dilated cardiomyopathy was the most common indication for transplantation among patients in both groups（P=0.147）. In older group, the 3-month survival rate was higher than that in younger group（P=0.587）, however the 6-month survival rate showed no significant difference（P=0.225）. Although the 1-year survival rate was higher in older group（P=0.56）, yet the 3-year survival rate between the two groups showed no statistically significant difference（P=0.48）. According to our experience among older heart transplant candidates who were 60 years and older, we believe that advanced age should not be an excluding criterion to cardiac transplantation.

Application of Six-minute Walk Test in Heart Transplantation Patients

Objectives To analyze the six-minute walk test （6MWT） and gas exchange of 5 heart transplantation patients and to approach the variation tendency of exercise tolerance, oxygen uptake （ VO2 ） and heart rate chronotropic response. Methods 5 cases of heart transplantation patients （ age 25 - 52 years） were undertaken 6MWT 6 - 30 months after operation, synchronizing gas exchanging parameters were measured by wireless portable remote sensing K4B^2 gas analyzer, 51 normal controls were compared. Results The six-minute walk distance （6MWD） of 5 patients were （592.6 ± 26.7 ） m （558 - 625 ） m, the ascending tendency during exercise was slower, the maximum heart rates were 80% ± 6% of age-predicting maximal heart rate, lower than normal control （86%） ; the end point VO2/kg were （21.8 ± 1.4 ） mL/min · kg （ 19. 94 - 23.60） mL/min · kg. Conclusions The 6WMD and VO2 of 5 patients reached normal range, but the heart rate chronotropic response and VO2 ascending tendency were slower than those of normal controls.

Influence of the Type of Circulatory/Ventricular Assistance in the Primary Graft Failure and Heart Transplantation Mortality

OBJECTIVES: In recent years, the percentage of heart transplantation (HT) with short/medium-term assistance devices has increased. This study aims at analyzing primary graft failure and in-hospital mortality according to the type of care. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From January 2013 to December?2017 all patients undergoing urgent HT with circulatory/ventricular assistance?were retrospectively and consecutively recruited. Combined transplants, retransplantations and pediatric transplants were excluded. The sample was divided in 10 groups according to the type of shot/medium term assistance devices. RESULTS: A total of 53 patients were recruited, 79% men, average age 49 ± 13 years. 26 patients (51%) had mechanical ventilation at the time of the HT. Primary graft failure occurred in 20 patients (38.5%), whilst it was more frequent in patients assisted with ECMO (8 patients in group 1 (45%) and 7 in group 2 (54%), p 0.5). 14 deaths (27%) were registered, whereas a higher mortality was observed in the group assisted with ECMO (6 patients in group 1 (34%) and 4 in group 2 (31%), p 0.6). Mortality was 17% in the group of non-urgent Levitronix. CONCLUSIONS: Despite not showing statistical significance due to the low number of patients in some subgroups, hospital?mortality was high in HT patients with circulatory assistance. A trend towards a higher incidence of primary graft failure and mortality in patients assisted with ECMO was observed. The direct implantation of a centrifugal pump as a bridge to urgent transplantation could identify a subgroup with a better prognosis.

Application of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation techniques in heart transplantation operations

Objective To investigate clinical results of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation ( ECMO ) technique during peri - operative heart transplantation.

Current Status of and Opinions on Heart Transplantation in China

The purpose of this review is to provide a comprehensive update on recent advances in heart transplantation in China.Despite advances in pharmacologic and device treatment of chronic heart failure,long-term morbidity and mortality remain high,and many patients progress to end-stage heart failure.Heart transplantation has become standard treatment for selected patients with end-stage heart failure,though challenges still exist.However,multiple advances over the past few years will improve the survival and quality-of-life of heart transplant recipients.This article elaborates on the specific characteristics of heart transplantation in China,the current issues,development trends,and related experiences with heart transplantation in Wuhan Union Hospital.

Review of heart transplantation from hepatitis C-positive donors

Significant scarcity of a donor pool exists for heart transplantation(HT)as the prevalence of patients with end-stage refractory heart failure is increasing exceptionally.With the discovery of effective direct-acting antiviral and favorable short-term outcomes following HT,the hearts from hepatitis C virus(HCV)patient are being utilized to increase the donor pool.Short-term outcomes with regards to graft function,coronary artery vasculopathy,and kidney and liver disease is comparable in HCV-negative recipients undergoing HT from HCVpositive donors compared to HCV-negative donors.A significant high incidence of donor-derived HCV transmission was observed with great success of achieving sustained viral response with the use of direct-acting antivirals.By accepting HCV-positive organs,the donor pool has expanded with younger donors,a shorter waitlist time,and a reduction in waitlist mortality.However,the longterm outcomes and impact of specific HCV genotypes remains to be seen.We reviewed the current literature on HT from HCV-positive donors.

Immune responses on allograft heart transplantation in inbred rats infected with Echinococcosis multilocularis

Background Alveolar echinococcosis （AE） is caused by the metacestode stage of Echinococcus multilocularis （E. multilocularis） and is a rare but life-threatening disease. This disease commonly is characterized by an infiltrative, tumor-like growth of the E. multilocularis metacestode in the liver of human. Liver transplantation is an effective therapy for end-stage of hepatic AE, but the characteristics of host immunity associated with E. multilocularis infection with organ transplantation are poorly defined. We hereby aimed to study the immunological status and allograft heart survival in inbred rats with E. multilocularis infection. Methods Rat models of AE were established by injecting the E. multilocularis suspension made from E. multilocularis infected tissues into the abdomen of Lewis （LEW） rats. Three months later, in the experimental group, allograft heart transplantation was performed from Brown-Norway （BN） rats to the E. multilocularis infected LEW rats. In the control group, we transplanted hearts from BN rats to healthy LEW rats. The influence of the disturbed immune system in E. multilocularis infected rats on the heart transplantation was assessed, including observation of allograft heart survival time, histopathological examination of grafts and immunohistochemical examination of infiltrating cells （CD4＋ T cells, CD8＋ T cells and eosinophile granulocytes）, measurement of interleukin （IL）-4 and interferon （IFN）-γ in the serum by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） and analysis of CD4＋CD25＋ regulatory T cells in peripheral blood by fluorescence activated cell sorting （FACS） flow cytometric analysis. Results The survival time of recipients in the experimental group was prolonged compared with those in the control group. The numbers of graft infiltrating CD8＋ T cells were decreased whereas the graft infiltrating eosinophil granulocytes （CD15＋） were increased in grafts in the experimental group （P 〈0.05）. Furthermore, the proportion of CD4＋CD25＋regulatory T cells in the peripheral blood was 10.8% on average in the experimental group, which was significantly higher than that in the control group （6.1%）. In addition, the level of serum IL-4 in E. multilocularis infected rats was higher than that in the control group rats, whereas the level of serum IFN-γ in experimental group was lower than that in the control group when graft rejection occurred （P 〈0.05）. Conclusions This study suggests that E. multilocularis infection could prolong the allograft survival time through the polarization of Th1/Th2-type cells and induction of CD4＋CD25＋ regulatory T cells. This strategy may provide a new idea for establishing transplantation tolerance.

Status on Heart Transplantation in China

INTRODUCTION ＂End-stage heart disease＂ commonly refers to an irreversible stage of cardiac decompensation caused by a variety of pathologies that cannot be treated using conventional drugs or traditional surgical treatments. The life expectancy of patients with end-stage heart disease ranges from 〈6 months to 1 year. Therapeutic strategies for end-stage heart disease patients are primarily based on three approaches： Internal medicine therapy, surgical therapy （heart transplantation）, and multiple organ protection therapy via the core method of mechanical circulation assistance. Among these approaches, heart transplantation has become recognized as the most efl＇ective treatment.

Pediatric Heart Transplantation： Report from a Single Center in China

Background： Although heart transplantation （HTx） has become a standard therapy for end-stage heart diseases, experience with pediatric HTx is limited in China. In this article, we will try to provide the experience with indications, complications, perioperative management, immunosuppressive therapy, and survival for pediatric HTx based on our clinical work. Methods： This is a retrospective chart review of the pediatric patients undergoing HTx at Department of Cardiovascular Surgery of Union Hospital from September 2008 to December 2014. We summarized the indications, surgical variables, postoperative complications, and survival for these patients. Results： Nineteen pediatric patients presented for HTx at Union Hospital of Tongji Medical College, of whom 10 were male. The age at the time of transplantation ranged from 3 months to 18 years （median 15 years）. Patient weight ranged from 5.2 kg to 57.0 kg （median 38.0 kg）. Pretransplant diagnosis included cardiomyopathy （14 cases）, complex congenital heart disease （3 cases）, and tumor （2 cases）. All recipients received ABO-compatible donor hearts. Postoperative complications occurred in 12 patients, including cardiac dysfunction, arrhythmia, pulmonary infection, renal dysfunction, and rejection. Two of them experienced cardiac failure and required extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. The immunosuppression regimen was comprised ofprednisone, a calcineurin inhibitor, and mycophenolate. All patients recovered with New York Heart Association （NYHA） Class I-II cardiac function and were discharged. Only one patient suffered sudden death 19 months after transplantation. Conclusion： Orthotopic HTx is a promising therapeutic option with satisfying survival for the pediatric population in China with end-stage heart disease.

Using intramyocardial electrograms combined with other noninvasive methods for monitoring acute rejection following human heart transplantation

Background Acute allograft rejection in heart transplantation remains as one of the major complications. Obligatory graft surveillance is still achieved with the invasive and expensive endomyocardial biopsy （EMB）. Our study aimed to study the use of intramyocardial electrograms combined with other noninvasive methods for the monitoring of acute rejection after human heart transplantation. Methods Permanent pacemakers were implanted in 58 patients undergoing heart transplantations. Intramyocardial electrograms （IMEG） were recorded periodically and the results were compared with those from EMBs. The R wave amplitude of the IMEG was used as the index value, the average R wave amplitude at the third week following transplantation was considered as the baseline, and a reduction of 〉20% compared with the baseline was regarded as a positive result. EMB was performed in cases of positive IMEG results and also at other times. Other noninvasive methods were used to help the diagnosis. Acute rejection （AR） was defined as International Society of Heart-Lung Transplantation grade IliA or higher. Results We obtained 1231 IMEG records and 127 EMBs. Of the total 127 EMBs, 53 were positive, in which there were 42 IMEG positive results and 11 negative, while in the rest 74 negative EMBs, there were 9 IMEG positive results and 65 negative. The sensitivity of IMEG for the diagnosis of AR was 79.2%, and the specificity was 87.8%. The positive predictive value was 82.4% and the negative predictive value was 85.5%. Of the total of 1231 IMEG records, 51 were positive and 1180 were negative. Excluding 11 proved by EMB to be false negative, if the other 1169 were considered as no evidence of rejection, through the other noninvasive methods, AR diagnosed by this noninvasive monitoring strategy, the sensitivity was 79.2%, and the specificity was 99.2%. The positive predictive value was 82.4% and the negative predictive value was 99.1%. Conclusions IMEG can be used as a noninvasive method for monitoring AR following heart transplantation. It is a continuous, safe and inexpensive method, and could reduce the need for EMB combined with other noninvasive methods without reducing the detection of rejection. Chin Med J 2009; 122（2）： 136-139

Symptomatic Val122del mutated hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis: Need for early diagnosis and prioritization for heart and liver transplantation

Background: Hereditary transthyretin(ATTRv) amyloidosis is an autosomal dominant disease linked to transthyretin gene mutations which cause instability of the transthyretin tetramer. After dissociation and misfolding they reassemble as insoluble fibrils(i.e. amyloid). Apart from the common Val30 Met mutation there is a very heterogeneous group of non-Val30 Met mutations. In some cases, the clinical picture is dominated by a rapidly evolving restrictive and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Methods: A case series of four liver recipients with the highly clinically relevant, rare and particularly aggressive Val122 del mutation is presented. Medical and surgical therapeutic options, waiting list policy for ATTRv-amyloidosis, including the need for heart transplantation, and status of heart-liver transplantation are discussed. Results: Three patients needed a staged(1 patient) or simultaneous(2 patients) heart-liver transplant due to rapidly progressing cardiac failure and/or neurologic disability. Domino liver transplantation was impossible in two due to fibrotic hepatic transformation caused by cardiomyopathy. After a follow-up ranging from 3.5 to 9.5 years, cardiac(allograft) function was maintained in all patients, but neuropathy progressed in three patients, one of whom died after 80 months. Conclusions: This is the first report in(liver) transplant literature about the rare Val122 del ATTRv mutation. Due to its aggressiveness, symptomatic patients should be prioritized on the liver and, in cases with cardiomyopathy, heart waiting lists in order to avoid the irreversible neurological and cardiac damage that leads to a rapid lethal outcome.

Radiofrequency catheter ablation in patients with symptomatic atrial flutter/tachycardia after orthotopic heart transplantation

Background Atrial tachycardia or flutter is common in patients after orthotopic heart transplantation. Radiofrequency catheter ablation to treat this arrhythmia has not been well defined in this setting. This study was conducted to assess the incidence of various symptomatic atrial arrhythmias and the efficacy and safety of radiofrequency catheter ablation in these patients. Methods Electrophysiological study and catheter ablation were performed in patients with symptomatic tachyarrhythmia. One Halo catheter with 20 poles was positioned around the tricuspid annulus of the donor right atrium, or positioned around the surgical anastomosis when it is necessary. Three quadripolar electrode catheters were inserted via the right or left femoral vein and positioned in the recipient atrium, the bundle of His position, the coronary sinus. Programmed atrial stimulation and burst pacing were performed to prove electrical conduction between the recipient and the donor atria and to induce atrial arrhythmias. Results Out of 55 consecutive heart transplantation patients, 6 males [（58±12） years] developed symptomatic tachycardias at a mean of （5±4） years after heart transplantation. Electrical propagation through the suture line between the recipient and the donor atrium was demonstrated during atrial flutter or during recipient atrium and donor atrium pacing in 2 patients. By mapping around the suture line, the earliest fragmented electrogram of donor atrium was assessed. This electrical connection was successfully ablated in the anterior lateral atrium in both patients. There was no electrical propagation through the suture line in the other 4 patients. Two had typical atrial flutter in the donor atrium which was successfully ablated by completing a linear ablation between the tricuspid annulus and the inferior vena cava. Two patients had atrial tachycardia which was ablated in the anterior septal and lateral donor atrium. There were no procedure-related complications. Patients were free of recurrent atrial tachyarrhythmias after a follow-up of （8± 7） months. Confusions Four electrophysiological mechanisms have been found to contribute to the occurrence of symptomatic supraventricular arrhythmias following heart transplantation. Radiofrequency catheter ablation in patients with atrial flutter/tachycardia is feasible and safe after heart transplantation.